That’s why we recommend that you always use a specially formulated ceramic hob cleaner, which isn’t grainy or abrasive and won’t scratch the surface. Some persistent residues and burnt-on food like sugar can be difficult to remove, even with the best hob cleaner. In this case, you may need a scraper tool. Specialist ceramic hob scrapers allow you to get under the residue to shift it, but they should be used with care so you don’t scratch the surface. To make cleaning easier next time, consider lining your oven with an oven liner to catch any spills and splashes. How we test oven cleaners Hint: The best way to clean any barbecue grill is to let the charcoal or gas reach a high heat with the lid on for about 20 minutes and then use a stiff BBQ-dedicated wire brush to remove the carbonised fats and food detritus. Scottish Highlands & Islands postcodes: AB, FK, HS, IV, KA, KW, PA, PH, ZE, LL58-LL78, IM, TR, PO30-41, BT

You probably know what we're going to say, but it's true that the longer you put off cleaning your oven, the harder it'll be! Pyrolitic ovens feature a special timed cleaning program that super-heats the empty oven to around 500˚C. Grease and baked-on remnants are burnt to ash, which you can then simply wipe away once the oven has cooled. It’s arguably the most fuss-free way to keep an oven clean, but it takes up to four hours to complete, and toxic smoke can be generated in the process – which is why many pyrolytic ovens come with a catalytic converter to eradicate emissions. READ NEXT: The best cordless vacuum cleaners to buy The best oven cleaners to buy 1. Oven Mate Complete Deep Clean Oven Kit: Best all-in-one cleaning kit

The best oven cleaners to buy

To use, simply open the lid, dip the supplied sponge into some warm water (rough side down) and swipe up some solution from the tub. Now work on the oven glass and interior and exterior surfaces using a circular motion. Leave for a few minutes before wiping off the solution with the smoother side of the sponge and, all being well, your oven should look as good as the day you bought it. If you're feeling brave, you can remove the front door of your oven by unscrewing it and taking out the glass to clean it fully. Pop a towel down on the floor to lay it down safely. In some respects, this product is a bit of an anomaly because the inner shell of a barbecue doesn’t really require any cleaning at all and no amount of scrubbing will ever restore it to its original condition – the heat alone will tarnish the metal and change its colour forever. Yes, the Jeyes BBQ Cleaner kills bacteria in a thrice, but so does 350˚C of searing heat.

Aim to clean your oven at least every three months, or whenever you notice burnt-on dirt accumulating. Smoke building up when you're baking is another sign that you need to dig out the oven cleaner. To clean inside the oven: Pour some of the remaining solution into the Centre of the oven. Apply to the areas to be cleaned using a cloth/sponge. Leave to soak for at least 4 hours, for the best results leave overnight. Remove residue with a cloth/sponge and rinse with hot soapy water. A second application may be required depending on build up. Many steam cleaners claim they can be used for oven cleaning, and that might work if your oven is only very lightly soiled. When it comes to heavily stained glass and caked-on grime, however, it’s unlikely that a domestic steam cleaner will make the slightest impression. All you can expect to end up with is a pile of wet tea towels. Can you use third-party oven cleaners with any oven?

Working days are Monday-Friday 8:00am-7:00pm inclusive, excluding Saturday, Sunday and Public Holidays.

For reasons of hygiene and safety, personal grooming products, cosmetics or items of intimate clothing cannot be returned. We tested it on a decidedly grubby Webber kettle barbecue and can vouch that it removed most of the ingrained grease from the grill and internal shell with relatively little fuss. However, it did take almost an entire 750ml bottle to complete the process, leaving very little for our oven test. In the event, it did remove some of the oven’s lighter tarnishing but not as well as any of the bona fide oven cleaners listed above.

If you want to get your oven back to its sparkling best, but you're struggling to shift that caked-on dirt, then help is at hand

Please note that during particularly busy periods, it may take a little longer to receive your delivery and our carrier may attempt to deliver to you on a Saturday. After that, let the solution sit for four hours while keeping the oven door open and watching out for kids and dogs nearby.

When testing and selecting the best oven cleaners we considered ease of use, fumes and scents, cleaning all the different components of the oven and value. Note: Always read the instructions carefully before using any cleaning product, and follow any safety precautions.Working days are defined as Monday-Friday 8am-7pm inclusive, excluding Saturday, Sunday and Public Holidays. To get your oven door looking as good as new, gently lift off heavy dirt with a metal spatula or ceramic hob scraper before applying your oven cleaner. Some ovens allow you to remove the door entirely, which might make cleaning easier. The gel is easy to apply with no splashing and it doesn’t smell too bad either. Just be sure to follow the instructions carefully, because both solutions contain highly corrosive potassium hydroxide. For the most thorough results, use a specially designed oven cleaner. Follow the instructions on its label, let fresh air flow through your kitchen and always wear rubber gloves.