There isn’t a true “zero-effort” way to clean an oven—anything that actually removes baked-on grease needs a bit of time or heat—but there is a very low-effort trick that works well for light to moderate grime.
🍋 The steam + citrus trick
What you do
- Fill an oven-safe dish with water.
- Add slices of lemon (or a splash of vinegar).
- Place it in the oven and heat to about 120–150°C for 20–30 minutes.
- Turn the oven off and let it sit (door closed) for another 10–15 minutes.
- Wipe the interior with a cloth or sponge.
Why it works
The steam loosens grease and dried food, while the mild acidity from lemon or vinegar helps break down residue and neutralize odors.
When it works best
- Regular maintenance cleaning
- Light grease or recent spills
- Removing smells
When it won’t be enough
If there’s heavy, baked-on carbon buildup, you’ll still need:
- a baking soda paste (left overnight), or
- a proper oven cleaner
Small upgrade for better results
After steaming, dip your cloth in a little baking soda and wipe—this adds gentle abrasion without much extra effort.
Bottom line
It’s not magic, but this trick turns a tough scrub into a quick wipe—about as close to “effortless” as oven cleaning realistically gets.
If you want, I can give you a 5-minute deep-clean method or a no-chemical version that handles really dirty ovens.