Your oven is the beating heart of your bakery, producing beautiful artisan bread, pastries, and more day in and day out. To keep your deck oven running smoothly and produce top-quality baked goods, regular cleaning is essential. We have put together a step-by-step guide explaining how to properly clean and maintain your deck oven, ensuring it bakes the highest quality products for years to come!

Step 1: Safety First! Before any cleaning steps can begin, you need to make sure the oven is powered off and that it has cooled to a safe temperature. Deck Ovens are capable of extreme heat so making sure the oven has cooled down will avoid the risk of any burns. Additionally, wear appropriate protective gear such as gloves to safeguard against cleaning agents and debris.

Step 2: Time to remove loose debris from the oven decks. Loose debris or food particles such as flour, cornmeal and other smaller particulates used in baking can accumulate on the deck. Use a soft-bristled brush and pull all of the debris to the front of the oven where you can easily dispose of it. A vacuum can also be used for easy cleaning of each deck. Pay close attention to the corners, crevices, and deck surfaces, as these areas tend to accumulate the most residue.

Step 3: Make sure non-loose debris is also removed from the oven deck. When baking with inclusions, sometimes products like cheeses may leak onto the deck and bake onto the stone. If you have an oven brush with a scraper or a standalone oven scraper, gently scrape the stuck-on debris from the deck and then brush the now loose debris off of the oven deck.

Step 4: Next, you will want to wipe down the doors of the oven to ensure there is no build-up on the oven doors. This is important in that a clean oven door window allows you to easily see the product as it bakes. To do this, dampen a clean cloth or sponge with warm water and very mild watered-down detergent, then gently wipe down the surface of the oven doors. Focus on removing any grease, stains, or baked-on residues, ensuring thorough coverage of the walls, and door.

Step 5: Dont' forget to clean the exterior surfaces too! This includes the control panel, handles, face and sides of the oven and exterior of the oven doors. Use a damp cloth or a special oven exterior cleaning solution to wipe away any dirt, grease, or fingerprints, then dry with a clean towel. Cleaning the outside of your oven is even more important when your oven on display for customers to see. A clean oven is a great representation of your bakery!

Step 6: Last but certainly not least, be sure to perform regular maintenance checks on your oven. Just like any machine, performing routine maintenance tasks such as checking and replacing gaskets, and inspecting heating elements is needed from time to time. This will help prolong the life of your deck oven and ensure optimal performance. For any parts replacements you may need or if you have issues that succeed regular maintenance, you can call our 24-hour service and parts department to ensure you do not experience extended downtime in your busy bakery.

Cleaning your deck oven may seem like a time-consuming and redundant task, but with the right tools, techniques, and a little elbow grease, it can be a straightforward process that will ensure a long lifespan of your oven. You'll not only prolong the life of your oven but also maintain the quality and consistency of your baked goods. So roll up your sleeves, put on your cleaning cap, and give your deck oven the TLC it deserves – your bakery and your customers will thank you for it.