Care
The 5-Minute Fix from Samsung Care: A Holiday-Ready Oven to Make Cooking a Hit
10/26/2023
The holiday season is here, and it’s time to talk turkey.
A staggering 46 million turkeys are consumed on Thanksgiving and another 22 million are enjoyed at Christmas, according to the National Turkey Federation. Ovensplay an indispensable role but an undercooked bird can be the biggest cooking stressors during the holidays.
“You wouldn’t believe the amount of house calls we make on Thanksgiving Day and Christmas because people are frantic that their oven is broken,” said Nick Webert, Senior Director of Care Field Service Operation, for Samsung. “Cooking a holiday feast is a high stress event, and caring for the oven is usually overlooked as part of the prep. Good news is there’s still time to get your oven ready to make your holiday cooking a hit.”
In the latest installment of our Care Advice Column, Nick and the experts in Samsung Care answer some common questions we receive on these holiday house calls. Their simple and effective steps will help you maintain and care for your oven as the holidays heat up.
How often should an oven be cleaned? What is the best way to clean?
The 5-Minute Fix: If you’re wondering whether you should line your oven with foil or a liner to avoid spills or splatters…DON’T. Using foil or liners could result in poor heat distribution, produce subpar baking results, and even cause permanent damage to the oven interior. Here’s how you can give it a deep clean without harsh chemicals.
After you’re finished cooking and the oven has cooled down a bit, spray the inside with a solution of baking soda and vinegar or 3:1 water to white vinegar mixture. Allow it to sit for a few minutes (15-20 minutes is actually ideal, but tough jobs may need longer). When the inside of the oven is cool to the touch, wipe away the solution and dissolved food with a damp towel.
For When You Have More Time: Make use of the self-clean feature at least every three months. If you cook more frequently,consider running the cycle once a month for better results. It’s essential to refer to your user manual to understand your model’s self-clean feature capabilities.
And don’t forget, cleaning behind your oven is just as important. Lint, dust, and food debris can slow airflow and ventilation behind your appliance.
How can I address un-even cooking?
The 5-Minute Fix: If the family recipe you’ve cooked a hundred times is coming out unevenly done, here’s the first thing I do: Check that the oven rack is level and square. Sounds simple, but it can get jostled around especially if you’ve just done a deep clean. It should be level both from front to back and from left to right.
Second, if your oven provides the option, select convection bake instead of the general bake setting. Convection baking ensures even airflow within your oven cavity, resulting in a better bake. Lastly, resist the urge to open the oven door frequently. Each time the door is opened while your food is cooking, the oven’s temperature drops by roughly 30 degrees.