How Can I Make My Oven Racks Slide Smoothly? Good Questions

Q: My oven racks are sticking in the oven and very difficult to slide in and out. I singed my fingers last night trying to pull the rack out and turn the items on the broiler tray.

Do you have any suggestions to make the rack slide easier out of the oven when I broil? — Sent by Iona

Editor: We don't have any good suggestions on fixing this problem, but we can recommend an oven rack push pull, which can also be useful in reducing oven burns.

Readers? Have you ever dealt with sticky oven racks?

Next question?

(Image: Grill Grabber)

Comments (4)

Its from oils and residue from baking and broiling that find themselves at home on the racks and the guides. Clean the oven, clean the shelves, and apply a touch of oil to the edges of the racks. Use a papertowel to rub a tiny bit on, not wanting it to be goopy and gloppy.

I've found that my racks become difficult to slide if I leave them in the oven during the self-clean cycle. It cooks the coating off. I'm pretty sure the stove manufacturer recommended that I remove them, so why I didn't, I do no know.

If that is the case your best bet would be to replace the existing racks and the next time you do a self-clean, remove the racks.

Maybe try a little graphite powder?

I've read that if you run a bit of wax paper along the edges of your racks, that it helps them to run more smoothly. I've heard the oiling trick as well, but never tried either. Good luck!