Cleaning the oven

[martyna]

It's quite a time since I asked my boyfriend to clean the oven and at the time he said he had/knew a super-foam-cleaner (or something like this) and would do it in a whiz, but when I asked him a couple of days ago, he wasn't able to recall neither the promise nor the product.
We've never used the oven much and back at home mum basically kept it tidy and there wasn't such a mess as is here now, especially since we tried out some recipes recently. (And today's has really spilt over. *wince*) I've done some surface cleaning over the time, but what I'm looking is a real cleaning.
How do you do it? Is there any special product you use? (If you're in France and can name the shop, even better!) Or maybe you make a product yourself? Does heating lemon in water (as in microwaves) help at least a bit? Not at all? Help me? *feels helpless*

Comments

[ninetydegrees]

If it's a French oven, it probably has a cleaning system.
If it's catalysis, then it's self-cleaning once it's reached 200°C. You can clean it with a sponge but using a caustic product is not recommended as someone said.
If it can be cleaned by pyrolysis, you should do that before using any product. The button may be a P or something symbolizing extreme heat. If the oven's has been used regularly but hasn't been cleaned in a long time (more than a year), you may need to repeat the self-cleaning process several times. Pyrolysis works extremely well but it needs to be done often to remain efficient. Also, you must remove the grills (it could damage them and the oven) and, once it's done, you will have to remove the residues (white ashes) with a sponge.

If you're looking for a product then I think it's Décap'Four, which you should be able to find in any supermarket. The spray/foam can be used for the grills. Do it outside if you can as it's not a pleasant smell.

[martyna]

Thank you for your exhaustive comment!
I tried to find a "P"-function, but to no avail. So I guess no pyrolysis for me, but will ask bf about it later on, so he checks it to.

[ninetydegrees]

If you have the brand and model or a picture of the dial buttons, I may be able to tell you as well.

[martyna]

It's marked "Laden", there's no more precision besides "thermostat"... I tried to google it, but come only up with more recent models.
When bf returns with my cam tonight, I'll try to make a picture...