Oven Cleaner

Ingredients

Ingredient	INCI / Description	% w/w	Function	Addition Order
Deionized water	Aqua	55.0	Solvent	1
Sodium hydroxide (50%)	Sodium hydroxide	10.0	Strong alkali, carbonized grease saponification	2
Sodium metasilicate pentahydrate	Sodium metasilicate	5.0	Buffer, corrosion inhibitor, anti-redeposition	3
Nonionic surfactant (C12–14, 7 EO)	C12-14 pareth-7	3.0	Wetting and penetration agent	4
2-Butoxyethanol	2-Butoxyethanol	5.0	Solvent for polymerized grease	5
Xanthan gum	Xanthan gum	1.2	Primary thixotropic thickener	6
Colloidal magnesium aluminum silicate	Magnesium aluminum silicate	0.8	Secondary thickener, structure builder	7
Paraffin wax emulsion	Paraffin	2.0	Opacity agent, additional cling	8
Sodium xylene sulfonate (40%)	Sodium xylene sulfonate	2.0	Hydrotrope	9
Fragrance	Fragrance (parfum)	0.3	Odor masking	10
Colorant	CI 16185	0.01	Visibility on surface	11
Total		~100

Addition Order & Process

Procedure: Dissolve sodium hydroxide and sodium metasilicate in water; the exotherm will reach 55–60°C. Cool to 40°C. Pre-disperse xanthan gum in glycerin or propylene glycol (1:3 gum:glycol ratio) to form a slurry, then add to the alkaline solution with high-shear mixing. Add the colloidal silicate dispersion and mix for 20 min. Add nonionic surfactant, 2-butoxyethanol, and wax emulsion in sequence. Add sodium xylene sulfonate, fragrance, and colorant last. The final viscosity should be 3,000–8,000 cP at rest (Brookfield RV, spindle #5, 1 rpm) and < 1,500 cP under shear (spindle #5, 20 rpm), confirming thixotropic character .

Formulation Notes

Oven cleaners represent the most aggressive formulation class in kitchen cleaning. Carbonized grease and pyrolyzed food residues require both strong alkali (NaOH at 3–5% active) and elevated contact time. Because oven walls, roofs, and doors are vertical or overhead, the formulation must exhibit thixotropic behavior—low viscosity under shear (for pump sprayability) but high viscosity at rest (for cling and extended contact) .

Formulation Card FC-8.3-P: Oven Cleaner (Thixotropic Cling Formula)

Properties: pH 13.0–13.8 (as is); Brookfield viscosity 3,000–8,000 cP at 1 rpm; density 1.06–1.10 g/mL. Contact time: 5–30 min depending on soil severity. Safety: Corrosive—causes severe skin burns and eye damage. Do not inhale mist. Wear impervious gloves, face shield, and chemical-resistant apron. Do not use on self-cleaning oven coatings, aluminum, or painted surfaces.

Notes: Sodium metasilicate at 5% serves a dual function: it buffers the pH above 12.5 even as NaOH is consumed by saponification reactions, and it inhibits corrosion on steel oven components by forming a passive silicate film. The thixotropic system of xanthan gum plus colloidal silicate provides shear-thinning behavior essential for aerosol or trigger-spray application followed by vertical cling. Paraffin wax emulsion improves visibility of the applied product on dark oven surfaces and contributes a water-repellent film that aids post-cleaning rinsing. Formulations of this pH must carry the GHS hazard pictograms for corrosion (GHS05) and be packaged in high-density polyethylene (HDPE) containers with child-resistant closures.