23 Mar How to Clean your Faceplate

How to Clean Your Faceplate: Keep Your Napoli or Vesuvio Oven Shining Like New

Wondering how to clean your faceplate after a long weekend of wood-fired cooking? The stunning stainless steel front on your Napoli or Vesuvio oven is a beautiful centerpiece for your outdoor kitchen, but over time, soot, grease, and smoke can dull its shine.

Forno Nardona Vesuvio front face plate engraved Forno Vesuvio

Fortunately, maintaining that premium, out-of-the-box gleam is incredibly simple. Here is our step-by-step recommendation for safely and effectively cleaning your Forno Nardona stainless steel faceplate.

What You Will Need

Before you start, gather a few basic cleaning supplies:

• A high-quality kitchen degreaser

• Paper towels or a soft, non-abrasive microfiber cloth

• Stainless Steel Spray Polish

• Optional: A light gray 3M scrubbing pad (for stubborn smoke stains)

Step-by-Step Cleaning Guide

1. Wait for the Oven to Cool Never attempt to clean your oven while it is still hot. Wait until the faceplate is completely cool to the touch. This not only protects you from burns but also prevents your cleaning sprays from evaporating too quickly and leaving streaks. Once cool, spray the stainless steel surface generously with your degreaser.

(Image Placement: Forno Nardona Vesuvio front faceplate engraved Forno Vesuvio)

2. Choose the Right Cloth Grab a clean paper towel or a soft microfiber cloth. Avoid using harsh steel wool or highly abrasive sponges, as these can easily scratch the delicate finish of your oven’s faceplate.

3. Wipe With the Grain This is the most crucial step for maintaining stainless steel! Look closely at your faceplate to find the direction of the “grain” (the faint brush lines in the metal). Gently wipe side-to-side, strictly following the direction of that grain. Wiping against the grain or in circular motions can trap dirt and create micro-scratches.

4. Polish for a Flawless Finish Once you have successfully wiped away all the degreaser, grease, and dirt, it’s time to restore that signature shine. Spray the clean surface with a dedicated Stainless Steel Spray Polish. Just like in the previous step, gently wipe the polish into the metal going with the grain.

Pro-Tip for Stubborn Smoke Stains

Wood-fired ovens naturally produce smoke, and occasionally, that smoke leaves behind stubborn, dark stains right above the archway. If standard degreaser isn’t cutting it, spray the stained area with degreaser and gently buff it using a light gray 3M pad. Remember to apply light pressure and always move side-to-side with the grain.

Make It a Habit

Once you know how to clean your faceplate and incorporate it into your regular post-pizza routine, maintenance takes just a few minutes. Clean it regularly, and your Napoli or Vesuvio oven will shine like new every single day!