The unmistakable smell of melted plastic signals an immediate problem in the oven, but a few simple steps can remove the offensive material. The removal method depends on the type of oven and the location of the melted plastic within the oven.
Chilling the melted plastic to make it brittle works for standard gas and electric ovens. It also works on oven racks. Do not use the cold method on self-cleaning ovens.
Fill the baggie with ice. The size of bag you use depends on the size of the melted plastic spill. For a large area, use a gallon bag.
Place the ice bag directly on the plastic in the bottom of the oven. Leave the ice in place until the plastic becomes hard and brittle. When using this method on oven racks, remove the racks from the oven and place them on a counter top. Tap the racks with a wooden utensil to knock the brittle plastic off of the metal.
Scrape the edges of the plastic area with a razor blade scraper. Hold the razor scraper at 45 degrees to get the best angle for scraping the puddle of melted plastic. Peel up the plastic patch with the razor. Remove the chunks as they come free. Continue scraping at any remaining plastic.
Some gas ovens have a removable bottom panel held in place by screws. You can remove the panel from the oven and place it directly in the freezer if it fits. Another option is to place the panel on the counter before applying the ice so it is easier to scrape.
Self-cleaning ovens require heat to remove the melted plastic. This method also works on heating elements with plastic on them.
Turn on the vent and open windows when using this method, as the heating plastic releases toxic fumes.
Turn the oven on to the lowest heat setting. Only leave the oven on long enough to make the plastic soft and pliable.
Scrape the melted plastic with a wooden utensil such as a spatula or spoon. The wood protects the surface inside the self-cleaning oven.