Crossword Genius

I am in favour of oven being stripped to upgrade (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

improve

'upgrade' is the definition.
(I know that upgrade is a kind of improve)

'i am in favour of oven being stripped' is the wordplay.
'i am' becomes 'I'm' (contraction).
'in favour of' becomes 'pro' (being pro a particular cause).
'being stripped' indicates the central letters (outside letters removed).
The middle letters of 'oven' are 've'.
'im'+'pro'+'ve'='IMPROVE'

'to' acts as a link.

(Other definitions for improve that I've seen before include "Become better" , "Polish" , "Change for the better" , "Enhance" , "Make better in quality" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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