Andrey Zhuravlev/Getty Images
Andrey Zhuravlev/Getty Images
Published on Nov. 19, 2024
The self-cleaning function is convenient, but it can also wear the oven out. Here are some common mistakes you might be making, plus tips for proper care.
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Your oven floor is covered with burnt-on remains of something, and the window is spattered with grease. I’ve been there—we’ve all been there. We use our ovens hard for weeknight dinners and holiday feasts alike, and before we know it, the appliance starts to look like a health hazard.
Resist the instinct to self-clean, at least for now. Relying on self-cleaning can be harmful, causing mechanical issues or just plain wearing the oven out. Here are some common mistakes people make with self-cleaning ovens, along with a better way to keep this essential appliance nice and clean.
Using the Self-Cleaning Feature Too Frequently
The self-cleaning feature takes a toll on your oven’s inner workings. A self-cleaning cycle heats the oven to a tremendously high temperature, turning even the most stubborn bits of food residue into ash. The trouble is that modern stoves have hidden heating elements inside the ceiling of the oven and/or under the oven floor. These are safer for baking than exposed elements but trickier to vent. When temperatures rise above 500° or 600°F, the incredible heat can make fuses pop and control panels burn out. Yikes!
What to do instead:
Experts suggest using the self-cleaning feature just once or twice a year. You can also consider shutting off the self-cleaning cycle after one hour rather than deploying the full-length cycle, which can run closer to four hours.
Using Self-Cleaning Instead of Regular Cleaning
If you use your oven often, self-cleaning once or twice a year won’t keep it clean for long. The grease from baking bacon, overspill from casseroles and pizzas that drip cheese onto the floor add up pretty quickly. But don’t rush to press the self-clean button. The self-cleaning cycle isn’t the only way to clean an oven—or even the best way.
What to do instead:
It’s easy to clean an oven. For starters, wipe out the interior of a cool oven with a soapy dishcloth or sponge. Regular and simple upkeep prevents crumbs and grease from building up and getting baked onto the walls.
If the interior looks extra grimy, steam clean the oven. Put a pot of water with the juice of a lemon or two into the oven and bake until the oven walls are steamy. Turn off the oven, leaving the pot in place. Once it’s cool, wipe down the walls, floor and window with a sponge. The steam will soften up the caked-on gunk, making it easy to remove. Plus, cleaning with lemon makes a nice-smelling oven.
Using Harsh Commercial Cleaning Agents
You can find many commercial oven cleaners at the store, so it seems like an obvious choice for scrubbing out your oven…right?