The self-cleaning oven function is actually fantastic, but many people avoid it because they think it is more trouble than it’s worth. The cleaning professionals at MOLLY MAID have busted five myths about self-cleaning ovens.
MYTH #1: SELF-CLEANING OVENS ARE HEALTH HAZARDS. The fumes coming out of a self-cleaning oven are harmful only to tropical birds. If you have a tropical bird, have a friend babysit them at their house on the day you do a self-clean cycle. Otherwise, typical house pets and humans are safe. Baked on spills and grease in the oven will likely produce bad smells as they’re blasted away by the high heat of the oven, so it’s still recommended to open your windows for air circulation and turn on the vent above the stove as well.
MYTH #2: THE SELF-CLEANING CYCLE IS ALL YOU NEED TO CLEAN THE STOVE. The self-cleaning cycle is great for cleaning the inside of your oven, but don’t forget to keep the outside clean too. For optimal oven maintenance, clean the vent filter regularly, and of course keep the stovetop clean of spills. Before starting the self-cleaning cycle, wipe up any fresh heavy spills in the oven.
MYTH #3: THE SELF-CLEANING FUNCTION WILL TAKE ALL THE STAINS AWAY. Full stain removal is not guaranteed. Often after self-cleaning, there may be white stains and white ash left behind. These deposits are usually salt residue that cannot be removed by the clean cycle. Once the oven cools completely, wipe the white ash away and clean the spots with a damp cloth.
MYTH #4:SELF-CLEANING OVENS ARE ENERGY WASTERS. A self-clean cycle doesn’t use that much electricity. An electric utility company estimated that it costs about one dollar worth of energy for each cleaning. As well, because of all the heat produced during a cycle, self-cleaning ovens often have more built-in insulation than non-self-clean ovens, and as a result, they use less energy during normal cooking and baking functions.
MYTH #5: YOU CAN LEAVE THE RACKS IN THE OVEN TO CLEAN THEM. Never leave the racks in the oven during a self-clean cycle because the immense heat will damage the racks. To clean racks separately, soak them in hot water and dish detergent, or use a special oven rack cleaning product (ventilate your house well if you clean them inside, or opt to clean racks outside instead.) The broker pan, broker grid or any cookware must also be removed from inside the oven when you use the self-cleaning function.
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Is Self Clean Harmful to Your Oven?
FAQ
Is it safe to leave the house with self cleaning oven on?
Can I sleep while my oven is self-cleaning?
Can I leave my oven racks in during self-cleaning?
Are self-cleaning ovens safe for pets?
In general, self-cleaning ovens do not pose a threat to typical household pets like cats and dogs, either. According to Molly Maids, the fumes self-cleaning ovens produce are harmful only to tropical birds. If you have this type of pet, arrange for them to be out of the house before proceeding with a self-clean.
Are self-cleaning ovens a good idea?
The self-clean cycle might be both your stove’s most feared and revered feature. Depending on whom you ask, self-cleaning ovens are either the best thing ever—or a scary option to avoid. The allure? A self-cleaning oven gets the cavity squeaky clean without a drop of chemical cleaner—and without much elbow grease.
Are self-cleaning ovens bad for birds?
According to Molly Maids, the fumes self-cleaning ovens produce are harmful only to tropical birds. If you have this type of pet, arrange for them to be out of the house before proceeding with a self-clean. That said, odors are common, particularly with ovens that clean using heat.
Can a self-cleaning oven cause carbon monoxide?
The North Iowa Municipal Electric Cooperative Association revealed that the self-cleaning function on your oven has the potential to create carbon monoxide. Carbon monoxide is a hard-to-detect gas that is extremely toxic to humans and animals.