At a Glance:
How the Oven Self Clean Mode Works
Tips for How to Clean a Self Cleaning Oven
The Dangers of Using the Oven Self Clean Setting
Three Standout Self Clean Oven Picks
Before you place yourself on the naughty list, you should know a thing or two about the oven self clean function. Sure, it’s convenient, and it doesn’t require you to scrub for hours at a time, but the luxury doesn’t come without a price. One mistake and you could find yourself without a working oven, no holiday feast, and a household of Scrooges — bah humbug!
Allow us to give you a few pointers on how to use the self clean oven setting, plus some insight on why it can be risky to run close to the holidays. And for good measure, we’ll even include a roundup of new wall ovens that offer an alternative way to clean your oven that is less of a gamble.
How the Oven Self Clean Mode Works
No two oven cleaning modes are exactly the same, but for the most part, the feature works by first locking the oven door, followed by raising the temperature inside. The heat settings during the cleaning cycle are far hotter than standard baking temperatures in order to burn cooked-on food particles down to a fine ash.
How hot? The exact temperature varies from brand to brand, but GE ovens with self cleaning features get as hot as 880 degrees, while some oven self clean cycles can get up to 1,000 degrees. Altogether, the process can take anywhere from two to five hours, not including the time needed for the oven to completely cool down.
Once the oven has come down to room temperature, whatever is left can be wiped away or, better yet, vacuumed up with a shop vac.
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There are alternative methods available on the market for shoppers who are concerned about the safety hazards of a traditional oven self clean cycle. These ovens use steam to break down any stuck-on food, which means they can do the job at much lower temperatures. Whether this method is equal to or better than the original process is up for debate, but one thing’s for sure, manufacturers are catching on to the trend and favoring it over the conventional approach.
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Wall OvensTips for How to Clean a Self Cleaning Oven
Safety is of utmost concern when using the self cleaning oven mode. Always consult the owner’s manual before beginning. Additionally, keep these pointers in mind:
- Never use caustic cleaners such as ammonia, bleach
- Ensure your kitchen (and home) are well ventilated
- Keep pets and family members out of the kitchen and away from the hot surface
- Allow the oven to fully cool before opening and removing the ashes
- If necessary, remove the racks to avoid damage.
The Dangers of Using the Oven Self Clean Setting
Okay, sure. Running the oven self clean mode requires a little precaution, but anybody who practices safety in the kitchen can surely prevent a holiday fiasco — right? The truth is, even if you follow the manufacturer’s instructions, subjecting an oven to long periods of high temperatures is one of the worst things you can do to your oven, a major reason why manufacturers are switching to the steam method.
And oven damage from the self clean cycle can end up costing you a pretty lump sum of cash, or worse — it can put your oven out of use for good. Here are some common issues appliance repair experts frequently see as a result of using the cleaning mode.
🛑 Damage to Racks
Yup. It sounds farfetched, but not all oven racks are safe to leave inside the oven while the self clean cycle runs. Luckily, more manufacturers are including oven-safe racks, but never assume it’s okay to leave them in during the process. When in doubt, check the manual.
Estimated repair cost: $60–$350.
🛑 Damage to the High-Limit Switch
Ironically, the high-limit oven switch is vulnerable to extreme temperatures, and once the damage is done, an oven simply will not heat up.
Estimated repair cost: $100–$200, plus professional installation.
🛑 Broken Door Lock Mechanism
High temperatures can also cause the door lock to fuse close. The fix will require a professional to properly open the door and replace the broken part.
Estimated repair cost: Around $200, plus professional installation.
🛑 Broken Baking Element
While replacing the actual element only costs about $25 for the part, labor is what makes this fix so pricey.
Estimated repair cost: Around $220.
✓ Did you know? Aside from physical damage, many health experts raise concerns about the amount of carbon monoxide an oven’s self clean cycle can potentially produce. As a reminder, carbon monoxide is odorless and colorless, making it extremely lethal if a home isn’t properly ventilated.
Three Standout Self Clean Oven Picks
Behold! We come bringing offerings: three ovens that use an alternative oven cleaning method that you can run with peace of mind knowing there’s less of a chance of damaging your oven before the holidays.
GE® 30” Stainless Steel Single Electric Wall Oven
Not everyone has the luxury of having little helpers, but this pick with a GE oven self clean mode is a good substitute. The hybrid cleaning method allows you to use the traditional method for tougher messes or the power of steam to gently lift stuck-on food. Best of all, it’s completely worry-free since the oven racks are safe to clean alongside the oven walls. You’ll know when it’s ready to give it a final wipe with notifications sent directly to a smart device using Wi-Fi syncing.
Top review: “I love the coated easy clean racks and the steam cleaning capability.”
LG 30” Stainless Steel Single Electric Wall Oven
Uh-oh. The holidays caught up to you, and you forgot to get around to cleaning the oven. There’s no need to sweat it with this LG wall oven on your side. That’s because it comes with EasyClean Technology, a combination of an exclusive oven interior and powerful steam cleaning capable of sprucing up lightly soiled oven messes in as little as 10 minutes. As an added bonus, this model comes with a convection bake upgrade for a perfect holiday ham with a delicious honey-glaze crust.
Top review: “I love the cleaning feature. It doesn't heat up the kitchen and is easy to clean with the water.”
Samsung 30” Stainless Steel Electric Built In Single Wall Oven
You might think a large-capacity oven like this model with 5.1 cubic feet of room means more to clean, but its Samsung oven self clean cycle says otherwise. You have the option to clean with or without water vapor, but what’s really genius is this double convection fan oven also has a water reservoir that turns it into a steam oven. Including humidity into bakes, broils, and roasts help to keep messes from sticking to the oven walls, ultimately making cleanup even easier.
But what truly sets this oven apart from the rest is Flex Duo technology. Insert the divider, and voilá! The single oven converts into two individual baking zones that can be programmed independently — a helpful feature that can help get the holiday feast on the table even quicker.
Top review: “When it comes to cleaning the Flex Duo oven, you won't have to spend hours cleaning”
One repair might not be the end of the world, and it will only set you back a few hundred dollars. However, consistent oven damage from using the self clean cycle is a quick way to send your oven to the landfill. That doesn’t mean you can’t use the feature. Just be wary of how often you use it, and make sure to take necessary precautions to avoid hazards or mishaps.
The three recommendations we’ve reviewed above are just a glimpse at what manufacturers offer as an alternative to the standard self clean cycle. To explore more options, from the affordable to the luxury, browse Albert Lee’s oven catalog or drop by our store to have one of our appliance experts point you in the right direction.
Why Trust Albert Lee?
Since 1939, Albert Lee Appliance, a three-generation, family-owned business, continues to grow and serve the greater Seattle area with quality you can count on and service you can trust. We are proud to have served this community for so long and wouldn’t be here without our loyal customers. There is a reason why we are Washington’s largest independent appliance dealer, and it’s not a secret. Simply put: We have the experience. We are the original appliance experts for over eight decades (and counting).
Shop Ovens at Albert Lee
At Albert Lee Appliance, we provide quality name-brand appliances for great prices. Shop ovens online or visit us today at one of our six locations in Puget Sound, WA. In the meantime, browse our website to shop Albert Lee appliance sales and check out Albert Lee appliance reviews online to ensure every purchase is an informed one. More available than ever, our experts at Albert Lee Appliance are always happy to help explain the oven self clean feature and how to use it, whether you call us or use our online chat feature. Contact us today!
Learn More: An Exploration of Wall Ovens