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Make the Most of Your Oven’s Self-Cleaning Feature

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For most people, oven cleaning is among the least-favorite household chores. Even so, keeping your oven spic and span does not have to be difficult when you follow these tips for self-cleaning. 

Getting Started

 Before cleaning your oven, consult your owner’s manual for specific instructions on how to clean, frequency, safety tips, etc. You should also schedule your cleaning for a time when you will be at home for a few hours, yet will not need to use your oven.

Take out oven racks as well as any pans. Next, remove as much loose matter as possible. Use a smooth spatula to loosen debris, then sweep it away with a soft-bristled hand brush.

Starting the Cycle

Turn on your oven’s self-cleaning cycle by moving the function knob to “clean.” Do not spray any commercial oven cleaner or other chemicals inside your oven before doing so.

On most models, starting the cycle will cause the door to automatically lock. If not, you should manually lock the door to keep anyone from accidentally opening it. The self-cleaning feature can result in internal oven temperatures of more than 900 degrees Fahrenheit, which can cause some very serious burns.

Watch and Wait

Once you have started the cycle, you will just need to wait until it has completed. This can take anywhere from three to five hours, depending on the amount of gunk inside your oven. Some models may allow you to set a timer, in which case you should consult with your manufacturer for recommendations.

While you are waiting, check on your oven occasionally to see if it is smoking. The high temperatures are designed to burn off any grease or grime inside your oven. Unfortunately, this can also result in smoking. Turn off your oven immediately if you notice smoking, and allow it to cool thoroughly before restarting.

Cool and Clean

After the self-cleaning process has finished, the door will unlock and you will be able to open it again. At that time, you may want to prop it open so that it will cool down faster. If you have small children or pets, it might be a better idea to leave the door closed.

Allow your oven to cool completely before doing any cleaning. You will notice that the mess inside your oven has now turned into loose debris that you can simply vacuum away. Follow this by washing down the inside of your oven with warm, soapy water and then allowing it to dry.

Precautions when Self-Cleaning

Keep these things in mind to ensure your safety when self-cleaning an oven:

  • Allow for good ventilation. The burning of grime inside your oven can produce fumes that may be harmful to anyone with asthma or breathing problems. Remove any caged birds before you begin.
  • During the summer months, clean your oven early in the morning or late in the evening. This will prevent too much stress on your air conditioner, which could cause you to trip a breaker.
  • Never touch your oven while cleaning is in process.
  • Do not leave an oven unattended while it is in self-cleaning mode

Possibility of a Blown Fuse

Since your oven heats to very high temperatures, there is a possibility you could blow a fuse while cleaning. If so, this is a very simple problem that you can probably resolve on your own. If not, give us a call so that we can quickly take care of it for you.

Keeping your stove clean is one of the best ways to ensure its longevity. Use your self-cleaning feature regularly, and then contact us if you need repairs or service in-between times.

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