Thinking of Using Your Oven’s Self-Cleaning Setting? Read This First
According to a recent survey cleaning the oven is the least popular and most hated task in our homes. It’s even more hated than cleaning the toilet! In this modern technological user friendly age we find ourselves in, oven manufacturers have developed ovens that clean themselves.
This could be the answer to your oven cleaning nightmare because the longer you leave the oven dirty, the worse it becomes. So getting a self cleaning oven might save you time and hassle but before you go running to the appliance store, there are a few things you need to consider.
Keep reading to find out all you need to know about self cleaning ovens so that you can make an informed choice on whether a self cleaning oven is right for you.
What Is A Self Cleaning Oven?
Self cleaning or auto clean ovens feature a function known as pyrolytic cleaning. This is an automatic cleaning function that works by heating the inside of the oven up to temperatures of between 400 to 500oC (725 to 932oF).
This intense heat burns grease from the sides of the oven and any spills or burnt on food will be reduced to a pile of ash. Once the auto clean cycle has completed all you need to do is sweep away any ash that’s left in the bottom of the oven.
This eliminates the need of scrubbing or using chemical cleaners to bring the oven back to a state of cleanliness. Which saves you time, energy and money.
The auto clean cycle takes around two hours to finish and the racks and glass will need to be wiped afterwards but that’s nothing compared to an epic scrub with chemical cleaners on your hands and knees trying to remove the remains of scorched food that’s been in the oven for months.
Auto clean ovens have much better insulation than standard ovens which means they’re more energy efficient. Which means they’ll save you money over time as well, and not just from not needing to buy oven cleaning products.
So, What’s Wrong With Self Clean Ovens?
So far we’ve talked about how self cleaning ovens work and their benefits. But as with everything else in life, there are a few disadvantages to owning a self clean oven. These include;
The Oven Might Be Teflon Coated
In the UK, many self clean ovens are coated with an enamel layer on the inside, but some are lined with Teflon. As you probably know, Teflon is a synthetic resin that is extremely tough which is why it’s used to make non stick pans and utensils.
The problem is that once Teflon gets heated to the extremely high temperatures needed to clean the oven, it releases poisonous gases. There has been lots of research into Teflon and the results show that Teflon is carcinogenic.
Which means it can cause cancer in humans and animals. Plus, the chemical doesn’t break down over time. It hangs around and even accumulates, making it even more of a danger.
If you decide you want to get a self cleaning oven, go for an enamel coated one and give Teflon a wide berth.
There Could Be Other Harmful Chemicals Present Too
It’s not just Teflon that could be a problem, some self cleaning ovens can contain formaldehyde and acrolein. These chemicals can’t be broken down by humans which can lead to symptoms like dry or itchy eyes, headaches and lung problems.
If you suffer from asthma, your condition will almost certainly be worsened by these chemicals. If you decide to use the self clean function on your oven it’s advisable to do so as you’re going out and won’t be back for a few hours, just to be safe.
Carbon Monoxide Could Also Be Present
During the cleaning cycle, some self clean ovens can produce carbon monoxide. This is an invisible, tasteless and odourless gas and is extremely poisonous to humans and animals alike.
In reality, there’s absolutely no way to be sure that your self cleaning oven isn’t producing carbon monoxide when in operation. But to minimise the risk, you should scrape away any burnt or charred food from the oven before the cycle commences.
Which means you have to clean the self cleaning oven before it’s safe to self clean.
Risk Of Fire
If your oven is full of burnt on food and large areas of grease, the extreme heat produced during the self clean process can cause a fire hazard.
Increases The Risk Of Burning Children & Pets
When the oven is in self cleaning mode, the front of the oven door can become incredibly hot. Which means if a child or pet (or anyone else) were to touch the oven door, they’re liable to get burnt.
Added to which, even though the glass in the oven door is toughened, being exposed to such high temperatures could lead to it shattering. If your children or pets were in front of it at the time, they could get seriously injured.
Component Breakdowns Are Common
Due to the high temperatures achieved by self cleaning ovens, there’s a high risk of mechanical breakdown. Manufacturers are well aware of this fact but because consumers demand the self clean function, it’s still added to many modern ovens.
Component breakdown and burnt out fuses are all too common in connection with self cleaning ovens. For instance;
- The High Limit Switch
This component is most likely to fail because the oven gets so hot during a self clean. If the high limit switch does break, it is a job for an engineer and can cost upwards of £180.00 to get replaced. - The Door Lock
It’s common for the door lock to remain locked after the two hour safety lock time has ended. This is another job for a professional and will cost around the same price as the high limit switch. - Damaged Circuits & Controllers
These parts often get damaged due to the high heat that’s vented during the self clean and can cost anywhere between £180 to £300 to replace. - Burst Oven Light
The high heat can cause the bulb in the oven to burst and while it’s not difficult to replace and isn’t really too costly, it’s an inconvenience you could do without. - Damaged Control Buttons & Knobs
Although these parts are relatively cheap and easy to replace, it can be inconvenient all the same.
It’s Not Necessarily Eco Friendly
Self cleaning ovens often use high amounts of energy during the cleaning process, which ultimately adds to extra energy consumption and a larger environmental impact.
It Doesn’t Fully Self Clean
Remember right at the beginning of this article when we said that using a self cleaning oven eliminates the need for cleaning the oven by hand? Well, that’s not strictly true. Because for the self clean to be effective, you will have to hand clean any large areas of grease or thick spills on the oven floor, walls or door frame.
You will also need to remove (by hand) any large pieces of food. All of this is to ensure that the amount of smoke or flames are reduced during the cleaning process.
You are virtually required to clean the oven before it will self clean. That doesn’t sound like a labour saving device does it?
How To Stay Safe While Using A Self Clean Oven
To ensure your family’s safety when using a self cleaning oven, it’s important that you follow safety guidelines. This includes adequate ventilation, wearing gloves when using any chemicals and keeping pets and children away from the oven door when the self clean mode is in operation.
Regular Maintenance
Sticking to the manufacturers guidelines and following a regular maintenance program are essential to make sure the oven works as safely as it can. Read through your user manual and carry out any maintenance tips and advice.
Look For Signs Of Malfunction
When using the oven, keep an eye and an ear out for any signs of malfunction. Check for overheating, or irregular heating, unusual noises or a malfunction of the self clean function.
Allow Plenty Of Ventilation
Given that dangerous and harmful chemicals could escape from your oven when it’s in self clean mode, it’s vital that you ensure there is enough ventilation. Open windows operate extractor fans and try to keep children and pets out of the kitchen during the self clean function.
Use Safer Alternatives
If you’re concerned about the potential risks associated with using the self clean function on your oven, there are alternative methods of cleaning available to you. These include good old fashioned elbow grease and manual cleaning.
We know that scrubbing a dirty, greasy oven is nobody’s idea of a fun activity. But cleaning the oven is essential if you want your oven to function properly and your food to cook properly.
If time is a problem, you can break down the cleaning of the oven into bite sized pieces. Try cleaning the top half of the oven and racks one day and do the side walls and bottom on another day.
Once the oven has been successfully cleaned, cleaning after each use prevents a build up of grease and burnt food from accumulating.
If you really can’t face scrubbing that dirty, greasy oven, there are professional cleaning companies that will come and do it for you.
Is A Self Cleaning Oven Worth It?
While the convenience of a self cleaning oven is certainly appealing, it’s clear that this modern feature comes with its fair share of drawbacks. From potential health risks and fire hazards to costly repairs and incomplete cleaning, the reality isn’t quite as effortless as it seems.
If you choose to use the self cleaning function, make sure you take proper precautions and understand the risks involved. Alternatively, with a bit of effort or the help of a professional service, traditional cleaning methods can still offer a safer and more reliable route. In the end, the best choice is the one that lines up with your household’s needs, safety, and peace of mind.
Frequently Asked Questions
A self cleaning oven uses extremely high temperatures (around 400 to 500°C or 725 to 932°F) to burn off food residue and grease, turning it into ash that can be easily wiped away.
Yes. The high temperatures can lead to mechanical failures like broken door locks, blown fuses, damaged control panels, or even shattered glass.
Not quite. You still need to remove large food particles and heavy grease beforehand to prevent smoke or fire, and you’ll likely need to wipe down racks and glass afterwards as well.
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