Note that pet birds are easily harmed and killed by inhaling the fumes that come from the pyrolytic coating on self-cleaning ovens, as well as many other nonstick kitchen items containing a substance known as PTFE. [1] X Research source While humans and other pets are less susceptible for toxicity from this chemical, they can also experience irritation from PTFE fumes while running the cleaning cycle. Pets should be kept on another floor or removed area of the house for safety, and humans should also try to stay away, except to monitor the progress of the oven cleaning.
You will notice an unpleasant odor from your oven once it reaches high heat for the cleaning cycle. This is due to the heating of the pyrolytic coating, as well as the burning food material. You can also consider setting up a fan faced toward an open window or door to help pull the smell from the oven outdoors. Do not perform the self-cleaning function on your oven if you don’t have these ventilation options available. Your kitchen can fill with smoke and fumes, set off smoke detectors, and become very overheated.
Do not forget to remove any and all items from the warming tray below your oven, if you have one. Some oven racks are also coated with the pyrolytic material needed for self-cleaning and are thus intended to remain inside the oven for the cleaning cycle. Standard stainless steel racks should typically be removed. Consult your model’s manual to be sure of this. [2] X Research source If desired, you may clean any baking or cooking stones, thermometers, or oven racks you remove separately as the oven goes through its self-cleaning cycle, particularly if there are stubborn stains or debris stuck on them.
If you don’t have or can’t find your original owner’s manual, search online under the brand and model of your oven, as they are typically available in a digital format. [3] X Research source If you are having trouble determining the model and brand or locating a manual, especially for older ovens, consult a manufacturer or appliance specialist about the self-cleaning function before you use it.
Use a kitchen tool with a straight edge to gently scrape away dried-on food. However, avoid very sharp edges, as this could scratch away the pyrolytic coating over time. Don’t worry about getting all of the food stains scraped completely away. The goal is not to remove all of the material, just to help loosen it before the self-clean cycle.
Depending on your oven model, you may need to select a time period to run the cleaning cycle. Typically a full cycle runs between 2 and 4 hours to fully heat up to 800°F to 1000°F and then cool all the way back down. For some models, you can only use one setting, such as 4 hours. [5] X Research source For safety, your oven model may also automatically lock the door of your oven for the duration of the cleaning cycle.
Some ovens will feature a countdown or words on the display to indicate the phases of the cleaning cycle and the time remaining (for example, cLn 4:00). Some oven owners experience problems with their ovens after self-cleaning cycles, especially after repeated cycles on older ovens. This is because the prolonged high heat can more quickly damage heating elements and electronic control panels. For a lower risk of this, try setting the cleaning cycle to just an hour if you are able to, or opt for a gentle manual cleaning. [6] X Research source
Note that this method should only be used for an oven with a “steam clean” feature built in. Do not pour water into the bottom of an oven before engaging a regular pyrolytic cleaning cycle, or in an oven that has no self-cleaning feature at all. Run a steam clean cycle after a recent food spill, and regularly, for the best results. [7] X Research source
A steam clean cycle works by heating the oven to a temperature that allows the water to steam and distribute throughout the oven, softening and loosening food particles, which are removed easily from a special enamel coating on the walls. Because of the lower temperature, time period, and lack of chemicals of this type of cycle compared to standard pyrolytic, you can leave oven racks or even pans inside the oven during cleaning, and the oven door does not need to be locked. [9] X Research source
A steam clean cycle typically takes from 20 to 60 minutes, so it is much faster than a standard pyrolytic self-clean cycle. However, you should still expect to wait for the time allotted for the cycle by your specific machine. Some oven models may provide a countdown that lets you know how much time is left in the steam cleaning cycle.
The high temperatures of the pyrolytic cleaning cycle carbonize food matter in the oven until it turns to a light ash, not unlike that from a cigarette or campfire. This makes it easy to sweep out with just a cloth. [11] X Research source For after a steam-clean cycle, simply use a damp cloth to remove the softened and loosened food material from the surfaces of the oven.
For an easy way to clean oven racks that must be removed from the oven before a self-clean, soak them in the bathtub with dishwasher detergent or apply baking soda and vinegar to remove built-up stains. [13] X Research source Further clean the inside of the oven door only if the self-clean cycle has not removed all stains from it, and only after it has cooled completely from that cycle.
If you want to clean your oven by hand with cleaner, try a product that’s intended for use with self-cleaning ovens, like Easy Off. [15] X Research source Or use another mild cleaner or soap with a soft cloth or sponge. You should plan to use the self-cleaning feature regularly to avoid further need for cleaning. How often you perform this cycle will depend on your oven model, so consult the owner’s manual or manufacturer. [16] X Research source
