How to Use An Ovens Self-Cleaning Function
Cleaning the oven is one of the most dreaded kitchen tasks, especially if the oven has been neglected after multiple boil-overs and spills. If your oven has a self-cleaning feature, you’re in luck. Using the self-clean cycle only takes a few minutes of prep time, patience, and a fast final wipe-down.
What Is The Self-Cleaning Function in an Oven?
To disintegrate food residue and oils, the self-clean cycle employs extremely high heat (about 880 degrees F). When the cycle is over, the soil is transformed into ash, which you remove. The oven is locked during the cleaning, which can take anywhere from two to five hours, depending on the degree of soil and the oven model.
When Should You Use the Self-Cleaning Oven Cycle?
Typically, the self-clean cycle should be done once every six months at the most. The frequency with which you should use it is determined by the frequency with which you use the oven and your cooking and cleaning practices.
Before You Get Started
If you’ve misplaced your operating handbook, you may find it on the manufacturer’s website. Self-cleaning sessions can run anywhere from one to five hours, so schedule them when you won’t use the oven. The oven’s door will close and lock.
The self-clean cycle emits smoke and odors as it incinerates the soil in the oven due to the high temperature. To eliminate smoke and odors, keep the kitchen well-ventilated throughout the procedure. Allow air to flow freely through the oven vents by not blocking them.
What You’ll Need
Equipment / Tools
- Microfiber cloth
- Scrubbing sponge
- Large sink
- Dishwashing liquid
Instructions
Below you will find easy-to-follow instructions to use the self-cleaning function on your oven properly.
Remove Everything From The Oven.
Ensure nothing is left in the oven, including the cookie sheet, broiler pan, aluminum foil, and temperature probe. Check the operating handbook to see if the racks may be cleaned by themselves. Before activating the self-clean feature, most racks, especially stainless steel racks, should be removed.
Because the self-cleaning cycle exhausts through a vent on the stovetop, anything on top, such as spice canisters stored on the ledge above the stove and oven dials or trivets, should be removed. Remove any towels or oven mitts that are hung from the oven door.
Using a Damp Cloth, Wipe Down The Door Seal.
Warm a lint-free microfiber cloth and wring it out until it’s moist. Remove any crumbs or soil from the inside edge of the oven door and around the door frame to ensure a good seal. Make sure the gasket around the door does not move or bend.
Increase The Amount of Airflow in The Kitchen.
Increase kitchen ventilation by turning on the range hood to remove excess heat and pollutants. If feasible, open windows and put on overhead fans.
Select the Cycle and Lock the Door
When you pick the self-clean cycle, most oven doors will automatically lock. If it doesn’t, manually lock it. On the control panel, select the self-clean cycle and let it run.
Remove Any Remaining Residue
The oven door won’t open until the temperature inside has cooled to a safe level. When the cycle is finished, open the door and clean the ashy residue off the sides and bottom of the oven with a damp microfiber cloth.
Putting the Oven Back Together
Scrub any oven racks that have been removed from the oven using a scouring sponge in hot, soapy water. Replace the racks after rinsing and drying them. The oven has been preheated and is ready to use.
Clean the Outside of the Oven
Now that you’ve cleaned the inside of your oven, it’s time to clean the outside of the door and the control panel. The type of surface you’re cleaning will determine how you clean it, but most can be wiped using a microfiber towel immersed in hot, soapy water. Wipe the surfaces clean and dry with a new towel.
Tips for Using a Self-Clean Oven to Get the Best Results
- Wipe up spills when the oven is cold enough to clean safely.
- When using a commercial oven cleaner, do not use it simultaneously as the self-clean cycle.
- During self-cleaning, do not leave any bakeware, oven liners, or utensils in the oven.
- Clean the oven racks according to the directions in your operating manual. During the self-clean cycle, the majority of them should be gone.
- Before the soil levels get too high, run the self-clean cycle. The self-cleaning feature will rarely be able to remove large layers of burnt-on food in a single process.
If you have any questions on adequately cleaning your oven or other household items, give Kimberly's Kleaning Service a call by dialing 702-263-0468 and speaking to one of our team members. We will happily take care of the dirty work for you.
