Cleaning your oven right before the holiday season seems like a good idea. But how you clean it could make the difference between happiness and hassle. Is self-cleaning oven safe to use right before the holidays? The high temperatures of the self-cleaning cycle could cause multiple part malfunctions just when you need your oven the most. Learn more about self-cleaning oven dangers and how to use a natural cleaning solution during your oven’s busiest time of year.
Holiday Planning 101: Is Self-Cleaning Oven Safe To Use?
While the self-cleaning feature simplifies a messy task at the touch of a button, is self-cleaning oven safe to use before holiday celebrations? Not without significant risks. We’ll detail what can go wrong when you use the self-cleaning feature right before the holidays. But, first, knowing how this function works can best illustrate why it’s so risky.
What is the Self Clean Oven Feature?
The self-clean feature works by using high heat to burn away accumulated food particles, grease, and grime. But this heat is a far cry from the standard cooking temperatures and times. Most self-clean cycles can reach temperatures near 1000℉ and last for several hours, often creating unpleasant odors.
Is self-cleaning oven safe to use around children and pets? Be sure to ventilate the area by using your range’s exhaust fan and opening windows to dispel potentially dangerous fumes.
A Pre-Holiday Self-Cleaning Oven Warning
Given these high temperatures, is it safe to use a self-clean oven function right before a big holiday meal? Not unless you’re prepared to take some risks. The high heat of the self-cleaning cycle has been known to cause multiple part malfunctions, requiring professional repair.
The following components can fail when exposed to the self-clean feature’s high heat:
- Locking mechanism: The oven door automatically locks during a self-clean cycle. However, damage to the locking mechanism can cause it to remain so even when the cycle is complete.
- Thermostat: Excessive heat can cause the thermostat to malfunction, leaving it unable to monitor the oven’s temperature. Often, this is only evident once a meal emerges under or overcooked.
- Internal wiring: High heat can cause the insulation around the oven’s wiring to melt, to the point where your oven isn’t heating up sufficiently.
Unfortunately, there’s no guarantee a technician is available to address your repair at this busy time, putting your holiday meal in jeopardy. When is it safe to use the self-cleaning oven feature? If you must use it, do so well in advance of the holiday season or special meals so that any malfunctions can be promptly addressed.
How to Clean Your Oven With a Natural Oven Cleaner
Wondering how to clean your oven effectively without the self-cleaning cycle? Using a natural oven cleaner gets your oven clean without risking part malfunctions during the busy holiday season.
What you’ll need:
- Baking soda
- Coarse salt
- Dish soap
- Scraper
- Spray bottle
- Sponge
- Clean cloth or paper towels
How to clean a self-cleaning oven manually with a natural cleaner:
- Remove the oven’s racks and use a scraper to remove any large food particles.
- Mix a paste of baking soda, coarse salt and dish soap so it’s the consistency of frosting.
- Spread a thick layer of the paste throughout the walls of the oven.
- Allow the paste to sit for several hours or, preferably, overnight.
- Use a damp sponge to remove most of the paste, rinsing the sponge as needed.
- Spray the interior walls with a 1:1 solution of white vinegar and water.
- Wipe down the oven with a clean, dry cloth.
Is self-cleaning oven safe to use before the holidays? Now that you know the risks, the answer is up to you. But, if a repair need arises, call Capital City Appliance for the best oven repair in Columbus.
