A self-cleaning oven is an oven that uses either high temperatures or steam to help remove any residue and food leftover from previous baking or roasting. The self-cleaning cycle can last anywhere from 1.5 hours to 3 hours, depending on the level of soil that your oven has. The frequency you use the self-clean function truly depends on how often you use your oven and the level of soil that it gathers over time. Generally speaking, the self-clean function is meant to provide a heavier duty clean. It is best to run the cleaning cycle before excessive soils accumulate to avoid excessive smoke and fumes during oven cleaning.

To use a self-cleaning oven, you need to remove any pots, pans, or aluminum foil that you may have in the oven, and wipe away any visible debris or spills prior to starting the cleaning cycle. Once you have prepared the oven, you can begin the self-cleaning cycle on most ovens with just a few simple steps. The self-cleaning feature works by heating the oven to high temperatures, usually between 800°F and 900°F, to burn off all the spills and spots, leaving you with a thin layer of white ash that’s easily wiped off with a sponge. Once the oven has completely cooled, remove the ash with a damp cloth. The special enamel coating on self-cleaning ovens should make it easy to wipe clean. If any scrubbing is required, use only mild, non-abrasive cleaners like dish soap and water or vinegar diluted in water, or other cleaning solutions allowed per your owner’s manual. It is generally not recommended to use any commercial chemical cleaners.

While self-cleaning ovens are convenient, they can be damaging to the oven in the long run or cause problems immediately after running the self-cleaning cycle. Therefore, it is best to avoid using this function altogether. If you do decide to use it, make sure to keep family members and pets out of the room, especially those with asthma or existing breathing conditions.