Cleaning a "Self-Cleaning" oven by hand

[PollyannaMom]

Has anyone found a regular oven cleaner that's safe to use on a self-cleaning oven? I have a grease spot that is causing my smoke detector to go off every time I try to cook anything. (I've of course tried plain water, but it wasn't enough.) I can't run the self-cleaning cycle because it's about ten degrees out here, so leaving the windows open for that it not an option. Plus, I'm pretty sure that would set it off too. Any advice?

 

[rszdtrvl]

There are oven cleaner sprays that are safe for self-cleaning ovens.

I have an irrational fear of my self-cleaning oven exploding while using that option (yes, I said it was irrational because I know it is) so that is what I use.

 

[kmb584]

I use Easy Off and it's safe for self-cleaning ovens.

 

[Gigi22]

Has anyone found a regular oven cleaner that's safe to use on a self-cleaning oven? I have a grease spot that is causing my smoke detector to go off every time I try to cook anything. (I've of course tried plain water, but it wasn't enough.) I can't run the self-cleaning cycle because it's about ten degrees out here, so leaving the windows open for that it not an option. Plus, I'm pretty sure that would set it off too. Any advice?

How well does your range hood work? Mine is a killer at top speed, so I'd go for it. You could set up a fan in the kitchen too. Alternately, given the amount of heat a self cleaning oven generates, you could crack the window in your kitchen open and rely on the oven to heat the kitchen.

Haven't tried this one, but at least there are no harsh chemicals involved. Martha Stewart suggests making a paste of baking soda and water, spreading it on the dirt and leaving it overnight. Then you scoop out everything with a small squeegee or plastic spat. She says that you then rinse and wipe clean with a damp cloth.

 

[Imzadi]

This formula is one that is all over Pinterest.com:

http://craptastical.com/oven-needed-cleaning/

Here is one with even worse pictures of baked on mess, using the same formula & a lemon as her scrubbing tool:

http://cleverlyinspired.com/2011/01/dirty-oven-so-sad/

 

[chiefmickeymouse]

There are oven cleaner sprays that are safe for self-cleaning ovens.

I have an irrational fear of my self-cleaning oven exploding while using that option (yes, I said it was irrational because I know it is) so that is what I use.

Thought I was the only one!

 

[Happy Snowman]

Why do you need to leave a window open if you use the self-cleaning cycle on your stove?

 

[MSLRAC]

There are oven cleaner sprays that are safe for self-cleaning ovens.

I have an irrational fear of my self-cleaning oven exploding while using that option (yes, I said it was irrational because I know it is) so that is what I use.

I don't think that it's irrational at all because my parent's house caught on fire due to a self cleaning oven when I was in elementary school. Sure that was over 20 years ago but I still refuse to use the self cleaning oven feature.

 

[Gigi22]

Why do you need to leave a window open if you use the self-cleaning cycle on your stove?

The OP is worried that one of the greasy spots in her oven will cause enough smoke during the self cleaning cycle to set off her smoke alarm, so she is considering venting any smoke outside.

 

[Octoberbride03]

This formula is one that is all over Pinterest.com:

http://craptastical.com/oven-needed-cleaning/

Here is one with even worse pictures of baked on mess, using the same formula & a lemon as her scrubbing tool:

http://cleverlyinspired.com/2011/01/dirty-oven-so-sad/

I use this formula minus the lemon juice and it is fabulous!! I was so thrilled to find because my first time using an oven spray was my last! A so called No-fumes spray was anything but and I had the face mask on and all!! Now, I mix it, paint and forget it until whenever i have time to rinse it. Leave it at least 15 minutes but you can leave it overnight and rinse the next day.

 

[penn19]

I used a formula/recipe I found on Pinterest (I will have to see if I can find it). It used water/vinegar I believe but also salt. I think I used it on the door, not necessarily the oven part. You sprinkle the salt on the door and leave it on there for a few hours or over night and then it comes right off. It really did work.

Just looked. You spray the door with vinegar and water solution, sprinkle with kosher salt and then sprinkle that with baking soda. Then spray again with the vinegar/water solution and then let it sit. The person used a razor blade to scrape the gunk away, but Im pretty sure I just used a sponge.

 

[lynxstch]

I use Easy Off and it's safe for self-cleaning ovens.

I second this..I use Easy Off with the blue cap, it's also great for just cleaning your racks...spray them well, put them into a trash bag, leave in the tub or somewhere overnite, then just rinse them clean the next morning

 

[PollyannaMom]

Thanks, everyone! I tried the baking soda, since I had some on hand, and it seemed to help. If it doesn't turn out to be enough, I'll try the Easy-Off.


ETA: it worked! We ate chicken in a quite house tonight. Thanks again.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

I second this..I use Easy Off with the blue cap, it's also great for just cleaning your racks...spray them well, put them into a trash bag, leave in the tub or somewhere overnite, then just rinse them clean the next morning

Like that. Will have to try it.

 

[nkereina]

Check Pinterest. I have a GE oven who's heating mechanism recently went. The GE repairman came out and the first thing he asked me was if I was using the self-cleaning function. I said no. He said this almost always happens when someone is using the self-cleaning function, and he basically told me to NEVER use self-cleaning. He said at least do it before the warranty period is over, lol. Basically, it's not great for ovens. I've had good luck with some concoctions found on Pinterest though.