Fire inside my self-cleaning oven... is it ruined?

[pjlla]

So in an effort to do some spring cleaning, I set my oven to "self-clean" this morning (probably had not been done in a year). It started cleaning and in about 15 minutes I left the house to take DS to the bus stop.... when I returned in a few minutes there were large flames inside the oven.

I couldn't figure out how to put them out. The oven was locked so I couldn't sprinkle baking soda on them.... the oven is vented, so I couldn't smother the flames by removing the oxygen. I knew the element would still be hot and the oven would still be locked, even if I unplugged it.... so I watched it and let it burn itself out.

Anyhow.... do you think my oven is ruined now?? It is still self cleaning for another hour and probably won't unlock for another hour after that. Just wondering...............P

 

[mickeyboat]

Wow! That is scary. I don't have any advice, but maybe you can find your manual and contact the company for suggestions.

Denae

 

[nuttylawprofessor]

I know this may sound wierd, but I think that's the way the self-cleaning works. It chars the food and stains off. I think it's a pretty regular occurence in self-clean mode.

 

[leafette]

If a fire in the oven could ruin it, I'd need a new one about every month. Let's say my talents don't include cooking.

 

[Barb D]

I don't know about the flames, but once when I couldn't get my self-cleaning oven to stop I went to the circuit box and flipped the circuit breaker.

 

[pjlla]

I know this may sound wierd, but I think that's the way the self-cleaning works. It chars the food and stains off. I think it's a pretty regular occurence in self-clean mode.

I do understand that, but I've never seen actual large FLAMES in my oven!

Anyhow, it has cooled down and unlocked. I opened it and it doesn't look weird or anything. I'll wipe it out later when it has cooled more and give it a quick test run.........P

 

[DisneyDotty]

It should work fine. As others have said, that's what self-cleaning ovens do. True story: Home Ec teacher at high school where I used to work was gone and had her sub turn on the self-clean for the classroom ovens. One oven caught fire--everyone panicked--assistant principal came in and broke the lock when he forced open the door--and yes, the oven is now ruined. Had it been left alone, the fire would have been contained and burned itself out harmlessly. Oh well.

 

[ChristmasElf]

If a fire in the oven could ruin it, I'd need a new one about every month. Let's say my talents don't include cooking.

I would wait until it cools. Open it and then bake something. If it works great!
If it for some reason fails to get hot, then call the manufacturer.

 

[sha_lyn]

My self cleaning oven has never flamed up. I doubt seriously that that is what they are suppose to do.
Yes they are suppose to get super hot, but have actual flames, I doubt it.
Read your manual. I would also get it checked our before using, JIC wiring insulation or a gas fitting were affected.

 

[1Prince2Princesses]

I've had a self-cleaning oven flame during a cleaning cycle. I panicked a little, but let it burn itself out. There was a big nasty cherry pie spill in the bottom that caught on fire, which is why I flipped it to clean mode.

The oven still works just fine.

 

[Sheree Bobbins]

I've had fires in self-clean and regular ovens. They put themselves out after a while. I have also used baking soda to snuff them out. In my self-clean, the fire was during the broil when I had the candied yams to close to the elemen (the marshmallows caught on fire). The ovens have been fine, but I wonder about yours since it went on for a while.

 

[hlbtimes2]

I did the same thing recently. But, I just hit the off button, so that it would start to cool and the flames would go down. I'll wipe it out before I turn the cleaner back on.

In our condo I didnt really know how to use the cleaner and set it for too long of a time period. It was too hot for too long. It warped the bottom of the oven and did something to the door seal. The oven still worked, but the clean feature did not.

 

[Momof2]

"Cleaned" my self-cleaning oven just a couple weeks ago, and the same thing happened. Maybe not big flames, but about 5-6 inches high - right in the area that the pizza cheese had dripped! Oven still works fine.

 

[chager]

I am sooo paranoid about using my self cleaning oven! 12 years ago we got our first new stove and I was sooo excited! I fixed Christmas dinner for the family and then thought just for the fun of it we would try the self cleaning thing. Well a few minutes later smoke POURED from the top of the stove. At first I thought this must be normal....then the kitchen was filled, and the dining room, and the living room...it was impossible to breath!! At this point I called my mom who had walked over to my unlcles (he lived 2 doors down)and said "is this normal" at which she says "WHAT?? Call the fire dept and get out!! The house should NOT be filled with smoke!" One fireman ended up burning his hand on the stove trying to move it out to unplug it. He tried to move the hot stove without gloves! GE replaced a part on it and thn 6 months later released a part recall on it! It was a very interesting day to say the least!