Help! Self-Cleaning Oven

[Oh Kay!]

So, I have a new self-cleaning oven that needs to be cleaned. This being my first self-cleaning oven, I am a bit nervous.

The instruction seems straight forward enough, but do you have any tips to share?

I seem to remember hearing (from Alton Brown, I think) that you can oil the stove grills and put them in the oven to clean them. Does that sound right? If so, can I do the same to the oven racks?

Also, it is a convection oven, and the fan grate looks dirty. Does the self cleaning feature adequately clean the grate or do I have to do something to it? Please share!

I know I can rely on the collective wisdom of the CB.

 

[Snoozan's twin]

Be prepared for a smell when you use the feature as you're "cooking" off the insides of your oven at 500 degrees - best to have ventilation going! As far as the stove pans go, I just pop them into the oven and let them cook - the "crud" will be baked off while you clean the oven! Not sure about the convection oven as I just have a regular stove. Good Luck!

 

[Kermit]

My mom once left a pot on the stove burner with the heat escape valve for the oven. Don't do that if you have a range with the stove and oven all in one piece. You'll burn the bottom of the pot.

 

[mickeyboat]

My husband left the racks in the oven when he cleaned it. The racks lost their shine and are difficult to slide now. I would recommend taking them out.

Denae

 

[always quiet]

One good thing is do it now while it's cold out! It does warm the house nicely!! (although it is not too pleasant in the sumemr!! )

I have a ceramic top on my stove. The top of my stove does get HOT!! Be careful not to touch it.

 

[tar heel]

I leave the racks in and also put the drip pans from the top of the stove inside on one of the racks.

Not sure what you mean by "stove grill."

 

[Jeafl]

Check your instruction booklet as to whether you should leave the racks in or not. My says in BOLD letters to always remove the racks before cleaning the oven. It can really damage them.

 

[cinmell]

Originally posted by Snoozan's twin
Be prepared for a smell when you use the feature as you're "cooking" off the insides of your oven at 500 degrees - best to have ventilation going! As far as the stove pans go, I just pop them into the oven and let them cook - the "crud" will be baked off while you clean the oven! Not sure about the convection oven as I just have a regular stove. Good Luck!

I second that! Be prepared for the smell. I just used our self clean a few weeks ago and the smell was soooooo strong. We had the windows open and even a door open for a little while despite the temperature outside. Our directions recommended taking the racks out so we did.

 

[Oh Kay!]

Not sure what you mean by "stove grill."

I meant the metal things that lie on top of the stove that supports the pots. Does that make sense?

I have a gas-stove/electric-oven hybrid model so the stove top is not coiled or flat surfaced. That's why I have grills (or whatever they are called) on the stove.

Thanks for the advice everyone. I think I will wait until the temperature cracks 40 degree. That way I won't freeze while I keep all the windows open for ventilation, although I may have to wait a while for that to happen.

If you have any other tips/advice for a rookie, please share.

 

[mudnuri]

I'm not trying to scare you...BUT on Xmas eve, I had an oven fire while using my self cleaning oven.

make sure you WIPE out any grease thats on the bottom of the oven. I had grease in there, the reason I was cleaning it, and it CAUGHT ON FIRE...Fire Dept came etc..

If you have kids, MAKE THEM STAY OUT OF THE KITCHEN...the ENTIRE time..the entire oven gets hot...(not the door..but the top and sides etc.)..Remove EVERYTHING from around the oven, if you have anything on the sitting on the top etc..

It smells really bad, I assume you have a vent? turn that baby on full.

You may notice smoke coming out of your oven vents, usually this is under a burner, of if it's a smooth top its on the back near the controls...
oh, and my book also says TAKE RACKS OUT, THE HEAT CAN CAUSE DAMAGE..

Brandy

 

[darlene9947]

Hi, I just thought I'd add this little tip for Pampered Chef stoneware users. If you happen to run across a piece at a garage or yard sale and you want to clean it really good, put it in a self-cleaning oven during the cleaning cycle. The stone will come out looking brand new. You just have to re-season it before using. I did this with a pizza stone I got from someone who was going to throw hers away because she messed up supremely when she tried to season it (she's not a cook!) and it was nasty & gunky. I've been using it for a couple of years now.

 

[figment95]

This may sound like a strange thing to add, but if you have pets keep them far from the oven while you're cleaning it. The fumes can kill birds. I'm sure it's not good for dogs and cats either.