How to Clean a Self Cleaning Oven

Moving into a house with all appliances included is great. Unfortunately you cannot always find the operating instructions for appliances. Knowing how to clean a self cleaning oven is something you want to know since last night casserole spilled over in it. Although you may not have the original instructions to your Kenmore oven the basic elements of how to clean a self cleaning oven are the same.

Pre-Cleaning

Yes, a certain amount of pre-cleaning will be necessary. Remove any aluminum foil that may be stuck to the oven. Get out any cookware you may be storing in the oven as well. Take the racks out and wash them with soap and water. Also remove any items that are near the vent openings. This is where the heat and vent during the cleaning cycle. Most self cleaning oven vents are on the left side of the oven.

Self Cleaning

Close the oven door and set the control knob to clean. Make sure that the clock on the stove is set correctly as most self cleaning ovens run a three hour cycle. On some models when you set the knob there is also a button to push start. This will engage the lock mechanism on the door. Do not open the door on any self cleaning oven while it is cleaning.

What the Oven Is Doing

The oven is getting hotter than it would under normal cooking conditions. The extreme heat is necessary to turn the debris and stuck food into ash. You may see some smoke or smell funny odors. It is alright to check on things but it is usually the debris cooking to ash. You may even heard loud pops as the metal expands and contracts. This is perfectly normal during the self cleaning operation.

After The Cleaning

When the oven has completed the cleaning cycle allow it to cool off for a couple of hours. Using a damp cloth or sponge wipe the ash from out of the oven. Do not under any circumstance use oven cleaner in your self cleaning oven. All you need is water to finish the cleaning job. Be sure to clean around the door gaskets and edges as well being careful not to damage the gasket. Place the racks back in the oven and you are done.

Now that you know how to clean a self cleaning oven you can get yours cleaned today. Ovens need to be cleaned on a regular basis whether they are self cleaning or not. Having a self cleaning oven is convenient though when you know how everything works.