My Oven Has a Self-Cleaning Function—Is It Safe to Use?

Pressing the self-cleaning button on your oven seems like a feature of convenience—surely it must be the easiest way to clean your oven. If the manufacturer built it into the product, that must also mean it's safe. Right?

But as it turns out, the verdict is still somewhat up in the air. Self-cleaning functions are generally safe for use, but we have all heard bad things about using this handy tool. There are many different recommendations and explanations about whether self-cleaning ovens are safe. Like many products, the parts and components that make a quality oven vary from brand to brand (and some ovens are better than others).

If your oven has a self-cleaning function, it was built to handle the temperatures it reaches during a cleaning cycle. Still, there are ways to make sure you clean your oven safely and use this function correctly.

How Does Your Oven’s Self-Cleaning Function Work?

If an oven has a self-cleaning function, there are generally two types that work in tandem: a high-heat cycle and a steam cycle.

“A self-cleaning oven uses either high temperatures or steam to help remove any residue and food leftover from previous baking or roasting. Steam cycles are designed for light soils ‘between’ cleanings, while high temperature self-cleaning is meant to reduce soil with varying cycle lengths,” according to appliance manufacturer Whirlpool.

A high-heat cycle raises the temperature to about 800 degrees Fahrenheit (426 degrees C) and incinerates the sticky grease and crumbs that accumulate in the oven. The self-clean cycle lasts for about 3-5 hours, depending on the level of soil that your oven has. 

If you opt for the steam cycle, your oven will only reach a temperature of about 400 degrees F (204 degrees C), and the cycle will last about an hour. 

Why Shouldn't You Use the Self-Clean Oven Function?

While there are positives to using your oven’s self cleaning function, there are negatives as well.  

It Can Damage Your Oven's Parts

Running the self-cleaning function on your oven can cause damage to parts. During the self-cleaning process, the oven uses temperatures hot enough to burn out wires and control buttons or warp important parts of the oven, like the locking mechanism on the door, the thermostat, and the control panel.

This function should not be used too often though. A deep clean only needs to happen every 3 or 6 months, depending on how often you use your oven. Between those cleanings, your steam cycle will help keep your oven plenty clean.

It Can Cause Harmful Emissions And Smoke

The high heat of the self-cleaning process is meant to burn off any food particles, crumbs, and spills in the oven. This means that leftover food and liquids, especially sugary substances, can lead to smoke and fumes seeping out of the oven and filling the kitchen. Turn on your range hood and open a window or a door to the outside.

If you’re using your self-cleaning function, you still need to do a little work. While we all wish we could push a button and receive a shiny, clean oven, that’s likely not going to happen without putting in a little elbow grease. Before you start your oven’s self-cleaning function, wipe out any crumbs or excess grease to reduce what burns away in the oven. 

How to Clean Your Oven Safely

Make sure to remove anything from the stove top before turning on the self-cleaning function. Wipe down the inside with a sponge or cloth, and remove the racks. Then begin a steam cycle or high-heat cycle. 

If you want to clean your oven completely by hand, we opt for a standard procedure using baking soda, vinegar, and good old-fashioned elbow grease. A general rule for a cleaning schedule for your oven is to consider how often it is used.

If your oven is used to turn out Friday-night lasagna, casseroles, or other baked goods on a regular basis, give the oven a thorough clean once every three months. An oven that gets used less frequently can go up to six months before needing a deep-cleaning.

If your oven has a steam-cleaning function, it’s a good idea to use this function often as it will help keep the oven cleaner over time. Keeping the oven clean helps prolong the life of the appliance and they’re safer to cook in.