The definition of self-cleaning ovens is those that use very high temperatures to burn off leftovers of baking without the use of chemicals. This article will help to explain how this type of oven operates, and when you ask does this thing really work? You’ll have your answers!
How Does a Self-cleaning Oven Work?
The self-cleaning mechanism in an oven uses high heat to burn off food residues and grease spills inside. This type of oven will have a smooth enamel coating inside making it easier to wipe down after the dirt is reduced to ash by the high heat. The oven door is stopped from opening by an automatic safety lock, and will only be released after the oven has cooled down. Some ovens will actually have a countdown display which will inform you when the cycle has finished.
An alternative option is the steam-cleaning oven which loosens dirt without needing extreme heat. When activated by steam and low heat the walls of the oven let go of the dirt – all you have to do is wipe it away. Steam cleaning is quick, but doesn’t clean as thoroughly.
Continuous cleaning ovens are most effective for light splatters and aren’t as popular today mainly due to the fact they can’t cope with large spills. You’ll need to wipe up any large grease and grime patches as they occur.
Do Self-cleaning Ovens Really Work?
Although your oven may be self-cleaning, you’ll still need to remove any obvious food particles before you begin the cycle to lessen the amount of smoke and fumes produced. Timing is very important – you should choose a two hour setting for light cleaning, and three or four hours for a dirty oven. After the oven has cooled you’ll be able to wipe away any remaining ash residue.
For steam cleaning cycles you’ll need to pour water into the bottom of a cool oven. Once the door is closed you can set the clean button and the operation should take about one hour. Once finished you should let the oven cool before doing a final clean with an appropriate pad or cloth, and sponge off any excess water.
Continuous cleaning ovens can be helped with a regular wipe out and the occasional hot blast for about an hour whilst the oven is empty.
So the answer to this question is yes – a quality self-cleaning oven should give you years of happy cooking!
Self-cleaning Ovens – Pros and Cons
The pros are for the most part due to the extra insulation that’s added to the oven to contain the heat, making energy savings during normal baking. You also don’t need chemical solutions to get your oven clean, and in fact using them can be harmful as they may react to any residues left behind from the self-clean. So, you won’t need abrasive cleaners, scouring pads, or toxic detergents. And you’ll be helping the environment!
The ovens can be quite smelly when cleaning, and the fumes may contain toxic particles if the oven doesn’t have a catalytic converter in the exhaust vent to eliminate emissions, opening a window is always a good plan. The oven can get very hot on the outside too so you need to keep small children and pets away, particularly pet birds as they are highly sensitive to the fumes produced.
In conclusion a self-cleaning oven is effective as long as you can ventilate and stay away from the fumes.
What If It Goes Wrong?
If you have any issues with your oven you’ll need to call in the professionals. Find a reputable oven repair company online that provides a fast and efficient service for an affordable cost. Get a quote before you make a booking, and make sure the work carried out comes with a guarantee.
