Do Self-Cleaning Ovens Actually Work? Experts Say It Depends

Self-cleaning ovens are designed to make life easier, eliminating the need for harsh cleaners and vigorous scrubbing. Just hit the self-clean mode and it’ll do the dirty job for you, right? Not necessarily. 

Some people believe they can get a more thorough clean by hand than by machine. Others swear by this feature, saying it keeps their oven’s interior squeaky clean while saving time and effort.

On a quest to get to the bottom of this oven-cleaning debate, we tapped cleaning and appliance experts for answers. Read on to find out if self-cleaning ovens are actually effective and what to know before pressing the self-clean button.

How the Self-Cleaning Feature Works

You might be wondering what goes on when an oven is set to self-clean mode. Why is the oven door locked shut? Why is it smoking inside? Side note: a small amount of smoke and burning smells are to be expected during the process. 

Essentially, this feature uses high heat to eliminate difficult stains, food drips, and grease. Ken Doty, chief operating officer and cleaning expert at The Maids, explains:

“Throughout this operation, the oven temperature is considerably increased, frequently surpassing 800°F (427°C).” This, he notes, initiates a decomposition process in organic substances inside the oven known as pyrolysis.

 “As these organic materials decompose, they transform into a fine ash that can be effortlessly cleaned once the process is finished,” Doty says.

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Are Self-Cleaning Ovens Effective, Though?

Doty says this feature certainly offers a cleaning advantage for ovens with light to moderate messes. Once the intense heat generated during the cycle burns off these messes, all you have to do is wipe away the ashes on the oven floor.

Plus, this level of cleaning is difficult to achieve through manual scrubbing alone, especially in those hard-to-reach areas. 

However, in cases of heavy buildup or stubborn spills, he advises manually cleaning the oven before initiating the self-cleaning process.

“This precaution can help reduce the occurrence of excessive smoke and odors, ensuring a more thorough cleaning outcome.”

Mause Ramirez, owner of MCS Cleaning Services, also seconded this, stating that you should manually clean your oven if you use it more often and cook pasta, pizza, or anything that spills.

“Any heavy spill or burn has to be done by hand and with the appropriate cleaning products for the oven,” he says. However, if the oven is lightly used, go for it—but maybe stick to once a year, Ramirez suggests.

Tips for Using the Self-Cleaning Feature on Ovens

Again, smoke is a common byproduct when running the self-clean cycle. Therefore, it’s important to keep your kitchen well-ventilated, reminds James Copeland, director of technical services at Prism Specialties.

According to him, the self-clean cycle can potentially produce carbon monoxide, depending on what has been spilled inside. So in addition to opening up windows and turning the range hood on, make sure you have a working carbon monoxide detector in the kitchen.

Another point to keep in mind: it’s best to keep children and pets (especially birds) out of the room when the self-cleaning function is in use.

The smoke and strong odors could irritate them, plus the oven’s hot surface could cause serious burns.

The Downsides

Ramirez is one of many cleaning experts who prefers manual cleaning over the self-cleaning setting. Its inability to handle heavy spills and burnt-on residue well is but one reason. 

First off, self-cleaning cycles are energy-intensive, requiring a substantial amount of electricity or gas to reach and maintain the high temperatures needed for the cleaning process, Ramirez says.

The extreme temperatures can also cause wear and tear on the oven’s components over time. This, he says, may lead to the need for more frequent repairs or even premature oven replacement.

To make matters worse, we’ve all heard horror stories of self-cleaning ovens starting a fire. This can be the case if you leave large food scraps and spills in the oven—bread crumbs, pie drippings, and grease are all flammable. So yes, you’ll still need to lightly scrape the bottom of your oven prior to self-cleaning if you’re not already in the habit of wiping it down after each use. 

“It’s essential to follow safety instructions carefully and never leave the oven unattended while cleaning,” Ramirez advises.