Experts Warn Against Using the Self-Cleaning Feature on Your Oven—Here's Why

Read this before trying out the seemingly convenient feature.

We’re so accustomed to convenience features in the kitchen, from microwaves and countertop ovens to dishwashers. But there’s one common—and seemingly useful—cleaning hack that you may want to avoid. It turns out that the self-cleaning feature on your oven may do more harm than good. Learn more about this setting and why many experts warn against using it below.

What is the Oven’s Self-Cleaning Feature?

Most ovens have a self-cleaning feature that’s designed to make stains and stuck-on food much easier to remove. You simply take the racks out of the oven (unless they’re designated as self-clean racks—your owner’s manual will have this information), wipe the interior of the oven and door with a wet cloth to remove as many spills as possible, and then press the self-clean button. The door will usually lock itself, and depending on your type of oven, the clean light may remain on.

Usually an hour to an hour and a half later, the self-cleaning cycle will be complete. (This may vary depending on your oven, so consult your owner’s manual.) When the oven cools down, there may be white ash residue left in the oven. A sponge or cloth with a half-and-half vinegar and water solution can help to remove the ash.

“The oven heats to extremely high temperatures and burns everything to ashes immediately,” says Alessandro Gazzo at Emily's Maids. “This way all the food scraps, grease, and whatever else that’s in the oven will ‘merge’ and you will be able to easily remove it.”

Should You Use the Oven’s Self-Cleaning Feature?

The self-cleaning process seems simple enough. However, all of our experts advise against using it (although one expert advises against using it frequently). Here’s why:

Fire Risk

Cooking accidents and appliance malfunctions are two of the top causes of house fires, according to the National Fire Protection Association. Marla Mock, president of Molly Maid, a Neighborly company, explains that the self-cleaning feature operates by increasing the oven’s temperature to extreme high temperatures (around 900 degrees F), and this is how it burns off the food residue and spills. “However, the extreme heat during self-cleaning can pose a fire risk, especially if there are leftover food particles or grease inside the oven.” That’s because the high temperatures could cause the residue to ignite.

Appliance Damage

While a fire is the worst-case scenario, the self-cleaning feature could also damage your hard-working oven, requiring you to repair or replace it. “The intense heat can damage the oven's internal components, such as the thermostat or electronic controls, and over time, frequent use of the self-cleaning feature may contribute to the premature aging of the appliance,” Mock says.

But why would ovens have a self-cleaning feature if it can damage the appliance? According to Ramon Miguel, a Thumbtack pro and owner of Maintenance & Repairs, the primary issue with the self-cleaning feature in ovens lies in its mechanism. “When activated, the oven employs all its heating elements and resistance to attain temperatures high enough to convert any residue into ash, allowing for easy cleaning with a napkin.” However, Miguel says this extreme heat can affect the insulation of cable terminals and their protective jackets.

“Under normal usage conditions, the internal insulation of the oven shields these components from excessive temperatures,” he says. But during the cleaning cycle, this insulation may exceed its capacity to either absorb or prevent the release of heat. “For instance, a cable situated near a metal oven component that typically remains cool in regular use may encounter temperatures three times higher during the cleaning cycle,” Miguel explains. And this could cause the protective jacket to melt, which can cause major electrical issues.

“Manufacturers attempt to mitigate this with separator harnesses and accessories, but occasionally, these problems persist and could harm critical parts of the oven like control boards or sensors,” Miguel says.

Since this could result in a critical failure, it’s crucial to prevent such complications from escalating. Miguel says your home’s electrical box should be in optimal condition. “If a problem arises, the oven's feeder should automatically trip, cutting off the power supply.” However, Miguel says he wouldn’t risk using the self-cleaning feature on his oven since it presents numerous challenges and can shorten the oven’s lifespan.

Toxic Fumes

Okay, even if using the self-cleaning feature doesn’t burn your house down, and it doesn’t ruin your appliance, there’s another reason to avoid using it. “The high temperatures can release fumes from leftover food particles, oils, and cleaning products,” Mock says. And this can cause unpleasant odors at best – and harmful odors in a worst-case scenario. “Individuals with respiratory issues or allergies may be particularly sensitive to these fumes.”

Alternative Ways to Safely Clean Your Oven

In lieu of using the self-cleaning oven feature, there are other ways to get it clean without risking a fire, or damage to the appliance or your health.

Both Mock and Gazzo recommend cleaning up spills and crumbs immediately to prevent a build-up of stubborn residue.

“Take out the removable parts like racks and trays, which can often be cleaned more easily in the sink or dishwasher,” Mock recommends. Gazzo adds that you can soak them in boiling water with a dishwasher tablet. “Soak for an hour and use a metal scourer to remove grease,” she says.

To clean the actual oven, Mock recommends using a mixture of baking soda and vinegar to scrub away grease and grim.

However, she says commercial oven cleaners work well, too. Gazzo agrees and while she thinks oven cleaners are both abrasive and toxic, Gazzo says they are very effective. “You can also use a bio oven cleaner paste to clean the insides. Using a paint scraper, remove the largest carbon deposits. “Then, apply your cleaning paste and leave them working for at least an hour (or whatever the instructions say) and then blade it again and use a metal scourer to remove the rest.”

Regardless of which method you use, when you finish, Gazzo recommends wiping down the interior with a wet rag, and then rinsing and repeating until it’s clean. “Then, turn the oven on for 15 minutes at 200° to ‘kill’ any remaining oven cleaner.”  If there’s any residue left, wipe it up with a damp paper towel.

When cleaning the oven with cleaning products, ventilation is important. Mock recommends opening the windows or turning on the oven hood to reduce fumes in the room. In addition, Gazzo recommends leaving the area until the fumes subside.

Related: How to Clean an Oven Thoroughly—Plus, How Often You Should Clean It

For more Real Simple news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter!

Read the original article on Real Simple.