Is Your Oven's Self-Clean Option Really the Best Way to Clean It?

For as many times as it pays to do it the old-fashioned way, recent tech-y advances have likely made a home-care task easier or faster. A robot that can vacuum your living room? Perfect. A dishwasher you can switch on from your phone? So convenient. Cleaning your oven, however, is something that falls within the former category.

While not particularly new, self-cleaning ovens are a tech-y upgrade that, according to some, have a long way to go in terms of replacing good old elbow grease. Below, we spoke with experts for a basic run-down on the self-cleaning feature and what you should know before using it.

The Self-Clean Setting, Explained

Despite the misnomer, ovens cannot actually clean themselves. In actuality, what occurs during this specific setting is this: "During an oven’s self-cleaning cycle, the oven reaches extremely high temperatures, which causes food residue to burn and turn to ash," explains Angie Hicks, co-founder of Angi (formerly Angie’s List).

"The exact process varies depending on the exact oven you have, but most ovens reach temperatures of between 800 and 1,000 degrees Fahrenheit during the self-cleaning cycle."

Things to Consider Beforehand

As you can guess, this oven setting also comes with the scent of stuck-on debris and food burning off. (Open windows are a must.) Plus, the resulting soot piled up at the bottom of your oven is less than ideal.

Leaving the oven on self-cleaning mode solo is also not a good idea. “You should be home and awake the entire time the oven is on,” Hicks says. “The self-cleaning process takes several hours, so I don’t recommend starting it if you have to leave your home in the next two to four hours.”

You’ll also want to use this feature at least a day or more before hosting guests, as the smoke smell can linger, and you’ll likely want to freshen up the air ahead of company.

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Why Your Oven's Self-Clean Option Isn't Typically Recommended

An oven’s self-cleaning feature should also not be your go-to, as it puts a lot of wear and tear on your oven, Hicks explains. "The most common mistake is using the self-cleaning feature too often."

If you’ve recently cleaned your oven using chemical oven cleaners, you’ll also want to skip the self-cleaning cycle—this could otherwise result in toxic fumes.

Still eager to self-clean? Limit yourself. "Extreme temperatures can damage your oven over time, so you should only use it once every year or so if you want your oven to last as long as possible," encourages Hicks.

How to Prep Your Oven for Self-Cleaning

Before using the self-cleaning feature, you'll also want to ensure your oven is prepped appropriately. First, remove all racks and anything else inside the oven. Kitchen tools, like a thermometer, can melt in the extreme high heat.

Then, vacuum or wipe away any loose crumbs, grease, or other sediment or food bits stuck in the oven before starting the cycle. “These can cause extra smoke and strong odors,” says Zac Kieffer, president of E-Cloth. “A quick wipe down with a microfiber cloth beforehand can help with this.”

Remember to open windows and that the oven door stays locked even after the cleaning cycle to help it safely cool. Once the oven has cooled, wipe it thoroughly with a damp cloth to remove any soot left on the sides, bottom, and door.