A Wichita Homeowner’s Guide: Can the Self-Cleaning Cycle on Your Oven Cause Problems?

The world’s first official oven dates back to France in the late fourteen-hundreds when people used brick and tile to create an enclosed compartment for heating and cooking. On the other hand, some historians might argue that the Egyptians created the first oven from mud and clay. After all, it was all for the same purpose, which hasn’t changed at all today. The only difference is that in modern days, we rely on electricity, efficiency, and convenience. And what’s more convenient than a self-cleaning oven? Wichita homeowners probably use the self-cleaning feature on a periodic basis, whether it’s once every four or six months.

Not only is the self-cleaning feature designed for convenience, but initially, it was also built for safe use. However, how safe is this feature really? Your expert Wichita appliance repair expert is here to explain the self-cleaning oven feature so you’re aware of the good and the bad. Mr. Appliance of Wichita is the leading appliance repair company you can trust for maintenance, assessment and repair. We care that your household appliances are in decent condition and not an endangerment.

How is a Self-Cleaning Oven Different from a Manual?

Cleaning a manual oven has always been very labor-intensive. And depending on the type of oven cleaner you use, you might expose yourself to chemical fumes. Lastly, scrubbing and wiping are also time-consuming, stopping you from doing other important things. Knowing these disadvantages of manual systems, many homeowners in Wichita care to spend the extra $100 on a unit with self-cleaning features.

You will find different types of units with self-clean cycles. Some may only have the average steam self-clean cycle and/or the high-temperature feature to remove food leftovers and other residues. The latter can reach as hot as 900ºF and incinerates food residue, crumbs, and grease. You would run this cycle for 1-2 hours until all the residue has turned to ash. This allows you to wipe it away effortlessly with a wet cloth or sponge.

Benefits of Self-Cleaning Ovens

Over the last few decades, self-cleaning ovens have gained popularity due to their high-end functionality, efficiency, and also aesthetic appeal. They are a modern-day household appliance that you simply can’t imagine without.

The reasons why modern ovens were invented are simple:

No chemical fumes: We’re all aware that oven cleaners contain toxic chemicals, and using them requires proper ventilation and caution. Ideally, you get your kids and pets outside to ensure they’re not exposed to any toxic fumes. When cleaning a manual oven, most homeowners would wear long-sleeved rubber gloves, mouth masks, and eye protection. And despite having the windows open and the exhaust fan on, it will still take a while for all the fumes to exit your home and oven. On the other hand, a self-cleaning unit solely relies on heat rather than any type of chemical cleaning agent.
Less labor-intensive: Who hasn’t cleaned their oven by hand at least once in their lives? It’s difficult to forget the hassle and stress it can cause. Elbow grease becomes literal in the sense that you get dirty yourself while having to bend down or go on your knees to scrub each corner. Having a self-clean feature will eliminate this bothersome task and cut down your cleaning efforts.
It saves time: Of course, besides reducing cleaning efforts, you also save time and don’t have to dedicate an entire afternoon to oven cleaning. Run the cycle whenever it’s convenient for you, but ensure that after one or two hours of extreme heat, you give it time to cool down before you remove the ash.
Not much additional in cost! Self-cleaning models have become so regular that they cost as little as $150 less than a manual unit. So it’s up to you to decide if the extra cost is a worthwhile investment or trade-off for the effort and time spent cleaning manually.

Popular Self-Cleaning Ovens Brands

Some of the most common appliance brands you will find in residential households include:

• Frigidaire
• GE
• LG
• Maytag
• Samsung
• Whirlpool

How a Self-Cleaning Oven Cycle Can Cause Serious Problems

Beyond all the luxury and convenience you get with the self-cleaning option, our appliance experts recommend that you’re also aware of the potential dangers involved. Of course, you would trust Consumer Reports if they applauded the self-clean feature and deemed it the most reliable and convenient household appliance feature there is. However, using extreme heat comes with a high risk that includes damaging parts, such as oven components. At Mr. Appliance of Wichita, our local experts have dealt with a number of service calls that resulted from a self-cleaning cycle gone wrong. While we don’t want those mishaps to scare you or happen to you, we’d like to raise awareness of the potential problems these cycles can cause.

3 Reasons Why a Self-Cleaning Oven Can Cause Problems

The moment you start the self-cleaning process, the oven door will automatically lock. The lock mechanism kicks in when the cycle is in action—a safety feature that prevents accidents and injuries. But this doesn’t mean that your oven itself is safe or won’t put your safety at risk. Let’s examine the three reasons why a self-cleaning oven can cause problems when in use.

1. Excess heat can damage major components

Big brands are high-end products that are made of high-quality materials. Although reliable and resilient, it doesn’t mean all your oven components are entirely temperature-proof. While having the self-clean cycle on for a couple of hours at 800ºF or 900ºF, a number of things can go wrong with the parts:

• Blown thermostat and thermal fuse: These crucial parts regulate the cooking temperature, and if damaged, your unit won’t heat. Parts replacement and repair costs can add up to $300 or more.
• Failing high limit switch: This component is responsible for overload protection. Should a temperature get uncontrollably high, this switch will automatically open and disconnect from power or reset itself. You will know your high limit switch is bad when, for instance, your fan is on autopilot or keeps on running continuously. Over time, it will become ineffective and also result in tripping at low temperatures.
• Locking mechanism errors: A common issue with the oven door is that it remains locked even hours after cooling down. An appliance repair cost can add up to $200 or more to have it fixed.
• Bake element/broil elements can blow: The heating element or baking coil can break or even melt when overheated. Traditionally, ovens have two heating elements, one at the top and one at the bottom, which have an average lifespan of five years. So without routine inspection and proper maintenance, your heating elements’ quality might decrease, making them susceptible to melting and easy damage in general.
• Fried control board: This board is also known as the relay board or circuit board that distributes electricity via wires and connectors. Although they all have a protective, insulating coat, prolonged heat exposure can result in melting and, therefore, damage the wires.
• Possible damage to the light bulb, knobs, and glass housings: While these parts are inexpensive to replace, you’d still rather have reliable oven functions that do not result in any type of damage. Plus, once replaced, the same issues could reoccur.

2. Potential safety issues for homeowners

It is easy to assume that once the oven door is completely locked, you are safe from potential risks. However, this is far from the truth because, during incineration, carbon monoxide is released. If you don’t have a fully functioning vent or your oven has a leak, you’re at risk of carbon monoxide poisoning. As an odorless gas, you wouldn’t know how much CO is released during the self-cleaning cycle. This could result in headaches, respiratory issues, dizziness, and fatigue. Not to mention, it is a fire hazard as CO is extremely flammable and explosive. Since 2016, it has been mandatory for Wichita homes to have carbon monoxide detectors, plus annual inspections and tests. While it’s unclear how much CO is released during a self-clean cycle, the potential safety issues lie in undetected venting and leak issues.

Another safety concern is that the unit will be hot to the touch, and it’s advised that children and pets are kept outside of the kitchen at all times while the cycle takes place. Severe burns have been reported despite user manual instructions to steer clear from the unit when it’s in operation.

House fire concerns are another factor to bear in mind during a self-cleaning cycle. Similar to cooking oil, grease residue can start a fire in extreme temperatures.

Tip: We recommend that you keep your vent hoods on and open all the windows in and around the kitchen area. Light smoke and burning smells are fairly common; however, they should be vented outside immediately. It is also recommended not to leave the house throughout the process, as you should constantly monitor the unit. Similar to your dryer, which can be another fire hazard, you do not want to leave it unattended.

3. It could lead other nearby electronics to fry

Not only are your oven components at risk of failing but also surrounding electronics can suffer from the excess heat. As a rule of thumb, you should have at least 15” of space on either side of your oven, so there is some breathing room. Perhaps your oven is installed right next to your dishwasher, which is common in some homes. We recommend that you do not operate the other appliance if it shares the same outlet. You can expect a self-clean cycle to use up to 8 kWh of electricity per hour, which amounts to a month’s worth of oven use. What you want is to prevent an overload or power surge by not operating other appliances at the same time.

Maintenance Tips

The dilemma of whether the self-cleaning function is good or bad comes down to how carefully the unit is maintained. Most importantly, you must know the type of self-cleaning oven that you have because different brands have different functions and are built differently. It’s either high temperature or steam clean, but many major brands nowadays have both functions.

• Get oven insulation: Besides purchasing a popular brand, it’s highly recommended that you spend an extra $100 to upgrade its insulation. Excessive heat leads to a hot surface, which is dangerous if you have children in the house. Good quality insulation will trap heat, ensuring it won’t spread to other areas.
• Regular maintenance: A standard electric oven lasts for about 13 years, whereas a gas oven can last up to 15. While a homeowner’s maintenance task is to ensure it’s clean, hiring routine maintenance from an appliance service technician can also work wonders. Whether it’s a squeaky door, inadequate temperatures, or broken light, an appliance repair technician in Wichita can assess the damage, repair it, and restore its original functions. They’ll be able to detect any damage and stop it from deteriorating further.
• Remember to remove the oven racks: It may not always seem as obvious, but it happens that people forget to remove the metal racks. They should be washed manually as a self-clean cycle could make them lose their shine.
• Baking soda paste: Not everyone is a fan of the self-cleaning mode, even if it’s available. We fully understand your concerns and are pleased to provide you with an alternative cleaning option to traditional oven cleaners. You can create a cleaning paste by combining baking soda with water (try a ratio of 3:1 ratio). If your oven has unpleasant odors, you may add some vinegar to the mix. Spread the paste evenly using a thick brush on the top, bottom, sides, and back wall, but leave out the thermostat, heating element, and any wiring. Here’s the tricky part: You’ll need to leave it for a minimum of 12 hours before returning to it with a plastic scraper to scrape off some tougher parts. Lastly, use a damp cloth to wipe off the dried paste.

Difference Between Steam Clean and Self-Clean

The difference between the two is that the self-clean cycle uses high temperatures to incinerate residue, whereas steam clean uses moisture and a less hot temperature. Steam cleaning is often preferred to remove light residue and merely takes 20 to 40 minutes.

Do you Need Oven Repair or Maintenance, or Want to Learn More About Your Oven’s Functions? Call Mr. Appliance Today!

The team at Mr. Appliance of Wichita is highly skilled and experienced—some of us also have a master technician certification. We know that convenience appeals to people, but our top priority is your safety. For that reason, we are here to help you take the necessary safety measures to ensure fully functioning appliances that are safe and also contribute to energy savings.

Contact us today and schedule an appointment! Whether it’s for dishwasher repair, ice maker repair, or oven repair, we have you covered from Wichita to Sedgwick and Andover.