A survey was given to 2,000 Americans, and the average amount of hours they spent cleaning weekly was 23 hours and 36 minutes. Because of how long it takes to get any housework and cleaning done, finding any way to get stuff done faster is a dream come true.

How can you find ways to cut down on the time you spend cleaning? There are a variety of cleaning tips that are useful and simple, but there are a few that may not be as simple or even safe.

Most modern ovens today are considered to be self-cleaning ovens. While yes this may sound like the best way to go about cleaning your oven, there are some cons to using this cleaning function.

To learn more about the self-clean oven functions and if they work, continue reading.

What Are Self-Cleaning Ovens?

Self-cleaning ovens are commonly found in modern ovens. 

These ovens have a self-clean cycle that uses high-temperature heating and steam to clean any grime left in your oven. The temperatures these ovens reach during the cleaning process are about 900 °F. Ovens typically only reach a high temperature of 500 °F.

The high temperatures help food burn, which makes cleaning up the debris simple. Once the oven has cooled down, then you can wipe up any leftover food that the heat burnt.

Reasons to Avoid Using This Feature

While this self-cleaning feature does work, there are reasons to avoid using it.

These self-cleaning ovens can cause damage and potentially be dangerous, putting you at risk.

Damage Can Occur

Enough though this feature is in many modern ovens, using it can eventually lead to damage. Because of the high temperatures, this cleaning cycle creates, major parts of your oven are at risk for damage. 

Some parts at risk for damage:

  • Thermostat
  • Lock mechanism
  • Touch panels
  • Wiring
  • Other interior parts

Any damage your oven endures will cost you money that you would rather save. If the damage caused by the self-clean cycle is severe enough, you likely will have to invest in another oven.

Risk of Fires and Safety 

Along with damage, fires, as well as health hazards, can occur when using these ovens.

The extremely high temperatures coming in contact with something such as grease or oil can cause oven fires to start. Making sure any flammable substances are cleaned up can be hard, as you can miss them.

If you have any pets or children, this cleaning feature can cause a safety hazard. A child or pet can be easily burnt if they end up coming in contact with the oven. 

When the oven is burning the food debris, various odors and fumes can produce, which is a major health hazard. Carbon monoxide is produced during the cleaning cycle, which can be deadly to anyone who breathes it in for a while. If you inhale too much, carbon monoxide poisoning can occur.

Any smoke the oven produces as well can lead to health issues such as coughing, difficulty breathing, and even flu-like symptoms.

Avoid Using Self-Cleaning Ovens

Despite the fact that these self-cleaning ovens can get the job done, there are major risks that come along with using them. 

If you are looking to find other ways to cut down on the amount of time you spend cleaning, The Home Keepers would be more than happy to help you with many cleaning tasks you need to be done.

Contact us if you have any interest in our services or if you have any questions.