jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

I would never even consider using the self-cleaning feature on my oven. I'm glad to see I was right about that.

https://www.familyhandyman.com/article/dont-use-your-ovens-self-cleaning-feature/?_cmp=diytipshintsnl&_ebid=diytipshintsnl1292023&_mid=572608&ehid=73A5119F6D6B55A335D41D8BD7D8D335A74FB2CE&_PermHash=bd21b40cef185e699339cb565fc5ad1ad6a80355db458b2059b848bd83716669&tohMagStatus=NONE

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

I used the self clean feature often during the 25 years we were in one house.
The key is to get as much of the junk out of it before you start the cycle.
The township where we live now requires a CO detector in the house. It hasn't gone off yet during a clean cycle.
But in both cases, the stove vent vents to the outside and have had it on low during the cleaning. Does smell sometimes.
If it was a problem with heat damage to the units (which I'm sure the manufacturer would be arare), there would be many people complaining about their oven dying. I've heard no one say anything about loosing an oven.

I'm not worried.

BigDaddy Loc: Pittsburgh, PA

My wife uses it on occasion. Nothings broke in 20+ years but the guy makes sense.
I know if I show her the video, she will tell me I can hand clean her oven anytime I want.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

(The possibility is there... but not probability.)

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

As far as I'm concerned - too much electricity and too much heat.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

That's why we clean it in the Fall or Spring.

TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

I use mine every 6 months or so. Be sure to remove the racks unless you mind them losing their shiny finish. Been doing that for ~20 years with no issues. A bit smelly for the first half hour, but fine after that. Much easier (and less smelly) than oven cleaner.

Manglesphoto Loc: 70 miles south of St.Louis

Many years ago, 20 or so, I used the self cleaning feature it was two days out of warranty, and I left the house after starting the cleaning.
I came home to find the oven door stuck closed and the latched was released, I finally got the door open and found the glass over the light and the porcelain lining melted and the shelves sagging.
It took me 4 weeks of haggling with different GE service people, I finally got service after threatening to paint it yellow and tow it everywhere it went with a sign on it stating the problem.
The service man showed up the next day, looked in the oven and sad OMG your lucky your housed didn't burn down.
I will have to order a complete oven lining , elements, and shelves,
6 weeks, later and no contact I called again, I can't remember how many people I talked to but it took over a half hour to finally get the customer service Manager and stated my case again, he said he would call back the next day.
The next day I got a call from the retailer asking when they could deliver my new stove, the next day my new stove arrived.
That was my first and last time using the self-cleaning feature, I really hate electric stoves. I switched to a gas range and No self cleaning.
I don't mess my oven up!!! drip trays keep it nice and clean.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Good result!

As much as I hate the electric stove eating the Watts, I don't want gas around my house. Electricity doesn't explode.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

Wow!

Yea, drip trays help a lot to keep it clean. Like for sweet potatoes, they go on the middle rack, aluminum foil goes on the bottom rack.

agillot

The self cleaning feature may destroy the heat sensor of the thermostat . Do you feel lucky punk . It just get too hot .

47greyfox Loc: on the edge of the Colorado front range

Sorry… that Handyman post is a crock, imho. We’ve always had electric ovens. About once a year in the Spring when windows can be opened, everything in each oven gets removed (racks, liners, etc), and we use the “self cleaning” setting. Approximately two hours later, I hear a clunk as the door unlocks. We let it cool down a little more, then wipe it down. By then, racks are dried. They article author must have been on the hook for an article….🥴

TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

That’s a scary story! I probably won’t stop cleaning mine, but I’ll never leave the house while a cleaning cycle is running. In fact, good idea never to leave the house when anything is cooking. Some years ago after buying a new microwave, I put a potato in to cook, set the timer for 8 minutes and went out to my shop. Came back awhile later to find the microwave destroyed - literally melted. At first I thought I had set the timer for 80 minutes by accident, but learned that there was a known issue with the timers on these particular microwaves. Glad it wasn’t under a cabinet when it failed. Lesson learned…

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

Been doing it for 43 years in two houses....

ecblackiii Loc: Maryland

Nonsense! The fearmongering was written by a person who has nothing useful to say. The odds of any of these happening is in the millions to one. Never in my 80 years have I ever encountered or even heard of anyone actually having any of these things that "MIGHT" happen. Getting into your automobile is far more likely to result in problems than any of the oven-cleaning hazards cited.