self-cleaning oven...

Do you put this on when you're home or out of the house? I wanted to use mine(never tried it before) and in the pamphlet it said it's normal to smell some fumes- especially the first couple times you use it. I had it on about 1/2 hour with my windows open quite a bit but I had to shut it off. The smell was pretty strong and don't know if it had to do with the odor but my head and stomach started to bother me
Thinking maybe I should just use the spray instead???

Re: self-cleaning oven...

I always use my self cleaning oven, its so worth the 3-4 hours it takes. I just got a new oven/stove last January, and yes, it did smell a bit, but it does go away each time you use it. After it finishes, all I had to do was use a wet cloth to wipe the inside and it looks brand new, and still does.

IMO, I think some of those sprays are worse smelling. ALthough I've never self-cleaned the oven when I wasn't home, it could be an option if you were willing.

Re: self-cleaning oven...

thanks! I don't want to bother with the sprays either but the oven smell just really bothered me

Re: self-cleaning oven...

When I bought my house... we inherited a stove thats older than dirt.... but it was probably one of the first ovens that had the self clean option.

It was horrid in there when we bought it.... my wife refused to cook. Then she finally caved in and tried the self clean option. She was rather impressed with the result (considering how old the stove is - and she is an anal clean freak).

Re: self-cleaning oven...

Our stove was old and the first time we did omg it was horrible but I left it on and did errands...

Did it again and its not as bad

Re: self-cleaning oven...

I've never had a problem with my oven when it self-cleans. Just be sure not to leave anything in there, that would def give off a gross stink! lol

Re: self-cleaning oven...

Self cleaning is awesome. We usually throw it on when its nice out and we can have some windows open.

Re: self-cleaning oven...

I am not postive why but you are not suppose to use the cleaning sprays in a self cleaning oven...
Also before you turn the self cleaner on clean up any oil or globs of burnt on stuff. You need to make sure that there is no puddles of oil or anything... Growing up my sisters friends house went on fire b/c the father decided to fry chicken in the oven for dinner and then turned the self cleaner on and went to work by the time the kids got home from school the fire dept was there and most of the house wasnt... Thank god no one was in the house but it just teaches you that those high HIGH temps can start a grease fire..

So I always wipe mine down before and after running the self cleaner..

Message edited 2/7/2006 4:49:27 PM.

Re: self-cleaning oven...

I have a pretty new oven as well and I have used the self cleaning twice - not more than an hour because I can't stand the stink. I hope if I keep doing it a bunch of small times eventually it will go away and be less.

My previous very old oven had the option and didn't stink much at all so I am hoping this is something that wears off with time.

I just wish it was the summer so I could leave my windows open. I have a little guy in the house so I can't leave all the windows open for 3-4 hours.

I wouldn't do it when I wasn't home since my directions said you should leave windows open when you do it and wouldn't leave my windows open if I weren't home. I would think if you kept the house locked up and unventilated - the stink would be worse when you got home.

Re: self-cleaning oven...

You really should not do this when you aren't home. Self-cleaning is really just the oven reaching an incredibly high temperature and burning stuff off. Nothing has ever happened, but that sucker gets hot - I would imagine if you accidentally left a dishtowel or something on the range top, you would be in trouble.

Re: self-cleaning oven...