How to Use Self Cleaning Oven – 5 Certain Tips You Can Use

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How to Use Self Cleaning Oven: Cleaning a greasy oven is one of the most tiresome kitchen tasks for many households. As most self-cleaning ovens may have chemicals that release harmful fumes in the air, they can irritate the skin. But, oven interiors are sometimes difficult to reach, and it might be challenging for you to remove leftovers. That’s why self-cleaning ovens are essential.

How to Use Self Cleaning Oven

If you have a self-cleaning oven, your task will be much easier than expected. It works by using a high temperature, around 500 degrees Celsius, to turn leftovers into ashes without the use of any additional chemicals. It also stays locked from the beginning to the end of the cleaning process.

What is a Self Cleaning Oven?

Cleaning the oven is frankly not a very attractive task. However, it is necessary to maintain cleanliness and safe cooking. We often hear about self-cleaning ovens, but mostly without any detailed information about how it works. It seems that this is just a commercial move, used only to increase sales, without the presence of any innovation. And yet, self-cleaning ovens are a real technological innovation.

The scientific name for such a device is a pyrolytic oven, where the main distinguishing feature from non-pyrolytic ovens is the self-cleaning function.

Self-cleaning ovens are modern kitchen appliances with an automatic cleaning function. They are divided into two types:

  • Pyrolytic.
  • Catalytic

 

The self-cleaning (pyrolytic) oven heats up very quickly to a temperature of 500C, at which the stubborn food and fat residues turn into ashes. Once the cleaning program has ended, simply wipe the inside of the oven with a damp cloth.

What is a Pyrolytic Oven?

Typically, pyrolytic ovens have more than one cleaning program, with cycle times ranging from 1 to 3 hours depending on the level of cleaning you need. For example, a 1-hour program will allow you to remove unpleasant odors that appear after cooking some dishes, while a 3-hour program will be able to remove even stubborn dirt. 

Pyrolysis Oven Cleaning - How It Works
  1. Before using pyrolytic cleaning, the wire racks, trays and racks must be removed and cleaned by hand or in the dishwasher.
  2. Enable cleaning and wait for it to complete.
  3. Clean the interior surface of soot with a damp cloth.
  4. Insert wire racks, trays and wire racks.

It should be noted that when pyrolysis is on, the oven door is blocked to prevent burns and is unlocked only when the temperature drops to 200-250 o C.

Since an unpleasant odor is emitted during the cleaning process, turning on the hood at full power is also required. To minimize the appearance of unpleasant odors, it is necessary to regularly turn on pyrolysis, have airflow and have a good exhaust.

Features of Pyrolytic Cleaning

The pyrolytic cleaning function is present only in electric ovens because in gas ovens, it is technologically difficult to realize the heating of the working chamber to the required 500 o C.

Models having the function in question are subject to increased requirements for the quality of the steel from which it is made. This is due to the need to withstand high temperatures without any deformation repeatedly.

The entire working chamber must withstand high temperatures and at the same time not harm people and the kitchen set in which it is built. Therefore, ovens with pyrolytic cleaning are equipped with several tempered glasses on the door, a tangential mechanism and heat-resistant enamel.

Advantages of Using Pyrolytic Cleaning
  • Compared to catalytic and hydrolysis technologies, it is the most efficient system.
  • There is no need to change any consumables – in most modern models, catalytic filters are self-cleaning and designed for the oven’s entire life.
  • With relatively frequent use, it eliminates the need to use any special detergents and reduces the appearance of unpleasant odors when using cleaning.
  • The entire working chamber is subjected to pyrolysis and not its individual parts, as is the case with a catalytic one, where a special enamel is applied.
  • The ingress of sweet or dairy products on the inner surface of the chamber will not affect the quality of pyrolysis cleaning.
Disadvantages of Using Pyrolytic Cleaning
  • Unfortunately, like other types, it does not completely eliminate manual cleaning.
  • Baking trays, grids, and grid guides must be washed by hand or in a dishwasher. They can be deformed and become unusable under the influence of high temperatures.
  • Prices for models with pyrolysis are significantly higher due to the peculiarities of its use.
  • Present only in electric ovens.
  • Requires manual start, does not occur automatically during cooking and at the same time consumes from 4kW to 7kW.
  • When used, it may emit unpleasant odors, which leads to the need to use a hood.

Pyrolytic ovens have several advantages over conventional ovens. In addition to being easy to clean, these ovens are more environmentally friendly as there is no need to use chemicals that are harmful to the environment. 

What is Catalytic Oven Cleaning?

Catalytic cleaning of the oven is an accelerated chemical reaction of the decomposition of fats (hydrocarbons) into carbon, water and organic residues under the influence of fast-absorbing substances (oxidizing agents) located on the surface of the porous walls.

The absorbent surface consists of:

  • Chemical Oxidation Catalyst (Cerium Dioxide/Copper Oxide/Manganese/Cobalt)
  • Absorbent with nano-particles
  • Porous and non-porous substrate

The catalytic filter does not need to be washed or changed – it is designed for the entire life of the oven and is automatically cleaned approximately 1 time per 100 hours of oven operation by calcination.

Catalytic Oven Cleaning - How It Works

The principle of operation of the catalytic cleaning of the oven is to decompose the fat accumulated during cooking into water and soot, which are then absorbed by the sorbent with nano-particles.

Cleaning occurs directly in the process of cooking under the influence of temperature and a chemical catalyst. Decomposition of contaminants starts at 140 °C and reaches its maximum efficiency at 200° C.

Based on the foregoing, it should be clear that it is not necessary to turn on any special oven mode for its operation – the process occurs automatically due to chemical reactions.

Features of Catalytic Cleaning

The main feature of catalytic cleaning, as mentioned earlier, is that it starts working without any participation on your part – automatically during the cooking process.

The next feature is that the bottom and the inner side of the door do not participate in the process of decay of contaminants – only the surface where grease-absorbing enamel is applied is cleaned, i.e. top, side and rear walls (sometimes convection fan blades).

The principle of operation of catalytic cleaning allows it to be used in both electric and gas ovens. Its effectiveness does not depend on the model or brand. Technologies for creating fat-absorbing enamel and the oxidation catalysts used in it are the same for everyone.

Advantages of Using Catalytic Purification
  • Automatic due to chemical reactions occurring under the influence of temperatures and catalysts deposited on the plates.
  • Economical in terms of energy consumption carried out during the cooking process.
  • Possibility of use in ovens regardless of the type of energy consumed.
  • The quality is approximately the same for all manufacturers and depends to a greater extent on the curvature of the surface on which the grease-absorbing enamel is applied.
  • Relatively cheap.
Disadvantages of Using Catalytic Purification
  • In comparison with other types, it has the lowest efficiency (with the exception of manual washing of the oven working chamber).
  • It does not completely eliminate the manual washing of the surface (in principle, like all other types).
  • The baking tray, wire racks and grill must be washed by hand or in the dishwasher.
  • The bottom and inner surface of the door do not have catalytic self-cleaning properties. They are not coated with grease-absorbing enamel.
  • If sweet or dairy products get on the panel, it becomes inoperable at the point where the product hits.
  • Effective with frequent use. not able to decompose large fat stains at a time. Those. If you are pedantic and are going to cook in the oven not so often, then this type will definitely not suit you.
  • It is required to replace the plates with new ones or turn them over if they are double-sided. after 4-5 years, they lose their properties.

Besides that, a top-quality self-cleaning oven usually has more insulation than standard ovens, which reduces the amount of energy needed for normal cooking and the possibility of fire accidents. It’s also a convenient and time-saving machine. Most importantly, it makes the cleaning process quite easier and changes the entire game.

How to Use Self Cleaning Oven? – 5 Following Tips You Can Use

These days, most ovens come with a self-cleaning feature, but people don’t know how to operate that feature. If you lose the manual of your oven or don’t know like other people, then learn the following tips on how you can use your self-cleaning oven correctly.

1. Prepare to Clean

If you keep any pans, tin foil, or baking sheets in the oven, remove them from the oven to start cleaning. You may need to remove and clean most oven racks by your hands unless they’re labeled as “self-clean” in the manual. Even though the oven racks can survive during self-cleaning, you shouldn’t leave them inside because they may become warp, discolor, and harder to remove.

However, you don’t need to remove the light or light cover from the oven. Now, you’re going to the next step: using the self-cleaning cycle. Before that, wipe the interior with a soft sponge or a wet cloth to remove any spills that have not yet been baked on.

2. Use the Self-Cleaning Cycle

While some models will lock as soon as you turn on the self-cleaning cycle, others need to be locked by sliding a mechanism to one side. If you’re not sure how to start the cycle, check the manual before running it on the oven.

When your oven is on the ‘self-cleaning cycle’ mode, you shouldn’t remove the racks to get rid of its grease. Let the cleaning process for 4 to 6 hours and then turn off the oven. Open the door and allow your oven to cool for a while. After that, wipe the ashes of burned food residue with a damp cloth.

In this case, you can use a standard cleaning solution. Make a mixture of baking soda and enough amount of water until you get a paste. Then, apply the paste to the surface by using an old toothbrush and let it sit for 15 to 20 minutes. Later, use a damp sponge to wipe the mixture and rinse well with water.

3. Open Up Your Home

You already know that a self-cleaning oven takes 4 to 6 hours. It stays at a high temperature of over 900-degree Fahrenheit and turns the leftovers into ashes. This cleaning process may make your home warmer and build-up harmful smoke all-around your home. So, you should open your windows and doors (as possible) and turn the exhaust fans on to allow hot air out.

If you try this cleaning process during the middle of the day in winter or in the early morning or evening in summer, it can bring a good result for you, and you don’t need to open your windows to let the air out.

4. Follow the After-Cleaning-Process

Although most models in the market automatically lock themselves during this period, if you need to lock your oven manually, you have to wait until it’s entirely cooled before you open its door. Otherwise, you can encounter an unwanted accident from its high heat around 1000-degree Fahrenheit.

When your oven is completely cool, open the door and remove the leftovers with a solution of vinegar and water. You also have to use a damp cloth or a soft sponge. Keep in mind that you should always consult your owner’s manual to know how to do it correctly.

5. Ensure Safety

Regardless of whether you’re cooking or cleaning, when you’re out of your home, don’t run the self-cleaning oven. Turn the oven cycle off soon after you see any flames. As the temperature of the running self-cleaning oven can be extremely hot, you shouldn’t touch the exterior.

When you’re running the self-cleaning cycle, you have to avoid using the air conditioner. It’s because both machines consume a lot of electricity, and one can hamper the performance of the other. Due to the excessive flow of electricity, you may blow a fuse during the process, and you definitely don’t want it.

Conclusion

To sum up, a self-cleaning oven works by using high temperatures around a thousand degrees Fahrenheit to turn leftovers into ashes. If your oven is coated with protective nonstick compounds, it may release carbon monoxide into the air at a high temperature.

Therefore, a self-cleaning oven can be harmful to humans, especially to people who have asthma or any other respiratory problem. It can also be hazardous to pets, and quite deteriorating for some birds.

 

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