I use my self cleaning function. I even put my stainless grill grates in to clean them at the same time. Never had a problem. And if I did have a problem... well, a new oven sounds kind of nice! ;)

I've had my oven for 2 years and I've never used the self cleaning function. I'm OCD about putting sheet pans under anything that *might* drip, and so the bottom of my oven looks pretty good.
of course, 2 months ago, a heating elemnt went and died just in the normal course of cooking. But it was a pretty easy fix, and at least I had the 2nd oven to use while waiting for it to be repaired.

My only experience with a self-cleaning oven: when I was in eighth grade, we had to take a home ec class. There was a kitchen with several stoves for basic cooking lessons, so one day, our class made pizza. My group, unfortunately, discovered at the end of the class, when we took all the pizzas out, that we had managed to bake ours on the self-clean setting, which none of us had even known was a thing - until the teacher yelled at us, at least ...

Meanwhile, I've been told by repairmen that NOT running the self cleaning cycle isn't good either, because it allows more dirt to build up, and that many oven cleaners, as well as being toxic, aren't good for the oven walls.

I run my self cleaning cycle regularly, and have never had a problem—although my stove doesn't have hidden elements. (It also doesn't have an option to vary the length of the cycle. My stove is fairly basic.)

Just out of curiosity, has anyone had to clean *between* the 2 panes of glass in the oven door before? I spilled heavy cream down there during a cooking mishap. Now I have 3 white streaks in my pristine NEW oven. trying to figure out how to do it....

I use my Jenn Air 1998 professional oven (14 years old) self cleaning mode every 2 months, since my oven is disgusting with all the chickens I roast!

It works beautifully, and I would never use Easy Off or any product w/ lye or chemicals......so maybe the newer ovens are just not as good?

Does anyone have concerns about self-cleaning cycles being unsafe? I read that they can be dangerous to pets and pregnant women. Seeing as I'm expecting, I don't plan to risk it and will just be scrubbing by hand. Just curious if any one else had done any more research than me.

I remember my grandmother's oven caught on fire once during the self cleaning cycle. It was contained inside, and put itself out before the firemen came fortunately. Since then I've been apprehensive to use the function myself.

I'm assuming this only applies to electric ovens? While my new gas oven has a self-cleaning feature, I'm not sure I'll ever use it. I have used the feature on electric ovens in the past, with no problems, although in hindsight using it once or twice a day as a heat source the winter our furnace broke probably wasn't the smartest thing to do.

@J.BO, I have heard about it not being safe for birds but nothing about other pets. May be worth checking out Google. I ran it and my dog seemed fine.

Also, am I correct that if I run the self-clean and it breaks the oven, that should be covered under the warranty? Of course, that assumed the warranty is still in effect. Personally, I use an oven liner and tend not to have things spill anyway. My old oven had one and the only time I ran it was before I was moving out. My new one doesn't but I am not worried.

I had a Sears Kenmore that had a continuous cleaning feature---it had to do with the coating on the oven surfaces. I don't know if it is still made or not. I LOVED it. Of course I would wipe up the occasional spill, but otherwise all I had to do otherwise was wipe out or vacuum (really!) the little bit of soot (or ash or something) on the bottom of the oven. It was wonderful.

I've never been a fan of the self cleaning- the computer on my Dad's stove would freeze up and lock the oven every single time we tried it. We would then be without an oven and stovetop for a week or two until they could order whatever part was needed and send out the repair guy. The only time I ever use it is when I am moving out of an apartment, usually because it's on the list of stuff they want done.

I was always always told by my dad if you get a new oven the first thing you should do is run the self clean. If the oven is going to have something wrong with it soon after purchase/ new house, this is the fastest way to find out.

@MollyMorris - my current oven has an exceptionally poor design that lets stuff get inside the glass, so I have to clean it relatively often. I discovered that on mine, you can unscrew the door handle from the back of the door (requires a specialized driver bit, but one that was simple to pick up at the hardware store) and then the glass slides out. It's not a small job, but doable.

I heard about this before and instead of taking a chance with my new oven, I'm careful about spills and use a steam cleaner for the inside and top. I figured this would be better than using chemicals....

The only problem I had with mine was a very weird smell at the beginning of ownership. Now that I've had the gas oven for a few years and used the self-cleaner a few times, the smell is gone. No problems other than that.

I was told by a repairman that using oven cleaner on a self-cleaning oven will destroy the special coating on the oven walls and floor, and may even void the warranty. I don't use my gas oven often but I have run the cleaning cycle a couple of times after minor mishaps - works like a charm. It didn't seem to be on that long (most of the cycle was the cool-down part) and there were really no odors at all. I would think that lye and chemical fumes would be more harmful to infants/pregnant women than a bit of burned food.

I bought a Kitchen Aid double oven about 4 years ago. After a year I ran the self clean on one of the ovens and it fried all of the electronics including the lights in the oven. It was $350 to get the repair man out from Kitchen Aid and then another $500 for him to rebuild the circuit board. I haven't tried it since and don't plan to. I also don't plan to purchase another Kitchen Aid appliance.

I'll get crucified for saying this here but I LOVE my EasyOff. I only use it when moving out of a rental (or a very bad spill), and since I just purchased, guess it'll be a while. I now have a very old oven with exposed elements. I just take some heavy duty aluminum foil, fold it to match the oven floor, and slip it under the element. So my oven stays pretty clean on it's own.

I like to put the lower rack at the lowest point and just put a couple sheets of foil across it. That way nothing gets TO the bottom of the oven. Bonus, when it starts accumulating mess, I just ball it up, throw it away, and grab more foil! Then all I have to worry about is anything that sizzles/splatters on the top/sides, but that's far less mess than drips to the bottom, imo.

Back when I lived in NYC and had a gas stove I cleaned the oven using the self-cleaning feature with no trouble at all. Down here I have to have an electric stove, and I've been using the self-cleaning feature about once a year. Never had a problem with either.

My mom has had a self cleaning oven for years and never had a problem.

I just used it the other day, and it was fine. I had a berry pie bubble over incident and it was still smoking even after I scrubbed twice (but not with Easy Off, just water). But now I'll think twice about doing it after hearing this, and will use foil. Does foil emit toxins though?
@ MollyMorris, that happened to me too, on an almost new range! So frustrating. I went to the appliance repair shop to ask if there was a tool or way to clean it. They said no. and that it happens all the time, and is just the crappy way ovens are made these days (unless you get one in the multi-thousand dollar range). I used a skewer and a bit of a sponge, and was actually able to clean it out somewhat, but that's a risk because you could lose the sponge parts in there. I'll see if my door has screws like mhayes suggested.

I'm getting a gas oven and wondering if it'll be a problem. I had a pumpkin bourbon tart boil over and it was a hot sticky mess. Luckily it was a crappy gas oven in a crappy rental. I put some Bon Ami on it, sprayed with a little water and scrubbed it right off. It was a 10 minute job. There was no self clean feature on it so that was my option. Easy Off looked too scary for me.

The tart was really good, too. I'll be making it again this year, but in a new oven!

Is this more of a problem with wall ovens rather than ovens that are stand-alone stoves? The article seems to refer to double-WALL ovens, but doesn't clarify this point. I think that stove/ovens are less likely to overheat during the self-cleaning cycle just because of ventilation.

I probably use the self cleaning feature four or five times a year. My oven is three years old, has hidden elements and I've had zero issues.

This is slightly off-topic, but Fabricwench's question about wall ovens made me curious - are wall ovens much more common in the US than they are in Canada? It does make sense to me that they would overheat more easily than a freestanding oven, but I've only seen actually seen them when visiting relatives in the States.

We cook a lot and we're messy so we do run the self-clean every few months or so. We have had this happen twice. When we moved last year and bought a new professional grade range we also got the extended warranty...we were glad we did. It's a little frustrating when a new so-called "professional" grade appliance craps out like that though. I will say that since the repairman came and fixed it we haven't had any problems. I still won't do a self-clean before we host a dinner, I'll wait til afterwards.

Ooooh, maybe I'll run the self cleaning option _more_ often. Then I'll have to replace the POS JennAire that came with the house. _Hate_ it.

@Meganfm Yes! I remember the first time my mom used the self-cleaning cycle in our stove it flared up. Just don't let the oven go so long between cleanings.

Using Easy-off on a continuous-clean oven will ruin the surface coating. Both your oven's users' manual and the Easy-off canister will warn of this.

I have a continuous clean, and it's OK, but I do miss having a self-clean oven.

The first time I used the self-cleaning setting on my new-ish (at the time) Kitchen Aid, it nearly blew up the built in cabinet next to it.

The second time, the convection fan broke. That was approximately four years later, after nothing but stellar performance. I wish I had read this before trying it again. :(

That said, I've always felt like an ounce of prevention (in this case, cleaning your oven with a bit of soapy water and elbow grease every couple of weeks) is worth....well, everything. Now, now only is my oven door glass still a mess, it's almost baked on and I need a new fan. ;(

I've never before used this feature before. I live in a rental and although I did receive a new oven about 7 years ago, I've never had to use easy off or this self cleaning feature (not that I even knew), I had. What I do, if I've spilled anything is take some baking soda and once my oven is off but still a lil warm, pour over the spill then pour some vinegar. Next day I'll clean it up and if there's still stuck on burnt stuff I simply reapply. The second time everything always comes up. Then I pass a wet rag over a few times, that's it.

@MollyMorris I spilled some stuff that got between the two panes, and recently got around to cleaning it, but it required taking apart the entire front door. Not particularly fun, but it wasn't impossible either. I have a cheaper Kenmore oven though.

I never use my oven anymore. I use the stovetop, but the actual oven has been replaced by my higher-end toaster oven. If I can fit it in it'll cook just as well as my regular oven. Come to think of it, I haven't used my new oven at all (I moved into a new apartment with a brand new one). I guess I'll never have to clean it!

Interestingly enough, I just used the self-cleaning cycle last night. I only ever use it when I'm doing my move-out cleaning, so I actually don't know if it ruins ovens. Interesting.

My repairman said he's most busy on Thanksgiving morning due to all the people who use the self cleaning function in preparation for the holiday and burn out electronics. Wall-mounted or floor unit, gas or electric, it didn't seem to matter; it's that the heat ruins the electronics. You're probably safe if you have an old oven with no electronics.

Growing up I only remember my parents using the self cleaning function once, and it set off the fire alarm, so I've always been hesitant since. We did use it moving out of a rental, and I was shocked that it worked and didn't set any alarms off! I tried to clean the oven with elbow grease, but with 2 boys living in the house for 3 years, it was beyond baking soda and vinegar's help. I now have a different oven, but so want a new one. I probably won't ever use the self cleaning again, though, unless is somehow gets just disgusting.

Hey there - this is Adam (same guy from the above mentioned article). The calrod element in electric ovens can "burn-out" during use. but with a greater probability as the oven gets older and repeated uses of the self-cleaning feature. This calrod element is easy to replace if exposed, but much more difficult if hidden. And as some have posted, the electronic control panel can be at greater risk of failure when subjected to the high temps in the self-cleaning cycle. If you have a self-cleaning oven, you can use Easy-Off for self-cleaning ovens which will be less harsh on the porcelain finish. You can also use the Ammonia method: First, turn the oven on, let it warm to 150°F (65°C), and then turn it off. Place a small bowl containing 1/2 cup ammonia on the top shelf and a large pan of boiling water on the bottom shelf. Close the oven door, and let it sit overnight. The next morning, remove the dish and pan, and let the oven air out awhile. Then wipe it clean using the ammonia and a few drops of dishwashing liquid diluted in a quart of warm water — even old burned-on grease should wipe right off. Warning: Do not use this cleaning method with a gas oven unless the pilot lights are out and the main gas lines are shut off.

Yep, this happened to me! But it was NOT a new oven - it was an ancient "Lady Kenmore" in my last rental. I don't know when the last time the self-clean cycle was used, but afterward, the oven didn't work anymore - the stovetop, however, was fine. I've been hesitant to use that function since. However, I think with my next (new) oven I'll take the route of doing it more often, but for less time - that seems like a good strategy!

My stove is 27 years old with, of course, exposed heating elements. I have used the self clean feature several times a year over that time with no problems. Not that it cleans a well as I wish. I use Dawn whatever they call the spray degreaser, which works well on the door. When I had an apartment with a huge, cavernous gas oven, I cleaned it when I moved in with Easy Off spray (yuck!). After that the racks went into the dish washer, the bottom of the oven was covered with a piece of heavy-duty foil, and I hit the inside of the oven door with an SOS pad from time to time.I never did the sides or top again. I got compliments on how clean my oven was by fellow apartment dwellers. I did a lot of roasting and baking back then.

Here is the best reason of all...my friend recently used the self cleaning feature on her oven which overheated to such an extent that it caused the microwave above to explode. The fire gutted the entire kitchen, she and her cat got out safely, but she is still waiting for renovations to be completed enough to move back in to the apartment. There are much safer ways to clean an oven.

I am hesitant to use the self-cleaning cycle on mine because there is a hole in the oven floor, where something corrosive or rust has eaten away - just a small hole, but still...

Regarding Pets and Pregnant Women. Modern ovens are often coated with Teflon. Why they coat self cleaning ones were the heat goes over 550 is a mystery. The first few times you use the self cleaning it is MANDATORY to use external exhaust and open windows. Pet birds should be moved somewhere where they won't be affected. Unlike teflon pans there won't be any peeling cracking stuff to manage. You should always use an exhaust to the outside should you have one for any cleaning cycle or open windows.

For the oven door window above? You'll find that the clean cycle won't clean it all. Use a razor window scraper before you run the cycle it'll be much better. Also the metal gasket won't clean well either, live with it. If your door didn't come out clean, use Cerama-Bryte to clean it (also fantastic on glass topped ranges/ovens use a non-scratching sponge (blue) or just paper towels).

Chromed racks should not be left in the oven , they will blacken and peel eventually. You can buy black ceramic coated ones from most manufacturers which can be left in the oven during the cycle. Stainless steel may discolor.

Pizza stones. I have a large pizza stone I leave in the oven on the lowest rack. I leave it in during the cycle to clean. Never use anything wet or damp on a pizza stone.

For those who are reporting wall oven issues, it's a install problem. Some wall units should come with insulation that must be wrapped around the unit to isolate it from wooden surfaces or with full-size ovens be sufficiently insulated in the wall of unit itself. If you have a wall oven and when running it in the normal course of cooking, the sides or top of the cabinet get hot to the touch, get someone in to check the install for insulation or improper venting. It's more likely that a fire is from bad electrical connections, improper mounting that is conducting heat into the walls' studs or cabinet is the real problem. There was a fairly recent famous restaurant fire that was due to 6 metal screws that conducted heat into the wooden studs holding up the metal sheeting behind the ovens. They should have use non-conductive attachments or not mounted to the studs directly.

I have a gas convection range oven combo. In 10 years, the electronics panel has been replaced and both top and bottom oven ignition have been replaced twice. It's about $100 with the service call fee for the ignition and $150 for the panel. I use the self clean about 4 or 5 times a year, depending on what I'm making that I might not want to put into a smelly oven (such as cakes).

Thanks @mhays and @sunilsathees for the oven door advice! I'll have to see what I can do.

Self cleaning on my new convection Whirlpool range never worked. I used to have a 30 year old stove with self cleaning, even the racks I let inside and, at the end, it was always spotless, I didn't have to do anything.
I upgrade my kitchen so I wanted to change the range as well. BIG MISTAKE, I bought this Whirlpool and I have to clean the oven with elbow grease and a little scraper, it sucks. Even the technician could not do anything about it. Certainly no more Whirlpool. And, please, don't tell me we still have to clean it first on our knees before turn the self cleaning on, what's the self cleaning for than?