Oven, self-cleaning

[The following instructions are specific to self-cleaning ovens. Please see the entry Oven, convection for general tips in cleaning all types of ranges.]

If the oven isn’t too grimy, place a bowl filled with ammonia inside the closed oven and let it work overnight. The oven should be cool or slightly warm. Ammonia is really a gas, so its vapors will work to loosen baked-on grime that can be removed with a sponge or cloth and hot water the next day.

Warning: Ammonia is a strong irritant that can cause serious injury to the eyes and respiratory system. While working with ammonia, always wear a mask as well as skin and eye protection, and ensure adequate ventilation. A large portable fan directed at the work site will provide plenty of fresh air.

Caution: Remove aluminum or nickel-plated racks or other components from the oven before starting. Ammonia will darken these metals permanently.

Before cleaning, open the oven and stand back for a couple of minutes to allow ammonia vapors inside to dissipate. Use a white nylon pad or plastic scrubber if scrubbing is necessary. More aggressive scouring pads or steel wool will scratch the oven surface, complicating future cleanings. Rinse all surfaces thoroughly with plenty of water to remove all traces of ammonia.

Because of the heat involved, note the following precautions when operating the self-cleaning function:

• Remove all oven racks and broiler pans, and wash them by hand as outlined in the entry “Oven, convection.” Removable components in some models aren’t made to withstand high heat.
• Don’t use lye-based oven cleaners, or any other strong cleaning chemical, inside a self-cleaning oven. Lye residue can damage the interior under high heat, while other chemicals will etch the metal.
• Clean metal surfaces outside the door gasket as outlined in Oven, convection before starting the self-cleaning cycle.

Let the oven cool completely after the self-cleaning cycle ends. This will take several hours. Use a soft nylon brush to dislodge any ash from the sides and top, and then sweep all ashes from the bottom into a dustpan. Wipe down all interior surfaces with a damp cloth or sponge.

References:

Jeff Bredenberg, editor, Clean It Fast, Clean It Right: The Ultimate Guide to Making Everything You Own Sparkle & Shine.

Don Aslett, The Cleaning Encyclopedia: Your A to Z Illustrated Guide to Cleaning Like the Pros.