4 Simple Steps to Effectively Clean Your Self-Cleaning Oven

Understanding How Self-Cleaning Ovens Work

Self-cleaning ovens use extreme heat to break down food spills and built-up grime. This intense heat burns baked-on food into a fine ash, simplifying the cleanup process. The duration of self-cleaning cycles depends on the amount of soil, offering a thorough cleaning occasionally.

CRUCIAL TIP : If you're a pet owner, ensure your kitchen is well-ventilated and keep pets in another room during the oven's self-cleaning cycle. Their sense of smell is stronger than ours, making this precaution necessary.

Navigating Your Oven's Self-Cleaning Function

Self-cleaning cycles can differ from one oven model to another. However, if you're using a KitchenAid^® oven's self-cleaning feature, here's what you might encounter. Owners of other brands should note that their self-cleaning process might slightly vary, and it's wise to consult the owner's manual for precise details.

• Approximately 6 seconds after starting the cycle, the oven door locks.

• The display will show "Heat," "On," "Locked," and "Clean."

• The door remains locked until the oven has cooled down, including a cooldown phase of 30 minutes within the cycle.

• "End" will display, and "Locked" will disappear once the cycle is complete and the oven has cooled.

• Normal changes such as discoloration, a decrease in gloss, the appearance of hairline cracks, and popping noises may occur in the porcelain on steel due to heating and cooling. These do not affect the appliance's performance.
  

   

Instructions for Cleaning a Self-Cleaning Oven

Prior to initiating the self-cleaning cycle, a brief preparation of your oven, cooktop, and storage drawer is necessary. Follow the instructions outlined below step by step.

SUPPLIES:

• 2 clean cloths (if hand-cleaning your oven)

• Baking soda

• Water 

• Spray bottle with vinegar or lemon juice

Step 1: Clear and Clean the Oven Interior

Begin by removing all oven racks, broiler pans, grids, cookware, bakeware, and any foil or liners from the oven. Wipe the edge of the oven door and the 1^½ inch (3.8 cm) area around the oven cavity frame with a damp cloth, careful not to disturb the gasket. This area doesn't heat up enough during cleaning to remove soil on its own. Avoid allowing water or cleaning solutions to enter any slots on the door frame to prevent smoke during cleaning and to avoid damage.

Step 2: Tidy Up the Oven Window

To minimize the appearance of burned-on residue, clean the oven window before starting the self-cleaning process. Any soil left on the glass can result in dark streaks or stains post-cleaning. Applying glass cleaner and a very fine (Grade 000) steel wool pad should eliminate most of these marks.

Step 3: Ready the Cooktop and Storage Drawer

Ensure all plastic items are removed from the cooktop area to dodge melting issues, and empty the storage drawer. The oven door must be fully closed to secure the lock for the cleaning cycle to initiate.

Step 4: Activate the Self-Cleaning Cycle

Activate the cleaning cycle by pressing the "Clean" button, choose the appropriate cleaning level or duration, and then hit the "Start" button. After the cycle concludes, allow the oven to cool before wiping away any residual ash. Note: This process may differ slightly for non-KitchenAid^® models.

Tips for Using Your Self-Cleaning Oven

Even though your oven's self-cleaning cycle is automatic, it's not a "set it and forget it" situation. Follow these tips to ensure you get the best out of this feature.

• Clean your oven regularly. If you prefer using the self-cleaning function over manual scrubbing, aim to run the self-clean before the oven gets heavily soiled. A buildup of heavy residue can lead to longer cleaning times and increased smoke.

• Keep the kitchen well-ventilated by using the range hood like these available from KitchenAid brand during the Self-Cleaning cycle to help get rid of heat, odors and smoke.

• Ensure the oven vent(s) are not obstructed during the self-cleaning cycle. It's crucial for air to circulate freely.

• Avoid cleaning, rubbing, damaging, or moving the oven door gasket. Maintaining its integrity is key for ensuring a proper seal.

• Refer to the oven cleaning section in your Use and Care Guide for detailed instructions on cleaning your oven, or utilize our guide for cleaning oven door glass for that final polish. Additionally, discover the recommended frequency for oven cleaning to keep it in top condition.

Self-Cleaning Oven FAQs

Can I Manually Clean a Self-Cleaning Oven?

Yes, indeed. Self-cleaning ovens can benefit from manual cleaning periodically. While the self-cleaning feature is designed to simplify the cleaning process, it's not the only method available.

For manual cleaning, mix a thin paste with 3 tablespoons of water and ½ cup of baking soda, and apply it across the oven's interior when it's cool and empty. Allow it to sit from 20 minutes up to overnight, depending on how dirty the oven is. To remove the paste, spray the area with white vinegar or lemon juice, then wipe away with a damp cloth, using a plastic scraper for any resistant areas.

Opting for manual cleaning is also a wise choice if you're looking to steer clear of high temperatures during the cleaning process.

Another way to keep your oven clean without high-heat cycles is the Aqualift^® feature available on select KitchenAid^® ovens and ranges. This innovative cycle offers a quick cleaning solution for your oven in under an hour, free from odors and operating at temperatures below 200°F. It utilizes a unique method that combines low heat with water to loosen and remove baked-on spills.

If your oven or range is stainless steel, use our guide to cleaning stainless appliances for even more shine.

Is It Safe to Use an Oven Cleaner on a Self-Cleaning Oven?

It's advised against using commercial oven cleaners on self-cleaning ovens as they can harm the oven's interior and potentially diminish the efficiency of the self-cleaning cycle over time.  

Can I Run the Self-Cleaning Oven When I'm Home?

Yes, but it's crucial to do so while you're at home. Self-cleaning cycles reach very high temperatures, which can produce smoke or fumes. Therefore, staying nearby to monitor the process is important, just as you would with regular oven use. Additionally, if pets are present, they should be kept in a different room, preferably one that's well-ventilated, due to their heightened sensitivity to smells.

For detailed instructions on cleaning your oven, please refer to the oven cleaning section in your Use and Care Guide. For added polish, consider using our guide to cleaning oven door glass. To download or view product literature for your KitchenAid^® major appliance, please visit our Manuals and Literature page.

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