How to Use a Self-Cleaning Oven
Self-cleaning ovens bring the heat so you don’t have to spend hours scrubbing. Traditional self-cleaning cycles heat the oven between 800°F and 900°F, helping turn soil and spills to a powdery ash you can then wipe away. They utilize only heat—no chemicals—and are built to withstand high temperatures. They’re also built for safe use, but you should expect some smoke and odor. A typical cycle on a Maytag® range can take anywhere from 3.5–4 hours, while a wall oven can take 4–6 hours.
SELF-CLEANING OVEN DO’S & DON’TS
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Self-Clean Oven Instructions
Follow these four steps to run a self-clean cycle. Always check your oven’s Use and Care Guide for model-specific instructions.
Step 1: Remove loose items and quickly wipe down the inside
Remove any loose items to prevent damage: oven racks, the broiler pan, all cookware, foil and any plastic on the range cooktop.
With a damp cloth, wipe out loose soils to reduce smoke during the cycle. Clean as much residue off the oven window as possible; soil left on the glass prior to self-cleaning may leave dark streaks or stains that will require additional cleaning effort.
Wipe inside the door edge and oven cavity frame, being careful not to move or bend the gasket. This area does not get hot enough during the self-cleaning cycle to remove soil.
Step 2: Run the Self-Clean Cycle
Make sure the door is closed completely or it won’t lock and the cycle won’t begin. Press the “Clean” button and select your setting or cycle time. Select more or less time based on how dirty your oven is. You may also need to press a “Start” button to start the cycle.
Step 3: Wait for the Cycle to Complete and Oven to Cool
The oven door will lock shortly after the cycle has been started and won’t unlock until the oven cools.
You should be able to stop the cycle at any time by pressing “Cancel” or something similar. But the oven will remain locked until it’s cool.
When the cycle is complete and the oven cools, “End” or something similar should appear on the display.
Step 4: Wipe Out the Oven Cavity
Once the oven has completely cooled, remove ash with a damp cloth. The special enamel coating on self-cleaning ovens should make it easy to wipe clean. If any scrubbing is required, use only mild, non-abrasive cleaners like dish soap and water or vinegar diluted in water. Do not use any commercial chemical cleaners.
HOW LONG DOES A SELF-CLEANING OVEN TAKE?
Most ovens will let you select how long to run the cycle, usually anywhere from two to six hours. Select more or less time depending on how dirty the oven is. Hand-cleaning the oven as spills happen will make cleaning up after a self-clean cycle easier. Heavy soil results in longer cleaning times and more smoke. Learn how to clean an oven by hand.
MORE ESSENTIAL OVEN INFO
Even the hardest working appliances need a little love. Learn how to clean a stove inside and out with this step-by-step guide from Maytag.
A well-lit oven is essential for efficiently tracking the progress of dishes.
Learn which light you need, where to find it and how to replace it.
