Can Self-Cleaning Oven Kill You? When it comes to owning a property, there are numerous maintenance requirements that must be met. Due to time constraints, a homeowner may pick the shortest route to do the essential repairs. Nobody wants to scrape and clean every appliance in their house.
Can Self-Cleaning Oven Kill You

This is also true when there is a mess in the oven. Utilizing the self-cleaning feature on your oven is usually the top choice. Yet, it may not be the best option. When you use the self-cleaning mode, the oven emits carbon monoxide, which is toxic to humans and animals. Let’s look at what this all means below.
What is Self-Cleaning Oven?
Self-cleaning ovens are ovens that have a self-cleaning feature. This feature is intended to help decrease & remove cooked food that has scorched into the oven’s bottom or sides. Self-cleaning employs more power and raises the temperature to 1,000 degrees Fahrenheit in order to melt away spilt food and grease. When using this feature, you must have adequate ventilation in your home. The self-cleaning oven produces carbon monoxide gas as a byproduct. Can Self-Cleaning Oven Kill You?
How Does Self-Cleaning Work?
Self-cleaning ovens are popular among most homeowners, believe it or not. The concept is that self-cleaning will transform oil and spilt food into ashes, making cleanup a breeze. Let’s have a look at what’s included down below.
- The first step is to turn on the oven and set the cycle to self-cleaning.
- Once the cycle has started, the oven will heat up to severe temperatures.
- When the temperatures rise, the food and grease left in the oven are zapped to microscopic ash particles.
- Toxic gas will be released from the oven while the self-cleaning feature is in operation. Even when the oven is tightly sealed with insulation, gases can escape.
- Remain outside your house and ventilate the kitchen by opening your doors and windows.
- Toxic gas will be released from the oven while the self-cleaning feature is in operation. Even when the oven is tightly sealed with insulation, gases can escape.
- Remain outside your house and ventilate the kitchen by opening your doors and windows.
Why Are They So Dangerous To Use?
There is a list of reasons why you should not use an oven’s self-cleaning option, just as there is a list of reasons why you should not use anything connected to danger. Let’s look at what those reasons might be down below.
- Carbon monoxide poisoning is possible while cooking to reduce ash since the burning food releases carbon monoxide gas. Carbon monoxide poisoning could occur if the area isn’t well-ventilated during the self-cleaning cycle.
- Increased risk of respiratory or asthma problems – Although the Teflon coating in your oven is safe to use when baking or broiling food, it can reach temperatures of over 600 degrees Fahrenheit during the self-cleaning cycle. The Teflon will then emit harmful vapours into the atmosphere. The gases have been linked to flu-like symptoms. Coughing, wheezing, sweating, chills, and trouble breathing are all possible symptoms.
- Danger to your pets – While dogs and cats can be taken outside to avoid the fumes, some creatures, such as birds, cannot. Birds have a specialised respiratory tract that allows them to supply large volumes of oxygen during flying. If the air contains poisonous gases, the respiratory tract can transport such chemicals throughout the bird’s body and cause death.
Additional Suggested Maintenance
Now that you understand how a self-cleaning oven might be dangerous to you or your pets, do some research on oven cleaners. Certain oven cleansers are hazardous to humans and may damage your kitchen countertops. Read up on the many types of oven cleaners to identify which ones are safe and free of toxins.
Secondly, using your oven’s self-cleaning feature can result in the discharge of odours and gases. It is also possible that smoke will be discharged from the oven due to damaged insulation. Keeping your home well-ventilated and your ceiling fans running should assist. Remember that if your oven is smoking, it is usually due to burned food.
Finally, while reading about self-cleaning oven maintenance, it may be a good idea to read the manufacturer’s instructions on what you can and cannot throw down a garbage disposal. Understanding this information will help you avoid a clog in your plumbing or a leak in your washbasin.
When Should I Consult a Professional?
If you’re unsure what to do with your oven’s self-cleaning feature, you should avoid using it entirely. Also, contact your local oven repair professional, who might suggest alternatives to the self-cleaning option.
Conclusion
Whereas the self-cleaning feature is a convenient way to clean your oven, there are other ways to make it seem brand new. You should study the manufacturer’s instructions and guidelines for their product before using any appliance features in your home.