MAINTAINING your oven is easy if you follow the instructions – but there’s one popular feature that an appliance repair professional warns against using.
In fact, the “convenient” feature could result in damage necessitating hundreds of dollars in repairs.
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Though it seems convenient, one feature on your oven can cause significant damageCredit: Getty
Writing for Family Handyman, Scott Miller, aka Scott the Fix-It Guy, cautioned against using one feature that might have been a deciding factor when you purchased your oven.
“In my more than 30 years as an appliance repair pro, the number one call I get for ovens is to make them work again after the caller used the self-cleaning feature,” Miller wrote.
Even though a self-cleaning oven is meant to make your life easier, in actuality, the feature can spell disaster.
“Using the self-clean feature of your oven doesn’t guarantee an expensive repair,” Miller added, “but, based on my experience, it’s probable.”
When the self-cleaning feature is used, your oven reaches an extremely high heat and stays there for several hours.
This burns any spills or residue to a crisp, but the mechanics aren’t foolproof.
“That much heat can damage oven components,” Miller explained.
It’s not just one or two components that are at risk, either – many parts could be damaged by the heat.
That includes these parts: the oven’s high-limit switch (which impacts heating features); the door lock; major bake, broil, or convection elements; the relay board; exterior knobs; and the interior light bulb.
While some parts, like the knobs and light bulb, are easy to replace, other components can cost anywhere from $200 to $600 to fix.
Instead of employing the self-cleaning feature, take the time to clean your oven by hand, a choice that will take more effort but save on costly repairs.
“Clean your oven without using the self-clean feature or harsh chemicals,” Miller advised. “You can also steam clean your oven.”
Make sure to clean your oven and stove right away if there are any spills, to prevent messes from being baked on and difficult to remove.
“If it’s only the oven door glass that’s dirty, remove the door panel,” Miller added, and you can scrub the glass without doing any additional damage.
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