Can A Self-Cleaning Oven Kill You?

Maintaining a home requires a lot of work, and cleaning the oven is one task that most homeowners dread. The self-cleaning feature on an oven may seem like the easiest solution, but it may not be the safest. During the self-cleaning cycle, the oven emits carbon monoxide gas, which can be harmful to both humans and pets.

What Is A Self-Cleaning Oven? A self-cleaning oven is an oven with a feature that uses an increased amount of power to remove cooked food that has burnt into the bottom or sides of the oven. This feature builds up the temperature to 1,000 degrees Fahrenheit to melt away the spilled food and grease, and it emits carbon monoxide gas as a by-product.

Why Is It Dangerous To Use? The self-cleaning feature is popular among homeowners because it turns grease and spilled food into ashes, making for an easy cleanup. However, this feature can be dangerous to use due to several reasons. Firstly, burning food produces carbon monoxide gas, which can cause carbon monoxide poisoning if the area is not well-ventilated during the self-cleaning cycle. Secondly, the Teflon coating inside the oven can heat up to over 600 degrees Fahrenheit during the self-cleaning cycle, releasing toxic fumes into the air that can cause respiratory or asthma issues. Lastly, birds can be particularly vulnerable to toxic gas exposure, which can cause death due to their unique respiratory tract.

Other Recommended Maintenance: To avoid the dangers associated with the self-cleaning feature, homeowners should read up on safe oven cleaners and ventilation techniques. It is also important to be aware of what can and cannot be put down a garbage disposal to prevent potential clogs or leaks. When To Call A Professional? If homeowners are unsure about how to use the self-cleaning feature, they should avoid using it and call a local oven service technician for recommendations on alternative cleaning methods.

Conclusion: While the self-cleaning feature on an oven may seem like a convenient option for cleaning, it can be dangerous to use due to the emission of toxic gases. Homeowners should take the time to read the manufacturer's recommendations and guidelines for safe oven cleaning and ventilation techniques.