I have an older GE oven - about 25 years old. It could use a cleaning - it's not too bad but more than I would like guests to see.

For an oven this old (which hasn't really seen much use over the years), is it okay to use the self clean cycle? Or should I just use chems and elbow grease?

The webz is mixed. At this point, I'd prefer to use the self clean cycle (have used a few times before) but leaning towards chems to be safe.

No grease gets past my elbows. Oven must be spotless.

The last turkey cooked in there boiled over and made a mess. It's an 1983 and too old to fuss over.

I used the self-clean a couple of times on my last range. Realize that you still have to wipe out the burned-off ash from the interior afterwards. Compared to scrubbing, this is a non-issue. Just remember to remove and set aside any wire shelves before starting the clean cycle. These have to be hand-scrubbed.

If it's been a while, you probably want to wait until a nice day when you can have all your windows open before running the self clean cycle.

Just remember the self-cleaning function heats the oven to around 800-900F. Electronics don't like high temperatures.

quote:

Originally posted by 229DAK:
Just remember the self-cleaning function heats the oven to around 800-900F. Electronics don't like high temperatures.

This is what I'm concerned about. 25 year old electronics. The webz warned about this but I don't know how to treat this - theoretical fear mongering or real concern?

I’ve had to replace a self cleaning oven that died shortly after running a self cleaning. The replacement oven won’t ever be “self cleaned”. FWIW.

Last time I used a self-clean setting, I had to replace the temp sensor and a heating element. Never again.

I never use the self clean, but I have birds, so I won’t risk it. What pace recommended works. Make sure you get the right color cap. Regardless make sure you’ve got the room well aerated.

quote:

Originally posted by konata88:

quote:

Originally posted by 229DAK:
Just remember the self-cleaning function heats the oven to around 800-900F. Electronics don't like high temperatures.

This is what I'm concerned about. 25 year old electronics. The webz warned about this but I don't know how to treat this - theoretical fear mongering or real concern?

It's real alright. After it burned up the control board in our Whirlpool double oven, I found a place that repairs them. The guy I talked to said burned up boards from self-cleaning is a major source of revenue for them.

Here's the place in case you plow ahead

https://www.fixyourboard.com/

quote:

Originally posted by irreverent:
Regardless make sure you’ve got the room well aerated.

And wear gloves. Chem resistant preferred, this will eat through standard kitchen latex. (guess how I know)

Add to the forementioned problems of a self-cleaning oven, the glass window exploding during a self-cleaning cycle. My late wife and I experienced this twice with a well-known brand. Becayse the in the wall unit was a convection model, glass shards blown throughout the unit. Never again.

Seems like I didn't burned this time. Probably the last time I do self clean - I plan to use chem next time.

Tested after cleaning - seems to still work and hold setpoint (verified w/ oven thermometer).

Thanks! Will get the chems and gloves for next time.

I had an older electric range, probably about 20 to 25 years old before we renovated our kitchen and I used to run the self clean twice a year or so and it never gave me any issues except for the time I burned out the bottom element. I think it just had developed a weak spot over the years and that was enough to just make it completely melt through. I replaced it and continued using the self clean after that.

Now I have modern appliances and I don’t dare run self clean, I’ve always heard that the heat is just not good for all these modern electronics and everything is built rather fragile these days anyway.

I say go for it, it’s an old oven and it’s not going to have all the electronics a more current oven will have.


If you do decide to do the route of the Easy Off, when you are done, use a acid like lemon juice or vinegar to wipe it down thoroughly that will neutralize the basic/cautic chemicals in it.

Our GE is 22 years old, and the self-clean works just fine. My wife used it two weeks ago.
Don't fix it if it ain't broke.

Oven cleaning chemicals can ruin, not work well or at least not play well with the lining coating in SOME self cleaning ovens… “they say”.

Just don’t leave home if you self clean it… and remove the racks.

We run ours as needed but that isn't often…

I had an old GE that we would self-clean about twice a year. I eventually replaced the self-clean door lock, which was temp related failure and the LCD panel (probably temp related failure). It was less than $100 for both parts many years ago. I did labor and diag. Do the self-clean in the "window open" weather, unless you have a good exterior venting fan.