What Is the Difference Between a Self Cleaning Oven & a Manual Clean Oven?
A self-cleaning oven has a high heat setting that reduces baked-on substances to a fine ash which must be disposed of. Manually cleaning an oven requires applying and wiping off specially formulated acidic cleaners that dissolve baked-on grease. Does this Spark an idea?
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Self-cleaning Ovens
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Self-cleaning ovens feature door locks that work automatically once the cleaning function has been turned on, as the internal temperature can reach 900 degrees Fahrenheit during the process. The exteriors of these stoves also get very hot to the touch, so it's wise to run the range hood fan during the cleaning cycle. The ash left in the bottom of the oven can be disposed of once the cycle is complete.
Manual Clean Ovens
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Oven-cleaning sprays contain caustic chemicals, so it's important to wear protective gloves and to protect the floor around the stove with newspaper while manually cleaning a conventional oven. For best results, follow both the stove manufacturer's cleaning recommendations as well as the directions on the can of oven cleaner.
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Considerations
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The Minnesota Department of Commerce Energy Information Center reports that self-cleaning ovens are are "up to 20 percent more energy efficient because they have more insulation." The energy saved is greatly reduced, however, if the oven is cleaned more than once a month.
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References
- Photo Credit green kitchen image by Leonid Nyshko from Fotolia.com
