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How to Recoat a Self Cleaning Oven

Elizabeth Falwell

Self-cleaning ovens work by heating the inside of the oven to a very high temperature (900 to 1000 degrees Fahrenheit), literally burning off all baked on residue. Every day wear and tear, time and some chemicals can damage the oven's coating, which is typically made from porcelain or ceramic. While it is not possible to recoat this surface, there are steps you can take to prevent damage to it. You can also attempt to have the oven cavity replaced (only available on some models).

How To Protect Your Self-Cleaning Oven's Coating

Wear and tear can leave your oven's protective coating damaged or destroyed
  1. Avoid scratching the interior of your oven. Even small abrasions--such as those caused by steel wool pads--can lead to bigger problems down the road. Use soft, non-abrasive cloth to wipe down the inside of your oven.

  2. Do not use chemicals unless they are specially designed for self-cleaning ovens. Some chemicals--even commercial-grade oven cleaners--can damage the porcelain or ceramic coating inside your self-cleaning oven.

  3. Use natural options when cleaning your oven without turning on the self-cleaning option. Combine water and baking soda to create a paste, then leave it on the dirty parts of the oven overnight for best results. Vinegar is also a good natural cleanser, and is also effective at removing odors.

  4. Place a piece of tin foil on the bottom of the oven cavity to catch spills. This will prevent baked on messes that can be difficult to remove. Make sure the foil does not touch any of the oven's heating elements as this could cause a fire.