How to Effectively Clean Your Oven Using the Self-Clean Mode

After several hundred meals ranging from Thanksgiving turkey to frozen pizza, your oven collects all kinds of debris that can be a headache (and backache) to thoroughly clean. The self-cleaning mode on your oven is a neat little function that saves a lot of time while avoiding using chemical-based cleaners around food preparation areas.

So how does self-cleaning actually work? Essentially, the cleaning mode raises the temperature of your oven well over 800 degrees to create an extreme atmosphere in which food particles and debris cannot withstand. During this cycle, the debris eventually either dissipates or reduces to an ash-like consistency that can be easily removed with a damp cloth. If you haven’t cleaned your oven in a while, or used the self-cleaning feature, follow these simple steps to get your unit sparkling clean once again.


                        Preparation - 

a.       Make the job a little easier for your oven by peeking into the unit to look for any large debris that could pose as a problem during the cycle. Not only does it make the cleaning process easier for the oven, but it will also prevent excessive smoke from being released into your home.

b.      Some manufacturers recommend leaving the oven racks while others do not. The high temperature may cause the shiny finish on the racks to become dull after a self-cleaning cycle. If you are unsure, check your owner’s manual.

Watch out for Flammables! - 

a.       Your oven is about to be heated to a very high level. Take extra precaution by removing all flammable items within your oven’s immediate proximity. Also, keep an eye out for children and pets!

Lock It Up! - 

a.       Ovens that have a self-cleaning mode have a locking mechanism that prevents the oven from being opened during the cycle to prevent any injury from the extreme heat. Check your owner’s manual to determine if your oven door automatically locks or needs to be manually latched.

Fire It Up! - 

a.       After you have your oven door properly secured, it is time to fire it up! Start the self-cleaning cycle and be sure to turn your overhead fan on as well.

b.      The exhaust fan will help prevent excessive smoke and the burning smell from escaping into your home as the debris is burned off, however, it is normal for an oven to smoke during this cycle. Opening a few windows nearby in addition to the exhaust fan helps as well.

Self Cleaning Time - 

a.       Let the oven do its work! Your oven will soon heat up to over 800 degrees incinerating all the debris in your unit. The running time varies by manufacturer and model so if you are unsure, check your owner’s manual.

b.      DO NOT UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES TRY TO OPEN YOUR OVEN DURING THIS CYCLE! Self-cleaning ovens have the locking feature for your safety – to protect you from the extreme temperature it achieves during the cycle. The cycle time may be more than 4 hours so be patient and do not try to rush the process by opening the door. It can severely injure you and those around you.

Cool Down - 

a.       After the cycle is complete, your oven will most likely remain locked during the cool down period. The oven will take some time to return to a safe temperature so be sure to allow ample time.

Clean Up - 

a.       Now that your oven has returned to a safe temperature you can complete the final step of the cleaning process. Simply take a damp cloth and wipe down all surfaces in the inside of the oven. You will find that all debris has been reduced to a dust consistency that is very easy to remove.

The self-cleaning feature is a great way to keep your oven debris free without excessive scrubbing. If only all appliances had this nifty little feature.

If the self-cleaning function, or any function, does not seem to be working properly you may need to have a repair technician come take a look at your unit.

Occasionally, oven units will need to have their control board replaced to bring them back to working order. If the part is no longer available for purchase, try CoreCentric Solutions’ Return for Repair service, or visit CoreCentric's eBay Store to breathe new life back into your old unit! Our fast turnaround time of 24-48 hours gets your oven back up and running in no time while avoiding a costly appliance replacement. Call 866-737-2244 for more information on our Return for Repair service.

Home Appliance Maintenance Tips

Anyone who owns a home appliance will agree the latest generation of appliances don’t last as long as older appliances. The life expectancy of a typical appliance depends to a great extent on the use it receives. Of the major appliances in a home, gas ranges have the longest life expectancy: 15 years. Dryers and refrigerators last about 13 years. Some of the appliances with the shortest lifespan are: compactors (6 years), dishwashers (9 years) and microwave ovens (9 years).


While the quality of your appliance and the intensity of use are factors that determine its lifespan, you can help increase the life expectancy of your home appliance with some simple maintenance listed below.


Refrigerator Maintenance
Condensers
Clean condenser coils regularly by gently brushing off buildup that may cause overheating.
Location
Locate refrigerators away from heat sources like your range, a radiator, or a sunny window. To prevent overheating and system failure, do not locate the refrigerator near anything that can restrict the airflow to the motor, coils and compressor. Also, do not place refrigerators on top of carpeting because most condensers are located under the refrigerator and carpeting retains heat, causing the compressor to overwork.
Seals
Regularly clean the seals in order to maintain proper temperature control and system.
Dedicated Outlet
To avoid burning out the compressor, always plug the refrigerator directly into the wall. If you absolutely need to run an extension cord, make sure a heavy duty, 3-pronged extensions cord. If unsure, consult the manufacturer specifications in the user guide.


Range and Oven Maintenance
Keep It Clean
Don't allow heavy grease buildup on the oven interior. Clean burner drip pans thoroughly to bring out the shine needed to properly radiate heat back. Carefully clean around gasket seals with a mild, nonabrasive cleaner. DO NOT use oven cleaners in self-cleaning ovens.


Dryer Maintenance
Lint Filter
Empty the lint filter after each and every use for efficient drying and fire prevention. Remove anything else that can impede good airflow. Do not forget to clean the back of the dryer where lint settles over time.
Vent
Vent your dryer to the outside, never vent it inside. Clean out exhaust vent system at least once a year to remove clogs or other obstructions that can impede good airflow. Never vent with plastic or vinyl.
Heat Sensitive Items
Do not place foam backed rugs, rubber/plastic shoes or other heat sensitive articles in dryers. Also, to prevent fires, do not place clothing or other items soiled with flammable substances like gasoline and alcohol. Check the pockets of clothes for crayons and other heat sensitive items that may ruin the other clothes.
Overloading
To save energy, do not overload the dryer and make sure items are not water logged. This may also lead to motor failure.


Washer Maintenance
Level
Make sure that the washing machine’s feet are level to prevent an imbalance in the machine that may cause loud noises and added wear and tear on the unit a whole.
Hoses
Rubber Hoses, over time, get worn out, brittle and leak. It is recommended that hoses be replaced every 5-7 years. Check drain hoses to make sure it’s not impeded from draining. Remove kinks and other stoppages. Improper draining may cause the pump to overheat and burn out.
Overloading
Overloading your washer with clothes adds pressure on the hoses which can cause them to burst. It also makes the washing machine work harder.
Belts
Check belts regularly to see if they need replacement. Worn or stretched belts will cause the washing machine to work harder.


Dishwasher Maintenance
Level
Make sure that the dishwasher’s feet are level to prevent an imbalance in the machine that may cause loud noises and added wear and tear on the unit a whole.
Cleaning
Regularly run a cup of white vinegar through a complete cleaning cycle of the empty dishwasher. This will gently clean residues, odors and debris from the unit.
Spray Arm
Clean the holes in the spray arm with a toothbrush and a mixture of white vinegar and warm water. Make sure you remove all debris and residues. Doing this regularly will remove the stress on the pumps and motor.
Filter
If your dishwasher has a filter underneath the lower spray arm, remove all debris and rinse to protect the pump and motor seals. Replace if it has holes. A dirty filter may cause the dishwasher to not drain.
Hoses
Check drain hoses to make sure it’s not impeded from draining. Remove kinks and other stoppages. Improper draining may cause the pump to overheat and burn out.


To sum it up – Keep it level and keep it clean and your appliance should serve you well.

If you find your kitchen or home appliance is in need of repair, CoreCentric Solutions provides remanufacturing services on electronic controls for all major brand appliances with our production facility and inventory located near Chicago, Illinois. Each of our remanufactured controls are fully analyzed and tested with quality equal to or better than any OEM part. Each control comes with a worry free 6 month performance guarantee.

If you do find your appliance is in need of repair our controls can be purchased online at http://stores.ebay.com/CoreCentric-Solutions-Store

If you have an older appliance and your repair calls for a discontinued control, don’t worry. CoreCentric Solutions offers a Return for Repair service where you send us your defective control; we inspect, analyze, repair and return the control back to you in no time. For more info about our repair service visit us at http://www.corecentricsolutions.com/CCSWeb.nsf/published/appliancepartsrepairservice