Self-Cleaning Oven Smell? Here’s Why & How to Stop It

Self-cleaning ovens simplify the cleaning process. The convenience of self-cleaning encourages people to clean their ovens more frequently, resulting in a more hygienic cooking space. Without this convenience, many people find manual cleaning too time-consuming and may postpone it, leading to long periods where the oven remains dirty.

However, the odor emitted during self-cleaning can put some people off and if it becomes too pungent, they may stop using it altogether. This article will explain why your self-cleaning oven smells and how you can stop it from becoming overbearing.

The cause of a self-cleaning oven smell

Self-cleaning ovens operate at extremely high temperatures, typically between 800°F (430°C) and 1000°F (540°C), to incinerate any food residue, grease, or grime inside the cavity. The result is a layer of ash that can be easily wiped up after the self-cleaning cycle.

During the self-cleaning process, smoke and fumes are naturally produced and released into the kitchen. These emissions usually carry a smoky or burned odor due to the grime and food particles being incinerated. This is a normal occurrence and generally nothing to worry about. If the kitchen is well-ventilated, the smell should dissipate fairly quickly once the self-cleaning is finished.

Why does my self-cleaning oven smell so bad?

If the smell is so bad that it’s causing you not to want to use this handy feature, here are some of the likely reasons why:

Items have been left inside the oven

If items such as baking trays, pans, and racks are left inside the oven, they can burn or melt, emitting toxic fumes and a foul odor. That’s because these items can’t handle the extremely high temperatures involved.

Your oven is brand new

New ovens tend to produce a stronger smell during self-cleaning due to residual manufacturing substances like lubricants, adhesives, oils, and coatings. However, the odor should decrease after a few self-cleaning cycles as these substances burn away.

Your oven is very dirty

If your oven is caked with grease and grime, and you have large pieces of food and debris scattered around, this will naturally create a much stronger, more off-putting smell during self-cleaning. The more food and debris there is, the more smoke and fumes will be created; it’s as simple as that.

You have used cleaning chemicals and not rinsed properly

If you’ve cleaned your oven manually using strong chemical cleaners and other products and have not rinsed them away sufficiently after cleaning, chemical residues will remain in your oven. These residues will then burn off during self-cleaning, causing a nasty chemical smell.

How to stop your self-cleaning oven from smelling bad

Now that you know why self-cleaning ovens can smell, let’s dive into the steps you can take to reduce the odor to bearable levels so you’re not dissuaded from using this excellent feature.

Good ventilation is key

To minimize odors, make sure the kitchen is well-ventilated by opening all nearby doors and windows and turning on the extractor fan if you have one. This helps odors dissipate quickly, reducing their strength and duration.

Remove all items from the oven

You should remove all items, such as pots, baking trays, utensils, and racks, from the oven before starting a self-cleaning cycle unless an item is specifically labeled as being suitable for self-cleaning.

Manually remove any large food particles

Before running a self-cleaning cycle, check inside the oven cavity for any large pieces of food or grime, and remove any that you find. You can usually remove large food particles easily by hand or using a plastic scraping tool.  

Don’t wait long periods between cleanings

It’s better to set a self-cleaning schedule and stick to it than just cleaning randomly when the oven looks dirty. For most people, it’s best to use the self-cleaning feature once every three or four months. However, if you use your oven frequently, once every one or two months might be best.

Regular self-cleaning prevents the buildup of grime, resulting in less intense odors being emitted during each cycle.

Wipe your oven’s interior after self-cleaning

Once the oven has cooled down and is safe to touch, wipe down the interior to remove any residual ash left behind after the self-cleaning process. This helps reduce lingering odors.

Use a natural odor absorber

To help eliminate any lingering odors, consider using an effective natural odor absorber such as baking soda or activated charcoal. When the oven has cooled down after self-cleaning, position a bowl filled with one of these substances inside the oven’s cavity or in various locations around the kitchen.

Similarly, you can use air fresheners, incense sticks, or a steam diffuser to mask any lingering odors for a few hours until they fade away.

Key takeaways

Ultimately, it might not be possible to prevent 100% of the smell that’s emitted during self-cleaning; however, you should be able to reduce it to a reasonable level so that you’re still comfortable using this helpful feature.

Following the tips outlined above should help significantly, but also be sure to check your oven’s manual for any specific steps related to self-cleaning for your model.

Self-cleaning is an excellent way to eliminate the time and effort of manual cleaning while creating a more hygienic cooking environment. If, after following the steps in this guide, you still find the smell unbearable, consider calling in a professional to see if there’s a more serious underlying issue causing the smell.