How It Works

• The cleaning cycle on a self-cleaning oven shoots to upward of 800 degrees Fahrenheit to burn off baked-on messes, with the door locked automatically until the cycle has stopped and the oven cools off, Consumer Reports notes.
  
  

Fire Danger

• Greasy spills or deposits left in the oven can spark a fire inside the appliance. If grease or anything else ignites, do not attempt to pull open the locked door and call the fire department, the University of Missouri Extension recommends.
  
  

Fire Prevention

• You can prevent fires during the cleaning cycle by precleaning greasy or heavily soiled areas of the oven and cleaning the areas not reached by the self-cleaning function. Hot water with dish detergent or baking soda makes a good solution for this job, with a vinegar rinse, the Michigan State University Extension suggests.