How To Use a GE Self-Cleaning Oven

GE Appliances has been a renowned brand providing quality and reliable appliances for over a century. Their appliances are designed with the latest technology and features to make your life more comfortable and convenient.

Suppose you’re looking to use the feature on your GE self cleaning oven but are still determining how; you’ve come to the right place. With this function, you can self-clean your oven without any mess. However, before starting the cleaning cycle, it’s crucial to read our step-by-step guide below for the best results and to ensure your safety.

Prepare your kitchen

First, you must prepare your kitchen by opening the windows and turning on the extractor fan to provide ventilation. This is necessary because the self-cleaning function produces a lot of heat, smoke, and a burning odor that can linger in your kitchen without proper ventilation.

Remove the oven racks if necessary.

After ensuring proper ventilation, the next step is removing all metal racks from the oven. If you have porcelain racks, you can leave them in the oven. The metal racks should be washed separately by soaking them in hot soapy water in a sink or proceeding to step 3 if they are too large for the sink. While the racks soak, the soap will help to remove the grease and grime.

Clean the oven exterior.

It is recommended to clean the exterior of your GE oven before initiating the self-cleaning process, though it is not obligatory. You can use a cleaning spray and wet cloth to wipe the door, front, and top of the oven (if accessible). After cleaning, dry the surface with a soft cloth.

Turn your oven on a self-cleaning cycle.

To start the self-cleaning cycle on your GE oven, follow these steps:

For ovens with a latch release button, push and hold the latch release while sliding the oven latch to the “clean” position. Then, turn the oven SET and TEMPERATURE knobs to “clean.” If there’s no “clean” position, turn the knob to any temperature.

Turn the “STOP” dial forward from the current time to set the cycle time. For light soil cleaning, turn it 2 hours forward; for heavy soil cleaning, turn it 3 hours forward. For example, if it’s currently 10:00, turn it to 13:00 for a three-hour rich soil clean.

Once the cycle begins, the clean light will turn on to indicate that the cleaning process has started. After about 30 minutes, a lock light will come on.

Once the self-cleaning cycle is complete, the self-clean option light will turn off.

Wait 30-40 minutes for the oven to cool down after the cleaning cycle ends. Once it has cooled enough, the clean light will go out, and the lock light will turn off. This indicates that it’s safe to open the oven door. Push and hold the latch button to open the door and slide it to the “cook” position.

Finally, turn the oven SET knob to “off.”

Clean the oven racks.

While your GE oven is self-cleaning, take the time to finish cleaning the oven racks and leave them to air dry. Use a steel-wool scrubber or baking soda to remove all the grease and grime from the baking racks.

Finish up

After the self-cleaning cycle is complete, open the oven door and clean up any remaining ash or debris from the bottom of the oven. After that, you can put the oven racks back inside the oven. Now your oven should be clean and ready to use!

GE self-cleaning oven safety tips

Remove pans before cleaning.

To use the self-cleaning cycle on your GE oven, removing all the racks, pans, and aluminum foil from inside the oven is essential. The high temperature during the heat of the cleaning cycle can discolor the metal racks. So, washing them separately with hot soapy water in your sink is recommended.

Ventilate your kitchen

It is recommended to open windows or turn on the extractor fan on low during the self-cleaning cycle in your kitchen. This is to ensure that any smoke or steam that may be emitted from the oven during the process. Proper ventilation is crucial when dealing with substances that involve chemicals, as they can potentially contain harmful chemicals and emit unpleasant odors.

Lock the oven door

When you activate a self-cleaning cycle, ensure the oven door is locked. This is crucial because the oven gets very hot during cleaning, and you don’t want to risk anyone opening or to touch the door.

Remove large food debris.

Before initiating a self-cleaning cycle, ensure you have removed any sizable food remnants from your oven. As the oven undergoes self-cleaning, it reaches high temperatures, which can result in significant smoke production if any large food particles are left behind.

“Select steam clean” is a convenient feature that can make cleaning your appliances much more accessible.

Let the self-clean oven cool down completely.

Performing additional tasks on a cool oven is a simple process. Before opening the oven door following a self-cleaning cycle, it is essential to allow the oven to cool down completely. As the oven reaches very high temperatures during self-cleaning, some time is required to cool the oven to a safe temperature. Leaving the oven for approximately an hour is advisable to ensure heat safety.

Frequently Asking Questions

How do I use the self-clean on my GE oven?

Achieve a spotless oven with the conveniently-included Self Clean feature. To use it, take these simple steps:

a. Clear any large pieces of debris or spills from the interior of your GE oven.

b. Remove all racks and accessories before closing and securely latching the door shut.

c. Locate “Self Clean” on your control panel, press to activate it, then set an ideal cycle time (between 3 – 5 hours) using “+” and “-“.

d Finally hit “Start”, lock up your appliance automatically, and watch as its cleaning capabilities go into action!

How long does GE self-cleaning oven take?

A GE self-cleaning oven cycle can take anywhere from 3 to 5 hours, depending on how dirty the interior is. If you’re dealing with a light mess, it will likely only be around three hours; however if your oven’s really grimy then expect up to five hours of cleaning time for maximum results.

Do you leave the racks in a GE self-cleaning oven?

Do not leave your oven racks in the GE self-cleaning appliance during its cycle; intense heat can warp or discolor them. If you want to keep your oven racks looking new, take a few moments before starting the self-cleaning process and clean them with mild detergent and warm water.

Is it safe to use the self-cleaning oven?

To ensure your safety while self-cleaning your oven, always heed the manufacturer’s instructions. Additionally, take necessary precautions such as:

a. Disengaging all oven racks and accessories before beginning the cleaning cycle.

b. Making sure to keep your kitchen ventilated in order to prevent smoke or fumes from accumulating during the process.

c. Keeping young children and animals away from the appliance during its activity period for their personal protection

d. Waiting until it has cooled down entirely prior to opening its door and wiping off any residue ash left behind afterward for easy cleanup