Instructions for Cleaning a Sears Self Cleaning Oven

The self-cleaning function, a coveted feature for both gas and electric ovens, is offered by many appliance manufacturers, including Sears' Kenmore brand. It enables owners to get rid of baked-on grease and grime without scrubbing and without the need for harsh chemical cleaners. Turning on the setting is a cinch, but there are some important steps required beforehand and afterward to ensure a safe and efficient self-cleaning cycle. Kenmore self-cleaning oven instructions vary by model, with some featuring an adjustable cleaning time option and others with a "lo temp clean" setting. Check the manual for your specific model for complete Kenmore oven self-clean instructions.

A variety of self-cleaning gas ovens and self-cleaning electric ovens are made by Sears' Kenmore brand. Most Kenmore oven self-clean functions work in the same way – by running the oven at a very high temperature for several hours. The heat incinerates any baked-on substances, turning them into ash that collects on the bottom of the oven. The heat turns off once the self-clean cycle has finished, after which owners must wait for the oven to cool down before wiping away the ash.

Some Kenmore self-cleaning ovens have an adjustable time setting, enabling a shorter or longer cleaning time for more and less dirty ovens. Some Kenmore self-cleaning gas oven models have a "lo temp clean" setting, which uses water and heat together to clean the oven in less than one hour. Consult the manual or look up the Kenmore self-cleaning oven instructions for your particular model to confirm whether or not it has these particular functions.

A self-clean oven setting usually has a lengthy time frame, so schedule a cleaning session when it won't interfere with your cooking plans. The very high heat of a Kenmore oven self-clean cycle causes the stove top and surrounding area to become hot. Do not touch the appliance while the cycle is running and keep children and pets away from the oven. Make sure the oven's vent is clear and ideally open nearby windows for ventilation. Pet owners should know that fumes released by self-cleaning ovens can be hazardous to some birds, so move pet birds to a closed-off room.

Before running a Kenmore oven self-clean cycle, remove the broiler pan, oven racks, any cookware, foil, temperature probes and any other utensils. Remove any plastic items from the cooktop since they can melt. Take everything out of the storage drawer if your oven has one. Wipe or scrape away any loose dirt and debris from the bottom of the oven using only a damp cloth; do not use any cleaning products. Finally, make sure the oven is at room temperature and the oven door is fully closed.

For a standard self-clean cycle, press "clean" and then "start." With an adjustable clean time setting, press "clean" and then the up or down arrows on the keypad to input the desired cleaning time in increments of 30 minutes. The time can be between 2.5 and 4.5 hours. Press "start." The oven door will lock, and indicator lights on the display panel will remain next to "door lock" and "clean" until the cycle is complete. Press "cancel" at any time to stop the cycle but know that the door will remain locked until the oven has cooled to a safe temperature.

With a "lo temp clean" setting, available on newer Kenmore self-cleaning gas ovens, the instructions are different. Starting with the oven at room temperature, pour 1 3/4 cups of distilled or filtered water into the bottom of the empty oven. Press "lo temp clean" and then "start" on the control panel. The cleaning and cool-down cycle will run for approximately 40 minutes. Upon completion, wipe out the remaining water and loosened debris with a sponge or cloth.

After the self-cleaning cycle has completed, wait until the oven has cooled to room temperature before opening the door. With a regular self-clean setting, you should see loose dry ash at the bottom of the oven. Wipe away the ash with a damp cloth or sponge. If needed, wipe down the oven walls and door with a nonabrasive scrubber or eraser-style cleaning pad. For very dirty ovens, you might need to run the self-clean cycle more than once.