Cleaning the oven

bellaciao

Okay, I know you are not supposed to clean your oven (i.e., start the self-cleaning setting) when you are pregnant because of the fumes - but do you think is it okay to do this if you have all of the windows and doors open AND a fan blowing to push the fumes out?

julia&jared

I wouldn't risk it. I mean Im sure it is ok but just have dh or someone else do it while you are gone.

MrsRoehl_2008

This is the ONLY chore DH does for me.  Even with the doors and windows open, the oven cleaner fumes still makes me cough.  At least ask your DH to spray the cleaner; once it soaks in you should be able to wipe it down because the fumes dissipate so much.

porkchop78

If you're just using the self-cleaning...I think you're totally fine.  It's really just cranking the oven temp up to a high heat for a couple hours to burn things off.  I think it's the harsh oven cleaning chemicals you should avoid.  In any case, I used the self-clean on mine this weekend and just opened a window.  It didn't really smell bad...no worse than when I cook something at 425 and the burnt on stuff just keeps burning!

bellaciao

porkchop78:

If you're just using the self-cleaning...I think you're totally fine.  It's really just cranking the oven temp up to a high heat for a couple hours to burn things off.  I think it's the harsh oven cleaning chemicals you should avoid.  In any case, I used the self-clean on mine this weekend and just opened a window.  It didn't really smell bad...no worse than when I cook something at 425 and the burnt on stuff just keeps burning!

Yeah, I am not using chemicals - just the self-cleaning setting.

A&J06

I think using the self-cleaning setting is fine. The only smell would be from food particles burning. I'd leave the harsh oven cleaning chemicals to dh.

ilvmyfireman

I personally wouldn't.  There was a disclaimer notice that came with my oven that stated to make sure all pet birds were out of the house during the self cleaning cycle due to the harmful effects it could cause.  I don't have birds or anything, and have no clue why it only stated birds..but I guess I just figure there must be something bad coming off from the cycle if you can't leave a bird in the house.  And in that case, I don't want my baby exposed to it either.

Jill+Dave

I don't have a self-cleaning oven but I did just clean mine yesterday using a plant based cleaner - Arm & Hammer Essentials Cleaner. It helped to use one of those silver scouring pads for the tough spots.  It's not as great as it'd be if I had been able to use Easy Off but it's about 90% there.