Modern self-cleaning oven options lock the door shut so that it can't be opened until the appliance has reached the high temperature required to burn off all the grime inside the oven. If the oven has been put into self-cleaning mode by accident, it can still be stopped mid-cycle without damaging the appliance.
Dangers of Self-Cleaning Ovens
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While the oven may become hot and even give off whiffs of smoke as it burns off light layers of grease that cling to the sides, ceiling and floor of the oven, it is generally safe to use the self-cleaning cycle with precautions. The oven can become hot to the touch so remove everything, particularly plastics, wood and metal items, from the top of the stove to be safe.
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If something is left in the oven, it can catch fire. Self-cleaning ovens reach very high temperatures. Make sure that the interior of the oven is free from any major debris, clumps of food, puddles of grease, plastics, oven racks or any other item that can be damaged or cause a fire.
Self cleaning ovens are not lined with Teflon or other possibly toxic materials that can cause toxic fumes, according to Self Cleaning Ovens. They are lined with porcelain enamel.
Simple Self-Cleaning Cycle Solution
A Whirlpool oven that has inadvertently been put into the self-cleaning mode can quickly be taken out of this intense heat cycle. The cancel/off button will stop the process once it's pressed for three seconds.
Whirlpool suggests that you allow the oven to cool for 30 minutes and up to an hour and a half before attempting to move the latch arm to the left and unlock the door. A Whirlpool oven automatic shut off will occur when the appliance has cooled down to around 200 degrees.
Self-Cleaning Process
It happens. With good intentions, you decide to start the self-cleaning process before realizing something was left in the oven and has alerted you to its presence with an acrid smell. Or you realize that you left the oven racks in the appliance when you shouldn't have.
Consult the system manual before starting the cycle to ensure that you have all the information you need to successfully complete the process. Reader's Digest recommends that you remove the racks and broiler pan and any drip mats. Clean the door edge well around the gasket to ensure a good seal.
Clean out any drawers and remove items from the stove top. A self-cleaning oven can reach up to 500 degrees as it works for two to three hours.
Cancel a Self-Cleaning Oven Cycle
The Whirlpool line of ovens have been made so that the self-cleaning oven cycle can be halted with just a few steps. The self-cleaning option section of the owner's manual will have exact instructions for that model and tips for ensuring that the cycle is started, and stopped, safely.
To cancel a self-cleaning oven cycle, press the keypad button marked cancel or off. This should immediately halt the cleaning cycle. Press the Timer button twice to stop this function, which can also read Timer Off or Timer Set/Off. Finally, press the control lock button for three seconds to stop the feature and unlock the oven door.
For Whirlpool models with a warm feature, you may also need to press the warm zone or warmer drawer off buttons before pressing the control lock button to stop the process. Check the model number for the manual online if you don't have the instructions or if you aren't sure if the oven has this feature.