Help! Electric, self-cleaning oven

[leftofthedial]

My house came with a serviceable electric self-cleaning oven. I intend to convert to gas and replace it someday if I ever get another job . . .

Anyway. The clock/timer assembly does not work. I have another timer for cooking times, and never need the timer to start the oven when I'm gone, so that's no biggie, EXCEPT

the self cleaning thing is apparently wired into the timer. To do the self cleaning cycle, you turn a dial to the desired start time. I guess it kind of stinks and most people do it when they aren't around. The timer dial is apparently mechanical, so I can trigger the start of cleaning by just manually turning the clock dials (like I was setting the time) until it triggers the start for the auto cleaning.

But, I also will have to turn it off manually. How long should I let it clean? I never had an electric oven until this, so I don't know if I should let it clean for thirty minutes or ten hours. Help!

I'm doing the extended family Thanksgiving dinner (they buy and I fry) and I need a clean oven.

Thanks!!

[Redstone]

1. You mean it doesn't have an automatic door lock and timer?

That's damn dangerous.

Anyway, I'd try it for two hours and see.

Or buy a can of oven cleaner.

Redstone

[leftofthedial]

3. thanks!

it has a door lock, but it appears that the timer relies on the clock to trip the "off" switch and the clock does not work.

I've got it fired up and my other timer set for an hour.

Then I'll reset the timer for another hour and see how it's going.

How ya doing, Redstone? Well, I hope.

[Redstone]

5. Getting better, thank you for asking. More positive change soon, with luck.

Redstone

[leftofthedial]

9. keep on rockin, amigo

you have friends you don't even know pulling for you.

have a happy holiday.

[Redstone]

13. "you have friends you don't even know pulling for you. " Oh, yes, doesn't THAT

sentence make me feel better. Thanks again.

Redstone

[azmouse]

2. My oven is about 2.5 hrs for light soil and

4.5 hrs for heavy soil.

Be sure to remove the oven racks before starting the cleaning cycle and wipe as much of the loose dirt out of the oven as you can.

Let the oven cool for a few hours and wipe out any remaining ash and clean the door gaskets.

Good luck! :hi:

[leftofthedial]

4. ooohh. I didn't remove the racks . . .

is that a bad thing?

[Redstone]

6. If they're enamelled, very bad. Take them out after that first hour.

Redstone

[leftofthedial]

11. luckily, mine are just steel

(I guess they're steel--shiny metal)

I can't find the woner's manual anywhere . . .

[azmouse]

8. The high heat shouldn't ruin the racks but it will discolor them.

If anyone notices, blame it on the previous owners! :)

[leftofthedial]

12. I already have plenty to blame on them

adding this one to the list won't be a big deal.

[Floogeldy]

7. I really do not care for that self-cleaning feature.

What it means is that the oven heats up to about 800 degrees. Seems dangerous, to me. I'm thinking Easy-Off, instead.

[leftofthedial]

10. 800 degrees?!!??

That's hotter than the burning jet fuel that brought down the WTC!!

Yikes!

But I'm a lazy SOB when it comes to the Easy Off approach.