Kenmore C970 Series Use & Care Manual page 24

Self-Cleaning Cycle
Before Starting Self-Clean
A self-cleaning oven cleans itself with high temperatures
that are well above those used for normal cooking. The high
cleaning temperature eliminates soils completely or reduces
them to a fine powdered ash that you can later easily wipe
away with a damp cloth.
Adhere to the following precautions when running the self-
clean cycle:
• Allow the oven to cool before cleaning.
• Wear rubber gloves when cleaning any exterior parts of
the oven manually.
• Do not use commercial oven cleaners or oven protective
coatings in or around the oven interior.
• Do not clean the oven door gasket. The woven material
of the oven door gasket is essential for a good seal. Care
should be taken not to rub, damage or remove the gasket.
-Fig. 1-
• Do not use any cleaning materials on the door gasket.
Leaving chemical residue can damage the door gasket.
• Do not force the oven door open. The automatic door
locking system can be damaged.
• Remove all utensils and any aluminum foil from the
oven. These items cannot withstand high cleaning
temperatures.
• Oven racks may be left in the oven or may be removed.
If they go through the clean cycle, their color will turn
slightly dull. After the cycle is completed and the oven
has cooled, rub the sides of the racks with wax paper or
a cloth containing a small amount of baby oil or salad
oil. This will make the racks glide easier.
• Remove any excessive spillovers in the oven cavity
before starting a self-clean cycle. To clean, use hot, soapy
water and a cloth. Large spillovers can cause heavy
smoke or fire when subjected to high temperatures.
• Clean any soil from the oven frame, the door liner outside
the oven door gasket and the small area at the front
center of the oven bottom with soap and water. These
areas heat sufficiently to burn soil on.
• Do not allow food spills with a high sugar or acid content
(such as milk, tomatoes, sauerkraut, fruit juices or pie
filling) to remain on the porcelain surface, they may leave
a dull spot even after cleaning.
During the self-clean cycle, the outside of the appliance can
become very hot to the touch. DO NOT leave small children
unattended near the appliance.
• DO NOT line the oven walls, oven racks, bottom or any
other part of the appliance with aluminum foil. Doing so
will stop heat distribution, produce poor baking results
and cause permanent damage to the oven interior
(aluminum foil will melt to the interior surface of the
oven).
• DO NOT force the oven door open. This can damage the
automatic door locking system. Use caution when opening
the door after the self-clean cycle is finished. The oven
may still be VERY HOT.
• Before cleaning any part of the oven, be sure the
electronic oven control is turned off or else push
CANCEL pad. Wait until the oven is cool.
• The health of some birds is extremely sensitive to the
fumes given off during the self-cleaning cycle of any
appliance. Move birds to another well-ventilated room.
DO Hand
Clean
Frame
DO
Hand
Clean
Door
What to Expect during Cleaning
While the oven is in operation, the oven heats to
temperatures much higher than those used in normal
cooking. Sounds of metal expansion and contraction are
normal. Odor is also normal as the food soil is being
removed. Smoke may appear through the oven vent.
If heavy spillovers are not wiped up before cleaning, they
may flame and cause more smoke and odor than usual.
This is normal and safe and should not cause alarm. If
available, use an exhaust fan during the self-cleaning cycle.
24
DO NOT
Hand Clean
Oven Door
Gasket
Fig. 1