How do self-cleaning ovens work?

An oven that cleans itself sounds like a fantasy you’d read about in a 1950s sci-fi novel. It’s no wonder sales of self-cleaning ovens are growing.

Our simple guide explains the different types of self-cleaning ovens, how much they cost and how much energy they use. And since we lab test more than 40 built-in ovens a year, many of which have self-cleaning functions, we can also tell you which method is the most effective and whether they're worth your money.

Rather use rubber gloves and a scourer? Read our guide on how to clean your oven.

What are self-cleaning ovens?

Self-cleaning ovens really are just that: ovens with features or programs designed to remove the stubborn build-up of cooking grime it normally takes crippling amounts of elbow grease to shift.

Manufacturers offer different technologies to achieve a spick and span oven with the minimum of work. The three main types of self-cleaning oven are pyrolytic, catalytic and steam.

A good place to find a reputable professional service is at Which? Trusted Traders.

How does pyrolytic oven cleaning work?

Pyrolytic models are said to be the gold standard in self-cleaning ovens. They work by generating a ridiculously hot heat (usually in the region of 500°C) which incinerates any bits of stubborn grease or food inside.

Once the cleaning cycle is complete – this usually takes somewhere between one and four hours – you simply sweep away the ash left on the base of the oven cavity.

Pros

• It’s one of the most effective types of self-cleaning – fats, sugars and even bacteria don’t stand a chance against those red-hot temperatures.
• It’s a chemical-free process; no harsh cleaning products are required.
• Very little manual effort is needed – you just have to give the oven a quick wipe afterwards to remove the ash residue.

Cons

• It’s the priciest option, both in terms of initial outlay for the oven and running costs.
• It varies from oven to oven, but in many cases you still need to clean racks and side racks (that support the shelves) manually.
• The smoke emitted during pyrolytic cleaning can be unpleasant.
• Over time and use, the intense heat can take its toll on the inner elements of the oven. It can also discolour the inside of the glass door so that visibility into the oven when cooking is reduced.

How to use a pyrolytic oven

Using a pyrolytic oven is generally as easy as most manufacturers claim it is. Different oven brands have slightly different instructions, so consult the manual first.

The basic steps are as follows:

1. Remove everything from inside the oven, including the shelves and shelf supports (if they are removable), and close the door. Some manuals recommend wiping up any major spills.
2. Select the pyrolytic cleaning function. There may be different programs you can choose from, such as light or intensive cleaning – these usually take between one and four hours depending on the model and cleaning program.
3. Once the clean is complete and the oven has cooled down enough to release the automatic door lock, wipe away any ash with a damp cloth.

Best pyrolytic ovens

These are our top three highest-scoring pyrolytic ovens that also aced our tough cleaning tests.

See more top-scoring ovens with pyrolytic cleaning

How does catalytic oven cleaning work?

Catalytic oven interiors are lined in a rough, sandpaper-like self-cleaning coating. When the oven is on at a moderate to high temperature (around 200°C and above), the self-cleaning surfaces absorb grease from your cooking and break it down so it’s easier to wipe away. Catalytic liners primarily work on grease and fat residue rather than other food spills, such as sugar.

Some ovens have catalytic liners on the sides, roof and back wall, while others only have it on the back wall. The more surfaces are coated, the less manual cleaning is needed.

Any walls that aren’t lined will still need manual cleaning. Don’t use any cleaning products on the catalytic-lined walls as this can damage them.

Some ovens have dedicated catalytic cleaning programs, while others require you to set the temperature and timing manually. Check your manual for specific instructions for your model.

Pros

• It’s a more affordable option than pyrolytic cleaning in terms of oven purchase price and energy consumption.
• It’s quick. Cleaning usually takes around 30 minutes to an hour.

Cons

• It’s not as effective as pyrolytic or steam cleaning. Our tests show that grime sometimes remains after catalytic cleaning; stubborn residues still need elbow grease.
• Most catalytic ovens are only lined on the sides, so you will still need to manually clean the bottom, top and rear walls. Oven racks and side racks (that support the shelves) also need manual cleaning.
• Although they tend to last a while, the catalytic liners will need replacing during your oven’s lifespan.
• Catalytic coating is delicate. Using abrasive cleaning products can cause irreparable damage.

Best catalytic ovens

These are our top three highest-scoring catalytic ovens that also aced our tough cleaning tests.

See more top-scoring ovens with catalytic liners

How do steam cleaning ovens work?

Steam cleaning ovens can be filled with warm steam to loosen cooking grime and grease (a process called hydrolysis), making it easier to scrub dirt away.

Some ovens have dedicated water reservoirs or tanks to hold the steaming water. Others require you to fill a metal container, like a roasting tin, with water and place it at the bottom of the oven, or simply pour water directly into the base of the oven cavity before running the steam cleaning function. Check the manual for specific instructions for your model.

After the steam cleaning program is complete, you should be able to easily wipe away the grime without spending hours scrubbing.

Pros

• It’s more effective than catalytic cleaning and can be as effective as pyrolytic, according to our testing. 
• It doesn’t need the same high temperatures as catalytic and pyrolytic, so uses less energy.
• Harsh cleaning products aren’t needed.
• Steam cleaning ovens tend to be cheaper to buy than pyrolytic and catalytic.

Cons

• Requires a little more effort – you have to add water to the reservoir or a tray at the start and wipe the internal surfaces post-clean.
• Oven racks and side racks (that support the shelves) still need cleaning manually.
• Moisture can remain and develop into mould if not dried off properly.

Best steam cleaning ovens

These are our top three highest-scoring steam cleaning ovens that also aced our tough cleaning tests.

See more top-scoring ovens with steam cleaning

Pyrolytic vs catalytic vs steam: which is the best?

It depends on what you're looking for in an oven.

• Pyrolytic ovens are hard to beat when it comes to their cleaning ability. If your main aim is to say goodbye to getting your hands dirty, pyrolytic should be your first choice. Typically, pyrolytic ovens aren’t cheap. The pyrolytic ovens we've tested cost between £246 and £1,959.
• Steam cleaning ovens are the cheapest option for those on a budget. Not only are they cheaper to buy – £351 on average – but steam cleaning programs are the cheapest to run. Plus, the ovens don’t require special liners or other equipment that needs replacing from time to time. And our tests show that steam cleaning ovens are nearly as effective as pyrolytic.
• Catalytic ovens are often marketed as a happy medium. They are more budget-friendly than pyrolytic models (costing an average of £543), and more effective than steam cleaning. However, our testing results paint a different picture – we find we get better cleaning results from steam cleaning ovens.

Do self-cleaning ovens use a lot of energy?

Again, it depends. As you’ll see from our table, there’s a big difference in running costs between the three different types.

• Steam cleaning models use the least energy. If you run a clean once a month, you'll pay less than £1 over the course of a year. And that only goes up to £3.85 with the average catalytic oven.
• Pyrolytic ovens use the most energy. You’ll spend £16.62 per year, on average, if you use the function every month.

Read more about how much your appliances cost to run

Self-cleaning oven FAQs

Do self-cleaning ovens really work?

They do, but not all self-cleaning ovens are created equal. Some are fantastically thorough, eliminating every last mark and blemish. Others require elbow grease to finish the job after the self-cleaning is complete.

As part of our in-depth oven testing, we run the self-cleaning function of every model that has one. We coat all the walls and side racks with grease and grime and then burn it in to mimic typical use. Our reviews then reveal how good the cleaning results were.

Learn more about how we test built-in ovens.

How expensive are self-cleaning ovens?

The average price of self-cleaning ovens is falling as the technology becomes more common.

While many of the top-scoring pyrolytic ovens we've tested come in over £1,000, we have tested Best Buy models from as low as £269.

You’ll now find high-scoring catalytic ovens for less than £250, while we’ve tested Best Buy steam cleaning ovens for as little as £179.

Find out which built-in oven brand is the most reliable.

Is it safe to be in the kitchen when running a pyrolytic oven is cleaning?

Pyrolytic ovens are designed to be safe to use. The oven door locks for the duration of the cleaning cycle, so there’s no danger of somebody accidentally opening it and exposing whoever’s in the kitchen to those 500°C temperatures.

That said, it’s still prudent to exercise care when you use the pyrolytic cleaning function. We suggest you don't leave young children or pets alone in the kitchen while running it.

Some smoke and burning smells can emanate from the oven during pyrolytic cleaning. Turn on your cooker hood or extractor fan and open a window, especially if you or a family member are sensitive to fumes.

Protect your home with one of the best smoke alarms from our tests.

Can you run oven racks through self-cleaning?

No, oven racks shouldn’t be left in during self-cleaning, regardless of what type of oven you have.

While doing so is unlikely to impede the cleaning process, it can lead to permanent damage to the racks or even the cooker itself. We strongly recommend you remove racks before beginning a cleaning cycle.

Prefer to clean manually? Save time with the best oven cleaners from our tests.