Pay attention to the manual. I used to have KA double self-cleaing oven. Have had several others, also. Never any trouble with the self-cleaing cycles. They've always worked wonderfully. I wouldn't hesitate. Easy-off is a pain in comparison and smells the next time you turn the oven on.

If your oven has the proper electrical connections to begin with, you won't blow any fuses. If you're concerned about that, just do one at a time to keep the load down. I do that in-principal anyway.

Suspect you'll have some baked-on stickies on the glass regardless. I use a single-edge razor blade after the self-clean. Get's almost all of 'em.

It's not an electrical fuse that blows. A non-resettable thermal overheat fuse that protects the control panel electronics may blow due to insufficient ventilation ... the cooling fan in some models may not provide sufficient airflow rate.

The user instructions say that chemical oven cleaners are not to be used not because they damage the unit, but because chemical residue is left behind that generates toxic fumes at the very high temperatures reached during self-cleaning. Unless rinsed very thoroughly, using oven cleaner pretty much precludes any further use of the self-clean function ... so take that into consideration.

Since the op has not mentioned when the oven was purchased or if it is still under warranty, one must assume that it is.

Not all ovens will fail on the first cleaning or perhaps during any cleaning. It might be best to run the self clean for just two thirds of its normal cycle the first time. If all goes well, run it for a complete cycle a few day later. Another weak point is the inner oven window safety glass which can shatter at a random time if it receives too much pressure on its edge from heat expansion or a bump.

If it does fail be sure to become familiar with the part number involved and the repair procedure so you can do it at minimal cost after the warranty ends.

Like Boschboy, I was thinking I'd use baking soda when I was considering KA ovens. My appliance saleswoman said to use cold oven cleaner instead of self-cleaning. I'm not sure what cold oven cleaner is though.

Thanks for your ideas! The oven is no longer under warranty (purchased in 2009), so that is why I am being cautious. I researched here before buying and decided to get the KA anyway knowing that the self cleaning function was a potential problem. (I do really like the oven) In retrospect, I guess I should have tried the self-cleaning function while it was still under warranty, but I hate having to deal with getting something serviced, even if I don't have to pay for it.

I've been good about keeping the oven as clean as possible with wiping up spills right away, but it does really need a thorough cleaning now. I think I will try the baking soda/vinegar paste. That sounds like a great option to try first.

I think cold oven cleaner just means an Easy-off type of spray cleaner. You always use those in a cold oven. I've used it in the past on an older oven, and it does work wonders on baked on gunk.

We got our KA oven in Feb 2010 and love it. Works like a charm and looks nice. Covection upper and I got an extra roll out rack for KA so both ovens have that feature. I would never use the self clean feature, I think too many things can go wrong. It is nothing more than a super heated setting and puts too much stress on the internals. My wife cooks and I do the clean up. Every so often I do a good cleaning. I found Barkeepers Friend will clean the walls easily if a burned on stain is encountered. The glass can be cleaned easily and the razor blade idea is good if needed. We did get the rubber gasket that the glass rest on replaced on the upper door, it kept popping out when heated but the service guy replaced it with no issue and it works fine. We got the extended OEM warranty on the oven, our KA DW and our KA MW so we are good for three more years. So far, no problems with any of them. We got the drop down door stainless MW, which is a dead on match for the oven. Everyone comments on it.

Best advice to op: Keep it as clean as you can without running the self clean and it will last a long time.

I'm thinking of buying a Porsche but I will not drive it over 65mph because something might go wrong.

Use the self-clean feature. It will work fine. Or maybe you'll be the one in several thousand where it won't. Whatever.

asolo -- I typically do have that attitude. But with all of the problems that people have reported with the self-clean function, I don't want to gamble. It is just the self-clean function after all. It's not like I'm avoiding using the convection or broil or something essential like that.

Here is a link that might be useful: Earlier post about KA Oven cleaning failures

camilleilnnh.....probably getting too cranky in my old age. All I can say is between KA's, Whirlpools, and GE's, I've never had a problem with any of my self-clean features in the last three decades at my own place or familys' and friends' places.

Basically, I insist my machines do what they're supposed to do. If they don't, I fix them or replace them so they will. Other people have other opinions.

I do agree with you....this isn't the ball game. If you choose to use conventional cleaner, just be sure to clean out all the residue before you turn it on again. It will surely work just fine and you won't have to do it very often anyway.

I cannot agree with you more, ASOLO. I don't understand this fear of buying and then not using a self-cleaning oven. It is not new technology and has been around, sold and used successfully for what, 30+ yrs now. Any device or appliance is going to have some malfunctions in a very small % of those sold. But not to use a self-cleaning oven because a few people on a message board have had a problem is really extraordinary. I've had my self-cleaning KA ovens for 11 yrs and use that function all the time, at least every other month, with never a problem. I like a clean oven and don't like manual labor. Those with problems with any appliance will post, those without problems have no reason to post. It breaks have it fixed, take it up with the manufacturer, or replace. But not to use it and stick with scrubbing by hand is really silly. My kitchen faucet broke and I replaced it- I'm not carrying water in buckets from an outside well. :)

I agree with patty and asolo that one should expect an appliance to work as designed. It is also moderately reasonable that mainly failures rather than successes would be reported on a message board. HOWEVER, while I have not had a failure with my KA, I have had several appliance repairmen in for unrelated reasons and ALL of them reported many times having to replace the fuse on these early two thousands ovens. That is almost certainly not isolated situations. A couple of years back KA FINALLY upgraded the cooling fans on some of these models. Mine wasn't on the list and it hasn't failed. I don't think the op needs to worry with a 2009 model. But had asolo or patty been among the large minority of unfortunates with an insufficent cooling design who had to wait a week for a repairman to even open the oven door and have that failure repeat again because the fault wasn't understood, you can be sure that they would have been very upset because as they said, it shouldn't happen.

"I agree with patty and asolo that one should expect an appliance to work as designed. "

Well, I agree with this also, BUT the key words here are "SHOULD EXPECT". This is something entirely different than what actually happens in the real world!.

patty - you and asolo are playing fast and loose with your advice to camilleinnh with KA ovens. The problems with these are legendary, and not just on this site. There is a better than even chance the board is gonna fry on this thing if the SC function is used.

Now, should it - NO, but it's likely, and camilleinnh dosesn't like service call hassles so I don't think it;s a wise bet to use a know, and documented feature that will likely cause a problem. Add the fact that it's going to cost her/him several hundred dollars for a band-aid fix that won't be much better afterword and has a high probability of failing AGAIN, and the conservative gamblers will take a pass. It's easy for you two to sit on the sidelines and say "roll the dice - you might get lucky" cause you've got NOTHING INVESTED in this. Shame on both of you.

Couple all of this with the fact that KA/Whirlpool still maintains that there is nothing wrong with, and no design flaw exists with these ovens. Talk about arrogant.

Shame? Oh, please. For heaven's sake, I just backed down and agreed with the OP! Do you require penance?

Smiling here... I certainly didn't anticipate such a lively discussion about oven cleaning!

I spent a few hours yesterday scrubbing the oven and now it looks great. What worked best was just baking soda and water on the glass, BKF on the interior, and EasyOff on the racks (outside on some newspaper). Believe me, during all that I was tempted to fire up the self-cleaning! I was cursing every chicken I ever roasted!

I may roll the dice next time when it's a little warmer out and I can open windows. I must say, the warning in the manual about the fumes generated during self-cleaning killing birds caught my attention. Definitely want to have the windows open!

Thanks again for all of your help and opinions.

Ah...forgiveness at least from the OP....my heart returns to song! : )

Anyway, glad you have a procedure that works for you without worry. Good on ya.

I'm bumping this discussion since I REALLY need to clean oven & echo your concerns here. My Royal Blue oven is 6 years old & I used the self-clean once--I wasn't thrilled w/ results, but haven't been thrilled w/ the oven anyway…that's another post.

My question/concern is that I have found cleaning recommendations on the Internet for Wolf/SubZero products that include a "blue" interior. The rec is to clean w/ "oven cleaner" before using self-clean cycle. For all items the KA cleaning instructions seem lightweight & ineffective… too much advice from attorneys?

I have successfully used one of the Wolf/SubZero suggestions for my KA cooktop to use PennyBrite for cooked on grease--KA's advise was vinegar & water … I cannot believe how excellent it looks & no damage to stainless steel. Yay!

Your thoughts …?

Our royal blue interior KA was probably bought in 2008. We mainly use it for cookies and bread and the occasional turkey. It doesn't seem to get very dirty. I only used the self clean two times (successfully) while under warranty and I have occasionally wiped it down with 409 or other regular household cleaner, and used easy off oven cleaner a couple times. I think the interior is easy to clean as it appears you found as well.

It doesn't sound like you think the self clean cycle is really needed. If you use it, you probably have one of the newer models with the slightly larger cooling fan and will be all right. I have noted that my oven (and probably yours) gets cooling air drawn in thru the front bottom of the oven. Due to poor unpacking, we never found the decorative bottom trim cover plate. It was called a vent, but when we finally bought a 'replacement' I could see that it doesn't let all that much air in. If I ever do a Self Clean Cycle, I will remove the vent before turning it on (I never actually placed the two retaining screws in anticipation of a self clean; and the 'vent' rests in place without them).

Thinking more about my own plan for the self clean: I think it would be wise to buy a backup replacement fuse for the self clean system in advance. The problem is that several years ago they cost ~$50. So I haven't bought one yet. KA 'thoughtfully' put this fuse on the outside back of the oven so you have to slide the oven out to get at it; gee thanks.

I've cleaned my KA double o for an 4btimes and never had any problems. I took out all the racks and then went and put it on to clean over night. It worked well. No problems.

Sounds great! I’ve now cleaned several times & am not having the previous overheating & burning out fuses problem (Now 10-ish years old — seems to have been corrected b4 we purchased.) I now need to clean after holiday roasting — of course the racks are an opportunity since need to be cleaned separately …

After having to replace a wall oven bc the motherboard blew and they didnt make that model anymore (already replaced once) , 2 repair people and 1 salesrep told me the same- DON’T use self cleaning function on any oven- the oven temps for self cleaning are too hot for the electronics . i had only used my self cleaning function twice on old oven and it went out bc of it. Told by Kitchenaide not to use oven cleaner bc it might void warranty; now oven is a few years old and idk if they'd cover a mother board going out bc i used the self cleaning function. I’ve done the baking soda /salt/ vinegar route and its ok, but still have tough stains on bottom . Tempted to use easy off cold oven approach . Anyone had any experience using in kitchenaide blue enamel ?

“HU”: Since you are out of warranty I’d do whatever it takes to clean my oven. Other posters have used EasyOff successfully so I’d feel comfortable using it. I understand your reluctance to using the self-cleaning function & perhaps I wouldn’t at this point. Too bad you stopped using it before the warranty expired. The repair technician did not represent the legal responibilties KA has when the oven is under warranty for a standard and EXPECTED feature.