First - prevention- yrs ago in a class (yes they had them in the 80s) on how to use a microwave oven my teacher taught us to cover what you are cooking with a loose sheet of wax paper - this really helps! I understand you can use foil on the convention only setting - but I haven't tried it. Second - a micro-convection oven is a different animal and Whirlpool instructions are pathetic! The inside is only metal around the fan - the rest is some plastic/synthetic product. A. Try not to let this project get too far ahead of you - the longer you wait the more the gunk gets baked on and is harder to remove. B. Take out all the removal parts - turntable, shelves, etc. They can be easily washed in the sink. C. Put a bowl of water with vinegar or lemon juice in for a couple of minutes to steam the interior. Then while the oven is still warm use a sponge with a scrubby back to wipe down and use some elbow grease on gunk. D. Burnt on grease around the metal fan - Once I have cleaned as much as possible with dishsoap and scrubby, I use a Magic Eraser - these will get it clean but not like new. Be careful to get the fan openings clear - if magic eraser gets stuck on them - use a clean sponge with water to wipe them. Please let me know if this helps anyone.

Oven cleaners will not physically damage the interior finish of a self-cleaning unit, which is a normal porcelain finish like manual-clean ovens. The reason chemical cleaners are not to be used on self-cleaners is that it's largely impossible to fully rinse away the cleaner, and the chemical residue can generate noxious/toxic fumes when a high-temp self-clean cycle is next run (the temp gets over 900F). Technically you can use oven cleaner, but a self-clean cycle should *never* be run again. The reports you've run across regarding damage to the finish after self-cleaning likely involved a factory flaw on the finish and should not occur as a matter of normal course. The electrical problems involve overheating in cases of electronic controls not being properly cooled, causing a thermal safety fuse to blow. Overheating also, of course, should not occur under normal usage and cleaning conditions. At least one brand had the overheating problem caused by the cooling blower being of insufficient capacity. Other instances could be caused by improper installation, particularly when wall ovens are involved since the unit is installed into a wall cavity. I've rarely heard of such problems with free-standing ranges.

hvtech, my stove doesn't even qualify as mid-range, plus it's 11 years old. I've always used a liner and everything bakes quite evenly and as it should. If I ever replace it, I'll be sure to ask about using liners.

Try to use grease cutting detergent the one for dishes will work, put a good amount into a bucked and don't add water, add salt instead and apply to the brick. Apply a light amount just to get the brick coated without dripping down and let it sit for a bit and use a scrub brush to remove the stains. Start by making a small mix and try it first on the small area, if it works do the rest. Pain in the neck to clean interior brick because you cannot use more aggressive commercial cleaners because you be walking around with a buzz for the next few months or worst. Good luck