388077 Tue Apr 03 20:01:47 -0700 2007 4 41 Cookware 0 2448269 Hi all! So I recently discovered I love cooking and as a result, my oven is a nasty mess inside. It's one of these generic GE electric oven and range that you get in most rental appartments. Pardon my stupidity, but how do I use the self cleaning option? Do I just push the button? Is the baked on whatever-is-on-the-bottom going to leak all over my floor? And what about that drawer at the bottom used for storage... do I remove it first? Thank you in advance for helping this moronic novice!!! :) Tue Apr 03 20:01:47 -0700 2007 86906 atable 1 2448458 Well, on most ovens I have had - you set the clock to start and then the other to stop. Turn the knob to clean, pull over the latch to lock the oven. Nothing will leak out, no need to take out the drawer, but make sure you don't have anything stored in there that might not be able to take the heat. If you have an outside vent above the stove you may want to turn that on at sometime. Once the cycle is over and cooled, you'll be able to unlock the oven. You may have some "dust" on the oven floor, just wipe it out and you are good to go. Tue Apr 03 21:27:18 -0700 2007 2448269 14620 hummingbird 1 2449559 On mine you just press the Self Clean oven, set the timer, and press start. Nothing will leak out since it turns the contents into ash. I've never removed the storage drawer. Also, if you have any oil or liquid on the floor of your oven, make sure to wipe it up first. I once tried to use the self clean cycle after cooking a cheesecake in a leaky springform pan. Butter had leaked on the bottom of the oven, and when the temperature got high enough, it caught on fire. It burnt out in a few minutes, but in the meantime smoke had filled the apartment and we got a midnight visit from the fire department. Wed Apr 04 09:30:08 -0700 2007 2448269 75002 Megiac 2 2451596 Thanks for the input. How long do I set the timer for? Wed Apr 04 16:46:01 -0700 2007 2449559 86906 atable 3 2452330 At least two hours, if you have had a lot of spills and grease you will want to do three. Never less than two though. Once done it may take up to an hour before you can open the door as it needs to cool down inside, so keep that in mind if you need the oven. I have now bought an oven liner that has helped not haviing to clean the oven so often. This only helps with spillovers though, if you do a lot of broiling or roasting it won't help with the accumulation on the side walls. Oven liners can be bought at places like Bed Bath and Beyond. Wed Apr 04 21:20:22 -0700 2007 2451596 14620 hummingbird