The oven is the workhorse of most family kitchens. From cookies to casseroles, this appliance plays an essential role in food prep. Yet, it also comes with inherent risks, including fires and burns. Staying on top of necessary oven repairs and maintenance is one way to minimize hazards. Here are a few more dos and don’ts to bear in mind for safe use.

Do:

Clean your oven regularly.

Bits of food and grease that have fallen to the bottom of your oven can catch fire. To clean them, use a homemade cleaning solution or the appliance’s self-cleaning function. This mode will burn up any remaining food, which you can then wipe away once everything has cooled. On the other hand, you can apply a baking soda and water solution and allow it to sit for 20 minutes before wiping it away. Be sure to do this when the oven is off and has had a chance to cool from its last use.

Know how to extinguish kitchen fires.

Different types of kitchen fires call for specific approaches to be extinguished. A fire in your oven should never be extinguished using water, since the appliance is powered by electricity. This will introduce the risk of electric shock, intensifying flames, and the need for oven repairs at the very least. Instead, keep the oven doors closed, turn the appliance off, and use the proper extinguisher to snuff out flames if needed. Class F extinguishers put out oil fires, while class A models can put out fires from combustible solids. 

Don’t: 

Overload the oven. 

If you’re preparing a multi-course meal or hosting guests, it can be tempting to load up your oven with multiple dishes to get everything prepared at once. Yet, doing so can make it difficult to take pots and pans out safely. You could wind up burning yourself, spilling dishes, and creating large messes that might even compromise the appliance and call for oven repairs. Instead, stagger your cooking times and use a warming drawer or buffet-style serving dishes and heating fuels to keep food warm. 

Leave cooking food unattended.

Never leave your home when food is in the oven, even if it’s just for a brief moment. Fires can happen fast and intensify quickly. Always stay in or near your kitchen while food is cooking. Use the device’s timer or an alarm on your phone to avoid overcooking food, which leads to fire hazards. 

A final but important aspect of kitchen safety is calling for necessary oven repairs promptly. When homeowners in Anchorage, AK need swift appliance repairs, they turn to Ace Appliance Sales & Service. This trusted team has been serving the community for more than 40 years. Follow them on Facebook for more updates or call (907) 272-8949 to schedule an appointment.