Ugh. Just... ugh.

[smeddley]

My oven makes me want to cry. It's got so much caked-on crap, and it's not my fault! It came fairly icky, and it is old (old enough you can't buy parts for it any more). And, sadly, it's in an island, so the only way I can replace it is with another Jenn-Air downdraft range. If that wasn't the case, it would have been replaced long ago, because a regular oven is only a few hundred dollars. A Jenn-Air? Will cost me about $2,000.

It also is getting finicky about working, so we may need to replace it soon, anyway.

I can't get the door off like you could on other ovens, possibly because it's supposed to be self-cleaning. But I don't have the manual (as far as I know) and that feature kinda scares me. But I have to do something to get it to stop smoking all the time...

*goes back to trying to clean it*

EDIT: found the manual. Am attempting a self-clean, but am worried that's what caked on the black stuff in the first place. Will know in 2-1/2 hours.

EDIT II: HOLY CRAP IT WORKED! I don't know why I'm so amazed by that, perhaps 'incinerating everything to a fine smoke' doesn't seem likely, but... there are a few spots where there's still a bit of grundge (perhaps I should have opted for the longer 'heavy soil' option, but it was already late) but it looks amazing, otherwise. Wow.

Comments

[auraesque.livejournal.com]

Take the shelves out and use the self cleaning feature. It's not too bad. Just don't be alarmed if it smells funny. It's simple enough that my sister has used it without an issue, although she left the metal racks in and burnt the coating off them...

[smeddley.livejournal.com]

I found the manual, and am trying it. I don't think I could have done it without it, though, because this one wasn't terribly self-explanatory because you can delay start and change the cleaning time, so you have to use the clock/timer to get it to start. It's weird.

I did take the racks out, and they also need to be cleaned, but... one thing at a time!

[auraesque.livejournal.com]

Ooh. Ours just has a button that says "self clean." I'm glad you found the manuals! Lol.

[smeddley.livejournal.com]

Ah, I wish! No, I had to turn the function dial to clean, then turn the temperature dial to clean, then lock the door. Okay, I probably could have gotten that far. But then! Hit enter on the timer dial. If you want to adjust the start time, you twirl the dial until it says the desired time, then hit enter again (you just hit enter twice if you want it to start now). It will then display the projected end time, based on 2-1/2 hour cleaning. This can then be adjusted (again, by twirling the dial) up to 4 hours. Hit enter again. THEN it will actually start the cycle. That second half would have taken a lot of trial and error!

And, yeah, the house smells a bit funny. Maybe I should have done it when I could open the windows, but at a balmy 19°F out, I think I'll deal with the smell...

[dulcamatrix.livejournal.com]

ooops... didn't see your edit.
goodthing you found it!!

[dulcamatrix.livejournal.com]

oooh.... i have an island Jenn-Air. and it is damn moody too.
hmmmm.

did you try looking online for a manual?
maybe?

[smeddley.livejournal.com]

They're nice, but... having to replace it (and I will, the cartridges work hit and miss and we often have to swap them) is just too expensive. If I can just get it clean and it will hold out another year... or two... or three... *sigh*

There's so much stuff I want to replace, so little money...

[dulcamatrix.livejournal.com]

i hear ya sistah.
i hear ya.

what i would give for a shoebox full o'hundreds....

[smeddley.livejournal.com]

Pffff, shoe box? I'm going for at least a book box!

(also, I guess it depends on whose shoe box - I can wear a size 4 kids, which are itty-bitty boxes, but hubby wears a 12, which are freaking enormous boxes...)

[gelsey.livejournal.com]

Good luck. Hope it went well.

[smeddley.livejournal.com]

Surprisingly, it did. It's actually quite clean now. Color me surprised!

[penchaft.livejournal.com]

Modern technology AT ITS FINEST!

[alankria.livejournal.com]

MAGIC.

It's the only explanation. Sweet, sweet magic.

[revoked-soul.livejournal.com]

I was going to comment and tell you at least you're not the only one with a truly disgusting oven...

Then I read the edits.

Now I'M the only one with a truly disgusting oven.

Damn it.

[elaran.livejournal.com]

Oh man, we have oven problems. Ours doesn't close properly so we jam it stuck with a MacGyver stick. ::facepalms::