A Washington woman learned the hard way why many avoid the self-clean function on ovens. Diana (@mer__diana) turned on her oven’s self-clean mode for the very first time, expecting a simple cleanup—but quickly got a front-row seat to what looked like a mini fire show. Within seconds, flames danced behind the oven door, prompting her to declare, “Self clean shouldn’t exist.”
Diana’s five-second TikTok clip has gone viral, amassing 1.5 million views. The video shows two people peering into the kitchen while flames rage inside the closed oven. The text overlay reads: “POV: you turned on the oven’s self-clean mode for the first time… and now [fire emoji],” capturing both the shock and humor of the moment.
How Self-Clean Mode Works
Self-cleaning ovens work by reaching extremely high temperatures—sometimes over 800ºF—to incinerate leftover food and grease, turning it into ash that can be wiped away. While effective, the intense heat can pose risks, including fires or damage to the oven’s electronic components. Whirlpool and other manufacturers advise users to follow the recommended steps carefully to avoid hazards.
Online discussions frequently warn about these dangers. Reddit users note that self-cleaning can burn out control panels, fuses, or even trigger fires. One user recounted, “My control panel went out, and then the oven wouldn’t turn off. It got hotter and hotter and lit on fire. I had to flip the breaker to stop it.” Another added, “It is self clean, not self remove the years’ worth of sh-t caked on the bottom and sides. That sh-t causes fires.”
Viewers Weigh In
Many TikTok viewers reacted with a mix of concern and humor. Comments included advice from past experiences, like throwing salt on the flames, while others joked: “Like the popcorn button, self clean shouldn’t exist,” and “Congrats on the new fireplace!” Some likened the fiery scene to a video game, saying, “I thought this was the Sims.”
Diana’s video highlights why self-cleaning ovens, though convenient, can be surprisingly dangerous if approached without caution—and why many homeowners approach that button with hesitation.
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