Can a Dirty Oven Cause a Fire?

2/10/2022 (Permalink)

Oven fires caused by a dirty appliance can cause serious harm to your property.

A buildup of grime, grease, and food bits can cause an oven to catch fire. However, even if your oven cavity never gets so dirty that it catches fire, cooking in a greasy oven affects food flavor, causes bad smells, and uses more energy. And even though most oven fires are relatively small, you may have to call in professionals to deal with fire damage restoration. 

Oven fires caused by a dirty appliance can cause serious harm to your property. 

According to statistics, 24 percent of kitchen appliance fires involve ovens or ranges. However, the figure could be significantly higher because many households don’t need to call the fire department for an oven fire. The average oven fire causes $2,300 in property damage. 

SERVPRO has expertise in fire damage restoration. Unfortunately, house fires in the kitchen are a common reason Richardson residents use our services. However, most kitchen appliances and range fires are preventable. 

In this article, you will find helpful tips on preventing an oven or range from catching fire.

Why Dirty Ovens Cause Fires

Over time, food scraps and grease stick to the inside of an oven. As a result, a buildup of food residue and fat will start to burn when continuously cooking in a filthy oven. If grease or oil gets too hot, it can ignite and burn. Although the fire may be contained, it can cause severe damage.

Other Dangers of a Dirty Oven

Here are some compelling reasons to avoid cooking food in a dirty oven. 

1. Poor Flavor

Cooking food in a greasy oven creates excess smoke and fumes that can make the food taste bad. 

2. Bad Smells

The unpleasant plume of smoke when you open the oven door will permeate your house. This can result in drapes or soft upholstery and furnishings smelling bad. 

3. Ovens are Less Efficient

Another issue when cooking with a dirty oven is that it takes more energy to heat. In addition, the cooking time takes longer, which further increases utility bills.

How to Prevent an Oven From Catching Fire

Regular oven cleaning with baking soda and hot soapy water is the best way to prevent an oven from catching fire. Depending on how much you use it, you should clean a range at least every three months. However, you may need to clean it more often, depending on its use. 

Even with a self-cleaning oven, you will need to regularly clean the grates and burners to prevent lots of smoke when cooking or roasting food. 

What To Do if a Dirty Oven Catches Fire

If your oven catches fire, here are some handy tips:

• Keep the door closed and switch the oven off.
• If the oven fire spreads or doesn’t go out, call 911 immediately.
• If the oven fire goes out, wait until the oven cools, then carefully remove the hot pan
• Get a professional technician to check the cooking appliance for any safety issues.

If an oven fire has damaged your home, contact SERVPRO of Richardson at (972) 690-1414 to inquire about our Richardson Fire Damage Restoration services. Our team of experts will return your home to its original condition.