Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to be horrified by this?

240 replies

Ovenoff · 04/01/2020 19:47

Friend has just revealed that when she makes a stew/curry/casserole, anything that can be put in the oven for a few hours and cook on low heat, she would do that and go out for a few hours.

I can’t imagine doing that, anything could happen. What if you got caught up, run over/injured honestly anything could happen and nobody would know you have the oven on 😳.

OP posts:
Bowerbird5 · 04/01/2020 20:21

I never leave the washing machine, tumble drier or the oven on until December last year. We now have an Everhot which stays on all the time so now I do leave stuff in the slow oven. Even better we make the dinner pop it in and go to the pub nearby. Then we go home and it's ready. I told my best friend to fetch her dinner down if she wants to as she has a key if I am not in. The lamb shanks I did last week were amazing. Likewise one pot cooking. It keeps the house warm too.

Leflic · 04/01/2020 20:22

It’s an oven. Designed to be hot and not catch fire. Obviously don’t leave stuff on the hob but inside is safe.

Tumble driers and fridges ( feel how hot they get at the back) are way more dangerous. I personally know of two house fires and both were fridges.

ScreamingBeans · 04/01/2020 20:22

My mum used to do this. Until the day the temperature sensor in the oven broke and assumed the casserole had been put in at the highest, rather than the lowest temperature and she came home to a house full of smoke and the kitchen on fire.

It was all rather exciting. 3 fire engines outside when I came back from school.

CatteStreet · 04/01/2020 20:22

Yy to the dangers of leaving a washing machine on, or indeed a dishwasher. I wouldn't go out for more than a brief period with either of those on. Nor would I leave the oven on, tbh. Something is unlikely to happen, but if it does, home contents insurance may be invalidated, I should think.

Bowerbird5 · 04/01/2020 20:23

Hollowtalk Yes, I have been hit by a moving vehicle.Their fault not mine.

Bowerbird5 · 04/01/2020 20:24

Tumble driers and dishwashers are often the cause of fires. I have a friend who is a fireman.

PeakingDuck · 04/01/2020 20:27

Yes I've put the washing on and gone out, and I can understand leaving the slowcooker on, but honestly leaving the oven on makes me so uneasy 🤷‍♀️

A quick Google shows washing machines cause more fires than ovens, so...

CastleCrasher · 04/01/2020 20:28

I go out all the time leaving my washing machine, tumble drier, dishwasher and oven on (not necessarily at the same time!)

I know there's a risk with each, but tbh I don't know how I'd get anything done if I didn't (2dc, work ft and long commute).

GlowWine · 04/01/2020 20:28

Even without setting a timer you might find that most modern ovens have a automatic shut-off after 6?8? hours. Mine (10y old basic Whirlpool model) does as a found out when I was trying to dry something on very low overnight and awoke for find it cooling down, when it should still have been going for a few more hours.

bloodywhitecat · 04/01/2020 20:30

I would do it though for economy's sake I now use a slow cooker.

Inherdefence · 04/01/2020 20:34

I do it often. If I am ever run over a stew slow cooking in the oven will be the least of my problems.

IncrediblySadToo · 04/01/2020 20:34

I wouldn’t do it & I don’t leave my washing machine on either (or rather I don’t put it on
if I’m going out) I don’t have a Dw or TD but wouldn’t leave those on either.

It wouldn’t have crossed my mind when I was younger (& used to roll my eyes at my older friends who who wouldn’t leave the house if the washing machine was on) but as I’ve got older I’ve heard more worrying reports about appliances catching on fire & more risk averse etc.

It’s one of the things that makes me feel
‘Old’ 😔

DartmoorChef · 04/01/2020 20:37

A slow cooker is a miniature oven. It's perfectly safe to leave something on in an oven on low for many hours.

TimeForPlentyIn2020 · 04/01/2020 20:37

What do you think might go wrong if a casserole is left on too long OP? Do you think the house will burn down?

IncrediblySadToo · 04/01/2020 20:37

I know there's a risk with each, but tbh I don't know how I'd get anything done if I didn't (2dc, work ft and long commute)

You just need to be organised. You can do it and it’s a lot easier than living in a caravan while you argue with the insurance company about having you houses rebuilt and explaining to your children why all of their toys and favourite teddy have been incinerated.

At the very least, please don’t leave your dryer running

DartmoorChef · 04/01/2020 20:38

For those of you who wouldn't do it, do you unplug all electrical appliances including fridges before you go out. You may as well as there's just as much risk.

Candymay · 04/01/2020 20:39

I’ve actually never heard of an oven catching fire before! Wouldn’t cross my mind.

Auridon4life · 04/01/2020 20:40

Wait you can make the oven timer turn the oven on? I thought it was just off

bettybattenburg · 04/01/2020 20:41

I wouldn't do it but then I wouldn't leave the washing machine or dishwasher on when out as I've had two minor house fires due to a washing machine and dishwasher catching fire.

Roussette · 04/01/2020 20:42

Good lord.

Is this the latest thing to worry about?

I don't

gonerogue · 04/01/2020 20:46

I have a slow cook function on my oven - so I happily leave that on with dinner for 6-8 hours while out at work/activities etc.

NotSuchASmugMarriedNow1 · 04/01/2020 20:48

Jesus I'd love to have the time to sit around the house waiting for the washing machine/dishwasher/oven to finish. Fuck me, i'd think i'd died and gone to heaven if I had that amount of free time.

PlumsGalore · 04/01/2020 20:49

I do it all the time.

Winterwoollies · 04/01/2020 20:50

Do you have the same fears about the fridge?

If the oven is in low, what is going to happen?! Nothing, surely?!

theoriginalmadambee · 04/01/2020 20:51

I never do. But I have seen a house burn because of a dishwasher Envy.