To think ‘harmful’ gases from the oven is a load of codswallop?

[Littleigloo]

Our oven hasn’t been cleaned in several months and does need a deep clean soon. I was chatting to my friend about how regularly she cleans her oven and she said you’ve got to do it more often otherwise ‘harmful gases’ could end up in food, from any crumbs/spills that have burned onto the oven and then been reheated back up. First I have ever heard!

AIBU to think this just isn’t a thing in most modern, electric ovens? Sure it’s probably better to clean it so it doesn’t smell and heats up properly etc but I thought those were the main reasons!

I suppose it's possible there could be some fumes from burning bits of food that probably aren't great. On the other hand, the products used to clean ovens are often pretty toxic so overuse of those wouldn't be good for you either.

Oh Jesus, well I've made it to 50 (and my kids to adulthood) seemingly unscathed, and my oven can get to embarrassing levels of grottyness...

I don't think you'd get harmful gases from burning food on a hob, carbon dioxide is released through combusting anything so as long as you open the windows occasionally to ventilate you should be fine. The inside of your oven could be an issue if the ventilation system isn't working properly though.

You are more likely to release harmful gases via the cleaning products particularly if you combine them together

Nitrogen dioxide is released when burning natural gas alongside other horrible things but that's regardless of how clean or dirty your work top is

Technically I guess the carbon from burnt food gets on new food a bit. But generations of people have/had ranges that are on constantly and never cleaned and they only had a bit of cancer.

I bet she's one of those people who buys anti-bacterial carpet cleaner because she worries about germs on people's feet, and buys anti-bac laundry additive because she worries about germs on clothes, and buys packs of single use wipes, and everything ever recommended by Mrs Hinch.

No. Oven fumes are not going to kill you. Perhaps she takes up a different hobby - origami or birdwatching maybe?