(yet another appliance thread, sorry) do those self-cleaning ovens really work

[MrsJohnDeere]

if I got one would I never have to clean an oven again? Even if I cooked things like roast duck?

I have one and they are good, but you do have to remove all the bits inside first and clean those by hand - shelves, grill pans, side rails. But the inside of the oven does clean itself and then you just wipe away ash. Not sure the extra expense is justified, but nice to have. They just have to invent self cleaning accessories now.

I have never cleaned an oven in my life. Is it really necessary?

Mine has a steam function to clean. It works ok. I still use oven pride & then use the steam function to get it sparkling.

mumdebump - depends on how often you use it and if you keep spilling stuff that burns.

We use it a lot and dh is a very messy cook. But have decided to compromise on the self-cleaning function to get a bigger oven (they were the smaller of the ovens on our short list).

Ours has self-cleaning sides. Seem to work. The bottom I deal with by having magic oven liner on it (Lakeland) and simply taking it out and wiping clean every now and again.

I just got one as my old oven bit the dust. Is an AEG one with catalytic liners on top, back and sides.

Mum had a New World one for 25 years that was fab - only ever needed to give the bottom and door a wipe clean. Moved and left it in old house as didn't think was worth the effort of taking it. Big mistake! The sides had catalytic liners which never needed cleaning - just got a fine ash on them which we brushed off every so often. I have now got one which is similar.

Looked at the pyrolytic and steam cleaning ones but decided to go for this type as just need a wipe when you spill something. The others need to be put on a special setting and cleaned. This means you can't use it at that time and I know I would not remember do it or never have the time!

Also started using roasting bags for roast chicken and line tins with foil - 2 benefits:
clean oven and minimal washing up
also juices easy to transfer to gravy pan!

HTH