Ovens (UK)

[plumsmum2005]

Hi (this is NOT an April Fool)

Have just had a new oven delivered and installed and there are no instructions to be found relating to burning off the elements before first use.

I rang the manufacturer and they said to heat for approx 10 minutes *** at a temperature range of between 150 - 200 degrees centigrade.

Obviously if you have a bird in the same room PLEASE REMOVE THEM TO ANOTHER ROOM FOR THE DURATION OF THE BURNING OFF AND UNTIL IT IS SAFE TO RETURN THEM.

*** Took a hell of a lot longer than this.

EDIT : Further instructions are to repeat this process again as smell still persists after wiping out with warm soapy water - it's oil apparently that's burning off.

 

[OOwl]

Oh yeah. I had to deal with this about a year or so ago when we purchased a new oven. I called the maker over and over and was alarmed at how seemingly befuddled they were by the question, like they had not had this come up before or something. They were just so nonchalant about it, "Open a window," they said. I knew better. We removed all birds to their carriers and a family member with breathing issues for the day.

Thank God we did, too. The odor was pungent and caustic. I don't have lung issues and it made me cough and wheeze and my eyes burned like crazy. I was really concerned to bring the birds back inside even hours later. Even then, I continued to open widows for a few weeks even when I baked in the oven. I could still faintly smell that odor for quite a while. Good luck!

 

[Birdman666]

IT'S ALSO TEFLON COATED!!! IT'S ABSOLUTELY DEADLY TO BIRDS...

NEVER USE THE SELF CLEANING FEATURE WITH BIRDS IN THE HOUSE, IT WILL KILL THEM!!!

The safest thing to do is to get them out of there for the duration of it, and then air the place out with a fan after you are done before bringing them back in.

 

[plumsmum2005]

Thanks. I think Plum thinks he's in the naughty corner cos he's been moved but not sure he's going back today and I have gone through heating processes twice already.

Really irked that nothing in the instructions at all - no actually I'm p$ssed and I'm just going to get on the phone and let them know that it sucks there's no instructions or warnings to bird owners. So Belling shame on you!

 

[plumsmum2005]

There is no self cleaning part to this one and he is fine in another room well shut off and aired as additional precaution. There's absolutely NO chance I would put him at risk. He's my baby!

 

[Birdman666]

There is no self cleaning part to this one and he is fine in another room well shut off and aired as additional precaution. There's absolutely NO chance I would put him at risk. He's my baby!

I KNOW EXACTLY WHAT YOU MEAN...

I was just adding that info, because you brought up a good topic, and it's a hazard some folks wouldn't even think about until they were wondering why their bird just suddenly dropped dead.

 

[plumsmum2005]

Thanks - yes just told Belling that and they say people have told them this before. Duh!!!

 

[plumsmum2005]

UPDATE:

Just had an engineer to check it out and because of so called new production processes this 'burning off' takes ages.

The recommendation given is high heat for as long as it takes. Obviously helps to have air flow around the oven/cooker.

I have noticed it is permeating other rooms of the house so please do be very careful with any birds in the house.

 

[Christinenc2000]

I've read the seller will do the burning off for you but who wants to trust that. Not me. I guess the easiest way is to put the oven in a carport or garage and let it run for a few days

 

[plumsmum2005]

I've read the seller will do the burning off for you but who wants to trust that. Not me. I guess the easiest way is to put the oven in a carport or garage and let it run for a few days

At the moment I'm tempted to chuck the darn thing out into the garden!

We don't have anything like that here but even if not done completely it could help you with it at home IMO. We have to have them wired in specially and those types of socket are not usually in a garage unfortunately or it would in there for sure.

Case of if I knew then, what I know now.

 

[OOwl]

Well, eventually everyone is going to need to replace an oven at some point, so I wouldn't chunk it, but I do understand your concern and frustration.

My oven manufacturer actually told us to use the cleaning cycle to burn it all off even if we never use that feature ever again. . . so, as I explained earlier. . . we removed the birds and family members from the house and did it. It was horrible smelling for hours. I was actually really upset for them not even making that more of an issue in their booklet (small sentence about "some" odor being "possible") because it smelled like something even healthy people without pets didn't need to be exposed to.

We opened all the windows while it was doing its thing, and in a few hours, when we no longer smelled that "burned plastic" smell, we brought everyone back in, but we left windows open for several more hours. After that, I opened windows next to the kitchen every time I baked in the oven.

It must have worked because my human family had no problems (even with an elderly family member with breathing issues), and all my birds showed no ill effects, from Grey to little parrotlet in size.

Just pick a pretty day and put them in their carriers and take outside and sit with them for a few hours, or put them in the car and drive around, or take them to a friends' house to visit. Hope it goes well. Report back. Hopefully, this thread might save someone an accident someday. You don't see a whole lot written about it, and the oven manufacturers sure aren't going out of their way (apparently) to ensure this "burn off" thing is done correctly and safely.