Ovens and Birds

BarkleyLoves · Aug 22, 2012

I know it is very hazardous to a bird's health to use oven cleaner. However our oven really does need to be cleaned. Is it safe for our parrots to run the oven on self-clean cycle? Or if not, are there any bird safe alternatives to cleaning the oven with? I'm about ready to take brillo pad to the oven, but I don't know if that's good for oven or not.

KBEquine · Aug 22, 2012

BarkleyLoves said:
Is it safe for our parrots to run the oven on self-clean cycle?

I read this sentence & my first thought was, "Someone's parrot is trained to clean???? I gotta get me one of those!" my second was, "Sure it's safe - they just need to press the button, it's not like they have to actually get IN the oven."

Maybe the fact our Grey, "Gilbert The Greyt" often says, "Gilbert tastes like chicken!" and the local parrot store owner often admonishes his blue front amazon with, "You'll fit in the oven!" has made me read things differently . . .

[Hope you get a REAL answer to your question because I'd like to know, too.]

aliray · Aug 22, 2012

from what I have read it is not safe to use the self clean oven feature while the bird is in the house because of fumes. Do you have a way to put the bird outside for a few hours and run the cycle then air the house out before bringing the bird back in the house? Just a suggestion

Boysmom · Aug 22, 2012

LOL KBEquine that is so funny

keepsmiling · Aug 23, 2012

Absolutely do not use the self cleaning feature with birds in the house. It will kill them. Use a paste of baking soda, leave it to sit, and scrub afterward and wipe clean and rinse. White vinegar can also help.

KBEquine · Aug 23, 2012

keepsmiling, thanks for that - I knew not to use the self-cleaning oven (or to let the parrot use the self-cleaning oven function) but wasn't sure what WOULD be safe. Off to stock up on an industrial-sized box of baking soda now. The oven is VERY dirty (9 parrots and not ONE has cleaned it in years!).

lizardsmells · Aug 23, 2012

No oven self cleaning cycle! But baking soda and lemon juice should get it pretty clean with some elbow grease! Cut a lemon in half, sprinkle baking soda on the cut end and use that to scrub with. The acid from the lemon and abrasive action of the baking soda will cut through whatever is baked on. Although if there are any chunky bits you might want to chip those off first to make it easier!

that method also works great to get off baked on bits in pans and baking dishes too.

KBEquine · Aug 23, 2012

. . . adding lemons to the shopping list . . .

Clueless · Aug 23, 2012

AWESOME hints! I've used baking soda (with a drop or two of vinegar) on antique dishes - it sometimes lets you get off a minimal stain. You just scrub with your finger.

I never would have dreamed to use a lemon as a scrubber on my oven! I, too, have a self-clean oven that has not been used since the parrots moved in. In fact - I'm going to replace the stove fairly soon - and will make sure it does NOT have a self-clean oven. I believe in not taking any chances that another family member won't know it could hurt the parrots.

Now that I'm thinking that - will go post in the thread about being worry warts. . . . .

DebsFlock · Aug 23, 2012

There are two issues with running the self-clean cycle. The first is that heating elements and even oven linings sometimes contain traces of Teflon. These are GUARANTEED to burn off at self-clean temperatures. They should be done burning off after the first several uses of the cycle, however.

The second is that even if the PTFE is burned off, the combustion of the residue will produce a certain amount of ick in the air. Depending on the size of your house and the quality of your kitchen ventilation, you might be OK sealing the birds off in a separate room and opening a window, but when I have used the self-clean cycle in the past, I have taken the birds outside for several hours while the cycle runs and the odors completely clear away.

BTW any new oven or toaster oven (or space heater) is fairly likely to have residual PTFE and other manufacturing residue on the heating elements. It is a very good idea to "burn in" these at the highest operating temperatures prior to using them around your birds.

keepsmiling · Aug 23, 2012

Another thing that works well is a handheld steamer. They are great for cages too!

BarkleyLoves · Aug 23, 2012

KBEquine said:
BarkleyLoves said:

Is it safe for our parrots to run the oven on self-clean cycle?

Click to expand...

I read this sentence & my first thought was, "Someone's parrot is trained to clean???? I gotta get me one of those!" my second was, "Sure it's safe - they just need to press the button, it's not like they have to actually get IN the oven."

Maybe the fact our Grey, "Gilbert The Greyt" often says, "Gilbert tastes like chicken!" and the local parrot store owner often admonishes his blue front amazon with, "You'll fit in the oven!" has made me read things differently . . .

[Hope you get a REAL answer to your question because I'd like to know, too.]

LOL. When I wrote that I didn't realize how it would come out. No, my birds do not clean lol. It would be nice sometimes if they' stop throwing food around and clean it. j/k

Thank you all for your replies. I didn't realize even self-clean is not safe. I'll try the baking soda tip and the lemons and see if it works. If not, I might just have to take them outside early in the morning (before it gets too hot here) and run the oven cycle.

KBEquine · Aug 23, 2012

Like the kind for steaming wrinkles out of a suit, or the kind you use to do the floor (or some other type)?

[And you made my day with the cleaning parrots.]

paulhanlon · Aug 23, 2012

Lol only thing I have used baking soda for is to make muffins and blow things up its so cool what you lean in science the things you think are harmless can be more dangerous than some weapons the army uses

Gshepdog · Aug 23, 2012

My stove has two ovens and I have cleaned them both using the self cleaning feature. My only parrot at the time was in a different room and I had the windows open and the whole house fan running which sucked all the smell from the stove up into the attic. But the stoves only get cleaned about once a year in time for the holidays. (I wipe up anything that is left in the ovens at time of cooking.) Never have had a problem.

I worry more about teflon pans hurting her. So I have only 1 or 2 teflon pans.

Lee

keepsmiling · Aug 24, 2012

Knowing that birds have died from this, why would you risk the self cleaning feature, and have ANY teflon pans? It only takes once.
I know of someone who had two caiques die on Thanksgiving just from a throw away turkey pan.

keepsmiling · Aug 24, 2012

KBEquine said:
Like the kind for steaming wrinkles out of a suit, or the kind you use to do the floor (or some other type)?

Something like this
[ame=http://www.amazon.com/SteamFast-SF-226-Handheld-Steam-Cleaner/dp/B00114LAP8?SubscriptionId=0K76CZ6RCX2Y05HSNPR2&tag=csfstext-20&linkCode=xm2&camp=2025&creative=165953&creativeASIN=B00114LAP8&ascsubtag=steam-cleaners]Amazon.com: SteamFast SF-226 Handheld Steam Cleaner: Home & Kitchen[/ame]

Gshepdog · Aug 24, 2012

I have had parrots in my family since the 1960s. At that time there was very little info out as to what dangers there are. Have never had a problem with the self cleaning feature. What exactly is the danger? They are in another room and the whole house fan is going which takes anything from the stove right out of the kitchen.

High heat on teflon can cause problems but the pans are rarely used except when needed for certain foods. I love my parrots but can't change my life on the minimal possibility of a danger. Should I get rid of my cats who patted one of the parrots last night on her stand just in case he tries it again? I don't think so.

I have had Dusty for almost 35 years. Obviously, she has been well taken care of as the vet is impressed with how healthy she is.

Rio Mom · Aug 24, 2012

DebsFlock said:
There are two issues with running the self-clean cycle. The first is that heating elements and even oven linings sometimes contain traces of Teflon. These are GUARANTEED to burn off at self-clean temperatures. They should be done burning off after the first several uses of the cycle, however.

The second is that even if the PTFE is burned off, the combustion of the residue will produce a certain amount of ick in the air. Depending on the size of your house and the quality of your kitchen ventilation, you might be OK sealing the birds off in a separate room and opening a window, but when I have used the self-clean cycle in the past, I have taken the birds outside for several hours while the cycle runs and the odors completely clear away.

BTW any new oven or toaster oven (or space heater) is fairly likely to have residual PTFE and other manufacturing residue on the heating elements. It is a very good idea to "burn in" these at the highest operating temperatures prior to using them around your birds.

Thanks for the helpful information! I was planning on buying a new toaster oven sometime down the road. I plan to see if I can find one that says it's teflon free, but to be safe I will take it outside and turn it on for a while to burn off any potential residue.

Rio Mom · Aug 24, 2012

keepsmiling said:
Another thing that works well is a handheld steamer. They are great for cages too!

I love my handheld steamer for cages and other cleaning too! I have a shark brand one and love it.

Ovens and Birds

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What bird would live well with a grey?

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