Catalytic vs Pyrolytic vs Steam Oven Cleaning: Differences and What to Choose?

A clean oven is not just about looking good. A clean oven works better and it cooks your food more evenly. It heats up faster, too. If you leave all that burnt food inside, it can change the taste of your meals. No one wants that. Not your guests, family and certainly not you.

Today, you will become familiar with three popular ways to clean ovens. Catalytic, pyrolytic, and steam. You will learn how each one works. We will also help you pick the best one for your appliance. So if you’ve ever wondered about catalytic vs pyrolytic ovens and which is better, you are in the right place.

What is catalytic oven cleaning?

This is a type of self-cleaning. A catalytic oven has special liners inside. These have a rough, porous surface made with enamel and sometimes tiny ceramic parts. The liners soak up grease and food spills when you cook. When the oven gets hot enough, about 200°C, the grease burns away. That’s their purpose.

But it only works for light spills. It is not a deep, full self-clean. It is a continuous, light cleaning process while you cook. You still have to wipe the oven down now and then. Especially on bits not covered by the liners (like the door or floor).

Here’s the good stuff about the catalytic cleaning oven. It’s quick and easy for everyday messes. There’s no need to heat the oven super high like other methods. It saves energy because it uses normal cooking heat.

But there are a few downsides too. Catalytic liners wear out over time, and you might need to replace them after a few years. It does not clean the whole oven, as you already know. Only the parts with the special liners.

A catalytic oven is great if you cook simple meals. Roasts, casseroles, things like that. If you bake messy pies or do lots of grilling, you might find it struggles a bit. Catalytic oven dangers are pretty low too. But if you leave grease to build up too much, it can smoke or even catch fire. Best to wipe up big spills when the oven cools down.

So, are catalytic ovens worth it? For busy families who do not want to spend hours scrubbing, yes.

What is pyrolytic oven cleaning?

Pyrolytic ovens clean themselves via very high heat. They go up to 500°C (about 932°F). At that temperature, any food, grease, or spills inside the oven turn to ash. You just wipe the ash away with a cloth when the oven cools down. That’s it.

So, what is the pyrolytic oven’s meaning? It comes from the word “pyro,” which means fire. In simple words, it means the oven burns off dirt with heat.

Now, let’s look at these ovens’ pros and cons. As advantages, you have a deep clean without scrubbing or the need for chemicals or sprays. Heavy messes and baked-on grease are not overwhelming anymore.

And what of the disadvantages, then? It takes a few hours to finish a cleaning cycle, and it uses a lot of power during cleaning. The oven also gets really hot, so you need to keep kids and pets away. Some ovens lock the door during the cleaning. Some don’t, which is a bit risky.

So, are pyrolytic ovens dangerous? If used right, they are very safe. Good ovens have door locks and lots of insulation. Still, the outside of the oven can get hot. Always check if your oven has a cool-touch door if you have kids at home.

And what about pyrolytic ovens’ problems? The main one is the heat. It puts a bit of strain on the oven parts over time. And the seals and hinges might wear out faster if you use the cleaning mode too often. In that line of thought, do pyrolytic ovens use a lot of electricity? During the clean, they use more power than normal cooking. But if you only clean every now and then, it won’t hurt your bill much.

How often should you use a pyrolytic oven? Depends on how messy your cooking is. If you bake and roast a lot, maybe every few months. If you hardly spill anything, once or twice a year is fine.

So, are pyrolytic ovens worth it? If you hate cleaning and you often cook messy meals, yes. If you bake simple stuff and don’t mind wiping by hand, you might not need one.

Steam (hydrolytic) oven cleaning specifics

Steam cleaning an oven, also called hydrolytic cleaning, is a bit different. It does not use crazy heat like pyrolytic ovens. It does not have special liners like catalytic ovens. Instead, it uses water and low heat to soften dirt and grease.

This is how it works. You pour some water into the bottom of the oven. Then you turn on the steam cleaning mode. The oven heats to about 90°C to 100°C. Not super hot. The water turns into steam and loosens all the food bits stuck inside. After that, you wipe it clean with a cloth. Easy.

Still, it’s always best to wipe out big spills before you run the steam clean. It works better that way. Also, just use clean water. No need for fancy cleaners or soap.

Steam cleaning is good for light spills, fresh messes and everyday cleanups. It is not great for heavy, burnt-on grease that has been sitting there for months. Still, steam cleaning is very quick. Most cycles only take about 30 minutes. They use hardly any power too. Good for the planet and your power bill.

If your oven gets really dirty quite often, steam cleaning can help keep it fresh between big deep cleans. But it won’t replace a big clean like pyrolytic ovens do.

Catalytic vs pyrolytic vs steam oven cleaning comparison

They all sound good, so it’s very hard to choose. Here’s a quick table to help you see the main differences and make up your mind.

How to decide which is the best oven cleaning method for you?

Still not sure which oven to pick? Here’s a simple way to think about it.

Big families and people who cook a lot, pyrolytic ovens are a suitable choice. They handle heavy messes with almost no scrubbing. Good for busy kitchens where the oven gets hammered every day. If you ask which oven cleaning system is best for heavy use, pyrolytic wins.

Small households with light cooking – go for a catalytic oven. It deals with light spills and costs less. Good if you make quick meals and don’t bake or roast all the time. For a small mess, a catalytic oven might be the easiest to maintain for you.

Eco-conscious cooks and regular cleaners – steam cleaning is the way to go. It uses less energy, no strong chemicals, and keeps the oven fresh with quick wipe-downs. Best if you like to stay on top of the mess and clean the oven often.