{"id":395,"date":"2022-10-13T10:40:43","date_gmt":"2022-10-13T10:40:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/kitchendodo.com\/?p=395"},"modified":"2022-11-14T12:51:15","modified_gmt":"2022-11-14T12:51:15","slug":"is-it-unsafe-to-leave-the-oven","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/kitchendodo.com\/is-it-unsafe-to-leave-the-oven\/","title":{"rendered":"Is It Unsafe To Leave The Oven On?"},"content":{"rendered":"

So you forget to turn off your oven after roasting chicken? Or did you put your brisket in the oven to simmer and completely forget to take it out?<\/p>\n

Of course, you must have freaked out after realizing that your oven was on for an extended period. Well, your fear is justified! It is not safe to leave your oven on for long hours since it can catch fire.<\/p>\n

In addition, you will eventually damage your appliance because too much heat can melt your oven’s dials and other components.<\/p>\n

Because we care for your safety, we have explained the potential hazards of leaving your oven on <\/strong>for long hours, how to extinguish an oven fire<\/strong>, protective<\/strong> mechanisms<\/strong> for oven fires and much more!<\/p>\n

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Is It Unsafe To Leave The Oven On?\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/strong><\/h2>\n

Whether an electric or gas oven, it is unsafe to leave it on for long hours. While electric ovens can overheat and lead to a fire if left on for long hours, leaving a gas oven unattended can cause carbon monoxide poisoning.<\/p>\n

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Dangers In Leaving Your Electric Oven On<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Here are a few dangers of leaving your electric oven on:<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The Temperature Factor<\/strong><\/h4>\n

\"temperature\"<\/p>\n

Whether you can keep your oven running for long hours depends largely depends on the temperature at which it operates. The risk of leaving the oven on increases with the level of its temperature.<\/p>\n

In most circumstances, you can safely leave your gas or electric oven at around 212\u00b0F<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Nevertheless, there is a possibility of malfunction with an increase in unattended running time.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u00a0Food Quality<\/strong><\/h4>\n

\"food-quality\"<\/p>\n

Some foods, such as brisket and ribs, need to be slow cooked at a low to moderate temperature for a few hours. This help to release their juices and make them tender.<\/p>\n

However, sometimes, these foods get overcooked, due to which their nutritional value decreases, thereby declining their quality.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Home Safety<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Since most ovens contain electric elements, they can easily overheat and lead to a fire. Also, if you have a gas oven, then running it for long many hours may lead to carbon monoxide poisoning. Moreover, leaving your oven on with small kids or pets at home is also risky.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Dangers In Leaving Your Gas Oven On<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Leaving your gas oven on is an unsafe idea. When left running for long hours, gas ovens can release carbon monoxide into the air and cause serious health problems<\/a> such as nausea, headache, dizziness, breathing difficulty, blurred vision<\/strong>, etc. Carbon monoxide is a gas that doesn\u2019t has any taste or color and can reach toxic levels.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Can You Get Carbon Monoxide Poisoning From Leaving The Oven On?\"carbon-mono-oxide-fumes\"<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Yes, leaving your gas oven on can increase your risk of getting carbon monoxide poisoning and thereby, lead to various symptoms, which we have already mentioned above.<\/p>\n

Moreover, carbon monoxide can reach toxic levels in just a few hours. In extreme cases, carbon monoxide poisoning can also make a person suffocate to death.<\/p>\n

In most cases, it is not possible to detect if a person has carbon monoxide poisoning since the symptoms are very common.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Leaving The Oven Door Open For Heat\"open-oven-door\"<\/strong><\/h2>\n

The idea of heating your home with an oven can be tempting on a cold winter night. However, we warn you against doing so since it can lead to hazards.<\/p>\n

For instance, if you leave the door of your gas oven<\/strong> open, the oven will release carbon monoxide into the air and lead to carbon monoxide poisoning.<\/p>\n

On the other hand, leaving the door of an electric oven <\/strong>open can melt its dials and other electrical components and decrease its lifespan.<\/p>\n

Moreover, the oven can overheat and malfunction, resulting in fire. Lastly, heating the house with an electric oven will consume more energy and thereby increase your electricity bill.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Will My Oven Catch Fire If I Leave It On Unattended?\"oven-fire\"<\/strong><\/h2>\n

According to The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA<\/a>), one of the most common causes of fire risks at home is an unattended oven (causing about 40% <\/strong>of house fires).<\/p>\n

However, the risk of your oven setting on fire also depends on what you’re cooking or whether you have an electric oven or a gas oven to a great extent.<\/p>\n

For example, if you are cooking greasy foods and your oven remains at a high temperature for a long, it can easily set on fire since these are flammable foods. Also, if food particles drop on your oven’s floor, they can ignite.<\/p>\n

Moreover, if you have an electric oven and leave it on for a long time, its heating components, such as coils and wires, will get overheated and lead to a fire.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

What Increases The Risk For An Oven Fire?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

\"risk\"<\/p>\n

Below are some common situations that can increase the risk of oven fires:<\/p>\n