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Oven cleaning: A pyrolysis function does not prevent you from helping with the sponge
Photo: Kinga Krzeminska / Getty Images
Cleaning the oven is annoying.
In the current issue of the magazine "test", the experts from Stiftung Warentest tested eleven ovens with a so-called pyrolysis function.
It should automatically burn away fat and leftover food in the baking chamber, which manufacturers like to call a self-cleaning function.
Only: According to the testers, it doesn't work that well - not even with the best-rated ovens.
The two best ovens in the test, the Bosch HBG579BS0 and the CF4M98062 model from Constructa, were only rated "sufficient" in terms of cleaning, despite an overall rating of 2.2.
According to the Stiftung Warentest, the pyrolysis function is an “extra that can be dispensed with”.
Among other things, because such devices are often more expensive than ovens without this technology.
The winning models cost around 700 euros, while the price tip, the Gorenje device BPS6737E14BG, with a price of around 490 euros, bakes and grills just as well - but only scores "sufficient" in the cleaning category.
Self-cleaning function costs a lot of energy
For their test, the experts baked the gravy, dough and jam in the oven for 90 minutes at 200 degrees Celsius.
Before using the so-called self-cleaning function, almost every manufacturer recommends cleaning the device by hand.
So after cooling, both the oven and the pyrolysis cleaning program were used, but "in the test, dirt remained in many ovens," writes Stiftung Warentest.
Despite rags, dish soap and oven spray.
In addition, self-cleaning costs around 1.50 to 3 euros for energy, since the ovens heat up to almost 500 degrees Celsius over several hours.
On some models, this heats the oven door so much that touching it becomes painful.
Parents should therefore ensure that their children avoid the oven during pyrolysis.
The testers have even more bad news for those who keep an eye on energy consumption: "Economy programs hardly save much." With special settings, the stoves should allow longer breaks in heating and only reheat when the temperature falls below a certain limit.
However, according to the experts, the test devices only save on average a single cent in energy costs compared to normal mode when they cook a kilo of roast pork.
However, Stiftung Warentest has another tip for bargain hunters: small portions can be prepared cheaper (and faster) in the microwave.
More information and the complete test results of eleven ovens with pyrolysis can be found at Stiftung Warentest.
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