Self-cleaning ovens may sound like something out of a culinary connoisseur’s dream, but they are a real solution for anyone tired of scrubbing grease and grime from their oven walls.
Designed to simplify the cleaning process, these ovens have gained popularity in Aussie kitchen renovations in recent years but have often carried a reputation for being expensive or inefficient.
But has technology finally caught up to make self-cleaning ovens worth the extra cost?
In this article, Build-it turns up the heat on self-cleaning ovens to help you decide if they’re the right fit for your kitchen renovation in 2025.
What the hell is a pyrolytic oven?
A pyrolytic oven uses pyrolysis, a cleaning process that heats the oven to scorching temperatures of 400–500°C.
This intense heat carbonises grease, food splatters, and other residues, reducing them to ash. Once the cleaning cycle is complete, you simply wipe or vacuum away the ash for a spotless oven.
Compared to standard ovens, pyrolytic models are designed with better insulation to handle these extreme temperatures, making them energy-efficient and safe to use.
Most modern models come with multiple cleaning cycle options, such as light and heavy, depending on how dirty your oven is, ensuring energy efficiency throughout the clean-up process.
However, pyrolytic ovens aren’t the only self-cleaning option available. Two other types of ovens also offer cleaning features:
Catalytic ovens:
These use catalytic liners on the interior walls to absorb grease and grime during cooking. While effective for fat splatters, they require the oven to run at 250°C for about an hour to burn off residue. You’ll still need to wipe down the liners, and they may need replacing after years of use.
Steam-cleaning ovens:
These rely on steam to soften dirt, making it easier to wipe away. Simply pour water and detergent into the oven and let the cycle run. Steam cleaning is eco-friendly and quick (about 30 minutes) but less effective on baked-on grime or sugary residues.
Pyrolytic oven:
If you’re looking to truly minimise cleaning time, kitchen technology experts agree that pyrolytic ovens stand out as the most thorough and low-effort option.
Unlike catalytic ovens, pyrolytic models cover all interior walls and don’t require regular heating to maintain efficiency. Some models even include accessories that can stay in the oven during the cleaning cycle, making maintenance even easier.
CHOICE kitchen products guru Fiona Mair explains that this increased heat and wall coverage helps to reach previously unmet self-cleaning expectations.
“An oven with a pyrolytic cleaning function will make cleaning your oven easier. If you grill and roast a lot of meats and vegetables, you should definitely consider an oven with this function,” she says.
“Pyrolytic ovens won’t do all the work for you – but they’ll take care of most of it.”
Is it really no cleaning?
While a pyrolytic oven takes care of the heavy lifting, there’s still some minor preparation involved.
You’ll need to remove the oven racks and wipe down the glass door before starting the cleaning cycle. However, compared to scrubbing with caustic chemicals, the process is a breeze.
Once the cycle is complete, a simple wipe-down removes the ash, leaving your oven sparkling clean.
So, while it can’t physically remove the dirt it cuts cleaning effort down to the time taken to wet a cloth and collect the grime away.
How much are they?
Pyrolytic ovens tend to be pricier than catalytic or steam-cleaning models, with prices starting at around $1,000 and climbing to $10,000 for premium brands with additional features.
However, more affordable options are becoming common, with many mid-range models now available between $1,300 and $2,000.
Kitchen appliance experts say pyrolytic ovens are starting to offer good value for those looking to cut back on cleaning time as well as oven grease.
“Ovens with the pyrolytic cleaner feature are becoming more affordable and more common. In our most recent oven review, most ovens had a pyrolytic cleaning function.” Fiona said.
So, if you’re in the market for a self-cleaning oven, here are some of the best value models we found online to help you start your research:
Build-it’s top picks
Bosch Series 8 60cm Pyrolytic Oven (HBG7741B1A)
Price: $1,999
Retailer: Harvey Norman
This premium model offers 14 cooking functions, smartphone control, and a pyrolytic cleaning system, making it a standout for modern kitchens.
Westinghouse 60cm Pyrolytic Oven (WVEP6716DD)
Price: $1,299
Retailer: Harvey Norman
With 10 versatile cooking functions, including AirFry, and a pyrolytic cleaning function, this oven is perfect for busy families.
Electrolux 60cm Pyrolytic Oven (EVEP614DSE)
Price: $1,399
Retailer: Harvey Norman
Featuring a SteamBake setting for bakery-style bread and a pyrolytic cleaning cycle, this sleek oven combines practicality and style.
Are they worth it?
If you value convenience, are short on time, or simply hate scrubbing your oven, a self-cleaning oven is likely worth the investment.
Pyrolytic ovens offer the best combination of convenience and thorough cleaning, making them our recommended option for anyone upgrading their kitchen or looking to ditch cleaning chemicals altogether.
The deep clean provided by pyrolysis is hard to match manually, and these ovens save both time and effort, making home cooking more appealing overall.
While you’ll need to prepare for higher upfront costs, as well as slightly higher energy usage during cleaning cycles, we think the benefits now outweigh the drawbacks.
