How to Remove the Top of a Kenmore Self-Cleaning Oven

Self-Cleaning Ovens

• The feature that makes a self-cleaning oven different from other types is that it has a heat setting that burns off any spills inside the oven without the use of chemicals. In fact, the directions in your owner's manual warn you not to use any cleansers or chemicals in a self-cleaning oven. When you set the oven to the self-clean setting, the door locks while the oven runs through the cycle. Afterward, you clean out the debris the oven burned off its walls with a damp cloth.

Freestanding Range

• If your self-cleaning oven is part of a freestanding range, the top of the oven is called the cooktop. It’s where the burners are. To remove the cooktop and lift up the top, you start by removing the burner grates, the burner caps and bases, depending on what’s on your cooktop. Then you remove any screws holding the cooktop in place. Use a prying tool or a screwdriver to pry off the top and set it aside. This process can vary depending on the model of your unit.

Wall Ovens

• If you have a self-cleaning Kenmore oven that is built into the cabinetry in your kitchen, it’s a little more difficult because you have to slide the appliance out of its mount, being careful of the sharp edges around the unit. The unit is also heavy, so it probably takes more than one person to do this. Once the unit is out, remove the screws around the top and slide the top off. As always, this can vary slightly depending on the model of the unit.

Warnings

• Kenmore self-cleaning ovens come with a limited warranty, and you can buy an extended one at the time of purchase. Disassembling your oven in any way can void the warranty. You must have an authorized repair technician remove the top and perform any repairs. If you need the name of a technician, contact Kenmore customer service (1-800-469-4663). If you’re unsure whether you have an active warranty on the oven, contact Kenmore anyway. The representatives can tell you whether you have a warranty and what the terms are.