How Long Should I Leave My New Oven On? Proper Preheating and Burn-In Guidelines

So, you just got a new oven and you’re probably wondering—how long should you leave it on before you start cooking? Most folks recommend running your new oven at about 400°F for 30 minutes to an hour to burn off any chemical residue. That first run helps clear out odors and makes sure your oven’s actually ready for real use.

If the smell lingers after one cycle, just repeat it once or twice. Seriously, it’s normal—manufacturers usually suggest this step to make sure everything’s safe and in good shape from day one.

Initial Oven Setup and First Use

When you bring home a new oven, you’ll want to take a few steps before tossing in your first meal. Start by running the oven empty for a bit, and give the inside a quick wipe-down.

How Long to Run a New Oven Before Cooking

Let your new oven run empty at about 350°F (175°C) for 15 to 20 minutes. People call this “burning off,” and it gets rid of leftover coatings and that weird new-appliance smell.

Some ovens might need a bit longer, but honestly, 15 to 20 minutes does the trick most of the time. Don’t cook anything yet—wait until this is done to avoid funky flavors or chemical smells in your food.

Reasons to Preheat a New Oven

Preheating a new oven isn’t just a formality. It helps cure any protective coatings inside and lets you see if the oven heats up evenly.

It also gets rid of any lingering factory fumes that could mess with the taste of your food. Nobody wants their cookies tasting like chemicals.

Preparing the Oven Interior

Before you fire it up, wipe down the oven’s interior with a damp cloth. That’ll clear out dust or random debris from shipping.

Skip the harsh cleaners—those can mess up the inside. If your oven came with racks or trays, pull them out and clean them separately, then stick them back in before the burn-off cycle.

Letting the racks heat up with the oven helps them settle in.

If you want a step-by-step, check out this burn off your new oven video or this guide on how to prepare your new oven properly.

Safety and Best Practices

Turning on a new oven for the first time? Take it slow. Open a window or turn on your kitchen fan—ventilation really helps with those initial smells.

Removing Manufacturing Residues

New ovens usually come with factory oils and coatings. When you heat them, you might get strong smells or even a bit of smoke.

To clear these out, crank your oven up to around 400°F (204°C) and let it run empty for about 30 minutes. Sometimes, using the broil setting for 10-15 minutes helps burn off stubborn plastic or chemical odors.

After the burn-in, let the oven cool down all the way before you cook anything. Definitely don’t put food in during this process—nobody wants that taste in their dinner.

Ventilation Guidelines

Good airflow helps clear out the odors and fumes released during the oven’s first use. Open some windows, and don’t forget to turn on exhaust fans or range hoods while the oven heats up.

This move cuts down on indoor air pollution. Smells usually dissipate faster if you keep the air moving.

Keep your kitchen well-ventilated for about 30–60 minutes after the burn-in cycle. If you notice strong chemical or plastic odors, it’s probably best to avoid hanging out in the kitchen for a bit.

For more details, see why you should burn in your new oven.