System for controlling the duration of a self-clean cycle in an oven

An oven capable of being operated in a self-cleaning cycle, comprising:

• a cooking chamber;
• a heating device located in said cooking chamber;
• an exhaust flue extending from said cooking chamber and leading to atmosphere;
• an outlet tube having an inlet end connected with the exhaust flue and leading to an outlet communication with atmosphere;
• a heat actuated valve for preventing a flow of gas from passing through the outlet tube during non self-cleaning oven cycles positioned near the inlet such that said inlet is closed by said heat actuated valve at all temperatures below a predetermined temperature;
• a gas sensor located in said outlet tube for measuring gas concentration levels during said self cleaning cycle.

A method for controlling a self-cleaning oven having:

• a cooking chamber, a heating device for supplying heat into said cooking chamber, an exhaust outlet from said cooking chamber leading to atmosphere, a gas sensor communicating with said exhaust outlet for measuring a concentration of gas and having a signal output indicative of said measured concentration of gas during said self-cleaning cycle, and a heat control device for controlling and heating device, comprising:
• accepting an input at said heat control device to begin a self-cleaning operation;
• determining whether said gas sensor is operable;
• if said gas sensor is determined to be operable, operating said heating device in accordance with a first algorithm based upon measured gas levels provided by said gas sensor;
• and
• if said gas sensor is determined to be inoperable, operating and heating device in accordance with an algorithm not based upon measured levels.