I have Gaggenaus from 2009. I use the self clean rarely (couple times per year), as suggested, but it works better than promised. Spot cleaning the enamel is easy and I'm pretty good at keeping things contained, so don't have reason to do it more. My CSO doesn't have pyrolitic self cleaning, just a steam cycle to use prior to delicate scrubbing, but it works well.

I can't speak to anything current, but I can't imagine that they'd backslide unless there were some kind of intervening law.

Anything that you buy will fry the electronics if you use the self-clean feature. Thewall cabinet where the oven is mounted cannot vent the heat from the self-cleaning cycle. Often, the self-cleaning cycle will either fry the wiring or the motherboard or both. More ovens have been ruined by the insistence of US manufacturers on including this feature.

Buy whatever you like and do not use the self-clean feature. There are plenty of ways to successfully clean the oven without the self-clean heat cycle.

I've never heard of a Gagganau burning itself like that, but it's certainly possible. 905°F is nothing to sneeze at. There are major fans blowing the heat forward.

As to the rest, it's the easiest way to kasher an oven, and takes far less time. Most ovens do the "self clean" at the temperature required for kashering, rather than the Gaggenau level. The Gaggenau cycle also takes a lot longer, so speed of use doesn't apply. But that's one reason why so many ovens have self clean. They also have "Sabbath mode" for the same people. It's a small percentage, but they cook a lot, and it's not a big deal to add the features to make the sale.

Hi there!

Your concern about self-cleaning features affecting the electronics in ovens is certainly valid, as it's been a known issue in the past. However, technology has advanced in the last decade, and many manufacturers have improved the reliability of their self-cleaning ovens. Gaggenau continues to have a strong reputation for quality and reliability, so they remain a solid choice.

In addition to Gaggenau, brands like Miele, Bosch, and Wolf have developed self-cleaning systems designed to minimize damage to electronics. Many of these have features like improved insulation and more advanced cooling systems to protect sensitive components during the high heat of self-cleaning cycles. It's also worth looking into steam cleaning options, which use lower temperatures and are gentler on electronics.

Before purchasing, I recommend checking recent reviews and consumer reports for any model you’re considering to ensure it meets the latest standards. And of course, consider consulting with a professional installer who can provide advice tailored to your kitchen setup. Good luck with your search!