Q: "Is rust at the bottom of an oven dangerous?"

A (per Copilot): Rust in the bottom of an oven is usually not dangerous by itself, but it can become a problem depending on how extensive it is and what caused it. Here’s a clear way to think about it:

When rust in an oven is not a big deal

• Light surface rust—a thin, flaky layer on the metal floor or walls—is common in older ovens.
• It doesn’t release toxic fumes when heated.
• It won’t contaminate food unless pieces are literally flaking off into what you’re cooking.

In other words, a little rust is more of a cosmetic or maintenance issue than a health hazard.

When rust can become a problem

Rust becomes concerning when it affects the oven’s structure or function:

• Deep pitting or holes in the metal
  → This can expose heating elements or insulation.
• Rust near electrical components
  → Could create a fire or short‑circuit risk.
• Flaking rust falling onto food
  → Not toxic, but definitely unpleasant and unsanitary.
• Rust caused by moisture leaks
  → Suggests a bigger issue (like a failing seal or spill that wasn’t fully cleaned).

🛠️ What you can do

Here’s the practical, low‑effort approach:

• Clean the area with a mild abrasive (baking soda paste works well).
• Vacuum or wipe away loose flakes so they don’t end up in food.
• Check for structural damage—if the metal is still solid, you’re fine.
• Optional: Apply a high‑heat appliance paint to stop further corrosion.

If the rust is extensive enough that the metal feels soft, warped, or perforated, that’s when it’s worth having the oven inspected or replaced.

There are some points I would like to add to what was posted via Copilot. First, flakes of rust, could also contain flakes of the original porcelain coating, which has failed on the bottom of your oven, which is very likely why it rusted without anything to protect the steel of the oven floor from
moisture. And so it “might“ be safe to use as long as you do not use the convection feature because that fan can and will blow debris at the bottom of the oven around during oven use, and there are numerous reports of people seeing flakes off of their oven surfaces in their food, which is a health hazard.

Secondly, I believe that Copilot’s suggestion to use high temperature resistant paint is meant for any areas OUTSIDE of your oven. Please note that the baking element underneath the floor of your oven is the likely source of the porcelain coating failure, and you can see the pattern of that baking element where the rust shows. . High temperature paints cannot withstand nearly as much heat as a porcelain coating on steel can, and that porcelain has already failed; suggesting that the paint would fair far worse.. FYI, high temperature coatings are extremely toxic, and you do not want the smoke from burning paints to be inhaled by anyone. I agree with the suggestion to remove any loose debris and if you don’t have any serious perforations of the steel as is noted in the. Copilot advice, you may be able to still use it, but only with normal baking or roasting modes and without the convection fan running.

I agree with the point about the porcelain coating likely failing first. Once that protective layer is gone, the steel underneath can rust pretty quickly, especially if the oven has gone through a lot of self-clean cycles or moisture from spills.

Many people just remove any loose flakes and keep using the oven carefully. But if the rust is deep or the surface is starting to pit through, that usually means the liner has deteriorated beyond a simple fix. At that stage it’s more of a long-term durability issue than just a cleaning problem.

You shouldn't use the self clean option ever. The high heat will damage the electronics and wiring

I would be screaming at the Samsung company and posting all over social media. In reality, replace with a GE oven.

Sherry8aNorthAL: "I would be screaming at the Samsung company..."

Of course you would, conveniently ignoring that the oven is 12 years old, may have been used hundreds or thousands of times over its 4,300-day life, and if she was cleaning it with a degreaser may have been covered in grime for years.

I have had two 20 to 30 year old ovenevthat did not rust. Ovens should not rust, no matter how many times used.

You are contributing to the problem.