Does Using The Oven Heat Up The House?

If you're not satisfied with your heater, would it be possible to use your kitchen oven to make your house warmer? Has this thought ever occurred to you? Let's find out if this is possible. We asked experts if it would be wise to use ovens to make our homes warmer, and here's what they said.

The oven won't be able to heat your house. It wasn't designed to be a heating device. Its use is primarily for cooking in the kitchen. Should you attempt to use it as a heater, it would be inefficient in warming the room because there are no vents where the heat can pass through. It also poses a safety risk. It could cause carbon monoxide poisoning, overheating, and fire.

Keep on reading so we can explain further why you shouldn't use your kitchen oven to heat your house. We'll also tell you how an oven works. This article will also answer if you can leave the oven door open and give you tips to heat your house fast. Let's get started!

Do ovens make the house hotter?

Ovens come in different shapes and sizes, but as any home cook would attest to, these ingenious appliances have made life in the kitchen very convenient for all, no matter what form they come in.

These kitchen appliances allow us to enjoy a variety of dishes cooked in different ways. You can use ovens for baking, roasting, broiling, or grilling. You can feast on baked pastries, roast beef, broiled salmon, and grilled burgers on any given occasion. Ovens can also make it easier for you to heat or thaw your food.

It does all of these kitchen wonders through heat. This appliance can emit thermal energy that makes it possible to thaw, cook, or warm our foods.

This is why it's no surprise why some people would think of using an oven as a heater, especially when the weather gets chilly. Or consider the oven when a home's heating device suddenly stops working or isn't enough to keep them warm and toasty.

However, ovens cannot heat the entire house, and it would be a very bad idea to use them as a heating device. You better take note of these reasons why you shouldn't do it, no matter how tempting it is.

Inefficiency

Ovens have been designed primarily for kitchen use. Their purpose is to cook food and help in food preparations. The heat that they generate is only good for these intentions.

Any attempt to use that heat outside of the oven would be futile. Sure you could stand in front of the oven to feel warm, but that's the most that this kitchen appliance can offer.

Does Not Circulate Heat

Ovens cannot heat your house or even a room because their heat is confined inside the appliance. There are no vents where this heat can escape and be distributed to nearby spaces.

Dangerous

For those using gas ovens, keep in mind that they heat up through combustion. This process produces carbon monoxide. This one-carbon compound is toxic and deadly. It is known as the silent killer. It is odorless, colorless, and tasteless, so there's no way for you to detect if there's a high concentration of carbon monoxide in the air unless you have a CO alarm in your house.

Click this link to find this carbon monoxide alarm on Amazon.

When you turn on your gas oven and open its door for a long time, your indoor air could be contaminated with this deadly gas. You could end up getting carbon monoxide poisoning. You might experience flu-like symptoms, or you could pass out, or worse, you can die due to intoxication.

For those with electric ovens, there might be no risk of carbon monoxide poisoning, but keeping them on for a long time will increase the risk of overheating, which could lead to a fire.

For these reasons, do not use your ovens to heat your homes. It will only be a waste of energy and could even cost your life. As we always say, your safety should always be your top priority.

Is it okay to leave the oven door open?

Some people want to keep the oven door open so that it'll cool down quickly after use. Some are tempted to do this, hoping to get some heat from this kitchen appliance.

Opening the door after the oven has been used for cooking will allow the heat to dissipate towards your kitchen. This will make the interior of your oven cooler faster while making its adjacent area warmer, at least for some time. This may be the only advantage of this action.

Meanwhile, here are the risks or drawbacks of leaving your oven door open:

There's the risk of burns and injury, so you need to be extra careful and warn other members of your household about it.
The electronic panels on your oven might get damaged. They aren't used to a sudden burst of high heat which is what happens when you open the oven door expelling the heat goes out quickly.
If you intend to use it as a heater, meaning you leave the door open while the appliance is on, it won't be effective in keeping the room warm. As mentioned above, this kitchen appliance isn't designed to be a home heating device.
It is not safe. You run the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning if you have a gas oven or overheating which could lead to a fire if you have an electric oven.

Oven users should always take note that you cannot leave the door open for a long period to avoid damaging the appliance and safety issues.

How are ovens heated?

There are two different kinds of ovens on the market. These are conventional and convection ovens. They can be powered by gas or electricity. In both types, the main heating element used is metal, which is a good conductor of heat.

Conventional Ovens

The main difference between the two is where their heating elements are located. In conventional ovens, there is heat both above (which is good for roasting) and below (which is useful when baking) the oven's cavity. These ovens cook food through thermal radiation. However, heat is directed at specific points only.

Convection Ovens

On the other hand, convection ovens have three heating elements aside from a fan and exhaust system to produce extra energy. They help circulate heat evenly throughout the oven and cook the food faster. The convection setting can also be turned off when conventional heating is preferred.

In general, the closer the dish is to the heating elements, the faster it'll take to cook. The outer portion of the food is exposed to a warmer temperature. This is also the reason why these parts are brown and roasted while the inside remains moist and juicy.

How can I heat my house up fast?

There are many ways for you to make your home warmer without having to use your oven. Here are some of the things that you can do so that you can stay comfy and toasty despite the chilly weather outside.

Invest in a smart thermostat

Choose one that can be programmed at different temperatures throughout the day. You know the times when you need warmer temperatures, so you can set your thermostat to follow your preferred schedule. This way, you won't have to wait for a long time before the room is as cozy as you want it to be.

Check out this smart thermostat on Amazon.

Rearrange your furniture

Make sure that your tables, chairs, and cabinets aren't blocking your heating vents. This is so simple, and it costs nothing. When there's an obstruction from your heat source, you won't be able to optimize its performance.

Seal the gaps on your doors and windows

You can put weather strips around your door and caulk the frames around your windows to prevent cold drafts. You can also make your own door snake which is like a long body pillow filled with old clothes, peas, rice, or anything else that can help give it weight so it can stay in place.

Always keep all the doors and windows inside your house closed tightly.

Click this link to find these weather strips on Amazon.

Hang insulated curtains

These curtains prevent heat transfer so you can optimize the warmth inside your home. They trap the cold that comes in through the window and makes sure it doesn't enter the room.

Find these thermal curtains on Amazon.

These are just some of the simple solutions to make your homes warm and ready for the winter season.

Final Thoughts

The oven is made for the kitchen and should only be used for preparing and cooking delicious food for your family. Do not attempt to use it as a heating device to avoid safety concerns.

If you found this article helpful, you may also read the following resources:

Should You Leave The Oven Door Open After Baking?

Can A Refrigerator Be Next To A Stove Or Oven? [And How Close]