We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Kitchen

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What is an Oven Lock?

By Meghan Cunningham
Updated: May 16, 2024
Views: 13,035
Share

An oven lock is a simple security feature that, once engaged, prevents an oven door from opening. It is an important safety feature for a gas or an electric oven, particularly if one has young children in the house. Some ovens have a lock that is already built into the oven door; other ovens lack this feature, but a lock can be bought relatively cheaply at many stores.

When something is cooking in the oven, using an oven lock can be very important. A hot oven is a dangerous item in the kitchen, yet curious young children may be tempted to open the oven door to look inside. An oven lock prevents a child — or an adult — from being able to open the oven door when the oven is cooking or self-cleaning. In addition, the lock is a valuable asset when spray cleaners are used to clean the oven, allowing the chemicals to set for a period of time.

Many ovens have a lock as a built-in feature. Usually located near the handle of the oven door, the lock is often a lever that swings from left to right. Once in place, the lock will not allow the door to be opened. Although locks are often built into newer models of ovens, some homeowners may want to purchase an additional lock for added safety.

Two styles of locks can be purchased relatively inexpensively at many discount stores, baby stores, and bath and kitchen stores. Both styles are heat-resistant and mount to the front of the oven using adhesive strips. The first style of lock is a latch, with a shape similar to a door hinge. In most cases, it attaches to the top or side of the oven, and a hinged piece can be dropped into place in front of the oven door to hold it securely closed.

The second style of lock is made of two pieces. One piece is mounted to the oven door, while the second piece is mounted to the side of the oven. The piece that is mounted to the oven's side has prongs that lock into the piece secured to the oven door. Once engaged, the lock forms a right angle, and to unlock the oven door, one must squeeze the prongs.

Most self-cleaning ovens have a lock built in for use during the cleaning cycle. During cleaning, the oven heats up to a very high temperature to burn away any food that has spilled. The oven lock prevents the door from being opened until the temperature has reached a safe level.

Share
DelightedCooking is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
Discussion Comments
By Spotiche5 — On Oct 02, 2014

@talentryto- I'm glad you found this information out before you have young visitors in your kitchen. I think you will find that the first type of oven lock described in the article, the one that is similar to a latch, is very easy to use.

I have used these types of oven locks before, and I like the fact that the attachment for the latch goes on the top of the oven. This feature makes it hard for little ones to reach. These oven locks are also very affordable and easy to find in most retail and appliance stores.

By Talentryto — On Oct 01, 2014

I have an old oven that doesn't have a lock in the door. I never even thought about this until I read this article, but I can understand why having an oven lock is important.

So I'm wondering which of the two types of add-on locks is easiest to use? I'm having a lot of company this holiday season, and there will be several young kids in the group that love to explore anything that will open.

Share
https://www.delightedcooking.com/what-is-an-oven-lock.htm
Copy this link
DelightedCooking, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

DelightedCooking, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.