Oven door question

[cpheonix]

When you finish using in any type of oven, I've heard that its best to leave the door open until it cools. Is this true and if so, why?

[dannywells]

its best because you get free heat, use it to warm your kitchen!

[Space]

so dannywells, what happens if the door is closed?
Does the "free heat" magically disappear?
Does it sneak out without warming the kitchen ?

[Gef]

For the past 40 years or so I have always closed the oven door after cooking and never had a problem.

[knobbynonuts]

oh boy an extention here on dannywells answer here leave the kitchen door open as well and heat the hallway up and why not leave the bedroom doors open as well so they get heated up (the bedrooms that is and not the doors)......

[rojash]

I'm sure that if it was a good idea, it would tell you in the handbook. You did read the handbook didn't you?

I'd hate to think what would happen if the oven door was left open when there was a toddler in the house.

[john91]

dannywells is right in one way, if you leave the door open it will warm a kitchen quickly and you'll feel the benefit, keep the door closed and although the same amount of heat will be put into the kitchen, due to the insulation in the oven it will be over a much longer period and perhaps not be noticed. Of course as rojash says it could be dangerous with kids.

[Panic Button]

Leave it open.

Then you might notice how filthy it is in there and clean it at last!