It is generally not safe to cook on the inside of an oven with no food in it. Cooking without any food or food container inside the oven can cause various issues and risks, including:
Fire Hazard: When cooking with an empty oven, the heat generated has nowhere to be absorbed, which can lead to the oven components becoming extremely hot. This can potentially ignite any flammable materials left inside the oven, such as oven mitts, paper towels, or other items accidentally placed there.
Damage to Oven Components: Running an empty oven for extended periods can cause damage to its internal components, such as heating elements, oven racks, and even the oven walls. The excessive heat can warp or crack the oven surfaces, leading to potential malfunctions and expensive repairs.
Energy Waste: Running an empty oven consumes electricity or gas without any cooking purpose, resulting in unnecessary energy waste and higher utility bills.
Risk of Burns and Injuries: Opening the oven after cooking on an empty interior can expose you to extremely high temperatures, risking burns or other injuries from the intense heat.
Unintended Residue or Odors: Cooking in an empty oven might release fumes or residue from the oven's interior materials, which can result in unpleasant odors and may contaminate any future food cooked in the oven.
Voided Warranty: Cooking on the inside of an oven without any food or proper cookware may void the oven's warranty if any damage occurs.
If you need to clean the interior of your oven, it's best to use appropriate cleaning methods recommended by the oven's manufacturer. If you accidentally spill food or create a mess while cooking, make sure to clean it up promptly with suitable cleaning materials and avoid the temptation to run the oven empty to "burn off" the residue.
In summary, using an oven without any food or cookware inside is not safe and should be avoided to prevent potential hazards, damage to the oven, and unnecessary energy consumption.