While oven odor, pleasant or otherwise, most often accompanies cooking, bad Whirlpool oven smells can also occur for different reasons. Why does my Whirlpool oven smell bad? If packing materials are still inside a new oven during its first use, they can cause an odor of burning plastic. Determine the source and solution for weird oven smells with these four common causes.
Whirlpool Oven Smells Bad? This Could Be Why.
Whether your oven is new or old, an odor that has nothing to do with cooking requires immediate attention. While not all smells indicate danger, most should be dealt with quickly to avoid damage or a persistent problem. Here’s how to pinpoint why your Whirlpool oven smells bad and how to stop the scent.
#1. New Oven Smell
Don’t be alarmed if your new Whirlpool oven smells like chemicals during its first use. This common odor is typically due to protective coatings that are applied to the oven’s interior. Is new oven smell dangerous? While it usually isn’t harmful, this bad smell can perfuse your food and leave an unpleasant taste.
To avoid this outcome, most manufacturers recommend “burning in” an oven before its first use. This allows for any protective coating to burn away without affecting the taste of food. To burn in your oven, preheat it to at least 400℉ and leave it on for about 30 minutes. Dissipate the odor by opening windows and turning on kitchen vents. While you may have to repeat this process 1-2 more times, doing so should make a chemical smell from oven disappear.
#2. Whirlpool Oven Smells Like Burning Plastic
An odor of burning plastic can also be common in new ovens. Often, this smell occurs when the oven’s insulation is exposed to heat for the first time and should dissipate after its first use. This odor can also occur if plastic packing materials were mistakenly left in the oven when it’s used for the first time. Always make sure you’ve removed the plastic wrapping, zip ties, and any other packing products before your oven’s first use.
If your Whirlpool oven smells like burning plastic and it’s not new there are several possible causes:
- Wrong cookware: Plastic handles or coatings cannot withstand high oven temperatures and will start to melt and drip. Turn the oven off and, once the drippings have hardened, scrape them off with metal spatula
- Strong cleaning chemicals: Certain cleaning products can leave behind a residue that smells when heated. Once cooled, wipe down the oven’s interior with soap and water. For lingering odor, heat an oven-safe container of lemon juice and vinegar for 15-30 minutes at 230℉. Repeat with a container of lemon juice and water to remove the vinegar odor.
- Damaged wiring: The plastic coating around wiring can emit a burning smell if it’s damaged or exposed to high heat, specifically during the self-cleaning function. If any wires appear damaged, the oven requires a professional repair. Contact an expert for Whirlpool appliance repair.
#3: Whirlpool Oven Smells Like Gas
If your Whirlpool oven smells like gas during its first use it doesn’t always indicate a problem. When a gas oven is used for the first time, a small amount of gas may leak internally and result in a bad smell. This odor should dissipate within the oven’s first few uses and eventually disappear. Even ovens that are not new can emit a brief gas odor for a few seconds when first turned on.
However, an ongoing smell of gas is one of the signs a gas oven may need repair. If the gas smell remains, there may be an internal leak that requires a part repair. Turn the oven off and refrain from use until it can be professionally assessed.
#4. Oven Smells Like Sulphur or Rotten Eggs
If you notice this unmistakable smell it requires immediate action. While a continual gas odor often indicates an oven malfunction, a sulfurous smell is most likely a leak from your home gas connection. If your Whirlpool oven smells like rotten eggs and the oven is on, turn it off and leave your home immediately. Call your local gas company or professional oven repair service to arrange for an assessment as soon as possible.
The professionals at Appliance Genie can provide a professional oven repair when your Whirlpool oven smells or suffers any malfunction. Call or schedule your expert service online today!
