If your oven smells like smoke when it is turned on, there are several potential reasons for this issue:
Residual food particles or spills: The most common cause of a smoky smell when using an oven is the presence of residual food particles, grease, or spills from previous cooking sessions. When you turn on the oven, these particles can heat up and burn, producing a smoky odor.
Accumulated grease: Over time, grease can build up inside the oven, particularly around the heating elements or on the oven walls. When the oven heats up, this accumulated grease can start to smoke, resulting in the unpleasant smell.
Self-cleaning cycle residue: If your oven has a self-cleaning feature, it uses high temperatures to burn off and eliminate food residues and grease. After running the self-cleaning cycle, there might be residual ash or leftover particles that can produce a smoky odor during regular use.
Drip pan or broiler tray issues: Sometimes, drippings from previous cooking sessions can accumulate in the drip pan or broiler tray. When the oven heats up, these drippings can also generate smoke and cause a smoky smell.
Electrical issues: In some cases, an electrical problem within the oven, such as a malfunctioning component, wiring issue, or damaged heating element, can create a burning smell that resembles smoke.
External factors: Occasionally, the smell of smoke might not be directly related to the oven itself. It's possible that external factors, such as nearby burning candles, a nearby fireplace, or even a neighbor's cooking, are causing the smell to waft into your kitchen.
To address the smoky smell in your oven, you can try the following steps:
Clean the oven thoroughly, removing any food residues, grease, or spills.
Check and clean the drip pan or broiler tray.
If you recently ran the self-cleaning cycle, allow the oven to cool completely, and then wipe away any ash or residue left behind.
Inspect the oven's heating elements and internal components for any signs of damage or malfunction. If you suspect an electrical issue, it's best to have a professional technician inspect and repair the oven.
If external factors are causing the smell, try to identify and eliminate them if possible.
If the smoky smell persists or you are unsure about the cause, it's advisable to consult a professional appliance repair technician to diagnose and address the issue properly.