Why Is My Oven Smoking? 7 Possible Causes

The smell of smoke coming from your kitchen is always a little unnerving. Sometimes, that smoke can be a big problem, like a fire. Other times, a small amount of smoke can come from the bottom of your oven and may not be cause for serious concern. Here are a few common reasons why your oven might be smoking – and what to do about it.

Why Is My Oven Smoking While Preheating?

1. Your Oven Is Brand New

You’ve just turned on your shiny new oven, and you’re ready to get cooking. Before you know it, smoke is leaking out of the door, and your smoke alarm is going off. You haven’t even put your food in yet, so you’re probably wondering: why is my new oven smoking?

A new oven typically has a coating applied to it in the factory that helps protect it during transportation. The first time you heat the oven, that coating may burn off, causing a small amount of harmless smoke. Check your manufacturer’s manual, but for most ovens, simply running it for an hour or so should burn off the coating.

2. Crumbs, Grease, and Spills From Your Last Meal

Maybe your oven is well-loved. So well-loved, in fact, that your last dinner or baking project left a little residue in the bottom of it. A sloshed sauce, an overflowing lasagna, or an overeager pan of cupcakes may have left its mark in your oven. As that residual food heats and burns, it may cause smoke in your oven. In some instances, it may be more than a small amount – some foods, especially grease, can cause a lot of smoke while they cook off!

A quick glance at the bottom of your oven should tell you if this is the case. Look for blackened crumbs, drips, and stains. Keep reading for tips on how to prevent this.

Oven Smokes After Cleaning

3. There’s Cleaning Residue in the Oven

Perhaps your oven was the latest target of a cleaning spree. Residue from cleaning products could be to blame, and it can produce unpleasant smoke and smells. Thoroughly rinsing and removing all cleaning residue, can help prevent this issue. Maytag recommends using a vinegar and water mixture to solve this problem.

This type of smoke is a good reminder to always follow the instructions on your cleaning product and your oven’s manual. You might also want to ventilate your kitchen during the initial use post-cleaning.

Oven Smokes When Turned On

4. Your Food Has Leaked or Spilled

Picture this: you just put dinner in the oven. You finally have a few minutes to sit down. But then you start to smell smoke or burning. Your dinner may be starting to spill, leak, drip, or burn. It could be a bit of oil on the bottom of the pan or the food in your pan spilling over. Check to ensure your food isn’t burning or possibly on fire.

5. There’s Something In Your Oven That Shouldn’t Be

It’s possible that there’s something in your oven that shouldn’t be there — an oven mitt, a scrap of plastic wrap clinging to your dish, a spatula, a dish that isn’t heat-proof, or something else. An item in your oven that isn’t sufficiently heat-resistant could cause it to smoke.

If your oven starts smoking and you’re unsure of the cause, switch it off immediately and contact a professional for assistance in diagnosing the problem.

6. Improper Ventilation

Blocked or faulty ventilation can cause smoke to build up inside your oven. Proper airflow is essential for even cooking and safety. If you’ve ruled out other causes and your oven continues to smoke, the ventilation system might need inspection or repair by a qualified technician.

7. There’s a Problem With Your Oven

If your oven is smoking while running and drips, cleaning residue, and mysterious objects are likely not to blame, there could be a bigger problem. Your oven’s heating element could be going out, or there could be an electrical issue. If your oven starts smoking and you’re unsure of the cause, switch it off immediately and contact a professional for assistance in diagnosing the problem.

Is a Smoking Oven Dangerous?

Sometimes, smoke coming from your oven is caused by temporary issues such as spilled food. Most often, the only risk caused by this is a slight smokiness to whatever you’re cooking or your smoke alarm going off before the food cooks off thoroughly.

However, you should be on the lookout for other issues, such as:

• Strange noises
• Weird smells
• Flickering lights on the control panel
• Cooktop is working, but the oven isn’t
• Uneven cooking
• Visible damage to the oven
• Failure to warm up

These may indicate problems beyond a little burnt cheese. Electrical and heating element issues can result in fires, injuries, and more. If you suspect a problem with your oven and if it is safe to do so, turn it off and contact your local maintenance person as soon as possible. Depending on the diagnosed problem, it may be time for a new oven.

How to Stop an Oven From Smoking

As with any appliance maintenance, prevention is key. Following these simple steps will help you prevent a smoking oven and may help prevent other issues from popping up.

• Proper, professional installation: Gas or electric, start your new oven out the right way by having it installed professionally. This can help prevent electrical issues caused by improper installation and setup.
• Wipe up spills ASAP: Clean oven messes as soon as you safely can.
• Use a second pan: Placing another pan, such as a large baking sheet, under your dishes can help prevent spills from reaching the bottom of your oven.
• Clean per manufacturer’s recommendations: Clean your oven regularly according to the manufacturer’s specifications. Check your user manual for tips and instructions.
• Avoid harsh cleaners: Some cleaning products can leave a harsh residue in your oven.

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