Last update: 9 months ago
Have you purchased a new oven recently? Congratulations! You are now ready to unleash your inner culinarian. But the excitement of a newly bought appliance can quickly be dawned by a smoky oven and an odd smell of burning plastic or chemicals lingering in the air.
However, don’t be alarmed, yet. Though unpleasant, the new oven smell is completely normal. The first time a new oven is turned on, it often emits a strange odour that can be compared to burning plastic or burning rubber. The best way to eliminate the bad smell is by eliminating the reason behind it. If you are curious about what causes a new oven smell and how to remove it, here you will find useful tips and tricks that will help you deal with this smelly situation.
What causes the new oven smell
According to specialists, a new oven smell, most of the time, shouldn’t be alarming and can be caused by several factors. Here are the most common causes:
- The insulation in the oven’s cavity is being exposed to extreme heat for the first time.
- The protective coating of oil and other chemicals that have been used during the manufacturing process are being scorched off.
- Forgotten zip ties that have been used to hold the inserts in place during transit.
It is important to mention that an odd smell can occur in old ovens, too. This can be caused by cleaning with strong chemicals or an oven malfunctioning. Also, you can be using a new inner accessory that is not suitable for heating at extreme temperatures or is coated in oil.
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Is the plastic smell dangerous
While inhaling plastic fumes can be dangerous, keep in mind that the emitted smell might not be coming from burning plastic. Scorched coating oil can smell similarly and mislead you. Check with your manufacturer’s instructions for warnings of possible smells. But be assured that unless the smell is coming from burnt plastic, you needn’t worry, the new oven smell is normal and isn’t dangerous for your health.
Still, if plastic is actually burning, the let-off fumes can irritate your lungs and contain toxins. Turn off the appliance immediately and open all windows for good ventilation. In case you have a bird for a pet, keep it away from the kitchen as plastic fumes can be lethal for them.
Warning! The smell of gas coming from a new oven is not normal. It might be a sign of faulty wiring or a manufacturing issue. Turn off the cooking appliance immediately and contact the manufacturer.
Do you need to do a burn-off for a new oven?
To avoid a situation where a freshly prepared meal in your new kitchen appliance smells like burnt plastic, we recommend you do, as most experts refer to it, a “burn-in” before cooking in the oven for the first time. This process will make sure to burn off any residue of coating oil and eliminate the unpleasant smell. If the “burn-in” process doesn’t get rid of the oven smell after the first time, repeat it again. Also, check with the user manual for recommendations.
Now, let’s get to work! Here is what you need to do to burn off a new oven smell:
- Turn on the ventilation fan and open nearby windows.
- Set the oven to 200-250C and leave it for 30 mins.
- Turn the heat off and let the oven cool down.
- Wipe down the inside of the oven with warm soapy water and a soft cloth.
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Cleaning tips before the first use
Before you carry out your first culinary attempt in the new oven, there are some small things you can carry out to make sure your appliance is clean and off-gassed. Check our cleaning tips below:
- Ensure all packaging and zip ties are removed.
- Wipe down the oven racks and inner surfaces with a damp, soapy cloth.
- Perform the “burn-in” process following the above-mentioned steps.
- Wipe down and repeat the “burn-in” if necessary.
- Steam clean the oven by adding water and lemon juice in an oven-safe bowl and turning the heat up to 220 degrees.
So, there we have it, your guide for removing the smell from a new oven. A few things to remember are that in some instances, new ovens emit a burnt smell and smoke when used for the first time. Don’t worry about the new oven smell, it’s not dangerous, as long as it does not come from burning plastic. The “burn-in” process should be performed when a new oven is purchased to eliminate unwanted odour. Booking a professional cleaner is an easy way to get rid of a new appliance smell and deep clean your kitchen.
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