Does a new oven smell like burning?

Author: Dr. Ashley Turcotte  |  Last update: Friday, May 9, 2025

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.

Is it normal for a new oven to smell like it's burning?

A small amount of smoke or odor can be normal, especially the first time a new range or oven is used. It is caused by the heating of new parts, insulating materials, a protective coating of oil that is used in the manufacturing process, and/or the tape used in shipping. It should dissipate after the first few uses.

How long does it take to burn off the smell of a new oven?

Every new oven I've had has had in the instructions to ``burn it in'' at max heat for at least an hour to remove chemical residue from manufacturing, and keeping the room well ventilated while doing so. Also at least 10-15 minutes with the broiler on max, and 10 minutes with the convection fan going.

Is it safe to cook in a brand new oven?

health wise you will be fine. If it is an electric oven you need to run it for a while to burn off any grease or oil that might be on the coils or oven, if its gas it doesnt have to be run but it is recommended.

Do you have to burn off chemicals in 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.

Burning Off Your New Oven

What is the difference between old and new ovens?

"Newer ovens have better insulated walls and three layers of glass that reduce heat loss, which means they're more energy efficient than older models," says Fiona. "They also have digital temperature control for accuracy and faster preheat times."

Do I have to burn-in a new oven?

Preheat and Maintain: Set the oven to a relatively high temperature, around 200°C (400°F), and let it run empty for about an hour. This process helps burn off any manufacturing residues and odorous compounds.

Why does my oven smell like chemicals?

The oven smells like chemicals after cleaning

Avoid the usage of ammonia or bleach-based products, as they leave behind chemical residue, which may reach the insulation. Once this happens, the oven can smell like chemicals when turned on.

Is it normal for a brand new oven to smoke?

A small amount of smoke or odor from your new oven is not uncommon during the first few times the oven is used. This is caused by the heating of new parts, insulating materials, or the tape used in shipping. This is applicable to both gas and electric ovens. The smoke or odor should dissipate after the first few uses.

How do I stop my oven from smelling like burnt?

Keep the interior and accessories of the oven clean

When a bad odour emits from the oven, food residue or plastic may have melted and stuck to the interior. Use the steam clean function and then wipe with dry cloth.

Is it bad to smell oven fumes?

❗Fumes from the Oven

While no chemicals are used during the self clean cycle and fumes from burning food debris are not harmful to breathe, they are very unpleasant to smell. A self cleaning oven can stink up your house easily without proper kitchen ventilation.

Will new oven smell affect food?

Whatever the case, new ovens smell. The best way to get rid of the smell is to run a proper burn-in cycle. It's recommended that you not cook any food prior to a burn-in, as the smell (and potentially the taste) can stick with your food.

Why is my new oven burning everything?

A common cause for your oven to start burning food is the calibration, a badly calibrated oven is usually noticeable because of how it burns your food. If the edges of your food are burnt but the centre is still cooked then poor calibration is likely the reason.

What does electrical burning smell like?

While there are many causes, electrical fires can smell like “burning plastic” or “burning rubber” as the plastic insulation surrounding copper wires inside the walls starts to heat and melt, releasing strong unpleasant chemical odors. If the electrical fire progresses, you may begin to smell wood burning as well.

How long does a new oven smell like gas?

Newly installed. New ovens can sometimes produce a smell the first few times they're used. This tends to fade after a handful of uses.

Why does my brand new oven smell like burning plastic?

Your new oven may smell like burnt plastic when you first turn it on due to chemicals and other protective coatings in your oven cavity being exposed to heat for the first time. The odor caused by the heating of new parts should dissipate after the first few uses.

Why does my oven element smell like its burning?

There is often a burning smell on new elements as grease is burnt off the surface, this soon clears. If the element is regularly getting red it suggests there may be a fan motor problem as the air flow should cool it a little and if it overheats it can fail again.

Why is there a weird chemical smell in my house?

If you haven't recently used chemicals or paint, a strong chemical smell could indicate a gas leak, particularly from carbon monoxide. A distinctly chemical odor can result from a crack in the heat exchanger component of your furnace. This component cycles heat out of the combustion chamber.

How to get chemical smell out of oven?

Fill an oven-safe dish with equal parts water and white vinegar, pop it in the oven, set it to 200°F, and let it steam for about 30 minutes. “It's basically a steam room for your oven to help it sweat out all the gunk,” says Webber. “After it's cooled down, wipe everything down — bye-bye lingering chemicals.”

How long does it take for a new wood stove to stop smelling?

Start a small fire, slowly building it and increasing the heat over a 4-6 hour period. Keep the room well ventilated. Repeat this process with larger, hotter fires until the paint smell has dissipated. The paint smell should take 3-4 burns to eliminate, with the smell reducing with each burn.

Why does my oven smell bad when I turn it on?

When you first start the oven, it is normal to detect an unusual odor. This is caused by the combustion of gas at the burner and will go away within a minute or two. The odor of the unburned gas can be compared to the smell of rotten eggs. It is not normal to smell unburned gas in your kitchen.

Do I need to burn off my new oven?

Before an oven is used for the first time, the oven interior should be cleaned and a burn-in may be required. Wolf recommends discarding any food that is cooked in the oven before the first use / burn-in process is completed. Oven racks can stay inside the oven during this burn-in.

Can I just plug in a new oven?

First, check the user manual or specs online for your oven's electrical connection rating. If it says the oven uses more than 3kW, it will need to be hardwired. Some powerful double ovens, for example, have ratings up to 4.4kW and will absolutely need hardwiring.

How long should you run a brand new oven?

Most manufacturers will tell you to heat your new oven to a high temp (think: about 400°F) for 30 minutes to help remove any residue from the surfaces inside the oven. Be sure to open the windows and run some fans — things will get smelly.

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