Self-clean cycle produces heavy smoke or strong fumes

Symptoms

• Visible smoke coming from the oven vent during self-clean
• Strong odor throughout the house during the cycle
• Smoke alarm triggered
• Smell seems different from typical burning-food odor

Likely causes

• CommonHeavy grease or food buildup burning off, which is expected but can be intenseA very dirty oven will naturally produce more smoke and smell during self-clean than a lightly soiled one.
• CommonPlastic bakeware, storage containers, or racks with plastic parts left insideNon-oven-safe plastic items left in during self-clean will melt and smoke heavily.
• PossibleRacks left in during self-clean when the manual specifies removing themSome rack finishes discolor, warp, or produce fumes if left in during self-clean.
• PossibleFoil or a drip pan liner burning during the cycleFoil placed on the oven floor or racks can scorch heavily during the extreme heat of self-clean.

What to do

1. Turn on your kitchen exhaust fan and open windows before and during any self-clean cycle.
2. Check the oven interior before starting to ensure no plastic items, foil, or non-oven-safe containers are inside.
3. Check your owner's manual for whether racks should be removed during self-clean for your specific model.
4. If smoke is heavy and doesn't taper off, you can cancel the self-clean cycle from the control panel; do not open the door while it's still locked and hot.
5. Ventilate the kitchen thoroughly after canceling or completing a smoky cycle.
6. Once cooled, inspect the interior for any melted plastic or scorched foil that caused the smoke.
7. If smoke was heavy despite an empty, properly prepared oven, have a technician check that the self-clean temperature isn't running excessively hot.

When to call a pro

If heavy smoke happens even with an empty, properly prepared oven, have a technician check the self-clean temperature control.

Safety