What is actually happening
A burning smell from a brand new oven, or after a deep clean, is usually harmless residue burning off. A smell of hot plastic or electrical burning on an oven that has been in use for years is not, and it usually comes from the terminal block behind the cooker arcing where the cable connects — which can char the block and the cable before it ever trips anything.
The usual causes
- A terminal block arcing or burning where the mains cable connects
- Food debris or spilled fat burning on the element or oven floor
- Protective coating burning off a new oven or a newly fitted element
- A failing fan motor overheating
What you can safely check yourself
Work through these in order. Anything past this point — panels off, testing parts, anything to do with the wiring — is an engineer's job, and not one to attempt with the appliance plugged in.
- If it smells of electrical burning or hot plastic, switch the cooker off at the isolator and do not use it until it has been looked at
- If the oven is new or newly cleaned, run it empty at 200°C for twenty minutes with the window open and see whether it clears
- Check the oven floor and element for burnt-on spillage
Still burning smell?
Most of these need an engineer once the checks above are done. £66 including VAT for an engineer to come out and diagnose it, or £84 in total including VAT if it is put right on the visit and no parts are needed. Any parts needed are quoted on site before we fit them — you decide. Every repair carries a 90-day workmanship guarantee.
Local engineers covering Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire and Leicestershire — same and next-day appointments, and the person who comes out is one of ours, not a subcontractor.
Call 0115 648 0929 Book online — postcode and number is all we need
Common questions
Why is my oven burning smell?
A smell of burning, or hot plastic, when the oven is used. A burning smell from a brand new oven, or after a deep clean, is usually harmless residue burning off. A smell of hot plastic or electrical burning on an oven that has been in use for years is not, and it usually comes from the terminal block behind the cooker arcing where the cable connects — which can char the block and the cable before it ever trips anything.
Can I fix a oven burning smell myself?
If it smells of electrical burning or hot plastic, switch the cooker off at the isolator and do not use it until it has been looked at. If the oven is new or newly cleaned, run it empty at 200°C for twenty minutes with the window open and see whether it clears. Check the oven floor and element for burnt-on spillage. Beyond those checks this one normally needs an engineer.
How much does it cost to repair a oven burning smell?
£66 including VAT for an engineer to come out and diagnose it, or £84 in total including VAT if it is put right on the visit and no parts are needed. Any parts needed are quoted on site before we fit them — you decide. Every repair carries a 90-day workmanship guarantee.
Other oven faults
- oven not heating up
- oven fan not working
- oven not getting hot enough
- oven grill not working
- oven tripping the electrics
- oven light not working
- oven door will not close
- oven cooking unevenly