Kenmore Oven: smoking

Professional Repair Guide

What is this symptom?

If your Kenmore oven is smoking during preheating or cooking, it can be concerning. This issue may arise from burning food particles, grease buildup, or foreign objects contacting the heating elements, leading to visible smoke and unpleasant odors. Understanding the underlying causes can help you address this problem effectively.

Urgency: Medium

Possible Causes

Leftover food particles and grease buildup burning

How to Identify: Smoke appears shortly after heating starts; smell like burnt food/oil; visible brown/black residue on oven walls or floor.

Part: Oven interior surfaces and bottom

Cooking spills or fats dripping onto heating elements

How to Identify: Smoke correlates with cooking fatty foods; smoke emanates during cooking rather than preheat; grease splatter visible on elements.

Part: Heating elements and oven floor

Cleaning product residue burning off

How to Identify: Smoke occurs soon after a deep cleaning; smell like chemical fumes rather than food.

Part: Interior oven surfaces

New oven factory coating burnâ€‘off

How to Identify: Smoke and odors during first few uses of a new oven; stops after a couple of highâ€‘heat cycles.

Part: Entire oven cavity

Faulty or damaged heating element

How to Identify: Smoke accompanied by uneven heating, buzzing elements, visible cracks or deformities on element surface.

Part: Heating element

Foreign objects touching elements

How to Identify: Smoke appears with foil or liners inside oven; melted material visible postâ€‘event.

Part: Heating elements and oven racks

Internal wiring or insulation burning

How to Identify: Smoke accompanied by acrid electrical/plastic burning smell, sparking, or smoke from vents/control panel areas.

Part: Internal electrical wiring

Preventive Maintenance

Clean oven interior regularly: Grease and food buildup that causes smoke
Frequency: monthly to quarterly
Use drip trays when roasting fatty foods: Fats and oils from dripping onto heating elements
Frequency: Every use with fatty foods
Check and clean vents and heating elements: Blockages and residue that contribute to smoke
Frequency: Biannually

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is my Kenmore Oven smoking?

Common causes include leftover food particles, grease buildup, or cooking spills on heating elements.

How do I fix Kenmore Oven smoking myself?

No DIY solutions are recommended for this issue; it's best to consult a professional.

How much does it cost to fix smoking?

Professional repair costs can vary; specific estimates depend on the underlying cause.

When should I call a technician for smoking?

Call a technician if the smoking persists or if you suspect electrical issues.

References & Sources

Why Is My Oven Smoking During Cooking? Causes and Fixes Community
Why Is My Oven Smoking? Whirlpool guidance Official

Community Analytical Insights

Analysis based on real user discussions from appliance repair communities

Can I Fix This Myself?

80%

DIY Success Rate Difficulty: DIY

Common Issues Reported by Users

Residual grease or food particles on the oven's heating elements or interior surfaces
Damaged or malfunctioning heating element causing overheating
Improperly positioned oven racks leading to obstruction of airflow

User Suggested Solutions

Clean the interior of the oven thoroughly, focusing on heating elements and surfaces. Use a non-toxic oven cleaner or a mixture of baking soda and water. Ensure the oven is turned off and cool before cleaning.
Inspect the heating element for any signs of damage or malfunction. If damaged, replace the heating element. Ensure the oven is unplugged before attempting this.
Check the positioning of the oven racks. Ensure they are placed correctly to allow for proper airflow. Adjust as necessary.

Analysis based on 1 community discussions
View Sources

Data compiled from real discussions on r/appliancerepair and r/Appliances:

Replaced drip pan in Kenmore oven now oven eye smokes when I...

Community Discussions

oven eye smokes when turned on

The smoke may be due to grease on the grill rather than an issue with the drip pan.