A burning smell coming from any appliance can be worrisome. If you ever wonder why your dishwasher has a burning smell, you are not alone. However, the first thing that you can do is troubleshoot dishwasher odor, you must know the cause before fixing it.
Most of the time there is no major issue and it could be simply due to plastic coming in contact with the heating element or dirt build-up. However, sometimes it could be due to a malfunction of the motor assembly or a faulty power cord.
Nonetheless, the best way to get rid of dishwasher burning smell is to find out the root cause. The sooner you find out the reason the faster it will get resolved.
Here are a few important reasons that you need to know why your dishwasher has a burning smell and how can you fix it!
6 Reasons Why Your Dishwasher Has A Burning Smell
New Dishwasher
If you have just bought a new dishwasher and you smell burnt odor in dishwasher, then there is nothing to worry about. The new dishwasher usually comes wrapped in a plastic sheet to prevent any damage during shipping. So if you do not remove the plastic sheets it can lead to the melting of plastic when it is switched on.
In this case, you can eliminate burning smell in dishwasher by removing the melted plastic residues around the heating element. After that, you will experience that the burning odor in dishwasher will eventually fade away after continuous usage.
Heating Element and Melted Plastic
If your dishwasher is not new you may wonder why your dishwasher has a burning smell. Then you must check if the heating element is in direct contact with a plastic utensil. Most of the time during the drying cycle, the heating elements come in contact with plastic utensils and the plastic eventually starts melting down.
The best way of fixing smelly dishwasher is to switch off the dishwasher and let the heating element cool down. After that remove the plastic residue that is causing the burning odor. This is one of the most common causes why your dishwasher has a burning smell.
However, if there is no plastic piece near the heating element then the burning smell indicates the failure of the heating element. This is your indication to call a technician so that he can fix your heating element or replace it with a new one.
Faulty Power Cord
When the burning smell is not coming due to the heating element then 80% of the time it is due to wiring issues or loose connections. When your dishwasher power cord is plugged loosely into the wall socket it gives off sparks. This spark can cause the burning of the heat insulation, which is why you smell burnt odor in dishwasher.
It’s not actually the dishwasher that is faulty but the power cord is the reason why your dishwasher has a burning smell. For troubleshooting burning smell, remove the plug and smell it. If there is any melted insulation then replace the power cord with a new one. However, if you don’t have the skills to do it by yourself, make sure to call a technician for support.
Malfunction in the Electrical Component
In addition to faulty power cords, there are various other components whose malfunction can result in burnt odors in dishwasher. These electrical components include a control module or board, timer, or drain solenoid.
While doing the inspection to troubleshoot dishwasher odor, you must look for burn marks, melted plastic, or breaks in these electrical components. Nonetheless, the location of each component differs depending on the model of the dishwasher. So you should read the user’s manual before doing the inspection.
Burned-Out Motor Assembly
The main function of the motor is to pump water for cleaning utensils. Any kind of malfunction in the motor can either stop the supply of water or fill your dishwasher with water. Just like any other electrical component, the motor may wear out over time eventually leading to burnout.
This causes burnt odor in dishwasher.
Perhaps you may also notice that the motor is making humming sounds during the wash cycle. This happens if your motor gets clogged. Once the motor gets clogged it will stop circulating water and dishes will come out dirty.
Build up of Grime
There are various common dishwasher problems that are solely caused due to build-up of grime or soap scum. If you are not using excellent dishwasher cleaning techniques, you can see a buildup of dirt or grime in the dishwasher over time.
This grime or soap scum causes the dirt and food particles to start sticking during each wash cycle. This is why you can experience a burnt odor coming out of the dishwasher. If there is a grime buildup you can get rid of dishwasher burning smell by following the simple remedies that we have mentioned below.
How To Eliminate Burning Smell In Dishwasher?
After buying a new dishwasher you must always read the dishwasher maintenance guide to increase the efficiency of your dishwasher. There are various common dishwasher problems that can decrease the efficiency of your dishwasher. Burnt odor in dishwasher is one of the signs that indicate common dishwasher problems. However, there are a few simple dishwasher maintenance tips that can be followed for dishwasher odor prevention.
- Proper Ventilation
Among the dishwasher odor solutions, proper ventilation comes first and foremost. In case of burnt odor in dishwasher, first, open the window to eliminate burning smell in dishwasher. Ventilation is the best way to get rid of any kind of burning odor. After that, you can unplug the dishwasher and inspect it for troubleshooting burning smell.
- Use vinegar
Dishwasher odor causes can also include molds or rotten food particles. So make sure to do a deep cleaning of your dishwasher by using white vinegar. White vinegar has the ability to deodorize the burning smell coming out of the fridge or dishwasher.
- Use baking soda
You can fill the dishwasher’s detergent compartment with baking soda and switch on the dishwasher. This will wash away all the build-up of grime or soap scum. You can also put a small bowl of baking soda overnight at the bottom of the dishwasher. This hack is one of the most common ways for dishwasher odor prevention.
- Remove melted plastic
Another way of fixing smelly dishwasher is removing the melted plastic. Inspect the heating element to look for any plastic residues attached to it. You can scrape the plastic residue with a tong and throw it away. This can help you get rid of dishwasher burning smell.
FAQs About Why Your Dishwasher Has A Burning Smell
Why does my dishwasher smell like it’s burning?
The burning smell of the dishwasher is caused when the plastic utensils come in contact with the heating element. During the drying cycle when the plastic gets melted, it can cause burnt odor in dishwasher. All you can do for preventing dishwasher odor is to remove the plastic residue from the dishwasher.
How do I get the burnt smell out of my dishwasher?
The easiest way of fixing smelly dishwasher is to use a cup of white vinegar. You can put the cup of white vinegar at the bottom of your dishwasher, it has the properties to deodorize the dishwasher.
Is it normal for a new dishwasher to smell like burning plastic?
Yes, most of the manufacturers ship their dishwashers in plastic wrapping sheets. This is done to prevent any damage during the shipping process. So if you leave the sheets on and switch on the dishwasher, the electrical components might get hot. This causes the plastic sheets to melt down and cause your dishwasher to smell like burning plastic.
Why does my Bosch dishwasher smell like something burning?
Most of the time burning smell in the dishwasher is associated with the melting of plastic components. When the control module in the dishwasher is unable to control the power surge, it can result in an electrical fire. This cause overheating of component and burning of wire insulations. This is why your Bosch dishwasher may smell like burning.
Why does my LG dishwasher smell like burning plastic?
The burning smell in LG dishwasher can be caused by to malfunctioning of the heating element. During the drying cycle, the heating element might get hot and the plastic utensils can melt down causing burnt odor in dishwasher.
What does electrical burning smell like?
Electrical burning is usually initiated by the meltdown of insulations or plastic components. This gives off an acrid odor that you can smell during electrical burning.
Summary Of Why Your Dishwasher Has A Burning Smell
To wrap up, the burnt odor in dishwasher is something that definitely needs your attention. If you are using a new dishwasher, don’t worry, the odor will fade away when you start using it. However, if melted plastic is causing you the odor can use dishwasher cleaning techniques to remove it. Whereas, if the problem is associated with an electrical component you need to call a technician to replace or repair the part of the dishwasher that is malfunctioning!
Share the joy
Written By Gemma Wilson
Gemma is an expert at writing about how appliances are made and how to use them. She can tell you how to choose the best appliances for your needs and how to take care of them properly. She can also give helpful tips on how to fix and troubleshoot appliances and give advice on how to choose the most energy-efficient ones.
1 thought on “Why Your Dishwasher Has A Burning Smell- 6 Important Causes To Know”