A quick test with a small wad of newspaper in a tin can or even a match will give you an idea of how much draw the unit has. The first is that it would catch fire and would fill your kitchen (and possibly your house) with noxious smoke. , Can a dirty oven make your house smell? Burning plastic and treated wood also releases heavy metals and toxic chemicals, such as dioxin. If you notice an odor or someone mentions your fireplace stinks, then its time to consider having your chimneys/venting systems examined. I hardly used the gas fireplace because the smell gave me a headache. In this blog post, we explore each of these possible explanations in more detail. Glass Or Plastic Tupperware: Which Is Better For Weekly Meal Prep? The burning dust gives off the smoky scent that you may notice when you first turn on your heater this winter. The fireplace people were sent here by the builder this summer because of a leak, which was actually a roof problem, but I talked to the guy about the smell, he said some of them take as much as 30 hours to burn off the odor. Headaches and sore throats. , Why does my Whirlpool oven smell like burning plastic? We are getting a "hot" or "burnt" smell coming from the stove. These scents are usually linked to natural gas leaks. Same awful odor. 2023 HVAC.com a Magenta Technologies LLC Company, All Rights Reserved. The smell is due to an odorant added to the gas to detect leaks or other problems in the system. Here are the reasons why stove smells like burning plastic: There are a few reasons why your oven might smell like burning plastic. I removed the logs and turned on the fireplace. Household items can easily fall through your vents. Burnt smells come from foods that have dripped on the bottom of the stove. To fix this problem, you have to burn in your oven. Plastic: There could be a burning piece of equipment, debris, or a foreign object in your ductwork. Because inserts heat the surrounding masonry, strange smells could result from debris left in the previous fireplace. However, inside is metal. Feels so. Take off the glass and check the seal around it, if its coming loose or doesnt look good, require your landlord to replace it. I've called dealer many times about this and they have no answers but could it possibly be the installation? I called the local gas utility, and they sent a tech out. Fireplace draft stops smoke from going up the chimney like it should, in turn making your time spent by the hearth a smokey mess! The gas stove's electrical components are damaged. Debris can also get into the furnace itself. Like the oily coating on some oven interiors, these materials are meant to protect oven components or secure them during shipping and installation. And I see people here are also being told that their logs might be the problem. Greenhouse gasses that cause climate change, for one thing. However, don't be alarmed, yet. But one concern stands out: Should my gas fireplace smell like gas when I first turn it on?. my theory is that the paint which is on the mantel is latex, giving it the warmed plastic odor that you get if plastic is melted. Ive never tried it witho the fake logs. Check the filters and see if they need to be replaced. A few weeks before you plan to turn on your furnace, call an HVAC technician. Carbon monoxide is an odorless, colorless gas that's a byproduct of combustion. 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. Ventilate the home by opening doors and windows. Stove Parts Fault It may not look pretty, but at least I can warm up the room without getting a headache. Burned it for 24 plus hours in the summer with the windows opened. Gas companies add a harmless chemical called mercaptan to give it its distinctive rotten egg smell. What do I do if my oven smells like gas when it's off? Its also best to regularly dust the vents throughout the cold season and have ductwork professionally cleaned every three to five years. We have a gas log fireplace in a home we are renting that has the exact same melted wax smell. It could be dust, build-up, or factory paints. Why Does My Stove Smells Like Burning Plastic? A really tight house will vent poorly because there is no excess air to flow up the chimney. Burned plastic smell from gas oven In short, our older gas oven suddenly smells of burned plastic while in use. If there is a gas smell from your fireplace, take it seriously. So every year I burn both off using 12 hours of propane and then have to use them weekly just so when I want to use them for the occasional ambiance they wont smell. Good question. I also have a brick fireplace around the unit and painted it a few years back. Remember carbon monoxide doesnt stink like gas, you cant smell it at all! Terrible chemical odorI am extremely frustrated & don't know where to turn! Although gas fireplaces and gas fireplace inserts are both effective ways to heat your home quickly, they are different methods and will require different, We applaud gas fireplace inserts for convenience and. The sulfur-like or rotten egg smell is added to help detection and prevention of gas leaks. Clearly something is wrong with these units (or the gas itself?) We get this smell at the start of the season for about an hour or so. Its important to turn off any lights or electronics whenever we arent using them so that our heating unit isnt drawing unnecessary electricity from elsewhere in our home. You can use the non-emergency fire department number if you're certain there's not a flame, but call them just to be safe. Burning plastic, or any waste, doesn't get rid of it. You might also notice an odor if there is damage to the wood or metal parts . But my mantle is this massive 40lb metal sorta blacksmith looking thing that Came with the heat n glo and it def gets quite hot .. so idk. Maybe it is the sealant between the duct and the brick where it goes thru the old chimney, or maybe a bad seal in the glass. A build-up of creosote in the chimney can cause this smell. Sadly ours doesn't have doors. If you smell something burning, its not surprising to think that the source is a fire in your house. It smelled awful from the start. This is typically due to a small amount of gas that's released before it's ignited and the smell should quickly fade. Which means direct vents get and give far more warmth than an open style fireplace does. By comparison, when we had a normal furnace installed in the old house there was no smell. , What are the side effects of burning plastic? Remove any potential odors one by one until you have identified the cause. Smells like kerosene or burning oil. Thank you so much for responding. Burning dust or smoke: This scent shouldnt persist longer than a few hours after first turning on your heater for the season. Wondering if anyone has a similar Lennox or other type of stove with the same problem and can recommend a fix. If it does, call a professional to rule out any bigger issues. I am running it again today with all the windows open for hopefully a good 8+ hour span but I feel I have run it collectively for a ton of hours. Request that your HVAC technician size your system for the proper filter. Improperly Connected Oven Thermostat 10. Its normal to smell gas or residual smells during this process, but the odor shouldnt last more than a few hours. If it were a natural fire, perhaps it would be smoking the room out, but since it is a gas log the only thing that happens is a bad smell. 23.07.2022 Harry Brown If you just bought the stove, and it's starting to smell like burned plastic, there's really no need for you to be concerned about it. A gas fireplace insert is a metal box that you can install in your existing fireplace. Its a very annoying issue and one that Lennox and others should address but those big companies wont come to the plate! Only took about 1 hour to go from 35 degrees to 70. If you own a gas furnace, the burning plastic odor could result from a gas leak. If theres anything inside your furnace (or even outside) preventing air flow effectively, then this will cause increased condensation levels within your equipment, resulting in an unpleasant smell especially during colder weather months when moisture tends to build up more easily. Very harmful toxins are released when burning plastic and can significantly increase the chances of cancer, respiratory illnesses and birth defects. STEP 2 Remove all insulation, plastic films, cardboard and zip ties from the range. If your heater smells like burning plastic, turn it off right away. It's possible that is happening occasionally, leading to rust, leading to smell during use. We applaud gas fireplace inserts for convenience and efficiency, but that doesnt mean they dont need to be maintained and serviced regularly. Read on to learn how to fix this annoying issue! There are several potential causes of a burning plastic smell in your house. If your heater smells like burning, an air purifier can also kill the bacteria that causes odors. Frequent tripping of the circuit breaker. White vinegar cuts through odors naturally. Since most electrical wirings come with rubber or plastic insulation, an unusual burnt plastic smell can be a sign that you're at risk of an electrical fire. We are talking 11 years already. Most furnaces have built-in safety measures that prevent the machine from overheating. It could also be releasing smoke. From what I understand, there should be no smell because the unit is enclosed behind glass and it vents directly through the chimney. Chemical odors: Your heat exchanger, the component that warms up the air in a furnace, may be broken. Has anyone else had this type of problem. Any ideas on what might produce this kind of smell with the gas hooked up, but would stop when the gas is off? 1. Last year I had someone out to service it (basically just needed more patience as there was just a lot for air in the line) but since then we have been unable to run it without getting massive headaches from the smell. I have a Heat n glo on the main floor and a martin unit in my basement. Light candles, incense, and use deodorizers to mask the odor. If your heater smells like burning, its likely not a reason to panic. Sometimes, the protective coating on oven walls can smell like burning plastic when exposed to high temperatures for the first time. This is because wiring insulation, connectors, and many other electrical components are made of plastic materials. A gas fireplace insert is a metal box that you can install in your existing fireplace. One solution is to add some protective oil when preheating the oven or cookware in order for fumes and smells to dissipate faster. If you feel any smell, try changing the filters. If you notice an unusual odor coming from your oven, try using different cooking methods or substituting ingredients to see if that fixes the problem. Purchased vented gas log fireplace. If you see smoke coming from behind the oven where you can't see, call a professional to come and take a look. The landlords heat person has come twice and said its just dust burning off. The exact composition of any fume produced when the material is heated for processing will therefore vary, but any plastic fume can cause severe irritation to the eyes, nose and lungs. A week or so ago during a rain storm I thought I heard some rain drops getting in there. Since gas fireplace inserts are installed into existing fireplaces, they can react with the existing building materials. I was inhaling natural gas and thats why I had the symptoms. Remember, its normal for gas fireplaces to smell for the first few uses. What happens if you smell plastic burning? If its a large open space like a garage or warehouse; evacuate immediately due to potential health risks posed by exposure to harmful emissions. . Very interesting thread I have a direct vent gas fireplace. Regardless of the fuel they burn, all hearth appliances should release 100% of the byproducts of combustion to the outdoors. I recently moved them all out of the flame and it doesn't appear to be helping. and like past 3 years, I would say 85-90 % of odor is gone. Can no longer turn it on without headaches and awful smell. The inside of my hearth opening is metal as well. That being said, an electrical fire can smell like the following: Burning Plastic: The acrid odor of an electrical fire is often described as that of burning plastic. Same nauseating chemical burning smell. A burning, wiry scent indicates that a component of your heater isnt working properly. Mold or mildew: If youve replaced your filters and the scent doesnt go away after a few hours, call a professional. Sure enough, the smell was gone. How To Tell if Your Stove is Leaking Gas The health of you and your loved ones could be affected if anyones exposed to carbon monoxide. Existing building materials could be anything from adhesives to debris. However, when it comes to smelling gas, you must take immediate action regardless of whether the fireplace is in use or not. In this case you would probably be best off flipping the breaker in your panel. For anyone working an in-0ffice job, lunch is always a looming consideration. , How do you fix burnt plastic on stove top? The short answer is probably not. Cost me $6K in 2005 and I'm about to not even use them to spite my gas carrier who originally installed them. The oven may have a faint, gas-like odor when it's first used out of the box due to its plastic packaging and protective oil coating. All the while, my gas company is laughing all the way to the bank. Be sure to keep an eye on smoke detectors as well; they may have gone off due to the smoky smell from your kitchen stove. Your gas fireplace smells when first turned on, and thats okay. Electrical wiring or metallic: Overheated equipment is most likely causing a metallic or electric odor. However, its perfectly normal for a gas fireplace to vent a small amount of gas when its first turned on. Use a clean, soft cloth to scrub the stovetop. Then, look inside the oven for any signs of burned or melted wires or other parts. Still, an air purifier isnt a substitute for calling an HVAC technician if you smell anything suspicious. Cleaning the flue and using a proper air filter could solve the problem. If this doesnt work, you may need to replace your stove. Wired smelling is a common problem for wood-burning stoves. Our advice is to call the fire department as soon as you start smelling smoke in the house. Can you tell me where you ordered gas leak detector? If you havent gotten your gas fireplace maintained lately, turning it on for the first time in the year can be a worrisome experience. Simply ventilate the area around your fireplace by opening all windows. The Bottom Line. Clean or replace your HVAC air filters, according to the manufacturers instructions, so air circulates easily and unwanted smells dont linger. Not merely to keep your indoor air smelling pleasant, but so the health and safety of the household occupants are not threatened. The 'factory' smell might be dangerous, how would you test it? When this smell is inhaled into the lungs, such toxic particles can make breathing difficult and cause severe respiratory issues such as bronchitis and asthma. In either case, fixing the issue will likely require some fiddling with the stoves parts. Could it be the glass door leaking past the seal? I don't think we fully executed the "curing" process so we'll plan a day to open all the doors and windows, put our animals and kids somewhere safe and try to burn it out. was installed in 2006 serviced and cleaned every year. Try scraping off the plastic and washing and drying the racks, trays, and other inserts before installing them back inside. How can I make this fireplace look more modern. I tried to persuade our builder that I wanted a vented gas fireplace but he said they only did vent free. How long should a business take to refund money? Although the smell can be unpleasant, it is primarily non-toxic. Does a gas leak smell like burning plastic? told me it was refractory smell and was nothing they could do about it. One of the reasons that your oven may be smelling a bit could be due to the insulation that is surrounding the interior. Check if there are any burner issues replace filters or caps as necessary and replace burners if needed. | Upgraded Home, Why does my electric stove smell like burning plastic? Use baking soda on carpets overnight to absorb the odor and vacuum the next day. , What are two warning signs of carbon monoxide poisoning? This fireplace was such a thing during the build and now to not be able to use it??? Its important to keep your insert clean to guarantee safe operation. I posted here in Jan 2018. i have vented fireplace. Checked the stove pilot light, which is burning, but the oven does not heat up. While they operate in the same way, a gas fireplace insert is installed in an existing fireplace while a gas fireplace is built into an exterior wall. Tested for carbon monoxide was fine. It is still vented to the outside from what little I know and can see but sadly your solution won't work for us. The oven needs to be preheated in order for the heating elements to work properly. By inspecting fireplaces and vents before problems develop, issues get detected when theyre small, helping you avoid an unsafe situation. This is normal and the following steps can reduce the smell before the oven is used for the first time: Make sure all plastic and packing material is removed from the oven. Perhaps something is stuck in the ducts and is causing the odor. The plastic materials in the stoves parts can react with the heat and release odors. Crack open a window before turning on the ventilation hood fan and your oven. After reading the instructions it said to you need to burn it for 12 hrs or so with windows open, to burn off manufacturing smells. There is no smell when I use the kitchen stove, but when we light the fireplace there is an odor, we get headaches and eyes burn. If you smell rotten eggs, turn off your main gas valve immediately. , When I turn on my stove it smells like propane? Jeff had Northeastern Johnson county offers challenging chimneys and homes to work on, this chimney was no exception. If your home fills with a mold or mildew odor when the heat kicks on, a clogged filter may be the culprit. , How long does burning smell last in house? had it serviced couple times since, they told us that smell was from a bad gasket. If you want to ensure the air in your home stays clean, you need to start with your ventilation system. If your gas fireplace is running in a hearth or chimney, chances are its an insert. When we finally decide to fire it up, it may come with an unpleasant odor similar to burnt plastic! Odorants are the chemicals added to gas during the manufacturing stage in a process called natural gas odorization. How to Clean Melted Plastic Off of a Stovetop, 4. Clearing out all accumulated debris should help remedy this issue quickly. We suggest calling an HVAC technician to figure out the specific issue. In severe cases, it can be life-threatening, which is why it's important to seek medical attention if you're exposed to burnt plastic fumes. Does electrical fire smell like burning plastic? What causes a stove to smell like burning plastic? A leaky house can cause a chimney to back draft as well as a bathroom or kitchen exhaust fan. can you do a gas fireplace in an existing wood burning fireplace without having to add an insert? Prior to replacing those, did you use it without an odor? Call us at 519-979-2090, Heating/FurnaceAir ConditioningElectricalPlumbingWater HeaterFireplaceProtection PlanOther. Turn off your main gas valve and contact a professional for assistance. If you replace the filters and the smoky or moldy scent persists, call your local HVAC technician.