KitchenAid dishwasher burning smell

Why does my KitchenAid dishwasher smell like burning plastic?

The #1 cause of a burning smell coming from the dishwasher is a plastic item contacting the exposed heating element in the bottom of the dishwasher while the element is heating.

Open the dishwasher door and check for an item at the bottom of the tub next to the heating element. Remove the item if you find one.

Follow dishwasher loading guidelines to help prevent plastic items from falling down below the bottom dishrack and contacting the heating element.

Use No-Flip Clips

Secure small, light-weight plastic items in the dishracks using no-flip clips so they don’t fly around inside the tub during the dishwashing cycle and make their way down next to the heating element.

If your dishwasher didn’t include no-flip clips, you can buy them as an accessory to help your dishes get cleaner and avoid that plastic burning smell.

Here’s a link for that part: No-Flip Dishwasher Clip.

Load Dishes Wisely

Follow the guidelines in your owner’s manual and in this video to smartly load dishes in your dishwasher to promote properly cleaning and avoid problems:

As shown in the video, wedging plastic lids between cups and glasses in the top rack will help them stay put during the wash cycle.

If you didn’t find a plastic item melted against the heating element when you detect a burning smell coming from your dishwasher, then a short in wiring or a component could be causing the problem.

For safety, disconnect power from the dishwasher and have a service technician examine the appliance before using it again.

What to expect when you experience a KitchenAid dishwasher burning smell issue

How is the burning smell problem fixed?

Correcting most burning smell problems usually involves replacing the electronic control board, user interface control or pump and motor assembly. However, there are many potential causes, so a thorough diagnosis is key to fixing the problem. An accurate diagnosis is essential to understanding how much the repair will be.

Sears Home Services recommendations for a dishwasher burning smell

When the dishwasher has a burning smell it can be for many reasons. To avoid replacing unneeded parts we recommend having a Sears Home Services professional perform diagnostic tests to identify the root cause of the problem. Our technicians are experienced at diagnosing all types of dishwasher failures.

What to look out for with a dishwasher burning smell diagnosis

Diagnosing modern appliances without proper knowledge and training can be difficult. Without using proper diagnostic techniques, fixing your dishwasher problem will only be achieved through changing parts on a hunch. Appliances, especially in the last 10 years, have become extremely advanced, and many models have electronic parts that are difficult to test. DIY repairs on the latest appliance models are becoming increasingly difficult.

A burning odor in a KitchenAid dishwasher signals potential melting components or overheating motors. Running it further risks permanent damage or fire hazards. Instead, call a dishwasher repair near me.