Bringing the latest electrical appliances to your kitchen is an exciting hobby for many people who love cooking. They often look forward to it.
Several electrical kitchen appliances are actively replacing conventional ways of cooking. The Instant Pot is one of them. Cooking the first time with Instant Pot might get a little tricky.
Experiencing the burnt smell of plastic when cooking the first time in an Instant Pot is very familiar to many people who frequently cook using the appliance.
The smell can be quite awful for many cooks, but you have to hang in there and keep cooking. It can be a great way to make some fantastic dishes, but that smell can be difficult.
Many people often get worried and stop using it in worry. This post will guide you on why the Instant Pot smells like burning plastic and how to avoid it in your next use.
The Instant Pot is an exceptional multi-cooker. It has quickly become a fixture in millions of kitchens across the globe.
It is a quick and efficient appliance that can help you make fantastic meals without having to go through a lot of trouble. And yet, a burnt plastic smell coming intermittently out of the Instant Pot confuses too many people.
Well, let’s discuss why it happens.
Why Does My Instant Pot Smell Like Burning Plastic?
Here are a few possible reasons your Instant Pot smells like burning plastic:
1. First-time use
Instant Pot sellers usually calm their customers down by telling them a new Instant Pot always smells like burnt plastic.
The manufacturers will tell you to wait until the next two-three uses, as this awful plastic smell fades away on its own.
The smell is at its strongest when you boil water in your Instant Pot, especially when used for the first time. The best thing you can do to get ahead of this situation is to use it the first time in a well-ventilated place.
This way, the smell will go away quickly, and you won’t have to worry about the smell lingering around for too long.
2. Protective layer covering doesn’t get burned well
Another possible reason for your Instant Pot smelling like burnt plastic is an unburnt protective layer. The smell normally goes away when the additional covering burns with the first use.
The company puts in a protective layer to ensure that you know you are buying a brand-new Instant Pot.
The good thing is that this smell will go away after the first use, so you don’t have much to worry about. Just make sure that you use it in a well-ventilated spot for the first time, so the smell doesn’t stay in the room for too long.
You can also use an air freshener to clear up the smell.
3. Damaged equipment
This is an uncommon case. But even after several uses, if your Instant Pot doesn’t stop smelling like burnt plastic, it is a clear sign that there is something damaged inside.
This could be anything, ranging from the power cords, the control panel, or the inner vessel.
Unless you have any experience with appliance repair, it won’t be such a wise idea to tamper with the appliance on your own.
Instead, if the smell continues to persist, you might want to ask for the warranty information and get it repaired if it’s covered under warranty.
If not, look for a local company that offers appliance repair services and get in touch with them.
What Do I When My Instant Pot Smells Like A Burning Plastic?
As mentioned above, the burning plastic smell you get the first time isn’t any cause for concern.
However, when the smell intermittently stays and never leaves when you cook for the third or fourth time in your Instant Pot, it’s a clear sign that there’s something wrong.
As a result, you need to take remedial steps quickly to prevent further damage to your Instant Pot. Here is what you should do when your Instant Pot smells like burning plastic:
- Check your Instant Pot lid if it isn’t melted or damaged because of any reason. The chances of this happening are incredibly slim, but it is still worth checking.
Remember always to prioritize safety when working with such kitchen appliances. - Plug out your Instant Pot if the smell is caused due to a damaged lid. You will have to get a new one. See if you can secure a replacement Instant Pot lid.
Otherwise, claim the warranty and get a replacement. - Check the power cords if they are burned. Sometimes the smell comes from the power cords. The insulation on the power cords is made of plastic, designed to prevent fire outbreaks.
That’s why the plastic starts to burn. You will probably notice a bit of smoke accompanied by a pungent smell of, well, burnt plastic. - Inspect the outside vessel carefully to see if there isn’t any damage to the exterior. This is a pressure cooker, so even a tiny crack on the outside could compromise the whole appliance’s integrity.
If there is a crack on the exterior, stop using it right away and get a replacement.
Final Words
Your Instant Pot smelling like burnt plastic is completely fine when you use it for the first time. The smell shouldn’t be a bother on subsequent uses.
Although, always try to test your Instant Pot first by boiling water. Contact your customer service later for the exchange if the vessel is damaged.
The good thing is that the Instant Pot is covered under a comprehensive warranty if you buy it new, so this shouldn’t be a problem for most people.
It’s best to give it a try a few times and then see. If the smell persists, you know what to do!