Does your Whirlpool oven have a weird unusual smell but you have no idea what’s causing it? If so, this article is for you. We will look at Whirlpool oven smells, what they mean, and what to do about them.
Table of Contents
Whirlpool Oven Smells Like Gas — Causes And Solutions
Below, we have listed the possible reasons your Whirlpool oven smells like gas and how to fix them.
1. Failing Igniter
If the igniter in an oven starts to fail, it won’t ignite the gas sent to it. This will cause the oven to have a gas smell. To determine if this is the case, open the oven door and turn the oven on. If the igniter glows but doesn’t ignite the gas to produce a flame, it is faulty and should be replaced. Read this article: Whirlpool Oven Igniter [How To, Problems & Solutions] to replace the igniter of your Whirlpool oven.
2. Safety Valve
If the igniter isn’t faulty, the next thing you should check is the safety valve. Apply some leak detection solution on all the connections to the safety valve. Turn the gas supply on. If the solution bubbles, there is a leak. Tighten all the connections to the safety valve but do not tighten them too much.
If there isn’t a leak, test the safety valve with a multimeter. If there is no continuity, the safety valve is faulty and should be replaced. Take out the screws which hold the oven’s lower rear access cover to test the safety valve. Read the “Whirlpool Oven Igniter” article above this section to replace the safety valve in your Whirlpool oven.
3. Pressure Regulator
If the igniter and safety valve aren’t faulty, the pressure regulator is the next component you should check. Follow the steps listed below to replace your Whirlpool stove top pressure regulator…
Step 1: Pull the oven away from the wall.
Step 2: Unplug the oven’s power cord from the outlet to avoid the risk of electrocution.
Step 3: Shut off the oven’s gas supply.
Step 4: Using an adjustable wrench and a pair of channel lock pliers, unscrew the gas supply tube from the pressure regulator.
Step 5: The pressure regulator is on the lower rear of the oven.
Step 6: Using a 9/16th inch wrench, take out the nuts which hold the two gas tubes to the pressure regulator.
Step 7: Using a Philips head screwdriver, take out the screws which hold the pressure regulator in place.
Step 8: Note where each wire goes on the pressure regulator. You could take a picture to make it easier.
Step 9: Disconnect the wires from the pressure regulator and get a new one.
Step 10: Unscrew the fitting from the old valve regulator and screw it to the new one. Apply some sealant to the threads of the fitting before doing this.
Step 11: If your oven uses liquid propane, the cap on the pressure regulator should be reversed. Unscrew the cap and flip it over.
Step 12: Screw the cap to the pressure regulator.
Step 13: Transfer the orifice from the old pressure regulator valve to the new one if your oven uses liquid propane.
Step 14: Take the pressure regulator to the oven and connect the wires. Make sure each wire goes to the right place.
Step 15: Secure the pressure regulator to the oven’s rear using the screws.
Step 16: Reposition the gas tube on the pressure regulator and secure them with the nuts. Do not tighten the nuts too much as this could damage the tubes.
Step 17: Position the gas line on the pressure regulator and tighten it.
Step 18: Apply a leak detection solution on all the connections made to the pressure regulator.
Step 19: Turn the oven’s gas supply on. If the solution bubbles, the connections aren’t tight enough. Tighten the loose connections.
Step 20: Plug the oven’s power cord back to the outlet and return the oven to its usual position.
The video below will show you how to replace a Whirlpool oven pressure regulator.
4. Stove Top Burner Tube
If none of the components above is faulty, the next thing you should check are the stove top burner tubes. Follow the steps listed below to test if your Whirlpool stove top burner tube is leaking…
Step 1: Pull the oven away from the wall.
Step 2: Unplug the oven’s power cord from the outlet.
Step 3: Shut off the oven’s gas supply.
Step 4: Lift off the burner grates and set them aside.
Step 5: Lift off the burner caps.
Step 6: If the burner bases are held in place with screws, take them out using a Philips head screwdriver then lift them off.
Step 7: Disconnect any wires connected to the burner bases and set them aside.
Step 8: Use a Philips head screwdriver to take out the screws which hold the orifice holders to the stove top.
Step 9: Carefully pry off the stove top using a putty knife.
Step 10: Lift the stove top off and set it aside.
Step 11: Apply some leak detection solution all over the burner tubes.
Step 12: Turn on the gas supply for a while. If the solutions bubbles on one of the burner tubes, there is a leak. You will need to replace the burner tube if this happens. If the solution doesn’t bubble, simply reassemble the oven.
Step 13: Turn off the gas supply and take out the nut which holds the leaking burner tube in place.
Step 14: Take out the nut which holds the bracket to the burner tube.
Step 15: Get a new burner tube.
Step 16: Screw the bracket to the tube.
Step 17: Position the burner tube in the oven and hold it in place with the nut.
Step 18: Reposition the stove top and push it into place.
Step 19: Secure the orifice holders to the stove top using the screws.
Step 20: If you disconnected any wires from the burner bases, reconnect them.
Step 21: Position the burner bases on the stove top and return any screws you took out.
Step 22: Place the caps back on the burner bases.
Step 23: Return the burner grates.
Step 24: Turn the oven’s gas supply back on.
Step 25: Plug the oven’s power cord back in.
Step 26: Return the oven to its usual position.
Watch the video below for a visual of how to replace a Whirlpool stove top burner tube.
5. Burner Valve
If you have tested all the components above and none of them is leaking or faulty, the next thing you should check is the burner valve. To test if your Whirlpool stove top burner valve has a leak, do the following…
Step 1: Turn off the oven’s gas supply.
Step 2: Pull the oven away from the wall.
Step 3: Unplug the oven’s power cord from the outlet.
Step 4: Lift off the grates from the stove top and set them aside.
Step 5: Lift off the center burner assembly.
Step 6: Lift off the caps of the other burners.
Step 7: Using a Philips head screwdriver, take out the screws which hold the burner bases in place.
Step 8: Lift the burner bases and set them aside and disconnect the wires connected to them. Make sure the wires don’t fall through the holes in the stove top.
Step 9: Take out the Philips head screws which hold the orifice holders to the stove top.
Step 10: Pull off the oven control knobs making sure to note where each one goes.
Step 11: Open the door of the oven.
Step 12: Take out the two Philips head screws under the front panel which secure it.
Step 13: Set the front panel aside and take out the two screws which hold the stove top in place.
Step 14: Lift the stove top and take out the screw which holds the spark module support bracket to the right side.
Step 15: Set the stove top aside.
Step 16: Apply some leak detection solution on all the burner valves and turn the gas supply on. If the solution on one of the burner valves starts to bubble, it should be replaced. If not, reassemble the range.
Step 17: Pull off the spark switch from the faulty valve.
Step 18: Using a half inch wrench, take out the nut which holds the gas tube to the valve.
Step 19: Take out the two screws underneath the manifold which hold it in place.
Step 20: Take out the screw which holds the burner valve to the manifold.
Step 21: Get a new burner valve.
Step 22: Position the valve on the manifold and position the mounting bracket underneath it.
Step 23: Secure the valve and mounting bracket to the manifold with the screw.
Step 24: Return the two screws which hold the manifold in place.
Step 25: Secure the gas tube to the valve using the nut.
Step 26: Reposition the spark switch on the valve.
Step 27: Screw the spark module support bracket back to the stove top.
Step 28: Secure the stove top to the oven with the screws. Make sure the orifice holders are accessible through the holes in the stove top.
Step 29: Reposition the oven’s front panel and hold it in place with the screws.
Step 30: Push the control knobs back into place.
Step 31: Shut the oven door.
Step 32: Take the burner bases back to the stove top and connect the wires.
Step 33: Position the burner bases on the stove top.
Step 34: Return the screws which hold the burner bases and orifice holders to the stove top.
Step 35: Screw the center orifice holder back to the stove top.
Step 36: Return the center burner assembly.
Step 37: Place the grates back on the stove top.
Step 38: Turn the oven’s gas supply back on.
Step 39: Plug the oven’s power cord back into the outlet.
Step 40: Return the oven to its usual position.
If you would like a visual of how to replace a Whirlpool stove top burner valve, watch the video below.
Check out these articles…
Whirlpool Oven Error Codes [How To Fix]
Whirlpool Oven Heating Problems [Proven Solutions]
Whirlpool Oven Noise [Proven Solutions]
How To Calibrate A Whirlpool Oven [Detailed Guide]
Whirlpool Oven Thermostat [How To, Guide]
New Whirlpool Oven Smells Like Burning Plastic — How To Fix
If your new Whirlpool oven smells like burning plastic, do not be alarmed. Every new oven comes with factory coatings that produce a smell when heated. Because of this, it is recommended to “burn-in” your oven before using it to bake. Follow the steps below to “burn-in” your Whirlpool oven…
Step 1: Open the oven door and take out all the racks.
Step 2: Turn the oven on and set it to bake at the highest temperature possible.
Step 3: Leave the oven to run for an hour.
Step 4: After an hour, turn the oven off and leave it to cool down.
Step 5: Once the oven has cooled down, open the door and wipe the interior with a damp cloth.
Step 6: Return the racks to the oven.
Whirlpool Oven Electrical Burning Smell — How To Fix
If your Whirlpool oven has an electrical burning smell or your Whirlpool oven smells like burning plastic, turn it off immediately. This smell indicates some components in the oven are failing or some wires are burning. This isn’t a problem you should try fixing yourself. Contact a qualified technician to inspect and fix the oven.