An oven that smokes during preheating often has grease, food residue, or leftover cleaner heating inside the cavity. A new oven may also release a light haze or odor during its initial heating cycle. These situations are different from thick smoke, visible flames, sparks, a burning-wire smell, or a natural-gas odor—all of which require you … Read more
If your dishwasher leaves white film on dishes, do not assume that the appliance needs a new part. The coating may be a removable hard-water deposit, undissolved detergent, or permanent damage to the surface of glassware. Start by examining one affected glass, then check your water hardness, detergent use, rinse-aid setting, loading, filter, and spray … Read more
If your dryer takes two cycles to dry one load, check the load, cycle setting, lint filter, and—on a vented model—the exhaust path. Restricted airflow is one possible cause, but damp clothes alone do not identify a failed part. The vent checks below apply to conventional vented dryers. Heat-pump and condenser dryers need their own … Read more