Strong burning or electrical smell coming from the smoker during operation.

Safety first: If you smell strong burning plastic or see smoke from areas other than the vent, unplug the smoker immediately and do not continue using it until inspected.

Inspection steps:

• Check for grease on element: Once cool, inspect the heating element for heavy grease deposits. Clean gently with a damp cloth; do not use abrasive tools that can damage the element.
• Inspect wiring: Remove the rear panel and look for discolored, melted, or brittle wires, especially near the element and control box. Replace any damaged wiring with high‑temperature rated wire.
• Examine control box: Open the control box and look for burnt components or darkened areas on the PCB. A burnt smell here usually means the control box must be replaced.
• Remove foreign objects: Ensure no foil, paper, or plastic is touching the element or burner plate.

Do not operate the smoker again until the source of the smell is identified and corrected.