Wood chips in the tray catch fire instead of smoldering.

Safety first: Keep a fire extinguisher rated for grease and electrical fires nearby. Do not use water on grease fires.

• Reduce chip quantity: Use fewer chips and avoid very small shavings that ignite easily.
• Verify tray position: Ensure the Cuisinart chip tray is installed in the correct rails and not resting directly on the element.
• Check for missing shield: Confirm any factory heat shield between the element and tray is in place.
• Adjust vent: Slightly close the vent to reduce direct airflow over the chips, but do not fully close it.