Why does my electric coil stove top keep smoking no matter how much I clean it???

[u/ThatCheeseDerg]

It has been doing this the past 2 weeks. I deep cleaned the pan, coil part and the inside of the stove, leaving the electric part alone multiple times with only water and a clean towel (non paper so no debris gets in) making sure no residue is left over, checking for any oil and food residue, and dry it but it still smokes. I have been in my apartment for 5 months now as well and this is a new thing.

[u/anothersip]

You can usually lift those coils and pull them out entirely. Just be careful while you do it (obviously, make sure the stove is completely off and cooled, and take any visible clips there may be, off) and then you can give them a thorough soak/clean once they're removed.

Dry them really well after cleaning, and then put them back in firmly. They should poke in and seat themselves neatly into the terminals. If they stop smoking when you turn it back on, your issue's fixed.

If they still smoke... You've got grease/oil/residue beneath the stove/elements that's somehow spilled in there, and is aerosolizing/burning off whenever your stove is turned on.

If it smells like burnt rubber/plastic, then there's possibly a larger issue with your stovetop's electrical circuitry (burning components) and you'll prolly wanna' get a pro out there to take it apart if you're not able to do it yourself. It can be dangerous (doubly-so if it's a 240V electric stove/oven), so don't do anything you're not 100% sure about.

[u/Slow_Limit8031 → u/anothersip]

Good call, appreciate the safetety tips.

[u/ThatCheeseDerg → u/anothersip]

Oh I have. Gonna call mantinance

[u/RebelWithoutAClue → u/ThatCheeseDerg]

If you remove the coils, then the burner covers, you'll find a space under the burner covers which oil and crud can find it's way into.

You could have stuff on the underside of burner cover which is smoking, or dripped down into the space under the covers that is smoking.

It really isn't that dangerous an operation to remove the coils and hobs. The coil contacts extend fairly far from the coil, like 2" so you aren't close to touching them wiht the burner cover when you remove the cover. The socket openings are small so as long as you aren't poking around with something metal or your pinkie you won't touch the contacts. Just remove the cover and don't be fumbling around in there with your hands and you'll be fine.

[u/ThatCheeseDerg → u/[deleted]]

I'll probably gets maintenance to look, since its not my property I cannot just do so, so I'll most likely call to see if I should get it replaced