Why does my contact grill smoke or smell during normal cooking?

Some vapour or a brief smell can come from fat and food residue, but ongoing smoke during everyday cooking usually means the plates need attention or the temperature is too high for the food being grilled. If smoke becomes heavy, stop using the appliance at once.

1. Open the grill, unplug it and let it cool. Then check the plates and grease collector for built-up fat, crumbs or splashed marinade.
2. Empty and refit the grease collector if your model has one. If it is full, overflow or dripping grease can cause smoke.
3. Cook a small, dry test portion after cleaning. If the smoke reduces, the cause is likely residue or excess moisture from the food.
4. Reduce added oil, pat food dry and avoid very sugary marinades that can scorch quickly on the plates.
5. If smoke appears immediately from a clean grill, test with a different socket and stop using the appliance if the smell is sharp, electrical or accompanied by power loss.

If smoke keeps returning after cleaning, or if you see scorching, warping or any electrical fault, stop using the grill. Do not open the housing or make repairs. If the issue remains unresolved or safe use is uncertain, contact the retailer or store where the product was purchased. This answer uses the contact grill product feed, which includes a grease collector and non-stick coating, together with generic troubleshooting.