Just like most of you, my new Bosch dishwasher is emitting a strong odor of hot plastic/asphalt. I am concerned about breathing the toxic fumes and wondering if they are on the dishes? What recourse do I have?

I purchased the Bosch Series 6 SMD6TCX00E model twice in 2023 (mid-year and later in the year) from two reputable UK retailers. Both units produced a persistent, strong chemical smell during operation. The odor, resembling burnt plastic or glue, can linger in the machine, adjacent cabinets, and in the kitchen and sometimes causes eye irritation.

I've exhausted all troubleshooting options for both units. This includes running empty cycles with various cleaning agents (vinegar, baking soda, alkaline degreaser, and dishwasher cleaners and changing the rinsing agents, and detergents), but with no success.

Initially, I wrongly suspected an isolated issue with the first unit, potentially connected to spray painters working in the kitchen. Thankfully, I did not raise this concern with them. However, after purchasing the same model again and encountering the identical problem, it became clear this was not an accident.

The smell seems to emanate from the heated top area near the electrical connections, but I cannot confirm the source. Online research suggests some users attribute this to bitumen coatings.

This repeated issue with identical units suggests a potential design flaw rather than an accidental problem. This raises concerns about potential health hazards. While I couldn't find reports specific to this model, I found discussions online about similar issues with Bosch dishwashers in the past.

Miele is a good alternative, Bosch has slightly better drying in the 800 series but Miele cleans better particularly models with AutoDos

My bosche smells if I use the full cycle with the drying. I usually use express though. If I use full a few times in a row the smell goes away.

I understand that this post is 6 years old, but I have a brand new Bosch dishwasher, and whenever I run it, it does emit a strong chemical smell, it is like melted glue or plastic.

My Bosch did the smell, it was gone within a week and it’s a good machine.

Ours smells the same too, we have ran it twice and the smell is a little less but still there. So annoying

Anonymous wrote:I have an 800 series Bosch that was recently installed and I've had absolutely no issues with smell.

We have had an 800 series for ~5 years now. Very very happy with it. No smell ever. We do run Glisten Dishwasher cleaner thru it every other month, but that is because we have hard water. The Bosch 100 series is lower cost for a reason; we would not buy a 100 series.

Another vote for KitchenAid. I got one two years ago and my mom got one just a few months ago. They're basically identical except for rack configuration and whether the controls are on the inside or outside, so just choose which you prefer. Functionality is identical and has been great for both of us. We both got them at Bray and Scarff. They had 2-3 of the models on the floor so we could see differences when we chose mom's.

Got a new Bosch dishwasher, stainless steel. Smells like burning oil. It’s terrible. Have to open windows & run ceiling fans which is now a problem because it’s getting cold outside. It makes me ill and gives me terrible headaches. Had thought of getting a kitchen aid to replace it but appliance center is saying we might have the same problem. What do we do?

That happened with our microwave. You got a lemon is all. Stop using it and replace with another Bosch. They don't smell.

Problem Solved !

Like most here, My new Bosch dishwasher (7-2021) cheapest one ) smells bad
Checked the drain hose.. nothing wrong
Checked the screen ...Clean as new.. I always pre-rinse my dishes even though they say not to ????
Ran Vinegar through it to kill any mold.. still not right.
Then I studied the smell and thought it smelled like the small packages of soap you are supposed to use
Hooray !
The soap makes it stink.
I went back to Cascade powder soap and Wallah. NO SMELL !

I think I know why one person is smelling the toxic smell and the others aren't. First, let me say, I got on here because this first day with my Bosch, I smell the same thing that this person is describing. And I am afraid that the reason is because some people, including myself, are chemical sensitive and our sense of smell is kind of on steroids! My husband shrugged his shoulders when I mentioned it, and said "smells from being new, I guess" but to me it is overpowering. So we who are somewhat cursed with this super sensitive response to chemical smells pretty much have to just hope it goes away with time...often it does!
Signed,
Sympathetic

Anonymous wrote:I cannot find a dishwasher made without Bitumen aka asphalt. When it heats up it off gases for years. We measured the VOCs inside the machine while off. It was three times higher than our indoor air which meant unhealthy. It is not just This brand. It’s every brand now. It started in 2018 and now it’s impossible to find a dishwasher without Bitumen. Please let me know if you know if you find one.

Like bitumen is almost unavoidable. Here’s a good article
https://www.debralynndadd.com/q-a/finding-non-toxic-dishwashers/