Kitchen Large Electric Appliances - GE Electric Oven

We have a GE self-cleaning radiant range, model JBPXX. When turning it on to pre-heat the oven it gives off a plastic smell. It almost smells like gas. What could be the problem?

Hmmmm. For starters, gas smells like gas, and plastic like plastic. I can't say I've smelled plastic burning to smell like gas.

All I can suggest is to look for anything melted on the elements; bake and broil. Also what is maybe on the bottom of the oven where drippoings land.

If THAT did not reveal the cause, and the problem was really obviously something amiss...I'd have to access the top and rear and make sure that no dead mouse or mouse droppings inside (especially inside/under the top insulation) and also check the wires, and also the plastic contol switches for signs of heat discoloration (from internal shorts).

Hmmmm. For starters, gas smells like gas, and plastic like plastic. I can't say I've smelled plastic burning to smell like gas.

All I can suggest is to look for anything melted on the elements; bake and broil. Also what is maybe on the bottom of the oven where drippoings land.

If THAT did not reveal the cause, and the problem was really obviously something amiss...I'd have to access the top and rear and make sure that no dead mouse or mouse droppings inside (especially inside/under the top insulation) and also check the wires, and also the plastic contol switches for signs of heat discoloration (from internal shorts).

Thanks for your suggestions. I know what gas smells like and there are hundreds of different plastics which I'm sure would not smell the same if burned. In fact, a plastic might exist that would smell like gas if burned but I haven't experimented by burning every plastic that exists yet.

Please don't take some offense to my comment and focus on that. Rather pursue my suggestions. You might actually get somewhere then in your determination.