Could Smoke from Cooking Damage My PC?
Asked by
CuriousCat123
I accidentally burned a chopping board on my stove tonight, and my partner is worried that the smoke may have gotten into our $5,000 PC and caused damage. I aired it out right away and wiped it down with a microfiber cloth. It doesn't smell like smoke anymore, but I'm looking for some reassurance here! Is it possible for smoke to harm a computer like that?
Answers
I smoke near my computer every day, and it’s still fine! As long as there wasn’t a huge fire, your PC should be okay. It might just have some dust buildup over time, but it’s probably nothing serious.
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Honestly, unless the inside of your PC looks caked in soot or something wild, I wouldn’t stress. Wiping it down was probably more than needed, but you did right by airing it out. Just keep an eye on it!
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Check the fans and make sure nothing is stuck in there. A little exposure to smoke won’t hurt it. The real risk is consistent smoking over time, which can cause buildup, but one incident like this? Should be fine.
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Unless your PC was surrounded by a lot of smoke, it shouldn’t have any damage. Maybe some dust buildup, but that’s about it. Just check if it’s still running properly.
ConcernedPartner: Well, the temperatures went up about 20 degrees. Is that bad?
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I really wouldn’t worry about it unless there was massive smoke or soot. Smoke from cooking is unlikely to damage anything in your PC. What’s the issue you’re noticing now?
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SkepticalSteve: Right? It sounds like an overreaction to me.