Sometimes our kitchen ceiling fan smells hot, usually when first turning it on and not always with the lights on. It doesn't exactly smell like an electrical odor, just hot. Also sometimes there is a hum when it does this. Both usually go away after it's on a few minutes, but sometimes I turn it off and try again later. We've had it at least a year, but this has happened in the last several months occasionally. Do I need to have an electrician check it out?

Sometimes our kitchen ceiling fan smells hot, usually when first turning it on and not always with the lights on. It doesn't exactly smell like an electrical odor, just hot. Also sometimes there is a hum when it does this. Both usually go away after it's on a few minutes, but sometimes I turn it off and try again later. We've had it at least a year, but this has happened in the last several months occasionally. Do I need to have an electrician check it out?

If you are worried enough to ask on this Forum, getting an Electrician may not be a bad idea.

When the fan "smells", does the fan's casing feel hot to the touch?

You could turn the power to the fan off and then drop the fan down. While the fan is down, check the wiring for melting insulation, bur marks, loose connections.

What make is the fan?