RE: Cleaning a Burnt Microwave
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Post By anne (Guest Post)
(10/09/2008)
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Excellent! I love you all! I love the internet!
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RE: Cleaning a Burnt Microwave
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Post By Tada (Guest Post)
(10/03/2008)
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The coffee grounds and water + filter works excellent, my wife was about to buy a new microwave because of the burned noodles I put it there and burned it to a black dust because I forgot to put water in it LOL.
I had to run it about 4 times and ran the exhaust at the same time and voila, wife happy again! LOL
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RE: Cleaning a Burnt Microwave
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Post By Andre (Guest Post)
(10/02/2008)
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Burnt some Popcorn in my brand new microwave. My wife told me I had to buy a new one. Used the finger nail polisher, worked great looks like new. The Coffee trick helped for the smell. Thanks, saved me a lot of money.
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RE: Cleaning a Burnt Microwave
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Post By Jean (Guest Post)
(09/12/2008)
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Burnt popcorn in the microwave. I took my coffee filter with the used grounds and put it in a glass dish. I added enough water to cover the grounds. Microwave on high for a couple of minutes and the odor is gone.
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RE: Cleaning a Burnt Microwave
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Post By josh (Guest Post)
(07/28/2008)
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Burned microwave, fried wontons to a black crisp and the entire house was full of smoke. Trying everything and nothing is working so far.
Can't get stains out, can't get smell out.
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RE: Cleaning a Burnt Microwave
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Post By Barry (Guest Post)
(07/15/2008)
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Thanks for the tips on cleaning burnt popcorn in the microwave! The acetone worked great getting the yellow stain off the inside.
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RE: Cleaning a Burnt Microwave
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Post By Pete (Guest Post)
(07/14/2008)
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I burnt the popcorn in the microwave, too! I used the nail polish and the lemons-so THANKS for the tips!!-My extra step is using a little Cascade in the water and heat it a little to get rid of the smell!
By PETE
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RE: Cleaning a Burnt Microwave
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Post By PMV (Guest Post)
(07/14/2008)
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I well-overcooked the microwave popcorn! Thanks to all for the finger-nail polish remover. The microwave was badly yellowed and the nail polish did the trick! We used non-acetone and it worked just fine. For the smell, we heated the cut lemons, but still had a smell of hot lemon and nail polish smell, so I added some Cascade dishwashing liquid with lemon scent, just a few drops into the bowl with the lemons. now we've got a clean detergent smell! Hope this last step helps someone else! PMV
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RE: Cleaning a Burnt Microwave
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Post By (Guest Post)
(06/25/2008)
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Ok so the acetone works well inside the microwave, but the smell didnt seem to be leaving the area and I realized it was because the vent fan circulated the burnt popcorn smell as well. Turning the fan on to high and sending some febreeze mist right into the intake (bottom of microwave above the stove top) seems to do the trick if you keep sprayin some in every 5 minutes or so.
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RE: Cleaning a Burnt Microwave
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Post By Texas Ex (Guest Post)
(05/29/2008)
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Never mind the darn microwave! How do you get the smell out of the HOUSE? Teen daughter burned popcorn in the brand new microwave. (It is much more powerful than our old lame one.) Now the house smells like a burned cornfield, and I cannot get the odor out of the air! HELP!
Editor's Note: Put some lemon juice, lemon rind and water in the microwave and heat it up. It will put out a better smell and help get rid of the bad one.
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RE: Cleaning a Burnt Microwave
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Post By Morris (Guest Post)
(05/13/2008)
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My microwave has a stainless steel interior. Can I use acetone on it for burned on stains?
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RE: Cleaning a Burnt Microwave
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Post By Christie Hodge (Guest Post)
(05/01/2008)
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AMAZING! We bought a new microwave, and the babysitter left popcorn in too long. We were told by GE there was nothing we could do. The WHOLE INSIDE WAS YELLOW & Smelled horrible. I found this site, bought 100% ACETONE Fingernail polish remover at Albertsons for $1.79, and my microwave looks like NEW AGAIN!
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RE: Cleaning a Burnt Microwave
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Post By epate (Guest Post)
(04/14/2008)
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Thanks for all the hints. I have tried everything but the acetone and coffee grounds. I will try that. I have yellow stains in microwave from burnt popcorn. This site has given me lots of help. Thanks.
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RE: Cleaning a Burnt Microwave
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Post By Drake NYC (Guest Post)
(03/29/2008)
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My roommate came home from the bar at 4am DRUNK and decided on a little popcorn snack. Cut to a lovely wakeup call of BURNT popcorn smell. He's outta here! Day later it smells AWFUL! My neighbor even smelled it thru the hallway! Tried the coffee grinds and it seems to do the trick. Thanks to everyone.
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RE: Cleaning a Burnt Microwave
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Post By Paula. (Guest Post)
(03/07/2008)
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I killed a chicken pot pie with my microwave by heating it on high for 15 min. not the required 4-1/2 min. also left it in the open container as directed. unfortunately, I left the room and the burning smell let me know I had a real disaster. Now ther is a strong smoky smell everywhere, especially in the microwave and using it afterwards only intensifies the smell. HELP!
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RE: Cleaning a Burnt Microwave
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Post By (Guest Post)
(02/24/2008)
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The coffee trick worked very well for me, it had been like two days that the smell was unbearable. I was not able to get rid of the stains, though, and I'm thinking seriously that the burned stuff may have damaged the inside parts of the microwave since it took like 4 minutes to boil the coffee mug. So as soon as I have a chance I'll have to send this stuff to some appliance collect service. Needless to say that even though the popcorn package said it was valid through July, the stuff was old. No more Pop Weaver for me.
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RE: Cleaning a Burnt Microwave
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Post By peg (Guest Post)
(02/20/2008)
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I tried the non acetone and it helped. Will try the real stuff tomorrow. Hope it works.
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RE: Cleaning a Burnt Microwave
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Post By FlyGirl (Guest Post)
(02/17/2008)
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After burning up a bag of popcorn, the stench was horrific. I thought I'd surely have to just replace the microwave. So, I tried the acetone. Took the yellow right off! Then I put a couple tablespoons of coffee in a mug, filled it half full of water; set that in another microwave bowl and let it go for 2 minutes on high. Smell is gone now too! I merely wiped it out with a damp soft towel and all is well in microwave land again! Thanks to all of you for your suggestions!
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RE: Cleaning a Burnt Microwave
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Post By (Guest Post)
(12/30/2007)
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My daughter was trying to make hot chocolate inside an aluminum cup! Guess what happen next! I'll try some of these methods. Thanks!
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RE: Cleaning a Burnt Microwave
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Post By Milda (Guest Post)
(12/08/2007)
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I burned something in the microwave yesterday. Not only its dirty and smelly, one of the vents seem rather charred. How do i know whether its safe to use it again? SOS
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RE: Cleaning a Burnt Microwave
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Post By Donna (Guest Post)
(11/03/2007)
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As far as the odor, put it outside for a couple of days. This worked for us when our daughter burned candian bacon in ours!
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RE: Cleaning a Burnt Microwave
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Post By Tracey (Guest Post)
(10/18/2007)
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Thank you so much to everyone who posted...the acetone worked amazingly well...not 100% but darn close!!!! I did the boiled coffee, I wiped with white vinegar, I boiled vanilla and almond extract, I used simple green...everything.....the stains are pretty much resolved with the acetone, the smell is still lingering a bit but MUCH better. I'm boiling potpourri on my stove to help get the smell out of the rest of the house as well....guess I'll watch the popcorn next time!!!! Thanks to all.
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RE: Cleaning a Burnt Microwave
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Post By gail (Guest Post)
(09/17/2007)
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The coffee works brilliantly. We've been heating a heat bag up each night but left it too long one night and the smell has been awful.Tried different cleaning agents but the smell kept returning and the smell seemed to cause food to taste unpleasant.
Gail
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Coffee, Simple Green, & Nail Polish Remover
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Post By Matt (Guest Post)
(09/16/2007)
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I wiped down the microwave with the nail polish remover 5 times and with Simple Green 2 times. They helped with the cavity of the micro, but not the air ventilation system - where the burnt smell stays. I tried the coffee grounds idea and did it twice for thoroughness. I have no more smell. The coffee method did leave a coating of coffee inside the cavity, but I just Windexed and wiped, and now I'm good as new.
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RE: Cleaning a Burnt Microwave
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Post By stacie (Guest Post)
(09/08/2007)
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My son put a microwave pizza in for 17 min. cause he read the directions wrong. He went and took a shower while the pizza was burning. The smell is just awful. Going to try the vinegar, hope it works. Thanks for your help!
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RE: Cleaning a Burnt Microwave
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Post By jessica (Guest Post)
(08/07/2007)
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i just burnt a bag of popcorn at work, so i am going to try these all later.
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RE: Cleaning a Burnt Microwave
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Post By luis (Guest Post)
(08/04/2007)
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well yesterday my wife forgot she had a potato in the microwave until the potatoes burnt now it smells really bad. how can I get rid of the smell? thanks luis
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RE: Cleaning a Burnt Microwave
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Post By sammy (Guest Post)
(07/26/2007)
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I tried evrything listed here to get the smell out and the best thing that worked was the coffee. I still have the stain but I am going to get acetone to try or the simple green
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RE: Cleaning a Burnt Microwave
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Post By (Guest Post)
(07/09/2007)
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Nail Polish Remover (Acetone) worked for me! I just moved into a brand new home with build in microwave. My daughter burned a cup of noodle in the microwave. All the yellow spots are gone and most of the smell too. Thank you!
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RE: Cleaning a Burnt Microwave
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Post By (Guest Post)
(06/20/2007)
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i used a vinegar water lemon juice spray first than scrubed the hard to get off spots with a paste of baking soda and water using a toothbrush.....It worked pretty well. I then left a bowl of baking soda int he microwave for a few days...that helped with the smell.
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Request: Cleaning a Burnt Microwave.
Did you leave that microwave popcorn in there too long? Do you have a brown, yucky mess? I did too! I tried one tip that barely worked, then I remembered using something to clean off the soot on the inside of my wood stove window. SIMPLE GREEN.
Yes, it's simple and it's in a green can. I like the fact that it's also non-acidic, non-toxic, and bio-degradable. And boy does it work! I used it to get off the brown stains in my microwave from really OLD popcorn. I sprayed it on, waited 2 minutes (if that), and wiped with a paper towel and that was it. No more brown stains! Hallelujah for Simple Green.
By Dustie Jackson from Tuscola, TX
More Advice:
RE: I need help cleaning my burnt Microwave.
The finger nail polish remover, acetone, to remove the yellow burnt stains works! Also, using it direct on a flat cosmetic swabs worked best, believe or not. Use your knuckles in the swab and quick strokes with the swab worked best. It will take a few times over, but now it looks like brand new. Thanks! (11/27/2005)
By Robert
Popcorn burnt in the Microwave!
I first cleaned a lot of the yellowing off with laundry detergent, but the smell was still there. I didn't use acetone, but I did use fingernail polish remover...mine was non-acetone. It worked on the rest of the discoloring, and on most of the smell! (In just a few minutes. I'm steaming with some of the vanilla, just because I like that smell better. (10/16/2006)
By George
RE: Cleaning a Burnt Microwave.
Grandma burned some previously cooked chicken in the microwave, attempting to recycle it for the dog. Bad idea. Came home to billows of smoke and ghastly smell. The house cleared with airing and orange oil air fresheners. The microwave was more difficult. Cleaned the stains with nail polish remover (thank you!) followed by baking soda and water baths. Boiled vinegar (some better), followed by boiling water with lemon oil and vanilla several times a day. Everything helps a bit, but if it doesn't clear in another day or two, will soon be microwave shopping. (11/07/2006)
By Linda
RE: Cleaning a Burnt Microwave.
I have had this problem numerous times, mostly from burned popcorn, but today, from a burned brownie (the kind that come with microwaveable meals, I cut out the section with the brownie one day when I didn't want the brownie, and saved it for later, but when I tried to cook just the brownie portion today, I didn't adjust the cook time, and voila, instant house filled with thick smoke that smelled like pure burnt sugar).
I tried everything, from vinegar with baking soda to Windex to orange scented cleanser to Pine-Sol, and nothing worked to kill the lingering smell inside the microwave. I refused to admit defeat, because it's a brand new microwave! I'll save my rant about the popcorn button on it for some other forum, let's just say, the only way I can cook popcorn without burning it is to underpop the stuff. Microwave is too powerful for it's own good, and even reducing the power level doesn't help, because then the popcorn stops and starts popping a lot, which results in disaster.
Finally, I thought of something: Coffee absorbs odors! I put two tablespoons of freshly ground coffee into a ceramic coffee cup, and added enough water to bring it to about half full. When you do this, be sure to sit the coffee mug down into a microwave-safe ceramic or glass bowl or something, because it boils over all over the place). Put that in the microwave and nuke it for about two minutes (long enough for it to boil all over the place, or preferably into the bowl). It will splash out around the microwave some, but that's a good thing in my opinion!
Open the door, carefully remove the bowl and mug (carefully! It was boiling a second ago, remember?!) and sit it gently down into the sink to cool. Immediately wipe out the microwave with a damp cloth or paper towels, and if you have a pool of liquid in the bottom of the microwave, use a handful of paper towels to soak it up so you don't get any on yourself and burn yourself.
After you've wiped it all clean, poke your head in and smell the inside of the microwave. Smell anything other than a little coffee smell? Repeat if you need to, I had to do it twice, but the smell seems to be gone now!
I also wiped the inside down with some windex afterward to be sure I got all the coffee to prevent coffee stains. (11/15/2006)
By Lisa S.
RE: Cleaning a Burnt Microwave.
The coffee trick really worked! I burned a bag of popcorn five days ago and tried EVERYTHING to try to get the smell and stains out, but nothing worked until now. The burnt smell is all gone now. I'm trying the Simple Green trick later on today for the remaining stains the oven cleaner didnt get. If that doesn't work I will graduate to acetone.
Thanks a million! That smell had been driving me CRAZY! (01/19/2007)
By Nicole
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Request: I need help cleaning my burnt Microwave.
My son tried to burn up my Microwave the other day with microwave popcorn. It has been almost 1 month and I still can't get the smell out of my microwave. I've cleaned, scrubbed it. I even put a lemon in water and turn it on for 1 minute increments. It didn't help. I would appreciate any and all helpful hints. Really am getting tired of the smell.
TIA,
Karen in PA
Answers:
Vinegar
Put a bowl of vinegar in the microwave and turn it on so that it will steam, probably 1 or 2 minutes depending on your machine. Let it sit in there for 10 minutes and wipe it out with clear water. It seems to really help. Also make sure any removable parts are run through the dishwasher or washed well.
Hope this helps. (01/28/2003)
By Susan
Baking Soda and Water
I used the water/baking soda combo for 2 increments of 2 minutes each. The smell isn't that strong anymore, and it also helped me wipe away what the cleanser couldn't get. Thanks for the tip! (02/13/2005)
By redcatt
Water and Lemon
How can you get rid of that disgusting BURNT POPCORN smell in the microwave?
Pour 1 1/2 cups of water into a large microwave-safe bowl. Then add 1/2 sliced lemon & 4 to 7 cloves. Bring to a boil and let sit in the microwave for at least 10 minutes. Take out and leave the door open for a while so it can air out. THis should work. (04/20/2005)
By Gallagher
Vanilla and Boiled Water
Tried the vanilla and water boiled for 3 minutes. Then wiped at out with bleach and water. Thanks for the help jockocheeze. (07/02/2005)
By OD
Acetone
One word, Acetone. The power of the carbonyl group is wonderful (for the organic chemist out there!) (08/20/2005)
By john
100% Pure Acetone
So our babysitter tried to burn the house down with a bag of popcorn a week ago. So far nothing had helped until I read this discussion thread. The boiling of water and baking soda didn't seem to do much. However, I found 100% pure Acetone (nail polish remover) at Albertson's and it seems to have helped remove the yellow stains. It's not as white as new but a major improvement. I used a sprayer from another cleaner bottle, after rinsing it clean, and that helped spread the acetone. I sure hope this helps the smell too. Careful because acetone is some strong stuff, make sure your windows are open and fans are on.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acetone (11/12/2005)
By Kerry Brown
Comet
I used Comet, the scratch free kind in the yellow container, wet a paper towel or 2, poured the Comet on and burnt stuff came right off. The reason I'm on this site however is the smell. I think I have a few tricks now after reading some of your suggestions! Hope one works!(02/03/2006)
By Christie
Acetone
I came here this afternoon to ask the same question about a yellow/brown stain from popcorn in my microwave. I got a new microwave two years ago today. About a week later I tried out the "popcorn" button that was supposed to be pre-programmed for a store-bought bag of microwave popcorn. Well, instead of yummy popcorn, I got a burning mess that left a brown/yellow stain on the whole left inside wall of the oven.
I was really upset! I tried everything, oxiclean, bleach, baking soda, you name it. The smell went away within a few days of cooking, but the stain lasted. I had a service guy here from the manufacturer for another problem with the microwave and he said "Oh, you'll never get rid of that popcorn stain".
As I said, I came here today to ask about getting rid of the stain. I tried acetone and it worked! I used cotton balls, a sponge and then a "scotch-brite" pad (the green nylon things that don't scratch) and it's gone! My microwave looks as good as new!
Thank you so much for the suggestions here and to whomever keeps this board/site running. What a great resource! By the way, when the stain was all gone, I soaked a washcloth with vinegar and wiped all the inside surfaces with it. Then I used some soap and water on the inside surfaces. I let that dry, then did the little trick with the vanilla and the inside smells fresh, no harsh odors, and the food cooked in the microwave came out smelling/tasting "normal".
Thanks again! (02/19/2006)
By CK
Acetone Worked for Me, But Don't Inhale It!
I got 100% Pure Acetone in a clear 16 oz bottle from Wal-Mart for $1.97. You can see the burnt spots dissolve into the fluid when you pour it on. But I'm dizzy from inhaling it. It takes about 30 minutes, so be well ventilated like in the garage or shade outside. Don't smoke. (04/12/2006)
By Bob
Acetone
I tried everything and nothing worked until I used Acetone. I even tried carburetor cleaner, engine degreaser and NON-flammable break cleaning fluid. I think the regular flammable break-cleaning fluid might work. Acetone is flammable also, but it dries (vaporizes) fast. Wet cloth the microwave with water anyway. (04/12/2006)
By Bob
Acetone Warning
Inhaling Acetone warning:
http://www.worldofmolecules.com/solvents/acetone.htm (04/12/2006)
By Bob #3
Simple Green
I tried microwaving some old carmel popcorn (didn't realize how old it was) & followed directions for 4 1/2 min. on high. Well none of it popped, but did turn my house into a smoke factory & my microwave oven into a brown mess inside. I tried the 1 cup water & vanilla thing & helped a little. Then I remembered my SIMPLE GREEN spray that I used to clean soot off of my wood stove. IT WORKED GREAT!! I just followed the can directions and waited 2 minutes and all of the brown came off without scrubbing, I think it will also help with the smell. This Simple Green is non-acidic, non-toxic and bio-degradable. (07/26/2006)
By Dustie
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