Removing Burnt Smell From Microwave

By nanlee

Archives: Request: Removing Burnt Smell From Microwave Archived on 09/10/2009 My 5 year old son put a cup of that 3 minute noodle soup in the microwave and didn't add enough water. I have tried everything to get the burnt smell out. My kitchen smells burnt from the odor of the microwave being so strong. Please help. By Mommy of 9 from Chicago, IL Feedback: RE: Removing Burnt Smell From Microwave Put in half a cup of ground coffee in an open cup in the microwave. It worked wonders when a friend of mine's microwaveable heating pad blew up in the microwave. Anyway, just keep the cup of ground coffee in the microwave; you may have to transfer it in and out when you need to use the microwave, but the smell should be gone shortly. (06/26/2009) By lukensqueak-juggernaut RE: Removing Burnt Smell From Microwave As with bad smells in a fridge or freezer, you can use baking soda. Wipe out the microwave with a mix of water and a good measure of baking soda. Then put some water in a micro-safe container, stir in some baking soda, heat the mix at very low % (temp), to avoid overflow, then let it sit for awhile. It worked when I forgot and "warmed" leftovers way too long. Great granny from Alabammy. (06/26/2009) By LJF RE: Removing Burnt Smell From Microwave If none of the above work, try getting activated charcoal (available in the fish department of a pet store or even Wal-Mart) and put it in a bowl and leave it overnight in the microwave. I once used this tip, which is an old Heloise one, to get the smell out of an old dresser that went through a fire. Worked like a charm. If really bad, repeat with new charcoal. (06/26/2009) By webpossum Report Spam or Abuse Request: Removing Burnt Smell From Microwave Archived on 06/25/2009 I recently put a potato in the microwave wrapped in wax paper, a silly thing to do, but at the time I didn't think about it. Then I saw the smoke and came to the kitchen to see a fire blazing in the microwave. I was able to clean up the microwave pretty good but the smell is still there! How do I get rid of the smell? By Cobie_kat from Ohio Feedback: RE: Removing Burnt Smell From Microwave Get a new microwave. I did the same thing with a bag of popcorn. I cleaned and cleaned and did all the little tricks with baking soda, vinegar and such. But it still smelled every time I used it and when it got hot. Hope you find something that works, but just do yourself a favor and save the hassle and get a new one. (04/08/2009) By sweetie6116 RE: Removing Burnt Smell From Microwave You're never going to believe this one, but it worked the fist time. We just got a new microwave and on the 2nd day we burnt popcorn in it. I immediately completely washed it down inside with Clorox CleanUp (soap plus bleach) twice. Still very bad! Someone on this site mentioned that enzymatic cleaners for animal urine worked. Because a family member is ill, we have a spray bottle of perineal cleaner (cleans and takes away urine and feces smell). I just wiped down the microwave with it, and NO burnt smell! Our brand is Aloe Vesta Perineal/Skin Cleanser #1, made by ConvaTec, but any perineal cleanser should work. You should be able to get it at any pharmacy. Cost is probably around $4 per bottle, which should last a LONG time, even if you burn your popcorn often. ;-) If necessary, I will do the vanilla, fragrance oil, etc. suggestions to clear the fan and vents. But so far, so good. Thank you for this site and thanks to all the contributors! (06/18/2009) By Penny02 Report Spam or Abuse Request: Removing Burnt Smell From Microwave Archived on 03/16/2009 How do you remove a burned smell from the microwave? Sharon from Toledo, OH Answers: RE: Removing Burnt Smell From Microwave Slice a nice big lemon into a medium microwave-safe bowl of water. Pop it into the microwave and put it on for about 6-10 minutes. Let it sit in there until it's cool enough to handle, then wipe out the grime and have a freshened Microwave with no burnt smell on top of it. I found this out when my daughter put cheese on a foam plate for three minutes....but it worked...even on burnt-plastic smell. (03/10/2009) By Shosha Report Spam or Abuse Request: Removing Burnt Smell From Microwave Archived on 03/09/2009 How do I get rid of burnt popcorn smell from the microwave? Patti from Chickasha, OK Answers: RE: Removing Burnt Smell From Microwave My husband, the service tech, told me that you take a Pyrex container and fill it with water. Put it in the microwave and let it come to a boil. Let it boil for about 5 or 10 minutes, watching very carefully that it does not boil dry. This will let the fan motor circulate out the burnt smell. Make sure after you're done to clean out the microwave. (02/25/2009) By DEBRADJ. RE: Removing Burnt Smell From Microwave Everybody will scream when I write this but it worked for me! Go to the Dollar General and pick up one of those spray bottles of cleaner with bleach. Spray inside the microwave and let it sit for a few minutes. Wipe it out several times and let the door stand open til dry. Worked for me! And I read somewhere that after bleach sits for awhile like 24 hours that the bleach neutralizes and turns to water anyway. So you know good and well after wiping it clean 3 or 4 times, the bleach isn't gonna be there anyway! (02/25/2009) By CindyM56 RE: Removing Burnt Smell From Microwave Cut up a lemon and place in a bowl with some water. Cook til water boils and let set in the microwave til cool. The smell will be totally gone. Janette (02/26/2009) By ashleybunkin Report Spam or Abuse Request: Removing Burnt Smell From Microwave Archived on 02/24/2009 I cooked a corn dog in the microwave and it burned. Filled the room with an acid smelling smoke. I can't tell you how many times I've washed out the interior of the microwave and it still reeks. Help! Holly from Richardson, TX Answers: RE: Removing Burnt Smell From Microwave (submitted via email) I read your message about your son and the kd bomb. My son has done the same thing. How did you get the smell out? I've tried vinegar and water with cleaning, and the smell is still there. I'm thinking I'll have to get another microwave. Kathleen (12/21/2008) By jess_admin RE: Removing Burnt Smell From Microwave The best thing to use is candle fragrance. You can order a small bottle of your favorite scent, put a small amount in a paper bowl, turn on microwave for about 2 minutes, then let bowl sit inside with door closed for about 15 minutes (potpourri would probably work just as well). (01/11/2009) By tim RE: Removing Burnt Smell From Microwave Couple of days ago my 10 yr. old step-son made a "grilled" cheese sandwich. The bread was frozen, so he put it in for SIX MINUTES. Vinegar didn't work. My microwave is yellow inside and still stinks. Lemon didn't work. Pet enzyme stuff didn't work. Every time we cook something it STINKS. I'll have to try the cloves, vanilla, and/or tea bags. I have to say burnt cheese and plastic (the plate died too!) is actually worse than burnt popcorn. (01/14/2009) By Lea RE: Removing Burnt Smell From Microwave My son Kyle burned not one, but two bags of popcorn in a row. Let me tell you guys, it is raunchy in our kitchen. What I've tried so far is mothballs, kitty litter, and a little cat pee. So far, no luck. Maybe I will try to use some wood chips and snowballs later on. I also find that Old Spice Deodorant works well. (01/19/2009) By JAD RE: Removing Burnt Smell From Microwave I am trying the vanilla method. I have a sign on my microwave "Luke may not use without supervision" (my 10 year old). I think I will keep it there until he graduates from college! (01/19/2009) By Lisa H. RE: Removing Burnt Smell From Microwave Once my partner and I were having guests over for dinner, he put a small bowl of rice in the microwave for a friend's baby and instead of pressing 2 min., he pressed 20min and left the room. Well we were all at the other end of the house and were only alerted by the smoke detector going off. The house smelled for days. Back to the main subject, I got the smell out of the microwave by putting a bowl of water with dish soap and a tablespoon of Borax. That stuff works for everything, really. Linda (01/19/2009) By lindaj448 RE: Removing Burnt Smell From Microwave I have burnt my microwave while making popcorn, the smell stunk and the walls were so yellow! After reading lots about it on the internet on how to fix the issue, here are 4 steps that worked very well for me: 1) Add fresh coffee grounds to a bowl with water and boil it at least twice (will get most of the odor off). 2) Then "cook" cinnamon or something else you like the smell of (will help get rid of the smell in the vents). 3) Clean the yellow dirty walls with cotton pads & nail polish remover (I used acetone based, but they say the acetone free works too). 4) Repeat step 2 as often as you need to fully remove the popcorn smell I was about to consider buying a new microwave but gave it a chance trying this out and VOILA :) (02/12/2009) By Ati RE: Removing Burnt Smell From Microwave First of all, I really enjoyed all your stories. My story involves none other than me as the main character. Had a porcelain dish and then covered it with an ordinary metal cover with a plastic handle on top. And so I charged the microwave for a four minute 80% program and sat back down in front of the computer to do some work. Well, suddenly there was this awful smell spreading in the kitchen. Then it struck me. First of all, metal and microwaves = no good combination. Second of all, the plastic handle on that lock is probably not a microwave certified one. So what did I get that master of science degree for? :) Cheers! (02/20/2009) By James C. Report Spam or Abuse Request: Removing Burnt Smell From Microwave Archived on 09/04/2008 One of my daughters burnt popcorn in our brand new microwave. I have tried everything to get rid of the burnt smell, but it is still there. Items we cook or defrost in the microwave now seem to have a burnt popcorn taste. It is clean, but I think the smell has gotten into the 'guts' of it and in the fan area where I can't clean. I have already tried: cleaning with mild detergent placing a bowl of fabric softener in it using baking soda in it over night using vinegar and water, and running it for a few minutes April from NW Missouri Answers: RE: Removing Burnt Smell From Microwave Get a clean spray bottle & some enzymatic cleaner (often sold in the pet supplies). Follow the directions on the cleaner bottle, if it's the type that needs to be diluted. Put the resulting liquid in the spray bottle & spray the inside of your microwave liberally. Allow it to stay on for an hour or so & wipe off. Think about it, if this stuff removes cat urine odors, popcorn is no problem! (02/04/2008) By Been there-Done that! RE: Removing Burnt Smell From Microwave Oh my gosh, I think that I created the first taquito smoke bomb ever! And the smell was horrendous. I over cooked about six taquitos in the microwave (thanks to the dial deciding to go backwards). I used straight vinegar in a bowl, got it to the boiling point (about 5 minutes), then let it sit. I continued doing that for about an hour or so. The moisture from the boiling vinegar travels through the fan mechanism. The vinegar smell through the house will go way. No smell from microwave. Whewwww! (02/18/2008) By BPayne RE: Removing Burnt Smell From Microwave I must say, I never realized how lethal popcorn can be when it burns. I tried the vinegar, and as I opened my microwave, I felt as though I couldn't breathe because the vinegar was so strong! At the same time, I didn't smell the burn odor. I am rinsing with Fabuloso, which has such a pleasant fragrance. (04/12/2008) By Denise RE: Removing Burnt Smell From Microwave Heat vanilla extract in a bowl in the microwave for approximately 35 seconds. Turn off microwave, and leave door closed for 12 hours. (05/11/2008) By Mary Report Spam or Abuse Request: Removing Burnt Smell From Microwave Archived on 11/13/2007 My son cooked Easy Mac in my microwave, but forgot to add water. Now my microwave really reeks! How do I get that horrible smell out? Lori from New Castle, PA Answers: RE: Removing Burnt Smell From Microwave Hello, I did use water with baking soda to get rid of an odor put it in cup and let it cook for about 2 minutes. However since then I have found if I put a cup of water in with popcorn or what ever in bag while cooking I do not get the odor. Hope this helps. (08/15/2006) By Gramie3 RE: Removing Burnt Smell From Microwave Try the juice of a lemon in a cup of water and heat until it boils. I usually leave it until the water is about half gone, then wipe the moisture out and voila! It is bleached and smells good too. (08/15/2006) By abqjudy RE: Removing Burnt Smell From Microwave Try putting a bowl of vinegar in there and zapping it for a while. That should help. (08/16/2006) By heather RE: Removing Burnt Smell From Microwave The best thing I have found is to put a small amount of fresh coffee crystals in a small bowl. Shut the door and let it stay overnight. It has taken out burnt popcorn smell and cooked bacon smell. (08/16/2006) By Michele RE: Removing Burnt Smell From Microwave Wait to put your seasonings on your baked potato until after you cook it. (09/15/2006) By badwater RE: Removing Burnt Smell From Microwave It is dangerous to take apart a microwave oven since there is a high voltage capacitor that can deliver a fatal shock. Try using the lemon boiling method several times as needed. (02/08/2007) By Joe RE: Removing Burnt Smell From Microwave I took advice to take apart the microwave and clean the grease from the inside mechanical parts and fan with vinegar. I did not touch any wiring or high voltage pieces, only the outer vents from the cover and all the plastic mechanics ie. the fan--DO NOT EVER DO THIS! It worked on the smell for the most part, but it was still faint. When I used the microwave after cleaning out the guts with vinegar, it made a loud noise and I could see a fire starting thru the vents. I quickly unplugged it and put it right on the curb. I really liked that microwave. Why did I have to be the dummy who believes what they read on the internet. (02/23/2007) By Dummy Removing Burnt Smell From Microwave OK, so before I found this discussion thread, I thought we were the only ones in the world with this problem. Apparently NOT. There should be a 12-step support group for folks like us. Anyway, I tried four of the suggested methods listed in this thread: coffee, lemon/cloves, acetone and vinegar/water. Not sure which of them worked, since I was desperate and did not have the patience to test them using an empirical scientific model, but SOMETHING helped, and now the smell is hardly detectable. One thing I have NOT tried, nor have I seen listed as a possible odor-removing aid, is a product called "OZIUM", a medical-grade odor neutralizer in aerosol spray form. If I remember correctly, this product is even used in hospitals (and morgues) to remove....ahem....those undesireable cadaver odors. Since the only thing that I now consider worse than burned popcorn smell would be rotting corpse, I would give Ozium a try, if I could find it easily at a store near me. (Yes, you can order it on the Internet, but did you notice that patience is not one of my strong suits?). Good luck, my fellow microwave popcorn survivors! (03/31/2007) By N. Distefano RE: Removing Burnt Smell From Microwave I just tried the tea bags for an hour-occasionally nooked it for 30 secs to keep it steaming and think it really helped-thank you for your post! I am trying the vanilla nooked to give a more pleasant smell! My husband was really upset and said we needed to replace the microwave-thank you for your posts-might have saved me! (05/17/2007) By RE: Removing Burnt Smell From Microwave Don't ever try to "roast" garlic in the microwave! I've tried a combo of lemon juice, baking soda and water which didn't work. I also sprayed orange scented 409 and microwaved for 1 minute which didn't work. I'm trying the vanilla and water or tea bags in water as my husband also says the micro is ruined! (b)Editor's Note: (/b) Try a bowl of vinegar, heat it until its steaming and let it sit for a while. (07/02/2007) By Burnt in Seattle RE: Removing Burnt Smell From Microwave I win the prize. I read on the Internet that zapping a stuffed animal in the microwave would remove a musty smell from a stuffed animal. Oh no it doesn't ! The animal burnt and now I have a horrific smell that I can't get rid of. Definitely do not believe everything you read on the Internet! (07/31/2007) By mlewis RE: Removing Burnt Smell From Microwave For reasons I won't go into, my microwave reeked of moldy paperback book and smoke. I tried many of the suggestions found here -- lemon, vinegar, coffee, etc., but the smell still returned. I experimented and discovered that a non-toxic solution called Zero Odor (they have a website) seemed to work best for my situation. I poured a small amount into a bowl, microwaved it for 2-3 minutes on high and let it boil and steam. I also sprayed Zero Odor into the ventilation intakes as it was running to help clear them out. I repeated this a few times and it reduced the smell significantly. (09/18/2007) By Nick RE: Removing Burnt Smell From Microwave I am trying the vinegar thing. My son's friend cooked Easy Mac in the microwave in a butter dish no less, and cooked it like forever.I came in and smoke was everywhere, so hopefully the vinegar will work. (10/10/2007) By Angel (10/19/2007) By Laurel_admin RE: Removing Burnt Smell From Microwave Supposedly a tiny bowl of VINEGAR will get rid of most any bad smell. They even say to keep a small bowl of vinegar next to you on the counter when you fry fish... Now if it works for fried fish, How can you go wrong! S Stay away from HARSH unnatural cleaners (like 409) when cleaning a microwave. They could migrate into your food! I find that by just microwaving a cup of water, then waiting 5 minutes, even the most disgusting, crusty-est stuff will just wipe right off. Why not add a few tablespoons of vinegar to remove the smell at the same time! (10/19/2007) By Cyinda RE: Removing Burnt Smell From Microwave I always use the boiling water method, put a few drops of essential oil (I usually use lemon or grapefruit) in a couple of cups of water, and cook for 4-5 minutes (enough to let it boil for a while). Then let sit. This should get rid of just about any odor, and any baked-on gunk will just wipe away. (10/20/2007) By tholtz RE: Removing Burnt Smell From Microwave I'd say first, your son needs to be doing the cleaning. A large mixing bowl (micro safe) about 1/2 full of water. Baking soda in it works, vinegar, just not together without a reaction. If you do it before putting it in the MW, o.k. When putting other things in the MW, put a wet/real damp dish cloth in with vinegar on. NEVER PAPER PRODUCTS--will burn. Again, the child should be helping, they may never do it again! (10/22/2007) By T&T Grandma RE: Removing Burnt Smell From Microwave I just put 1.5 cup of water in a bowl add Cinnamon & Vanilla and let it boil and set for a while...works like a charm! (10/24/2007) By Tiffany Smith. RE: Removing Burnt Smell From Microwave I burned a bag of micro popcorn last night. The day before we were having 20-25 friends over our house for a gathering. I was mortified. I am happy to report however that after a day long expedition 6-8hrs the majority of the odor from the microwave is gone. I used different combos and always let each batch sit for 20-30 minutes in microwave. All had good amount of water and combos of vinegar, baking soda, vanilla. lemon slices, cinnamon stick, and tea bags. I just kept making up combos with the different smells I liked. As for the odor that permeated my house I put pots of water on the stove with combos of vanilla, cinnamon sticks, lemon slices, allspice, apple pie spice everything except the vinegar and baking soda. It worked wonderfully. Then I mixed the microwave batch that was steaming inside of it (last batch did not have vinegar or baking soda) with all the stove top pots into a large hurricane jar it looked great to with a slight tea color from the tea bags and lemon slices and allspice cloves and cinnamon sticks I used it for decoration and it still smelled great. Thanks for all the great tips (11/10/2007) By R.Kidd Akron, OH Report Spam or Abuse Request: Removing Burnt Smell From Microwave Archived on 01/04/2005 I was recently given a microwave oven and it has a burnt smell. The previous owner was heating up a wheat bag and it burnt and now the oven has an unpleasant smell. How can I remove the smell? Maggie Answers: Vinegar and Lemon 01/05/2005 Wipe the inside completely with vinegar and water and rinse. Then chop up a lemon and put in a microwave safe dish with a cup of water. Heat on high for two or three minutes and let stand for 5 more. Repeat as required, but don't burn the lemon! Good luck. By beanygurl Vanilla 01/05/2005 I have had that problem with garlic! It smelled horrible. But if you take and place a container of water with about 1 tbsp. of vanilla in it and heat until boiling. Leave it in the microwave for about an hour and then if it is not completely gone, repeat it a few times and it will disappear. It only took once on mine. It was great! By MissMichelle Tea Bags 01/21/2005 My uncle came into town with a bag of microwaveable pork rinds (I know, don't ask!) when he left them in there about 30 seconds too long (as if it makes a difference with pork skin!). Well, actually it did make a difference because now it smells, as a neighbor put it, like burnt hair. I gave up hope on the microwave untll a friend told me about putting three tea bags in 10 ounces of water and heating it until it boiled. The burnt hair smell is gone. Hope this helps! By Chauncey Gardner (Guest Post) RE: Removing Burnt Smell From Microwave 02/25/2006 Is the individual who posted on Jan 21, 2005 REALLY named Chauncey Gardner, or was this an alias taken from "Being There", a short novel made into a movie starring Peter Sellers. Just curious. Thanks Editor's Note: Because Chauncey Gardner posted as a Guest (anonymous) we really don't know nor do we have any way to contact this person. We encourage posters to register so we are able to contact them if necessary or ask them questions about their posts but just as you have Darryl, Guest posters we have no way to contact. Susan from ThriftyFun(/b) By Daryl B. GUEST POST (Guest Post) Report Spam or Abuse