How to Remove Burnt Smell from Microwave Ovens. Leave a comment

It has happened to all of us once: we used a non-microwavable container, didn’t pay attention, or entered the wrong time and let the food inside our microwave burn. The burnt smell that spreads in the oven and kitchen after that is the worst!

Luckily, there are many methods to remove that awful smell and sanitise your oven. Follow the steps below to remove the burned odour from your oven:

Clean the oven

The first step to removing that burnt smell from your oven is cleaning all the burnt bits from your oven’s interior. The pieces of burned food might still be scattered around the oven, so try wiping it clean. But if the grime and burnt bits are too stubborn to come off, fill one cup of water in a microwave-safe container and heat for three to five minutes. Let the steaming water sit for an additional fifteen minutes in the oven to soften the interior and loosen the grime. Remove the container and turntable, and then clean them in the washbasin or dishwasher. Be sure to check the microwave handbook first to ensure that the turntable is dishwasher-safe.

Steam-clean with vinegar

If the smell still lingers, you can try to steam-clean your microwave using vinegar. White vinegar is a natural odour remover and a powerful cleaning agent. In a microwave-safe bowl, add one cup of distilled white vinegar and one cup of water. Place the bowl in the microwave and boil the solution. Turn off the microwave and let the steam soak the inside of the microwave for at least five minutes before opening the door. After this, carefully remove the basin containing the hot solution, dip a microfiber cloth into the vinegar solution, and soak it until damp. Wipe every surface of the microwave with this damp towel, and soak it often.

Steam-clean with lemon

If you do not have distilled white vinegar at your disposal, you can use lemon slices to clean your microwave. Follow the same instructions from above for steam cleaning with vinegar, but use lemon slices in two cups of water instead of vinegar, and you will get the same results.

Deep-clean your microwave oven

If your oven is really messed up with splattered and burned food and has been in this condition for some time, then it must be thoroughly cleaned before removing the burned odours. Put undiluted distilled white vinegar in a spray bottle and spray it on the regions with heavy grime in the microwave. Baking soda works as a soft abrasive, so sprinkle baking soda on these areas and wait for the foaming to stop. Use a soaked microfiber cloth to wipe off the stuck food in the microwave. If the food continues to stick, soak a melamine sponge and scrape the area. Once the oven has been cleaned up, wipe down the entire interior of the microwave using a towel soaked with distilled white vinegar.

To clean the exterior of the oven, like the door, handle, and control panel, mix water and distilled white vinegar in a spray bottle, spray the solution lightly on the outside, and wipe clean with a lint-free microfiber cloth for a streak-free finish.

If your microwave has a turntable plate, clean it in a sink using hot water and a dishwashing solution that removes grease and oil. You could also put it in the dishwasher.

Sprinkle baking soda on a damp microfiber cloth to clean the door gasket or seal. To eliminate any remaining residue, wipe it down with a clean, moist microfiber cloth.

Baking soda to the rescue!

If the burned smell still lingers even after you thoroughly clean the oven, it’s time to try baking soda! Bear in mind that this process will take some time for it to absorb the foul smell. Put a bowl or a package of baking soda inside your oven, and let it stay inside the closed microwave oven for a few days or at least overnight for it to absorb the lingering smell. Don’t forget to tell others in your home to remove the packet or bowl before using the oven.

You can do the same process using activated charcoal or fresh coffee grounds for the same results. But keep whatever product you are using to absorb the odour until the smell is fully gone.

Tips to maintain your oven

The way to avoid going through all of this is by properly maintaining your microwave oven.

Remember to always use microwavable vessels and containers; avoid putting takeout containers and paper containers in your oven.

Don’t microwave potentially explosive foods like whole fruits, spicy peppers, or whole eggs with their shells still on them.

Make sure you cover your container with a plate or a microwavable cover to avoid splattering in the oven.

If something burns, do a swift steam clean using vinegar or lemon, and keep your oven clean.

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