It’s dinnertime and you’ve decided to reheat some leftovers. You wait for the microwave to ding, but then there’s suddenly a burnt microwave smell wafting around the room. Now, not only is your stomach grumbling, but you’re also left wondering how to get a burnt smell out of microwave interiors.
For starters, you shouldn’t worry too much about the burnt smell—it’s usually nothing too serious. You can easily get rid of the smell, too. In fact, there are many simple ways to get your microwave smelling fresh again, and Don Fuller’s Appliance Repair is here to explain each one.
Related Article: How Does A Microwave Work?
Let’s get into it!
8 Ways to Get Rid of Burnt Smells in a Microwave
1. Baking Soda
Tried and tested in the cleaning industry, you can easily remove burnt smells from your microwave and microwave ovens with trusty baking soda. There are a couple of ways you can use it to eliminate the unwanted odor:
- Make a baking soda paste by mixing baking soda with a bit of water. Then, apply the paste to the interior surfaces of your microwave. Once that’s done, let the paste sit and absorb the odors for a few hours with the microwave door open. After that, you can clean the inside of the microwave using a damp cloth or paper towel and a dry cloth.
- Another approach is to pour baking soda and water into a microwave-safe bowl. After mixing, microwave the mixture for around five minutes, allowing the mixture to absorb the burnt smell. Finally, remove the bowl and give the microwave interior a proper wipe with a soft cloth or rag.
- Simply place small bowls of baking soda or an open box of the product in the microwave. Leave it there overnight to soak up the burnt smells. Don’t forget to tell your family members about it so no one mistakenly takes it out before it can take effect.
2. Lemon or Lemon Juice
If you have lemon juice at home, it might just be your secret weapon to eliminate the burnt smells. To use it, add one tablespoon of lemon juice to one cup of water. Alternatively, you can use a fresh lemon by slicing it and squeezing the juice into a microwave-safe bowl or dish; you can also add the squeezed pieces of lemon in there.
Afterward, it’s time to microwave the lemon mixture for around five minutes. When it finishes the cycle, leave it inside for another five minutes. Then, wipe the microwave interior and enjoy your odor-free appliance!
3. Steam Water
Steaming water is a great way to make microwaves smell clean and fresh again. To steam clean, heat up one cup of water in the microwave for three to four minutes. When you steam water, it helps break down leftover food debris and grime in the interior, making cleaning much easier. The final step is to use a soft cloth to wipe down the inside of the microwave.
4. Vinegar and Water
If the odors are stubborn and won’t go away with a steam clean, try mixing one tablespoon of vinegar in one cup of water before putting it in the microwave to heat for two to five minutes. The steam will spread the vinegar and water solution throughout the interior, soften the grime, and eliminate the burnt smell. Afterward, you can use a cloth or paper towel to wipe the interior.
5. Dish Soap and Water
Another easy and simple way to get rid of those pesky burnt smells is to use something we all have at home—dish soap! All you need to do is add a little dish soap to a cup of water and put it in the microwave. Heat it for a few minutes until it starts to steam.
Once that’s done, take out the bowl of dish soap and water and dip a rag or cloth in the solution. Use it to clean the inside of the microwave. You can also use a sponge dipped in the solution if you’re dealing with particularly stubborn stains or hardened grime.
6. Vanilla Extract
Did you know you can use vanilla extract for more than just baking? It’s a great way to combat burnt smells in your microwave. You can do this by soaking a couple of cotton balls or a sponge with a bit of vanilla extract and leaving them inside the microwave with the door closed. Let them sit overnight or for a few hours.
While vanilla extract can effectively mask odors, it doesn’t quite eliminate smells the same way vinegar and lemon juice do. So, if you’re going to use vanilla extract, it’s best to do it as a final step after steam cleaning with water and vinegar or lemon juice.
7. Coffee Grounds
If you’re a coffee lover, then you probably have some coffee grounds sitting around in your kitchen. Aside from providing you with your daily dose of caffeine, coffee grounds can also help you take care of unwanted odors. Just put some coffee grounds in a microwave-safe bowl and leave them inside for a few hours or overnight. Similar to baking soda, it’s great at absorbing burnt smells with the added benefit of leaving a pleasing aroma behind.
8. Activated Charcoal
While having activated charcoal at home is a bit less common, it’s equally as effective as coffee grounds and baking soda at soaking up burnt smells. As you would with the coffee grounds and baking soda, just place a bowl of activated charcoal inside your microwave and let it do its magic overnight!
What Causes Burnt Smells in Microwaves and How Do You Avoid Them?
Now you know how to deal with burnt smells in your microwave—but do you know what causes them in the first place? There are quite a few things that could lead to it, and here are the ways to avoid them:
Overcooked or Burnt Food
Have you ever burned food in the microwave? It’s one of the most common causes of burnt smells, like burnt popcorn and overcooked leftovers. To avoid this, make sure you’re using microwave-safe containers and that you’re sticking to the recommended cooking times and power levels to prevent overcooking.
Burnt Food Packaging
If you heat something with packaging (like a plastic wrapper or paper) that’s not designed for a microwave, you’ll inevitably end up with annoying burnt smells. That’s why it’s important to always transfer your food or leftovers into microwave-safe containers when you heat them.
Overheated Fats or Oils
manyWhen you heat or cook a meal containing too much fats or oils, it can burn, which leads to unpleasant odors in the microwave. The best way to prevent this from happening is to put your microwave on a lower power setting when you heat these types of food. This way, you can control the heat better.
Food Spills
Heating or cooking food in a microwave can lead to food spills. When those spills aren’t immediately cleaned, they can turn into stubborn stains and grime sticking to the microwave interiors, emitting burnt smells.
To prevent food spills, try using a microwave-safe cover to keep the oils from splattering and clinging to the microwave walls. Additionally, make it a habit to always wipe down the inside of your microwave after every use to clean up any possible spills.
Electrical Issues
There are times when the burnt smell coming from your microwave has nothing to do with food; instead, it may be a result of electrical problems. If you notice a burnt smell even though you regularly clean your microwave, you could be dealing with internal issues like a malfunctioning fan or compromised wires.
Call professionals like Don Fuller’s Appliance Repair for microwave oven repair services to get it sorted out as soon as possible. This way, you can go back to heating or cooking your meals with no issues.
Microwave Acting Up? Get Fast, Reliable Repairs from Don Fuller’s Appliance Repair!
Don Fuller’s Appliance Repair OKC offers a wide range of appliance repair services, including microwave oven repair services. So, if you find yourself dealing with microwave issues, we’re your go-to experts!
Contact us today to learn more!
