Unfortunately, it is not always possible to follow the cooking process in a microwave oven, and then smoke appears from the oven. And along with it comes the smell of burning and the not entirely pleasant aromas of burnt food.
As you know, the smell of burning is absorbed faster and deeper than others into all surfaces and it is then that it is so difficult to remove.
In addition, an unpleasant odor in a microwave oven can be caused when cooking dishes made from fish or heavily flavored with garlic, as well as in cases where bread is burnt.
Lemon
A widely used method to get rid of burning smell in the microwave is to use lemon.
- Lemon juice is squeezed into a bowl and placed on a microwave turntable. Set to maximum power and heat for 10-20 minutes. As the juice evaporates, together with condensation, it removes unpleasant odors from the microwave.
- Pour water into a bowl and cut lemon into small slices (it is also recommended to use citrus fruits such as lime and grapefruit). The power and time of the procedure are set to the same. As in the previous method.
- Cut the lemon into slices on a saucer and heat with a glass of water for 10 minutes.
After using any of the procedures, you must wait until the microwave has cooled down. Then wipe off any condensation that has settled on the walls with a soft cloth. Leave the oven door open for a while.
Why does there be an unpleasant odor in the microwave?
A brand new microwave oven does not emit any odor. But after a few months of use or even earlier, an unpleasant aroma begins to emanate from it. It appears when the door is opened, and sometimes can be felt even near a closed microwave.
There are several reasons why the stove begins to smell unpleasant:
- low power of the stove fan, in this case the aroma of food will always remain inside the stove after use, and over time it will become quite strong;
- residues of burnt food, if during the process of heating dishes small particles of food fly around the microwave and stick to the walls, then the next time you use the oven they will burn and emit an unpleasant odor;
- Frequently heating foods with a pungent and strong odor, such as fish or garlic dishes.
A bad smell in a microwave oven is formed if you overheat food in it, the food will burn, and a characteristic stench may linger inside the device. However, the odor builds up over time even with very careful use of the oven. This is inevitable, since microscopic particles of food settle on the walls of the microwave after each operating cycle.
Activated carbon
You can get rid of the burning smell in the microwave using activated carbon. Crush a couple of packages of coal to a fine powder and scatter on a large dish. Close the oven door tightly and leave overnight. The next morning there will be no trace of the unpleasant smell.
Use of aromatic herbs
One of the popular ways to remove odor from the microwave is to use an herbal infusion. You will need mint, thyme, lemon balm, lavender. Boil the infusion in the microwave for about 25–30 minutes. Leave inside until completely cool. Instead of a burnt smell, the microwave will exude the aromas of fresh water meadows.
Preventing odor in the microwave
To remove unpleasant odors in the microwave as little as possible, it is necessary to take preventive measures. They come down to a few rules.
- Twice a month it is recommended to carry out preventive cleaning of the device to remove burnt pieces of food and greasy deposits on the walls.
- When heating fatty and frozen foods, glass lids should be used to prevent food particles from splashing.
- After using the microwave oven, it should be left open so that food aromas can dissipate naturally, in which case unpleasant odors will not appear very soon.
If food in the microwave is burnt or has splashed heavily on the walls of the device, there is no need to wait for the next scheduled cleaning. It is better to wipe the inside of the microwave immediately, then the grease and odors will not have time to be absorbed.
Toothpaste with mint or menthol
Many housewives have noticed that toothpaste eliminates odors from the microwave and effectively cleans its internal surface. The method includes the following steps: squeeze a little paste from the tube onto a sponge and treat all areas of the microwave, excluding those with holes. Leave for 3-4 hours without closing the door. When the time is up, prepare an aqueous solution with the addition of detergent. Wash off any remaining paste with the solution. Wipe dry. After the procedure, the microwave will shine clean and fresh.
What to do
As mentioned earlier, the most optimal and frequently used option is to thoroughly wash your device.
You have two options: either purchase products in the store that are specifically designed to eliminate both odors and dirt, or use improvised products, which in turn are cheaper and require less time to implement.
What speaks in favor of household chemicals is that manufacturers purposefully developed its composition, adding only those components that are guaranteed not to harm the special coating of the internal walls of the microwave.
Such products are sold in the form of pastes, sprays or liquids. They are easy to use and can be used in other areas, such as cleaning ceramic or metal surfaces. They do not contain aggressive or abrasive substances.
The method for using them is quite simple:
- A certain amount of detergent is applied inside the oven. Depending on the manufacturer and purpose of the product, it is either diluted with water or applied in its pure form, spreading evenly over the walls;
- The treated surface is not washed off for several hours so that the chemical elements can fully carry out their work, dissolving the stains;
- After the measured time, all the product is removed with a sponge soaked in warm water or a special cloth. It is important that both the sponge and the napkin are soft so as not to damage the protective layer of the walls.
It is possible to use dishwashing detergent diluted in water.
Using household chemicals
If, due to carelessness, a dish was left in the microwave longer than expected, resulting in smoke and a burning smell, then you will probably have to use household chemicals. At the same time, liquid detergents such as Fairy or a solution of laundry soap are sufficient for regular maintenance. But if there is an emergency in the kitchen with severe burning, then stronger “players” come into play.
On the shelves of hardware stores there is a large list of anti-grease products. However, first of all, you should pay attention to the presence of abrasive particles that can damage the walls of the furnace, and subsequently lead to an electric spark and fire.
It is best to use special cleaning products that can be used daily without harm to health ( Oven Cleaner , Bon , HG ). Such chemicals not only will not cause harm, but will also leave behind a pleasant, fresh aroma. If cleaning is carried out using more aggressive agents (Cif), then after removing greasy stains you will have to additionally wipe the surfaces with clean water.
Important! The most effective is the use of special sprays, as they are easy to apply and penetrate into hard-to-reach places.
Owners of steam generators are the luckiest of all. After all, in order to rid the microwave of the smell, it is enough to clean the surfaces with steam under medium pressure with the power turned off. During the procedure, not only will any remaining food or unpleasant odor be removed, but at the same time an antiseptic treatment will take place. The microwave oven must be completely dry before turning it on.
Special means
If you don’t have time to experiment with traditional methods, use special tools.
- Interchem 900. Helps clean surfaces of old grease. Suitable for ovens, microwave ovens and enamel cookware.
- Accu Gloss. A universal disinfectant and degreasing agent. Cleans metal, glass and plastic surfaces equally well.
- Ecodoo. Eco-friendly composition for removing old fat. It also copes with other complex contaminants.
- Electrolux spray. Safe and non-toxic, it effectively removes bacteria, mold and unwanted odors.
- Mr. Chister. The spray is suitable for cleaning any kitchen appliances with combined surfaces. Cope with old stains from grease, soot and burnt food.
Causes
The reasons for this phenomenon can be different: burnt bread when trying to prepare golden toast, hot sandwiches or pizza, or simple non-compliance with the cooking and heating times.
Fortunately, it’s easy to get rid of the persistent “amber” of burnt food at home using improvised methods - those that are found in any apartment:
- Regular fresh milk.
- A little baking soda.
- Any toothpaste.
- Lemon: whole fruit or concentrated acid - in powder or liquid form.
- Vinegar.
- Store-bought chemical cleaning products.
- As well as various aromatic herbs that are used for cooking.
Below we will look at each of the methods that will help in this situation. At the end of the article you will find recommendations on how to avoid a similar situation in the future, and how to properly operate the equipment so that it does not become clogged and does not accumulate different aromas. These same techniques will work when cleaning your refrigerator.
Herbs and water
Herbs used in cooking or brewing tea are found in almost every kitchen. As a rule, to remove burning odor the following are used:
- Mint.
- Thyme.
- Lavender.
- Their combinations.
These herbs do an excellent job of eliminating unpleasant stench. As a bonus, during the procedure the apartment is filled with the wonderful aroma of a summer field and flowers.
Instructions:
- Pour boiling water over the herbs.
- Place them in the device.
- Set the heating temperature to the highest setting and the timer for 30 minutes.
- When finished, wipe the walls dry with a rag or dry wipes.
- The procedure is repeated as necessary.
Getting rid of fat
Alas, even old fat begins to emit a certain stench after a while. Here either special sprays or salt and charcoal can come to the rescue.
- Salt is placed inside the microwave for several hours, and it sits there similar to ground coffee.
- Or you can use activated carbon, which must first be crushed and crushed (7-8 tablets) and also left overnight.
