Are you wondering how to get rid of burnt popcorn smell in the microwave? Sometimes, finding a way to keep our kitchen wares free of any odors can pose a difficult task for many of us, especially for things like a microwave with hidden corners that cannot be reached properly during cleaning.
However difficult it seems, it is not impossible to fight off any smell that might be lingering after a long time of use. Knowing the right thing to do with the proper cleaning items will help get rid of any odors you find offensive.
Things like popcorn tend to leave oily stains in the microwave when heated and over time, a smell of burnt popcorn that is contradictory to our desired scent is left in the microwave.
In the event of this, the best items which can take off any residual debris which may be responsible for such smell are Lemon Water, Baking Soda, Vinegar, Coffee, and water.
In this article, we are going to show you effective steps on how to get rid of burnt popcorn smell in the microwave to help you eliminate those odors in your kitchen you can’t stand anymore.
Cleaning Your Microwave
Your first line of defense against a bad smell is a good cleaning. Start with this easy and practical process before trying anything else.
Step 1: Steam with water
Take out any food scarp or loose burnt food pieces from the microwave, then heat 1 cup of water in a microwave-safe container for about 2 to 4 minutes. The steam will help loosen up the dirt.
Step 2: Clean with dish soap
Wipe the interior of the microwave with a soft cloth dipped in water and a little dish soap. On stainless steel models, rub using a soft cloth in the direction of the metal’s grain.
Step 3: Rinse and dry
After you are done cleaning with the dish soap, rinse the microwave with clean water and then dry using a soft cloth. Ensure you leave the microwave open for 2-3 hours for it to air out.
Things You’ll Need to Get Rid of Burnt Popcorn Smell in the Microwave
There are different types of items that have strong deodorizing abilities. Some are organic and others inorganic, whichever you choose to work with depends totally on how fast and effective they can be in achieving your desired results.
For burnt popcorn smell, here is a list of both organic and inorganic agents that can be used to get rid of the smell in your microwave.
Organic cleaning agents: Lemon slices, coffee, and water.
Inorganic cleaning agents: Vinegar and baking soda.
None is superior to the other as they each can give you the desired shine you want for your microwave. Choose which is easily accessible to you and most convenient for your use.
How To Get Rid Of Burnt Popcorn Smell In The Microwave
Having to deal with unwanted odors in our houses is not a memory to be fond of, what do you do when the odor emanates from your microwave and it reeks of burnt popcorn?
Here are very popular and effective ways to get rid of the burnt popcorn smell in your microwave.
Lemon Water
Lemons are known to be strong deodorizers. They are the perfect agents when you think of getting rid of any foul odor around the house. A mix of lemon and water should do the trick.
Get a few slices of lemon into a bowl of clean water and microwave for about three to five minutes. Make sure the bowl is microwave-safe. Leave it in for a minute or two to properly absorb the smell and to also cool for easy removal.
Scrub off any residual dirt with a strong sponge and use a clean wet rag to wipe off the dirt completely. Ensure you leave the microwave door open for a few minutes to properly dry. There you have your fresh lemon-smelling microwave free of any burnt popcorn smell.
Baking soda
Baking soda is a good cleaning agent, not so strong at combating offensive odors but they get rid of the popcorn debris which may have fallen off in the microwave during microwaving the popcorn. Such debris can also contribute to the presence of the burnt popcorn smell you perceive.
Pour a few spoons of baking soda into a bowl of water as in the case of lemon water, microwave for the same number of minutes, and then allow it to cool before taking it out to prevent burning your hands and spilling the mixture.
Scrub the microwave with a sponge in the same way as in the case of lemon water and wipe clean with a clean wet rag. Leave it to open to dry.
Vinegar
Vinegar is a good cleaning agent, might not be as good at combating the smell as much as lemon water but it still serves.
Mix a few drops of vinegar into a cup or a bowl of water and heat up for a few minutes in the microwave, make sure you use a microwave-safe bowl or cup for this.
When it is done heating up do not be too quick to take it out just yet, leave it closed in for another minute before taking out the mixture. Use a strong sponge to scrub off the dirt then wipe it off properly with a wet rag. Leave the door open for a few minutes to let it dry.
Coffee
Coffee is also good for getting rid of unwanted odors. With its sweet strong aroma, it takes just a matter of minutes before it absorbs all the burnt popcorn smell in your microwave.
Put some slightly blended coffee (it must not be a smooth blend) into a bowl of water and microwave for about three to five minutes.
When it’s done, like in the cases of the other items, leave it in for another minute to not just cool but saturate the entire microwave with its strong aroma. This will help to absorb any burnt popcorn smell and leave the microwave smelling like a warm cup of coffee.
Take out the mixture and use a sponge to scrub the microwave of any popcorn debris. Use a clean wet rag to clean it up properly and leave it wide open to dry out.
Cooking tip:
Since microwaves cook by heating and evaporating the water our foods, dishes that are dry or starchy (for example bread or popcorn) are more likely to burn. Therefore, always keep an eye on your food and leave toasting to the toaster.
Read Also: How To Get Rid Of Burnt Popcorn Smell in your House
Are These Cleaning Items Only Applicable To Burnt Popcorn Smell?
All the items above are well-known deodorizers that can get rid of not just burnt popcorn smell but other odors too.
Knowing the best ways to use them is what matters. With a few slices of lemon in water, and with the best method applied, it won’t be long before the smell is replaced with a fresh lemon aroma.
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- How To Get Burnt Plastic Smell Out Of Dishwasher
- Can I Eat Popcorn While Breastfeeding My Baby
Conclusion
Getting rid of the burnt popcorn smell in your microwave might have been a tough experience at some point for you in the past but this article has listed out some everyday items that can be easily sourced from our homes and local stores and also ways on how to use them.
This article provides a comprehensive narration on how to get rid of burnt popcorn smell in the microwave especially if it has been a struggle for you in the past. And not just limited to burnt popcorn smell alone but the listed items can also be used to tackle any other smells you can’t stand anymore.