Help! I burned rice & caught it on fire in the microwave! LOL The smell is terrible & stinks every time we use t

How do I get the burned smell out of the microwave?
  22 answers
  • KMS Woodworks KMS Woodworks on Jan 14, 2013
    Ouch...my microwave is nothing fancy, and not too big. Better still it was only $39. If this had happened here If my efforts did not pan out with some cleaning and venting I would just replace it.
  • Kevin, it is actually getting less smelly. When it first happened it stunk up the place every time I used it.
  • Note to self: Remember to eat before going to a dinner at Lee Anne's.
  • KMS Woodworks KMS Woodworks on Jan 15, 2013
    @Kevin M. Veler, Law Office of Oooh you could always bring your own...pot luck style
  • As long as it did not need to be warmed in the microwave! :D
  • All my pals!! You would love my cooking!!! I thought maybe there was a baking soda remedy or something to get the odor out. Actually I think I am cooking it out.
  • Z Z on Jan 15, 2013
    Though it sounds like the smell is dissipating, I would still clean the inside with a baking soda paste. Maybe even leave a box of it open in there until the smell is completely gone.
  • Great idea Becky, and so I shall.
  • Charcoal briquettes work pretty well in removing odor from refrigerators..just don't try the "match-light" ones....
  • Miriam Illions Miriam Illions on Jan 15, 2013
    I have no helpful tips to add, I'm just stopping in to say hi. :) xo
  • Melody M Melody M on Jan 15, 2013
    i heard that if you use baking soda and newspapers... they get smells out ...
  • Jeanette S Jeanette S on Jan 16, 2013
    Keep in mind that the microwave has fans and vents...they need to be cleaned too. I would put some lemon juice in a bowl...with perhaps a little water and heat it to a boil, then turn it off and let the steam fill up the oven and circulate through the vents. It can't hurt it! Since Febreez is not toxic, I would not be afraid to put it in and do the same.
  • Luci Hersey Luci Hersey on Jan 16, 2013
    First I would follow Jeannette S's advice. Then I would buy some cinnaamon sticks and put them in your micro for 20 seconds or so. I've been doing it for years to help get rid of fish, popcorn or any other smells that linger after using my microwave. Check out the larger craft stores to find the larger sticks.
  • HomeSpot HQ HomeSpot HQ on Jan 16, 2013
    Not sure if this will work for this instance, but I put a bowl of half vinegar and half water in the microwave and run it until it boils. Then let it sit for a couple minutes to let the solution continue to evaporate. It will help loosen up any stains on the way so you can wipe them away with a paper towel.
  • Gail Salminen Gail Salminen on Jan 16, 2013
    @Culpepper Carpets and Interiors, Inc. - @Jeanette S is right on the mark, to use lemon juice. It will deodorize even behind the vents. You can do this in a bowl large enough not to boil over, or you soak a sponge with lemon juice placed on a dish in the microwave, no boil over to worry about. This commonly used as a cleaning treatment for microwaves. Thanks for posing the question and do let us know what works for you, I am sure everyone is interested :)
  • Thank you all, I will try the lemon juice and cinnamon sticks. Great advice everyone, I am sure that white vinegar will work also. Hewitt...LOL!
  • That is good to know Beth, it has gotten better. At first it was horrible.
  • CjandAmy Dickerson CjandAmy Dickerson on Jan 16, 2013
    Beth the adding vanilla is to loosen stuck food and being able to wipe it clean also it smells good too
  • Jeanette S Jeanette S on Jan 17, 2013
    Hey! I did not know adding vanilla would make cleanin the microwave easier!! Will have to try that. I cleaned mine yesterday and wound up scraping iot with my thumbnails! UGH! Hard work!
  • Wanda sinnema Wanda sinnema on Apr 29, 2015
    I always used lemon juice and baking soda in a bowl of cool water: heat until all steamy inside.. everything wipes off. If its really really bad, give it a 2nd go. REAL VANILLA EXTRACT kills fish odors in a kitchen, set an open bottle of the real stuff on the counter for a few hrs, no fishy smell. I think maybe putting a little bit in a small glass dish might work in the micro..Our house its usually popcorn.. that gets burnt..
  • Cheryl Skala Cheryl Skala on Feb 25, 2016
    my microwave and have tried orange slices in a big bowl of water and put it on for 10 min....still stinks ..Ive tried Fabreeze and it still stinks!
  • Redcatcec Redcatcec on May 25, 2023

    I am assuming you have cleaned out any spills and nothing is in it. Then take a cup of water and 2 Tbsp of white vinegar in a microwave safe bowl. Put that in and shut the door, microwave for 5 min. Keep the door closed and allow the steam to do it's work for 2-3 minutes. Then very carefully remove the bowl and wipe everything down inside the microwave.

    The remainder of the water/vinegar can be used to clean around the house where there are odors.