How to remove burnt smell from a microwave (burnt popcorn too)

Step by step

1. 1

   Remove the burnt food and air the kitchen

   Take out the burnt popcorn or food and get it out of the house. Open a window and run the range hood or a fan.

   Why: The burnt food keeps releasing smoke odor, and venting clears what's already in the air.

2. 2

   Pick out loose charred bits

   Once the oven is cool, lift out the turntable and wipe or pick off any loose charred pieces with a damp cloth.

   Why: Charred bits that stay inside get reheated and give off the smell again.

3. 3

   Steam the cavity

   Put a bowl of water in the microwave and heat it for 2 to 3 minutes. Leave the door closed for a couple of minutes afterward.

   Why: Steam softens and loosens residue stuck to the walls and ceiling so it wipes off easily.

4. 4

   Wipe everything out

   Carefully remove the hot bowl, then wipe the walls, ceiling, door and floor of the cavity with a warm, wet cloth. Wash the turntable in warm soapy water and rinse it well.

   Why: This physically removes the burnt residue, which is the actual source of the smell.

5. 5

   Deodorize with lemon water

   Heat a bowl of water with lemon slices for 2 to 4 minutes, let it stand 2 minutes, then wipe the cavity again. Repeat if a smell remains.

   Why: Manufacturers recommend lemon water as a deodorizer, and the extra steam lifts any residue the first pass missed.

6. 6

   Leave the door open to air

   Leave the microwave door open for a while so the inside dries and airs out.

   Why: It lets the last of the odor leave instead of sitting in a closed box.

Why a microwave holds a burnt smell

When food burns, it leaves smoke residue and charred spatter on the cavity's walls, ceiling and door. Dry or starchy foods such as popcorn and bread burn most easily. The next time you heat something, steam picks up odor from that residue and carries it into the kitchen and into your food.

That's why airing the microwave out isn't enough. The residue has to come off, and steam is the gentlest way to loosen it. More on smoke odor is on the burnt smell page.

Why not to use chemical cleaners inside

LG's care guide says not to use chemical cleaners inside the cavity, because cooking steam picks up their residue and can taint food. Water, steam and lemon do the job without that risk. Samsung's guide also allows a wipe with white vinegar and water.

Clean the outside of the oven with a soft cloth and mild detergent, and avoid abrasive pads. For routine care see cleaning a microwave.

By situation

Burnt popcorn smell

Popcorn residue often sits on the ceiling and back wall, right above where the bag was. Steam and wipe those areas carefully, then do the lemon step twice if needed.

The smell spread through the kitchen

Run the range hood or fans, open windows, and wipe nearby surfaces. If it has reached other rooms, see burnt smell in a house.

Stubborn smell after one round

Wipe the cavity with white vinegar and water, then heat 2 cups of water with lemon juice or a couple of tea bags on high for about 5 minutes or until it boils. Keep the door closed for 10 to 30 minutes, then wipe again. Repeat as needed.

Over-the-range microwave

These also act as a range hood. Clean the inside as above, and check the model's manual for its grease filters, which can hold cooking odor.

What not to do

• Don't spray chemical cleaners inside the cavity. Steam picks up the cleaner residue and can taint food.
• Don't heat plain water for a long time in a smooth, clean cup. It can superheat and erupt violently when disturbed. Follow the manual's heating times.
• Don't use abrasive pads on the interior or exterior. They can scratch the finish. Use soft cloths and mild detergent.
• Don't just leave a bowl of something in a dirty microwave. The residue keeps releasing odor every time the oven heats.

Other methods that work

Vinegar and water wipe

Samsung's guide lists white vinegar and water for cleaning the interior before the deodorizing steam.

Caution: Rinse-wipe with plain water afterward, and never combine vinegar with bleach-based products.

Tea bags instead of lemon

Samsung also lists tea bags in 2 cups of water, heated about 5 minutes with the door left closed 10 to 30 minutes, as a deodorizing option.

Stain still there?

It still smells burnt after cleaning

Some residue is still there, often on the ceiling or around the door seal. Steam and wipe again, then repeat the lemon step.

Food now tastes of cleaner

A chemical cleaner was used inside. Steam with plain water and wipe several times to remove the residue.

Safety

• Water heated alone can superheat and erupt when you move the cup. Follow the manual's times; FDA notes that adding a substance such as instant coffee or sugar before heating greatly reduces the risk.
• Bowls and steam will be hot. Use oven mitts and open the door slowly.

Never mix cleaning products; see chemicals you must never combine.

Questions

Burnt smell elsewhere

• Burnt smell: what causes it and how to remove it
• Burnt smell in the house

Other smells in a microwave

• How to remove fish smell from a microwave
• How to remove smoke smell from a microwave