Chilling out with friends or your family and sharing a bag of popcorn is a great way to spend an evening. What’s not so great is when you leave the popcorn in the microwave too long causing it to burn. So, how do you get rid of the burnt popcorn smell?
Learn several methods to remove burnt popcorn smell from the microwave. Read through to learn tips for removing the burnt popcorn odour from your microwave and get answers to frequently asked questions.
Table of Contents
5 Ways to Get Burnt Popcorn Smell Out of Microwave
You will experience an awful strong smell if your popcorn gets accidentally burnt in the microwave. We have different ways that will remove burnt popcorn smell from the microwave. These methods involve the use of natural homemade artificial products.
Remove the Burnt Popcorn from the Microwave
- Eliminate all the burnt, smelly particles and place them in an airtight popcorn bag.
- Throw the trash into the garbage can and take it outside.
- Remove any other burnt items around the microwave.
- Ensure you are careful with unpopped corn as it can melt the trash bag.
Air the House
The burnt smell fills the whole house and even clothes through diffusion—the best way to eliminate the smell is to let in fresh air into the room. Open the doors and windows in your house to let in fresh and eliminate the odour. If you have a fan, you can turn it on to eliminate the air inside the room.
Try Mask the Popcorn Smell
Even after trying the above methods, your home or caravan microwave may still smell. Consider using products that mask the odour and leave the microwave smelling nice. Use the readily available materials to save on costs or purchase if you don’t have homemade products.
Clean the Microwave
Cleaning can remove any odor left in the appliance. Use vinegar to clean or dishwashing soap; it depends on what you have.
- Dap a piece of cloth with vinegar or a soap solution.
- Wipe the microwave thoroughly with the cloth
- Remember to clean the glass and door.
- Dry the microwave with another clean cloth and also leave it open.
Use Absorbent Products
There are several absorbing items you can use that are reading available at home.
Cloves
Cloves are spices with odor-absorbing properties.
- Add a quarter cup of ground cloves to a pot.
- Place the pot in the microwave and let it sit overnight.
- The spice should remove burnt popcorn smell from your microwave.
Charcoal
Charcoal is another great option to absorb foul odors and moisture from appliances. Burning any type of food in the microwave like soup in the microwave that can leave a long lasting smell can also be solved by using this method.
- Cut some pieces of charcoal and place them in a microwave safe pot
- Leave the pot in the appliance overnight to have sufficient time to absorb the smell
- If there is still a smell in the morning, use the charcoal when the gadget is free.
Baking Soda and Coffee
You can mix coffee and baking soda to fight the burnt odor. Make a DIY product by adding equal parts of the baking soda and coffee into a bowl or a plate. Leave the products overnight in the microwave to eliminate the smell.
Signs Your Popcorn Is Burning in The Microwave
A few signs your popcorn is burning in the microwave can include a burning smell, white smoke coming out your microwave, your microwave popping very loudly, or even your smoke alarm going off if the popcorn has been in too long and starts to burn.
Popcorn only takes a few minutes, so it’s worth making sure you follow the instruction and only microwave the popcorn for a few minutes max to prevent any burnt smell.
How To Get Burnt Microwave Smell From Microwave – Conclusion
You don’t have to buy expensive products to remove the burnt popcorn smell from the microwave. Use the available items in the house, like vinegar, baking soda, coffee, etc. You should start by aerating your kitchen and the microwave before using the products to remove the smell. Try the above methods, and the burnt popcorn smell will no longer be a nuisance.
FAQs
Is Burnt Popcorn Smell in the Microwave Permanent?
No, you don’t have to panic the burnt popcorn smell isn’t permanent. The odour will disappear in a few days or even after using the DIY methods. Consider acting immediately to remove the odor faster and enjoy using your appliance.
Can Burnt Popcorn Ruin a Microwave?
No, burnt popcorn won’t ruin your microwave unless you take too long to act. The burnt smell of the popcorn will only cause temporary effects of odor and stains. To eliminate these effects early, you should use the right cleaning products. For instance, use a baking solution to clean if there are stains in the microwave.
Why Does Burnt Microwave Popcorn Smell So Bad?
Burn popcorn smells so bad due to a compound called 2-acetyl-1-pyrroline. This compound gives off a toasted smell when the sugars inside burn. The smell becomes intense if your popcorn is more overheated. This compound is also found in basmati rice, white bread, and jasmine rice.
How Long Does it Take to Get Burnt Popcorn Smell Out of the Microwave?
Removing the burnt smell from the microwave can take a few hours or even days. The time varies depending on the mess that has occurred in your microwave. Thus, if you want to take less time to eliminate the smell, act immediately.
