Burnt Popcorn

[johns4104s]

The boss burnt a bag of popcorn in the micro on Saturday night. Tree days and we can still smell it. With such a small are its hard to get away from the ligerning smell. Anyone know how to eliminate the burnt smell?

John

[kyle4501]

Try old fashioned charcoal (not the match light) & fresh baking soda. I put it in pie tins.

That got the cigar smell out of my Airstream, prev owner smoked like a factory.

[HighTechRedneck]

Chances are much of the odor is still coming from the microwave.  Odor causing residues often cling to the surface of it and in the air passages of it.  Here are some tips on clearing microwave odors that I copied to my note book when we became almost entirely reliant on our microwave for cooking.

Vinegar and Lemon
Wipe the inside completely with vinegar and water and rinse. Then chop up a lemon and put in a microwave safe dish with a cup of water. Heat on high for two or three minutes and let stand for 5 more. Repeat as required, but don't burn the lemon!

Vanilla
Place a container of water with about 1 tbsp. of vanilla in it and heat until boiling. Leave it in the microwave for about an hour and then if it is not completely gone, repeat it a few times and it will disappear.

Tea Bags
Put three tea bags in 10 ounces of water and heating it until it boiled.

[John316]

Mike,

I like the ideas. We just use straight water. We put maybe four cups of water in there, and let it boil. We let it boil until it has the whole microwave damp and humid. Then we just wipe up the caked on spills, or whatever. I don't know whether it would work for smells of not. I like the tea bag idea.

God bless,

John

[MattC]

Without getting nerdy the residue from the burnt popcorn deposited itself all over the inside of the microwave and in the 'kitchen' area.  The only successful remedy I've found is to carefully wash the inside of the microwave, you can't get to the exhaust fan, but at least the inside oven surfaces.  I've gone as far as to clean the walls of the kitchen as well. 

Like Kyle said, baking soda /charcoal will help, but it takes time.

My two cents.

[johns4104s]

Any material preference for cleaning the walls and ceiling of the Kitchen?

John

[viento1]

That smell will haunt you for many more months. I have an idea, live with it as long as you can... maybe a few days or a week. Than burn some broccoli - popcorn problem solved. of course you may only be able to live with that smell for a few hours, maybe a day once you get used to it. Unfortunately you will have to come up with something else, gym socks? something, use your imagination.

Another thing you could do is "donate" that old cancer causing death trap that has been on your counter at home for the last 15 years to the office. Buy your significant other a shiny new one for $25 - Maybe go crazy and get a stainless one for $45. Who is the hero  now? you my friend! you...

[johns4104s]

Gracius amgo Viento

Getting a new miro solves the smell in the kitchen?? Am I missing something??

Choa

John

[HighTechRedneck]

Most of the burnt popcorn smell in the whole bus is probably still eminating from the microwave.  That is where the airborn oils carrying the smell were still hot and air born.  While it is true that some may have made it to a wall or other surface, most of them found a surface to cling to while still in the microwave and its air passages.

To test this, take the microwave out.  Open the windows up full for a few hours and if needed set a fan to exhuast air out one of them (or if weather and situation safely permits, leave the windows open all day).  Then close it up overnight without the microwave present.  Check back in the morning.  If all or most of the popcorn odor is gone, it is coming from the microwave.

[viento1]

OOps, by "boss" you were referring to your better half... not at work in an office LOL I completely missed that one

[bobofthenorth]

That smell will haunt you for many more months. I have an idea, live with it as long as you can... maybe a few days or a week. Than burn some broccoli - popcorn problem solved. of course you may only be able to live with that smell for a few hours, maybe a day once you get used to it. Unfortunately you will have to come up with something else, gym socks? something, use your imagination.

I believe that is more or less the plot of "The Cat in the Hat" by Seuss although it has been several years since I read it.  The OP might be able to get some helpful tips by reading that book.

[Highway Yacht]

Not sure if this trick will work for a microwave or not but it did work for me to eliminate an odor in a drawer. All I did was place a couple Bounce Dryer Sheets in the drawer and closed it for a couple days. I don't know if the Dryer Sheets soak up the odor or just mask it but I then removed the Dryer Sheets and tossed them away. The odor was all but gone after the first couple days.

[Lin]

An ozone generator would do the job if you have access to one.  If not, buy a can of Ozium from a janitorial supply or hydroponic store.  A couple of squirts does a lot.  You will find it useful for all sorts of odors.  Of course, the microwave would have to be cleaned first.

[OneLapper]

Am I the only one that likes burnt popcorn?

[John316]

Lapper,

I guess so .

God bless,

John