by Danelle Karth

Created on: January 12, 2009

We had an old microwave. One of those ones with the dial and no convenient buttons labeled popcorn or baked potato. I believed that there was something wrong with me. It seemed that every time I made microwavable popcorn I would burn it. I would always stay there and listen hoping to pull it out at the perfect morning, but it just didn't do the trick for me. Burnt popcorn became part of our lives. With that burnt popcorn smell was something we had to deal with (thanks to me).

Burnt popcorn is one of those smells that lingers and torments. Every time the microwave is used it seems to come back like a ghost in the night. But it doesn't have to be this way. Even the smell of burnt popcorn can be eliminated from the life of those needing relief.

Begin by making a solution of one cup water and one fourth cup of lemon juice (or the juice of one lemon) and one fourth cup vinegar (white vinegar works best) in a microwavable bowl or Pyrex glass measuring cup. Place this is in the microwave and turn it on high power for ten minutes. Let sit for three to five minutes. After that simply wipe out the inside of the microwave with a soft cloth. This should remove any grease that has ended up on the walls as well as the odor of the burnt popcorn.

If this doesn't completely remove the smells, take one half cup water and mix with one cup baking soda. Apply this to the inside of the entire microwave. Let sit for a few minutes and then wipe clean with a dry microwave. This should finish the job well and you should have a better smelling house and microwave.

Test the microwave with a fresh bag of popcorn (being careful not to burn it). Soon you should have the smell of a great bag of popcorn and not even a hint of the old burnt mess. However, if this isn't the case (as sometimes is with really bad burnt popcorn smells) then repeat the entire process.

With really bad cases of burnt popcorn, it sometimes takes a bit of time and a little work to free yourself of the horrible smell. It is not advisable to use chemicals on the inside of the microwave though. Sticking to lemon juice, vinegar, and baking soda may seem like it just isn't enough, but usually chemicals won't do the trick either and they can cause an unhealthy situation. These chemicals can continue to enter your food each time the microwave is used and could cause very dangerous health situations. Sticking all natural will work and will be safe.

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