Help with a smelly microwave.

AdamD · 25-03-2011, 11:00

Hi all, need some help with my trusty microwave.

My uncle uses it to reheat curry, which usually means he spills half of it in the bottom and doesn't bother to clean it up (yay)

So I took the rotating glass tray out, moved the microwave near the sink and gave it a good inner wash with fairy liquid/hot water, it came out very well.

My uncle then decided to "help" by cutting a lemon in half, putting it into the microwave and putting it on full power for 4 minutes, then he walked away.

My dad and I came out to find smoke coming out of the microwave, complete with 2 disintegrated lemon pieces.

He claims that's what the Daily mail said to do, the daily mail actually says this:

Quote:

To clean a dirty microwave, place several slices of lemon in a bowl of water and cook on the highest setting for a few minutes. The steam will loosen any dirt which can then be wiped off while leaving a citrus aroma.

So the microwave now stinks of burnt lemon and it seems to be permanent.

Food cooked in the microwave loses it's taste, or, it tastes of burnt lemon.

The coating on the inside of the microwave also seems to have been damaged by the fumes? The shiny/reflective inner coating which covers the walls, ceiling and base, has a rough feel to it now, not sure if the concentrated lemon juice in the fumes has eaten away at the surface?

So, any tips? heh

We've tried recleaning with hot water/fairy liquid, to no avail, we even cleaned it the proper way with sliced lemon and water, still nada.

**Graham M** · 25-03-2011, 11:22

Well since the interior is damaged already, you could try something more abrasive like Cillit Bang

Blackened · 25-03-2011, 11:55

Quote:

The coating on the inside of the microwave also seems to have been damaged by the fumes? The shiny/reflective inner coating which covers the walls, ceiling and base, has a rough feel to it now

Your uncle sounds like he's ruined it. Time for a new one.
Might as well get a new microwave while you're at it...

**Kymmy** · 25-03-2011, 12:09

Nothing worse than hot acid.. You're not gonna clean that off

danielf · 25-03-2011, 12:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kymmy

Nothing worse than hot acid.. You're not gonna clean that off

Not true. I can think of several things that are a lot worse than hot acid.

Osem · 25-03-2011, 12:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by danielf

Not true. I can think of several things that are a lot worse than hot acid.

...an audience with Gordon Brown perhaps?..... Partnering Ann Widdecombe in a charity kissathon?....

**Stuart** · 25-03-2011, 12:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by danielf

Not true. I can think of several things that are a lot worse than hot acid.

Anything you'd bung in a microwave though?

**Kymmy** · 25-03-2011, 12:25

Sodium Trioxide??

Taf · 25-03-2011, 12:46

A solution of Bicarbonate of Soda in a microwaveable bowl, heated a bit then left overnight?

Don't forget that there are air passages through the walls of the microwave that get manky too.

Hom3r · 25-03-2011, 13:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by Taf

A solution of Bicarbonate of Soda in a microwaveable bowl, heated a bit then left overnight?

Don't forget that there are air passages through the walls of the microwave that get manky too.

I would clean it in bicarb first.

**Kymmy** · 25-03-2011, 13:29

Arm and hammer toothpaste?? it'll leave it nice and clean with a fresh minty smell

**Maggy J** · 25-03-2011, 14:24

You still living with your uncle?Frankly after the problems with him not paying your mortgage,setting fire to the garage,hoarding rubbish, I'd have thought you'd have gotten rid of him by now.

Personally I'd have taken my name off the mortgage,moved out and left him to it by now.That way you can avoid being burnt to death in your own home..

AdamD · 25-03-2011, 17:35

The smell has decreased somewhat since using vinegar in a bowl of water, but it's not entirely gone, but I do notice the microwave takes a lot longer to cook things.

Maggy, as I already explained, I can't get him off the mortgage, nor can I get my name removed either, to do so, would mean remortgaging, which we can't do.

We're stuck here until the house goes on the market (2nd week of April is the plan)

**Kymmy** · 25-03-2011, 18:12

The reason for it taking longer is that the coating on the metal is probably absorbing some of the energy instead of reflecting it..

AdamD · 25-03-2011, 18:13

Yea, that's what I figured, to
I put some bbq chicken wings in there, frozen, they took at least twice as long to heat up as they used to.
Ah well, yet another item he's ruined, or broken.