.jpg)
Follow-up pasta with half a lemon, in the microwave that is. Photo: Steven Puetzer, Getty Images | jupiterimages
Apartment Therapy recommends the natural method, which is probably also the best smelling. First, clean the crumbs out of the microwave. Next, fill a microwave-safe bowl with a cup or two of water. Add some lemon juice or a slightly squeezed half lemon to the bowl (some people use a couple of tablespoons of vinegar instead of the lemon). Now nuke it! Microwave that for a few minutes until the water is boiling. Keep the door closed afterward to let the steam work its magic loosening dried-on food. After a few minutes, wipe down the inside of the microwave with a damp cloth. Food splatters should come off easily. Wipe down the outside of the microwave with a kitchen cleaner and you're finished!
TV dinner, anyone?
Other stuff you might like to know:
How to Clean Your Fireplace -- CasaSugar
How to Purge Your Closet Right -- The Frisky
The Litter Box Challenge Solved -- Shelterrific
Reader comments (Page 1 of 1)
I use vinegar, it is healthy also. I will try lemon. I bet that smells good.
ReplySomething else that works well is to soak 2 or 3 sheets of paper towel with ammonia. Let the paper towel sit in the microwave with the door closed for about 30 minutes. The fumes from the ammonia will make all of the tough stuff come loose and all you have to do is wipe it out with a clean paper towel.
ReplyAmmonia is poison. So consider that.
Or you could just wipe it out each evening after dinner (or once a day whenever) so it doesn't get so gross. Much easier.
ReplyAmen!!!! That's what I do. It seems that things are made so difficult. Put a paper towel or something over what's cooking or warming up. Then there wouldn't a "gross" mess.
I don't let my microwave GET nasty. Wipe up spills--spatters, boil overs when they happen. It's like when you are cooking--clean as you go--you end up with less mess when you are finished cooking.
ReplyOr, just wipe with a damp cloth or paper towel whenever you spill something in the microwave. And, while you are at it, use a pot and a stove once in a while, instead of microwaving frozen deep fried fat for your entire food pyramid.
ReplyHow do you get the smell out of the microwave? I cooked some meatballs and pasta that smelled with spices and I want to get rid of that smell.
ReplyI am anxious to try to use the lemon idea on my microwave. I wonder if it works as well as a diluted solution of ammonia, which I use with the external fan going, on my oven, just prior to cleaning it. I am trying to avoid using canned oven cleaner which is really toxic and dangerous to use, but need some alternatives to try. Baked on splatters, unless cleaned off every time I use the oven, get more difficult to remove. I've lined my electric oven walls and floors with aluminum foil which seems to do a good job of catching splatters and drips. I throw the foil away and reline the bottom and sides with new foil. I haven't figured out how to suspend foil on the roof of the oven, but I know not to block the vent holes.
ReplyI don't know if this wastes energy or causes the oven to be less efficient, but would welcome informed, knowledgeable comments about it.
Unfortunately, many readers use this venue to pontificate, sell their useless wares or services, and display their inability to spell. I'm not lonely, unhappy with the size of my male parts, or need to find a way to make a fortune working from home.
Just answer the question: Is using foil inefficient and/or is there a better way?
Using aluminum foil to line your oven is never a good idea! It causes food to heat unevenly and can actually cause damage to your oven over a period of time.
I need a recommendation for a home floor steamer that does not quickly become sopping wet. The three models I've tried claim they "dry instantly", but they're "all wet"! What I want is one that will steam at high enough temperature (800-1500 watts) to kill bacteria, whose pads will not be quickly soaked with water that can be washed. I'm aware that some makes permit the use of terry cloths instead of buying expensive replacement pads. A floor steamer that leaves lots of water on the floor is not much better than a mop or sponge. Anyone know of a make that really works?
Replyor cover your food!
ReplyThank you, bluzwmn. for a relevant response. I can accept that foil, or any other modification to the interior of an electric oven might cause uneven heating or harm the oven. Can you direct me to literature that substantiates those findings?
ReplyIf one follows that reasoning, then reheating food wrapped in aluminum foil,covering the breast of a turkey to keep it moist, or cooking pot pies on a shiny cookie sheet would also have the same detrimental effects. You could be correct, but I'm curious to know if someone did a scientific study, that it's not just Easy Off's nefarious plot to sell more cleaner.