We have all been there. As you get ready to bake or cook, you sense the nasty burn smell coming from the oven.
Eliminating that can be a bit difficult. Still, you should not worry, as your kitchen will smell fresh once more once you remove the burnt bits with some simple actions.
Let us look at how to handle this annoying issue and maintain the best possible performance of your oven.
Why Does the Smell Linger?
First things first, why does the burned scent linger for so long?
These appliances are designed specifically to trap heat. They are perfect for baking a cake, but not so ideal when dealing with a burnt odour.
Every time the oven heats up, the charred particles trapped inside cling to its surfaces and release that unpleasant odour.
When these burned remains are not cleaned properly, they can affect the quality of your cooked food.
This will inevitably influence the taste of your food. Thus, dealing with these odours is critical to preserving the quality and taste of your food.
Gather Your Oven Cleaning Supplies
You will have to gather several items before getting started. Fortunately, you won’t need any special equipment. Most of these items are probably already in your kitchen cabinets.
Here is everything you will need:
- Baking soda;
- White vinegar;
- Lemon juice;
- A sponge or cloth;
- A spray bottle;
- Oven cleaner.
Effective for oven cleaning, these items help break down debris without using strong chemicals.
Using environmentally friendly solutions like vinegar and baking soda also helps your house remain a safer place for your family and pets.
Remove the Debris
Eliminating any loose dirt is the first order of business when it comes to oven cleaning. Look for crumbs or burned food bits at the bottom of the oven.
Make sure to get these out with a dry towel or even a hoover with a small attachment. This step is crucial, as any residual parts will keep on burning and emit odours if left uncleaned.
Use a plastic spatula or scraper to carefully pry any large, stubborn bits you find clinging to the oven floor. Take great care not to scratch the inner surfaces of the oven when performing this step.
Use Baking Soda
When it comes to oven cleaning, baking soda is your friend, especially with burned smells. This ingredient is ideal for this step as it is a light abrasive and can absorb residual smells.
To get started, create a thick paste by adding half a cup of baking soda with a few teaspoons of water.
Next, spread the paste liberally over the areas where burned food is stuck. Pay extra attention to the walls and bottom of the oven.
Let the paste sit for at least a couple of hours or overnight if you have time. This will enable the baking soda to dissolve those stubborn food bits.
Finally, use a damp cloth to remove the paste. You will find that the grime comes off more easily and that the burned smell has started to fade.
Steam Clean with Lemon
Now is the time to address any lingering smells by giving your oven a thorough steam clean.
You will need only water and lemon to execute this approach. Their freshening properties neutralise any residual scents, and their natural acidity helps break down grease.
Here is how to accomplish this:
- Add the juice of two lemons to water in a heat-resistant dish. For more effectiveness, add in the lemon halves.
- Set the oven to 120°C (250°F) and place the dish inside. Next, let it heat up for around half an hour.
- While the lemon aroma eliminates the burned scent, the steam from the water will dislodge any remaining dirt. Lastly, wipe off the inside with a cloth once the oven has cooled down.
Address Tough Spots with Vinegar
Now, it is time to use more potent materials. White vinegar is highly efficient for removing tough stains or smells that will not budge.
When it comes to removing grease and neutralising smells, this is a wonderful option.
So, fill a spray bottle with equal parts vinegar and water. Then, you can spritz the mixture over any place with the residual smells or on the burned areas.
After around fifteen minutes, wipe thoroughly with a damp towel. This approach is quite helpful when trying to eliminate any remaining scents. Should you still smell something unusual following this stage, you can repeat these previous steps.
Alternatively, you can finish the task using a commercial oven cleaner.
Freshen the Air
Sometimes, this burned scent permeates the air even after a careful oven cleaning. Making a natural air freshener will help clear the area and give your kitchen a fresh and clean aroma.
On the stove, add a pot of water with cinnamon sticks and citrus slices. Let it simmer.
The sweet, fragrant steam aroma will help you forget about the past burnt mishap more easily in your kitchen.
Another choice is to place a little bowl of baking soda in the oven overnight. However, make sure that it is off.
As an excellent odour absorber, baking soda can help eliminate any remaining scents.
Preventing Future Burnt Smells
Now that you know how to keep your ovens smelling fresh again, it is time to implement preventative measures.
These suggestions help avoid future burnt smells:
- Always place a baking tray under dishes that can spill over. This prevents spillage and makes oven cleaning a much easier task.
- Once the oven cools down, quickly wipe it to get any food bits out after every cooking session.
- To prevent build-up, deep clean your oven routinely using the vinegar and the soda powder method.
Making these steps a part of your daily routine will help you completely avoid that burnt smell. It will also maintain the pleasant scent of your kitchen and the taste of your meals.
When to Call in the Pros
Although you can clean your oven with some elbow grease and basic house cleaners, you’ll find that you need the help of specialists on occasion.
If your oven is particularly dirty, or the burnt smell will not go away, consider calling a professional oven cleaning service. Their equipment and knowledge will eliminate even the toughest burned-on stains and aromas.
Besides making your oven brand new, a skilled oven cleaning service can boost your oven’s performance. An oven full of dirt and burned food will not heat up properly, which affects your food quality.
Conclusion
Dealing with a burned smell in your oven need not be a difficult chore. Using products like baking soda, vinegar, and lemons, you can combat the smells and enjoy a fresh-smelling kitchen once more.
By including some preventive measures in your cooking schedule, you will not have to worry about these pesky scents again.
So, grab some lemons and give your oven the fresh start it deserves.
