# How does one remove fish oder from the microwave?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-one-remove-fish-oder-from-the-microwave/49459>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [January 11, 2001, 3:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-one-remove-fish-oder-from-the-microwave/49459 "2001-01-11T03:26:32Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 6\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![dietrologia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/4491bb/32.png) [@dietrologia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dietrologia)\
**Post date:** [January 11, 2001, 3:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-one-remove-fish-oder-from-the-microwave/49459/1 "2001-01-11T03:26:32Z")

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I nuked some fish sticks last week. Now whenever I warm something up, the kitchen _still_\* reeks of fish.

Any suggestions as to removing this gawdawfull smell?

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**Author:** ![Carina42](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/439d5e/32.png) [@Carina42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Carina42)\
**Post date:** [January 11, 2001, 1:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-one-remove-fish-oder-from-the-microwave/49459/2 "2001-01-11T13:48:10Z")

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Put a bowl of white vinegar in there & nuke it 'till it boils & creates condensation all over the inside. Remove bowl & thoroughly clean the whole inside of the microwave.

That should do it.

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**Author:** ![Coldfire](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a587f6/32.png) [@Coldfire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Coldfire)\
**Post date:** [January 11, 2001, 2:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-one-remove-fish-oder-from-the-microwave/49459/3 "2001-01-11T14:02:57Z")

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_Thank You, Carina42!!_

My house has been smelling like swordfish for the last two weeks everytime I use the microwave. Which is like every day. 😉

I’ll try that trick tonight!

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**Author:** ![Zumba\_The\_Cat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/779978/32.png) [@Zumba\_The\_Cat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zumba_The_Cat)\
**Post date:** [January 11, 2001, 2:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-one-remove-fish-oder-from-the-microwave/49459/4 "2001-01-11T14:30:14Z")

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Carine42 is correct. It works well with lemon juice in the water instead of vinegar too. I can’t stand the smell of vinegar so I always use the lemon juice. Smells cleaner to me.

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**Author:** ![Patty\_O\_Furniture](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/96bed5/32.png) [@Patty\_O\_Furniture](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Patty_O_Furniture)\
**Post date:** [January 11, 2001, 2:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-one-remove-fish-oder-from-the-microwave/49459/5 "2001-01-11T14:43:25Z")

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I was all set to come in here & ask why the hell you’re cooking fish in a microwave to begin with, then I sawe the word _sticks_.

Carry on.

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**Author:** ![Coldfire](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a587f6/32.png) [@Coldfire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Coldfire)\
**Post date:** [January 11, 2001, 4:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-one-remove-fish-oder-from-the-microwave/49459/6 "2001-01-11T16:12:48Z")

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Clarification: mine’s a combo oven, and with the swordfish I used the “Grill” option.

So, lemme get this straight. My microwave will then smell like vinegar instead of fish, huh? 😉

The lemon juice sounds cool too.