Does every time you open the microwave door, a mouth-watering scent of masala welcome you? If you have ever used the microwave to reheat butter chicken, dal tadka, or aloo gobhi, then you know how quickly the wonderful spices mark their territory. We appreciate the mouth-watering Indian dishes; however, we do not want their scents overpowering our kitchens or appliances well after meals have been consumed.
But don’t worry, just like how your favorite masalas are manageable while cooking, the residual effects can be managed too. With a few simple tips and the right microwave, like the Haier 28L Convection Microwave Oven, you can part ways with stubborn odors and keep your microwave fresh regardless of how daring your recipes are.
Let’s dive right into the ultimate masala-proof guide to maintaining a clean and fresh microwave.
Why the Smell of Microwaved Masala Lingers
Indian cuisine is multifaceted. The jeera, hing, and garam masala, combined with onion-tomato gravies, sizzling oil tadkas, and brilliant spices, add depth and character to the cuisine. When microwaved, dishes of this nature release spicy steam and oil particles that cling to the walls and filters. Eventually, there is a build-up of particles that creates a stale odor that is incredibly hard to eradicate.
Being unclean will lead to the distinct odor, but with time, the microwave will be unable to function optimally.
The Basics: Wipe After Every Use
To address the scenario, eliminate the use of heavily spicy content and tadkas as well as oil-based liquids. At any given point in time, if food is removed from the cooking chamber, always follow the steps below.
Your microwave needs to be unplugged to ensure safety.
Grab hold of a soft microfiber cloth along with damp warm water; the stove walls to the ceiling should be scrubbed down gently.
Warm soapy water needs to be added to the oven’s rotating tray, which should be done separately.
The edges of the oven’s door and the vents require due attention, as vapor containing grease collects there.
By adopting these practices, tedious sweating oil or steam smell alongside particulates will be prevented and lead to an easier cleaning solution in the long run.
Use Natural Ingredients for Odor Cleaning
In case the microwave is still lingering with the smell of rajma or biryani even after wipe-down, it’s time to call in natural deodorizers. Three ingredients from your kitchen can save the day: lemon, vinegar, and baking soda.
Lemon Steam Clean
Lemon’s antibacterial properties make it a great candidate for masala clean-up and it leaves a warm feeling afterward.
Steps:
- Cut 1 lemon into wedges.
- Put it in a microwave-safe glass bowl with 1 cup water.
- Microwave on high for 5 minutes.
- Let it sit with the door closed for another 5 to 10 minutes.
- Using care, take the bowl out and clean the interior.
You will discover the steam loosens grime and the scent of lemon will be left behind.
Vinegar Vapor Treatment
Vinegar is a powerhouse when it comes to burnt curry or garlic odor clean-up, for they neutralize extremely well.
Steps:
- Combine ½ cup white vinegar with ½ cup water.
- Heat it in the microwave on high for 2 to 3 minutes.
- Leave it for around 10 to 15 minutes.
- Clean all the surfaces with a cloth.
To remove the vinegar smell, microwave a bowl of clean water for 2 minutes afterward.
Baking Soda Scrub
Baking soda works like a magic trick. It can scrub away oily residue and absorb odors at the same time.
Steps:
- Take a warm glass of water and mix it with a quarter cup of baking soda to form a paste.
- Using a soft cloth, apply the paste to stained or greasy areas.
- Wipe off after 5 minutes with a clean damp cloth.
To enhance odor absorption, just leave a bowl of baking soda in your microwave overnight.
Use the Deodorizer Function (If Your Microwave Has One)
One of the standout features of the Haier 28L Convection Microwave Oven HIL2801RBSJ is its Deodorizer function. This feature also serves an impressive purpose. It actively keeps odor-causing vapors from accumulating in the microwave after cooking to keep it clean and fresh.
But that’s not all. This feature now serves to protect the appliance. By keeping residual vapors away, the life of the microwave’s magnetron, electronic parts, and the interior cavity is extended, meaning with very little effort, you are prolonging the life of your appliance.
This is truly a game changer for those who frequently cook with masalas or reheat oil-laden gravies.
Cover Your Food to Avoid Creating a Mess
An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, and that is true for microwaves.
Warm oily aubergine dishes, thick curries, and daals are some dishes that can splatter while being reheated, so make sure to cover them with a microwave-safe lid or a splash guard. This tiny change will help stop steam and oil from building up on your microwave walls.
How does this help? Your deep clean sessions will be less frequent.
Don’t Close the Door After Use
After you finish reheating or cooking food, try not to lock the door; feeling eager to is perfectly reasonable. For about 15 to 30 minutes, allow the microwave door to remain open as this will help remove the smell and steam.
This ensures that the stench won’t be retained and will not linger inside the rubber portion or the vent.
Wipe the Rotating Tray and Accessories Every Week
The turntable is where everything gets done and creates a huge mess. Food pieces and greasy sauces can create a sticky spillage under it, which makes everything much more messy.
To fix this mess, once a week take off the turntable, wash it with warm soapy water, then dry it well and set it in the right place.
If you have a microwave with a rotatory accessory like the Haier model, make sure to dry and wash the rotisserie properly after every use, especially after cooking meat or oily tandoori dishes.
Utilize Smart Functions to Reduce Mess
The Haier 28L Microwave Oven has the following smart features that make cleaning cooking utensils easier:
- Oil-Free Cooking: Crispy, mouthwatering dishes can be prepared with little to no oil, which reduces oily remnants.
- 123 Auto Cook Menus Indian: Automates time and power settings for Indian recipes, so you don’t overcook or make a mess.
- Combination Cooking: Reduces the time required to cook food by using convection, microwave, and grilling simultaneously.
- Warm Mode: Keeps the food warm for 35 minutes without drying it out, removing the need for reheating, which usually causes splatter.
The above-mentioned features not only make the process of cooking less complicated, but also remove the hassle of having to clean.
Final Thoughts!
There are other ways to enjoy masala cooking without letting the microwave remember every meal prepared.
With smart appliances like the Haier microwave and regular cleaning, users no longer have to dread manual labor. Kitchen hacks and mouth watering meals will open the door to a microwave that isn’t cloaked in grease.
Hence cook boldly and spice up your next meals while your microwave stays as fresh as your recipes.