How to Remove Burnt Sugar on a Microwave

Certain types of food such as fats, water and sugar react faster to microwave energy than others. In the case of sugar, it can burn rapidly, leaving brown or blackened stains on surfaces. Typically, the mess occurs as spillover onto the glass plate or as splatter of liquids or batters onto the walls or ceiling. The sugar burn stain will harden and can even permanently stain these surfaces over time unless washed away as soon as the sugar or sugar-containing liquid or batter spill or splatter burns.

Things You'll Need

• Cup or bowl
• Microfiber cloths
• Sponges (optional)
• Mild detergent
• Commercial microwave-approved household cleaner (optional)
• Paper towels (optional)
• Glass-safe nonabrasive scrubbing pad
• Baking soda

Instructions

General Cleaning

1. Fill a cup or bowl with 1 to 2 cups of water. Place the container in the microwave. Boil the water for two minutes and then remove it.

2. Wipe away any sugar burn marks from the microwave interior with a hot, damp microfiber cloth or sponge as soon as it occurs. If necessary, add a few drops of mild detergent to the cloth or sponge, or spray commercial microwave-approved household cleaner on it, and then rub the area again to try to remove the stain.

3. Rinse away any residues with damp cloths or sponges. Dry with cloths or paper towels.

Glass Plate

1. Fill a sink with hot water and add enough mild detergent to make the water soapy if the glass plate has one or more sugar marks that you can't remove with general cleaning.

2. Remove the plate from the microwave. Soak it in the water for 30 to 45 minutes.

3. Rub away the stain with a cloth or sponge. If the mark won't rub away after soaking, scrub away the stain gently with a damp glass-safe nonabrasive scrubbing pad.

4. Rinse the plate thoroughly with hot water. Place it in a dish rack to dry or wipe it dry with a cloth or paper towels.

5. Return the plate to your microwave.

Interior

1. Remove the glass plate and/or ring, if applicable, from the microwave interior if you have a sugar burn mark that won't wash away from the ceiling or walls.

2. Rub the spot gently with nonabrasive scrubbing pad that you've dampened with hot water or cleaner.

3. Wipe the area with a damp cloth or sponge intermittently as you scrub to check that the mark is fading. Sprinkle baking soda on the pad and scrub gently again if the mark doesn't fade or has parts that won't fade.

4. Rinse away residues with a damp cloth or sponge. Dry the surfaces with a soft cloth.

5. Return the plate and/or ring to the microwave.

Tips & Warnings

• If you still can't remove a sugar burn mark from a surface, dampen a cloth with vinegar and lay it on the stain for 15 to 20 minutes. Remove the cloth and then scrub the area gently with the scrubbing pad. Wipe or rinse away the residues and dry the surface with a cloth.

• Always test your scrubbing pad on a small spot on the glass plate or microwave interior before cleaning to make certain that it won't cause etching.

• Never allow water to drip past the ventilation grid -- moisture in the microwave housing can cause microwave malfunction, sparks or a fire.

• Never use harsh abrasives or cleaners in your microwave.

References

• ManualsOnline: Microwave Manuals
• Michigan State University Extensions: Homemade Cleaners
• Solid Waste Agency of Northern Cook County: Alternative Cleaning Methods