I'm getting our house ready for the market. I was trying to artfully arrange cutting boards, leaned just so on the counter.

I leaned on the stove knob, and burned the bottom of a box I had packed with silverware. It wasn't burning long, I was standing right in front of the stove. Duh.

Our friends have the same stove, a Frigidaire drop in electric from 2009. They have also burned things because the knobs turn on with a bump or lean.

Now the kitchen smells like burned paper or burned popcorn. I wonder if smoke went into the over the stove microwave?

How can I remove the smoke smell? House goes on the market on the 24th.

The smell seems centered on the microwave, so I began cleaning the filter and scrubbing the bottom. I guess, if the smell doesn't go away, I can replace it.

I also thought of boiling lemon water inside the microwave. Why not?

I've learned not to put things on top of the stove, but had just moved things off of the counter to take a photo.

Thanks Plenty and Ally,

I thought I would have to replace the microwave. But it's much better now. I boiled halved limes from the garden in water and turned on the microwave fan. I let that go a long time.

I still smelled smoke and found that the silverware I had dumped in the sink reeked of smoke. Who knew? I put them in the dishwasher and had to wash my hands. They smelled of smoke, just from touching them.

I think we are done.

I'm trying to get back to Toronto. Husband has been there, working. I had to be a landlord on Cape Cod. Two months of weekly renters. Before they came the "Bad Tenants" came, our kids and grandsons. The boys look like Thai Freestyle Kick Boxers.

It's a ton of work making a house you live in ready for renters, but we got it done.

Then down to Florida to downsize to a condo because the husband wants to spend all of his time in Toronto, including winters. See ya, Pal.

He comes to FL to help. The house goes on the market next week, and we fly home to Toronto. I think it's home. I've been away so long, working.

Thanks for the drink recipes. If anyone needs limes, there are a lot left. They are gorgeous. (Good thing I planted them near the street...)

Oh, and the condo we bought cheap had a hoarder/semi homeless lady in it. She had no electricity for years.

The realtor said, "It's rough." I love when they say that. We gutted from the paint out. Kitchen goes in next month, by someone I trust. The boxes will get unpacked eventually.

JaneB of FL, While reading your post of staying in Toronto for the winters I had to turn the heat on at that point I felt a BLIZZARD. BBBBRRRRRR!!!

JaneB of FL, While reading your post of staying in Toronto for the winters I had to turn the heat on at that point I felt a BLIZZARD. BBBBRRRRRR!!!