Check out some similar questions!

Wmayer · Jul 22, 2006, 10:07 PM

I have a weird odor of what seemingly smells like rotting food or something dead centered in my kitchen. I've pretty much cleaned everything in the kitchen to within an inch of it's life and still the smell remains. We've checked the fridge/freezer and there is a box of baking soda in there, so it's not that.

This is my main question. Can a garbage disposal emit a rancid food odor without any obvious stink coming from the sink? I'm totally out of ideas and the only thing I keep coming back to is the disposal.

Any help would be appreciated. Thanks

RickJ · Jul 23, 2006, 10:47 AM

If it was the disposer, you'd definitely notice the smell from it's opening or under the kitchen sink.

We see weird odor questions fairly frequently and the answer is always the same... and a very non-technical one. You've got to just keep sniffing all around the kitchen until you find it's source.

Sniff around and under your appliances, and even move your fridge and stove out to see under them. As for the stove, be sure to double check under it's top.

... sorry to say, no easy answer except to keep sniffing! :o

Wmayer · Jul 23, 2006, 10:50 AM

I've already sniffed out everything in my kitchen and I just keep coming back to the disposal. It's the only thing that makes sense at least to me anyway. I've checked underneath the fridge and by the stove and sniffed out everything. I notice the odor most when I'm by the sink that has the disposal in it which is why I'm thinking disposal. Trying to figure out where the smell is coming from is just driving me nuts. Thanks for the help though

RickJ · Jul 23, 2006, 11:01 AM

Well, give that disposal a good cleaning:

With water running at a trickle, cram ice and baking soda down the disposer while it's running. Rinse and repeat a couple times... and see if that helps.

Wmayer · Jul 23, 2006, 02:54 PM

Well I think I've finally found the problem and it wasn't the disposal. Seems the refrigerator coils are the smelly culprit. Just wanted to let you know and to thank you again for the help.

nightbeck · May 16, 2008, 11:05 PM

I had the same problem--a sewery-rotten food smell--stronger around the sink... turns out it was a disconnected drain line under the house. All the "gray"water had been draining under the house.. it was easily fixed with a screwdriver and pliers--the water dried up--but I did get a plumber to help and he sprinkled something to eliminate the odor and facilitate the drying out process under the house. Hope that helps!