I have found that submerging the specimen in water usually gives as good a result and avoids the
smell.
 
Marlo
Florida
 
Edward T. Schelling wrote:
 
> Dear Scott,
>          In answer to your question about using microwave for cleaning
> shells...it works great as long as you either 1)not married or have an
> extremely understanding wife or 2) you have a spare microwave that you never
> want to use for cooking again!  It does clean {pop out the animal} very good,
> especially if the shell is still fresh and hasn't been sitting around drying
> out.  The best way to do it, is to put the shell in a zip-lock bag with as
> much of the air pushed out as possible or put the shell in a paper bag...this
> keeps the animal from exploding all over your microwave...however, nothing
> that I have found keeps the odor from stinking up the microwave [or the house,
> if you try it indoors!...which is the reason for item #1!
> Sincerely,
> Ed Schelling