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Original poster

Smoked fish in work kitchen

40 replies

salmonbalmon · 18/09/2023 13:02

Hi, just wondered does anyone know of any way to make smoked fish smell less?

i absolutely love smoked salmon and smoked trout on crackers etc but it’s obviously far too smelly to take to work (very small kitchen with no windows etc) but just wondering does anyone know of any way to make it so it doesn’t smell? Or is it just impossible without smelling too much to have at work?

thanks in advance

OP posts:
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andrainwillmaketheflowersgrow · 18/09/2023 17:36

Smoked salmon (cold) is absolutely fine to eat at work. It barely smells of anything.

Dappy55 · 18/09/2023 17:35

I think if you ahvr it cold it will be fine. I have peppered mackerel for lunch, cold, and the kitchen doesn't smell. Fishing work microwaves is to be avoided at all costs though.

tukker · 18/09/2023 17:27

Lol I remember heating up OHs fish pie at work forgetting there was smoked fish in it!! Omg it was the most embarrassing thing I've done before at work. TbF it smelled quite nice bit definitely fishy and didn't go down too well with some people spraying air freshener and opening windows haha.

Divebar2021 · 18/09/2023 17:18

It’s a kitchen it’s going to smell of cooked food 🤷‍♀️. Smoked salmon. Mackerel etc doesn’t even have a smell and if the kitchen is set aside for staff to eat then eat it there. I think it would be fine at your desk too but there a so many office drama llamas it’s probably best avoided.

Scruffington · 18/09/2023 17:07

No one will smell smoked salmon on crackers Confused

Fish heated up in the microwave? Yes, that will reek.

TroysMammy · 18/09/2023 17:05

TooOldForThisNonsense · 18/09/2023 14:11

You don’t really have hurt feelings because someone thought your lunch stank, come off it. Presumably you can buy your own and spray it to mask the smell of smoke too. No need to be such a martyr

Show quote history

I'm not a martyr. How would you feel if someone sprayed air freshener around you because of the smell? Happy? Offended? Would you really spray air freshener around someone because the smell was not to your liking?

TooOldForThisNonsense · 18/09/2023 14:11

TroysMammy · 18/09/2023 14:00

I had tinned mackerel for lunch once and a colleague made a big fuss about spraying air freshener. However I've got to smell another colleague's stale cigarette smell daily and nothing is said and no air freshener used not to cause upset. My feelings don't count.

You don’t really have hurt feelings because someone thought your lunch stank, come off it. Presumably you can buy your own and spray it to mask the smell of smoke too. No need to be such a martyr

Sebock · 18/09/2023 14:09

Cold smoked salmon is perfectly fine. It has no real odour.

HohiyiKozbevi · 18/09/2023 14:05

There isn't. Packaging it really well (tuperware inside a ziplock bag) when it's in the building and leaving the building at lunch time to eat on a park bench would be fine.

I share your pain but strong tasting lunches are intrinsically smelly and antisocial. In a communal office space lunches must be bland.

Wishahwas · 18/09/2023 14:03

Just have it cold, can’t be any worse than tinned tuna. Personally cooked fish doesn’t bother me but those god awful microwaveable bacon or burger rolls make me feel sick.

AmIAutumnalNow · 18/09/2023 14:00

salmonbalmon · 18/09/2023 13:12

Thanks for the people who actually read my OP and answered the question! Sounds like there’s no way to prepare or take it without it smelling so best just to leave it. Thanks!

Blame the thread title then🤣

Don't heat the fish. It will always smell

TroysMammy · 18/09/2023 14:00

I had tinned mackerel for lunch once and a colleague made a big fuss about spraying air freshener. However I've got to smell another colleague's stale cigarette smell daily and nothing is said and no air freshener used not to cause upset. My feelings don't count.

TooOldForThisNonsense · 18/09/2023 13:59

In pâtés? Other than that no I don’t think so

DiscoBeat · 18/09/2023 13:59

Cold smoked salmon or other similar fish is totally fine, just don't heat it.

LadyBitsnBobs · 18/09/2023 13:58

@Fightyouforthatpie Amen to that!

Ginmonkeyagain · 18/09/2023 13:58

I love fish in all forms but don't eat it at work as I know the smell irritates people. If you must, I think having it cold and in a sandwich is the way to go - so a tuna or smoked mackeral pate sandwich.

LadyBitsnBobs · 18/09/2023 13:57

YES! Organise to take your smoked fish the same day someone is microwaving a very fragrant curry. My work kitchen/breakout space usually reeks of curry, no one bats an eyelid if something else stinky turns up!

Failing that open a window and /or ask your facilities team to strategically place some air fresheners around the room - neutrodol work well

Fightyouforthatpie · 18/09/2023 13:57

Just another reason why WFH is so much better.

ChocolateCinderToffee · 18/09/2023 13:54

Can you keep it in a plastic box and eat it outside?

It's not as if you are microwaving smoked fish (I did this once, about 20 years ago and I'm sure people are still talking about it!).

LordEmsworth · 18/09/2023 13:53

Eh? A slice of smoked salmon on a cracker isn't going to smell unless it's gone off. Take it in a tupperware box, store it in the fridge, open & eat within 10-15 mins. No one will be able to smell it. It really is not the same as microwaving smoked mackerel.

Sexnotgender · 18/09/2023 13:49

If you’re eating it cold it’s probably fine, some inconsiderate fuckers in my office insist on microwaving their bloody fish. Gives me the boak.

Iamnotastick · 18/09/2023 13:46

Cold fish is fine, plenty of folk eat tuna baguettes etc!

I would pre make any cold fish dishes at home as i find its the oils that tend to hold the smell.

FamBae · 18/09/2023 13:45

I agree with pp cold smoked salmon doesn't really smell, add some lemon juice, cream cheese and salad in a sandwich and I wouldn't have thought anyone would notice.
Tinned fish on the other hand, I don't think you can avoid odours with them.

Cupofteafortwo · 18/09/2023 13:21

🤢 the smell turns my stomach. If you hate fish as I do, you can smell it!

getfreddynow · 18/09/2023 13:21

and cover in lots of green leaves maybe?