A method and system are provided that include features for operating an appliance in an odor removal cycle. In one aspect, an appliance has a housing defining a sealable volume and includes an ozone generator, an ozone detection device, and a controller. In an odor removal cycle, the controller causes the ozone generator to inject, at a predetermined injection interval, predefined dosages of ozone into the sealable volume of the appliance. The controller monitors the concentration level within the sealable volume after each injection based on inputs received from the ozone detection device. The controller ascertains when the concentration level reaches a maximum concentration level threshold, and when this occurs, the controller can cease the injections and can activate one or more ozone removal devices to remove the ozone from the sealable volume to a safe level.