Our stovetop is an integral part of our kitchen. It’s often responsible for the wonderful meals we share with family and friends. It’s also one of the dirtiest spots in our homes due to the frequent spills and splatters that happen directly above it. Cleaning the spill up immediately is always good advice, but if your stovetop is looking like it needs a good clean, you’ve come to the right spot.
Glass Stovetop
Everyday Clean
Spraying some vinegar or water onto your cool glass stovetop and wiping it down with a microfiber cloth or sponge is the easiest way to keep it clean. This method works wonders if the food hasn’t had a chance to dry and harden. Never use abrasive cleaners on your glass cooktop as it could scratch the surface.
Weekly Clean
If your stovetop needs a bit more elbow grease try spraying it with vinegar, then sprinkle it with baking soda. Next, soak a cloth in hot water then wring it out so it’s not dripping. Lay the cloth on top of the vinegar/baking soda mixture for 15 minutes. Grab a microfiber cloth/sponge and scrub your stovetop. If there are any hard to clean spots you can spray it with more vinegar and continue to scrub the dirty areas. Once it looks clean, use a fresh microfiber cloth to wipe away any streaks.
Another option is to use a manufactured glass cooktop cleaner, such as Weiman’s glass cooktop heavy duty cleaner and polish. These products usually come in a cream and can simply be applied to the cooktop, scrubbed with a non-abrasive scrub brush, and buffed off with a paper towel. These products work well but will cost a few bucks more than the vinegar/baking soda method.
Deep Clean
When all else fails, you can use a handheld razorblade to clean your cooktop (unless your manufacturer warns against it). Spray your stovetop with vinegar and let it sit for a few minutes to loosen any burnt food. Next, hold the razor blade as flat as possible and scrape the burnt food spots. It is possible to scratch your stovetop using this method so be very careful not to apply pressure to the edges of the razorblade which could dig into your cooking surface.
Gas Burner Stovetop
Everyday Clean
Wiping all surfaces down with a wet cloth is a good way to keep things clean, especially before food has a chance to dry. You can add some soapy water to a sponge and wipe things down if things are looking a little bit dirtier.
Weekly Clean
It’s a good idea to take all the grates, knobs, and plates (they cover the gas burner) off once a week and place them in a warm solution of dishwashing soap and water. Let those soak while you get a soapy sponge and wipe down the surface of the stove. Wipe the soap off the stove with a paper towel or a microfiber cloth, then leave it streak free by wiping with a fresh microfiber cloth. Finally, scrub the grates, knobs, and plates with a non-abrasive scrub brush. Rinse them clean with water and dry them with a microfiber cloth. Reassemble the stovetop.
Deep Clean
If your stovetop has been a bit neglected and needs a deep clean, you can try a heavy duty degreaser, such as Weiman’s gas range heavy duty degreaser. The degreasing chemicals in these types of products are meant to loosen those tough to remove burnt on food spots. Simply follow the steps listed above in weekly clean, just substitute the soapy sponge for a degreasing product when cleaning the stovetop.
Electric Coil Stovetop
Everyday Clean
Making sure you wipe down your heating coils after each is use is always the best way to keep them clean. Soap and water on a sponge never hurts either. Simply wipe dry with a microfiber cloth after cleaning.
Weekly Clean
Once a week, it’s a good idea to remove the heating elements from the stovetop. On most stoves you can just lift the burner and pull it apart from the prongs where it is attached, but some may require you to loosen a mounting collar in order to separate it. Once detached, you can soak a sponge in a baking soda and water paste and apply it to the heating coil, making sure not to soak any electrical components. Let the cleaning agent sit on the coil for 10-20 minutes, then scrub any burnt food off with a non-abrasive scrub brush.
Deep Clean
For an even deeper clean, or if burnt food is a bit more stubborn, repeat the above process a few times. Sometimes the burners need a little more elbow grease if they haven’t been cleaned in a while. If your stove has removable drip pans be sure to clean them using either soapy water or the baking soda paste before putting all the components back.
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