How to clean burnt stove tops easily

By Abby

Burnt stovetops and burned marks make your kitchen look filthy and unattractive. The more burnt grime, the harder it becomes to remove them.

The accumulating grime often blocks the flow of gas on the burner pipe, causing many troubles and accidents. You can avoid this by cleaning your burnt stovetops immediately after use.

Removing burnt marks may depend on many factors; the type of stove you have (gas or electric), stove material (metal or glass), and stain type (milk spills, curry, and meat fats).

Here are some proven solutions that many kitchen experts, chefs, and householders have to fix your burnt stovetop and save a lot of money on repairs!

Glass stovetops are incredibly delicate to most utensils, temperature, and cooking practice; hence they require extra attention when cleaning.

On the other hand, Gas and electric stovetops are made from sheet irons and resistive heating coils or induction that are much more durable and long-lasting.

Cleaning each stovetop type requires a slightly varied technique and cleaning items. Here are some basic cleaning measures for your favorite stovetop.

How to clean a gas stovetop, stove burners, and stove grates.

When it comes to cleaning a gas stovetop, it’s often includes cleaning stove burners and grates.

The supplies needed to clean these include:

  • Microfiber cloths, towels, or a sponge
  • Baking soda
  • Vinegar
  • Dish soap or dishwashing detergent

Instructions to clean gas stove top, burner, and grates

  • Step 1: Start with removing the grates and burner caps and let them soak in a soapy water solution for at least ten minutes. (It’s entirely ok for iron grates and burner caps in a soapy solution)
  • Step 2: Start making a thick paste of baking soda and water.
  • Step 3: Take the grates and burners out from the solution and apply the paste, focusing on the burned spots. Let the paste sit for another 20-30 minutes (depending on the stain toughness).
  • Step 4: Meanwhile, sprinkle some baking soda and vinegar onto the stovetop and let it sit.
  • Step 5:  Use a soft sponge to scrub the grates and burner caps. Continue scrubbing until your remove the burnt marks and grease.
  • Step 6: Go back to the cooktop and use the same process to scrub off grease, stain, and burns.
  • Step 7: Finally, wipe off the residue and excess water with a microfiber cloth or clean towels.

 

Use the same baking soda and vinegar solution to wipe the stove cases and plastic or rubber pipes.

Consider calling an appliance professional for dirty and clogged fuel ports since they know how to clean the delicate parts safely.

How to clean an electric stovetop

Cleaning an electric stovetop may depend on its made; induction cooktop or one with or without hotplates.

A hotplate is an additional metal surface that covers the naked iron coils. Induction comes with a hot plate in place so that you can clean it rather quickly.

Let’s talk about cleaning electric stoves with coiled cooktops.

Supplies needed for cleaning

  • Microfiber cloths
  • Baking soda
  • Sponge

Instructions to clean electric stove top

  • Step 1: Remove the coils and drip pans. If removing the coils isn’t possible, skip to step 2.
  • Step 2: Make a paste with baking soda and warm water. Apply the paste to the stovetop and let it sit for a few minutes
  • Step 3: Wipe the area with a microfiber cloth.
  • Step 4: Clean reflector pans with a detergent.
  • Step 5: Check for the area under the cooktop for food and spills. Wipe the surface with a sponge dipped into a warm soapy solution.
  • Step 6: Wipe off everything with a clean towel.

To remove burn marks off an electric stovetop, use a baking soda and vinegar paste.

How to clean a glass stovetop

Glass stovetops are made from ceramic that is easier to clean than a gas or electric stovetop. But, you have to be extra careful with cleaning glass stovetops because a slight mistake can lead to permanent appliance damage.

hwo to clean glass stove top

Here are some basics to cleaning glass stovetops.

  1. Clean while the stovetop is cool.
  2. Do not use harsh chemicals or tools such as scouring pads, as they can easily scratch the glass surface.
  3. Consult your manufacturer’s instructions before cleaning so you don’t accidentally void any warranties.

Here is how you clean dirty glass stovetops.

Supplies need for cleaning

  • Baking soda
  • A spray bottle of distilled white vinegar
  • Towel
  • A bucket filled with hot water
  • Microfiber cloths

Instructions to clean glass stove tops

Step 1 -Once the stovetop is cool, start by spraying the surface with white vinegar.

Step 2 -Sprinkle baking soda over the vinegar.

Step 3 -Dip a towel in hot water, drip the excess moisture, and then place the towel of the baking soda. Let it sit for at least ten to fifteen minutes.

Step 4 -Remove the towel and wipe away the residue with a microfiber cloth.

Step 5 -Spray the surface with vinegar and use a clean microfiber cloth to wipe the liquid.

 

Use silicone or plastic spatula to remove the debris from the stovetop. Alternatively, you can use single edge razor blades to remove the junk without scratching the surface.

How do I keep my electric stove clean?

An electric stovetop needs more attention and care than gas stovetops because the food residue, spills, burnt plastic can permanently stick on hot iron coils.

Depending on how often you use it, clean your electric stovetop every day to remove food residue from underneath the iron coils.

Degreasing an electric stovetop

Suppose your electric stovetop has accumulated grease from cooking oils and meat fats. In that case, the best measure is to clean it immediately with a baking soda, water, and dish soap solution.

  • Step 1: Start with warming up the stove for about a minute.
  • Step 2: Pour some water on the stove and immediately apply baking soda. Let it sit for a few seconds.
  • Step 3: Wipe the baking soda with a damp washcloth.
  • Step 4: Dip a scrubby sponge into a dish soap solution and gently scrub the affected area.
  • Step 5: Wipe away the excess with a towel.

How to Remove Scorching From Ceramic Stove tops

Now, this is tricky but not difficult!

The scorched food on ceramic stovetops can be cleaned with mild dish soap and a scrubber

Make sure the stove is turned off and the surface has cooled down before starting to cleanse it.

  • Step 1: Start by wiping the stovetop with a damp cloth to remove food and debris.
  • Most scorched marks will disappear with a damp cloth wipe.
  • Step 2: Sprinkle 1 or 2 tablespoons of baking soda on a damp cloth and rub it to create a paste-like substance.
  • Step 3: Gently scrub the scorched area with the damp cloth.
  • Step 4: Wipe it off with a clean, dry cloth. Using a microfiber cloth is a better option.

To avoid scratches, consider adding a protective finish after cleaning the stovetop. A mild cleanser designed for ceramic appliances will do the needful.

Pro Tip: When you own a ceramic stovetop, you should strictly avoid using heavy or sharp utensils as they can easily scratch or break the glass surface.

How to get blackened crud off of stovetop?

Removing thickened crud off of the stovetop is somewhat tricky. Still, if you manage to clean your stovetop before the crud starts blackening, you’re good.

Here is how you can remove blackened crud from your stovetop.

  • Step 1: Start with removing stove grates, drip pans, and rings.
  • Step 2: Prepare a warm soapy solution and scrub the surface with it using a sponge scrub.
  • Step 3: Place few paper towels over the crusty spot and soak with household ammonia (Ammonium hydroxide). Let it sit for at least an hour.
  • Step 4: Remove the paper towel and start scrubbing the surface with soapy water solution using a steel wool scrubber.

This should remove the crud effectively. Do the same for removing crud off drip pans and stove rings.

Alternatively, you can sprinkle some baking soda over the crud and spray hot water. Let it soak for about 30 minutes before giving it a good scrub.

Pro Tip: Clean your stovetop daily to prevent blackened crud from appearing. The food and liquid spills bubbling out of pots and pans later accumulate to become blackened crud.

How do you get melted plastic off a glass top stove

Melted plastic on cooktops is a nuisance!

Here are some ways to remove melted plastic from different surfaces.

For metal stovetops (Gas and electric)

Start with turning the burners off immediately and then check for plastic in the drip pans.

  • Step 1: Allow the melted plastic to cool completely before attempting to remove it.
  • Step 2: Turn the burner on but keep it on the lowest setting. This will soften the plastic.
  • Step 3: Use a wooden spatula or spoon to scrape the residue. Continue rubbing until you can remove most of the bits.
  • Step 4: Turn the burner on high setting before turning it off. Take a paper towel and wrap it in half before scraping the reaming plastic bits from the stove tops.

For glass cooktops

Let the cooktop cool before you attempt to remove the melted plastic.

  • Step 1: Once it’s cool to touch, use a dull kitchen knife or wooden scraper to remove the melted plastic.
  • The plastic will usually slide off of glass with little scrapping.
  • Step 2: To remove the residue and plastic mark, use a safe chemical-based cleaner like WD-40, Acetone, or Baking soda.
  • Step 3: Spray WD-40 over the plastic and let it sit for a while before scraping it away.

Apply acetone on the residue and let it sit for a while before wiping it off.

Mix some baking soda with a few drops of water to make a paste. Apply the paste on the surface and gently scrub it with a sponge.

If the plastic has melted on metal stove grates, take it off and put it in a freezer for few hours to harden it. Use a stiff plastic scraper to scrape the residue.

How to remove Burnt-On Grease from stove tops?

We all have dealt with burnt-on grease at one point, and we know it isn’t easy to clean.

Typical cleaners don’t usually work with grease that has been burnt onto the stovetop.

The process to remove burnt-on grease with the least harsh method is outlined below.

  • Step 1: Start with removing stove grates and covering the gas heating element with plastic or newspaper to avoid getting anything in them.
  • Step 2: Mix 1 part lemon juice and 1 part white vinegar in a spray bottle and generously soapy the solution over the grease. Let it sit for about ten minutes.
  • Step 3: Run the surface with a damp cloth and then sprinkle a layer of baking soda over the area. Let it for at least five minutes before giving it a good scrub with a sponge.
  • Step 4: A good scrub should be enough to remove the grease. For leftover stains, repeat step three.

Alternatively, you can apply Coca-Cola onto the leftover grease to remove the stain.

FAQ about cleaning stove tops

What are the everyday household cleaning items?

Most kitchen-related cleaning can be done with the items readily available in your kitchen. All you need to do is find out what thing does precisely what!

Here is the list of few household items that help clean stove tops.

  • Ammonia (Mostly used for cleaning bathroom and tiles)
  • Hydrogen Peroxide (Found in toothpaste, mouthwashes, and bleaches)
  • Baking soda
  • Lemon juice
  • Salt
  • Dish Soap
  • White vinegar
  • Commercial oven cleaner
  • Carbonated drink (Coca Cola)

What should you not use on a glass top stove?

Glass cooktops are very delicate when it comes to using hard and sharp utensils. It’s easy to get a scratch on your new cooktop if you aren’t careful enough.

With glass top stovetops, it’s all about prevention.

Here is the list of things that you should avoid placing on a glass cooktop.

  • Cast iron or stone cookware -Cast iron and stone cookware is heavy, so they can easily crack your glass cooktop.
  • Heavy pots -Heavy metal pots don’t go well with glass cooktops because their edges can easily scratch the glass surface.
  • Abrasive cleaners -Heavy-duty detergents and cleaners are No-No for glass cooktops.
  • Wool scours pad -Avoid using steel wool scur pad when cleaning glass cooktop to avoid nasty scratches.
  • Sharp utensils -Avoid placing sharp utensils like knives and metal spatulas over the glass cooktop to avoid scratches.

Clean your glass stove top with baking soda and peroxide paste!

Here is how you can clean your glass stove top with baking soda and peroxide paste,

  • Start with mixing one part baking soda and one part hydrogen peroxide solution.
  • Apply the solution to the grease and let it sit for a while.
  • Use a sponge or mild scrub to scrub the stovetop until the grease breaks down.
  • Wipe off the stovetop with a dry towel or microfiber cloth.
  • For a friendly, glowing touch, dip the towel in some vinegar and wipe the stovetop.

How to clean an electric stovetop after spilling

Kitchen spills can be anything from boiling water, milk, curries to meat juices.

  • Let the stove cool down before you start wiping the coils with the lint-free cloth damp with water.
  • Soak a towel with a solution of dish soap and warm water. Squeeze the excess and start scrubbing the burners.
  • Use a clean towel to remove the excess water. Turn on the burners to dry off excess liquid.

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