Step by Step Guide - How To Properly Clean Your Stove Top

The kitchen stove is the most likely surface to be splashed and stained during the cooking process. Even worse, the extreme heat from the burners can cause baked-on messes that are difficult to clean off if left unattended.

With weekly dining and homecooked meals, messes are sure to happen. For minor spills and stains, sprinkle a little cleanser on a moist cloth to wipe down the kitchen counters. Your stovetop, however, may take a little more time and effort and may even require a gas stove cleaner or an electric coil burner cleaner c to remove grease.

Devote some time to an all-over scrub each week with our step-by-step cooktop cleaning procedure! We’ll even show you how to clean your rangehood.

How to Clean a Gas Cooktop

Cooking with a real flame makes gas stove cooktops popular in many home kitchens. Gas heating is responsive and even, and thanks to the various burner sizes and shapes available, you can use a variety of cooking surfaces. Stoneware and cast iron skillets work particularly well on a gas stove since they rest evenly on the grates.

Note: Cleaning a gas stove will take a little bit of elbow grease.

• Safety first! Remember what your parents taught you. Ensure the stovetop isn't hot or warm before cleaning it.

• Prepare your cleaning tools: a moist towel and multi-purpose spray cleaner.

• Lift the stove grates to clean underneath. Wipe away any dirt and debris from the surface.

How to Clean Stove Grates

You’ll want to get the stove grates out of the way first. The buildup of grease and food particles from oil splatters on the grates leaves a sticky residue often challenging to clean by hand. To avoid getting out the toothbrush, chuck it in the dishwasher.

If you’re unsure what material your stove grates are made out of, check the manual should tell you whether or not your grates are dishwasher safe. If not, then here are some handy tips for cleaning stove grates.

• Warm, soapy water soaks up cooked-on stains from the grates.

• Dish soap or similar degreaser is an excellent way to remove the baked-on crud.

• Gently scrub the grate using a soft scouring pad.

• Large storage bins are an excellent option for cleaning if your grates are too big to fit in the sink.

How to Clean an Electric Cooktop

Electrified coil stovetops may do the same as gas stoves, just without a real flame. Electric cooktops use electricity to heat a ring of coils to cook food, making them popular for their easy-to-control heat levels and safety features thanks to the heat knobs on the electric-powered burners. A non-flame method of cooking is often preferred for families with small children or curious dogs.

Unfortunately, electric coil burners, like the grates on a gas stove, are susceptible to the buildup of food residue. You must remove the electric coil burners first to clean them thoroughly.

• Disconnect the burner and clean it gently with a sponge dipped in warm, soapy water. Make sure you don't get the electrical connection wet while cleaning. If you do, ensure it’s bone-dry before reconnecting.

• Rinse thoroughly, then lay out to dry completely. You may clean the rest of your electric stovetop while the burners are drying.

• Use a moist cloth to clean every nook and corner. The burners can be reattached once they are dry.

• If the drip plates beneath the burners can be removed, use Mary Findley of Go Clean's approach to clean them thoroughly.

• In the microwave, heat the vinegar to a boil. Pour boiling vinegar into pans with baking soda sprinkled on top. For 30 minutes, let the combination do its magic.

• Rinse the sponge after using it to clean. Repeat as necessary.

How to Clean Induction Cooktop

For the most part, modern kitchens are equipped with either a ceramic or an induction hob. The efficiency, safety, and slick appearance of induction cooktops make them excellent for the contemporary kitchen. And unlike gas and coil stoves, induction cooktops heat only the pan, not the actual stove.

Learning how to clean a ceramic cooktop is easy as long as you pay attention to the cleaning chemicals you use. To avoid damaging your stove, here are a few handy cleaning tips.

• Before cleaning the stove, turn it off and allow it to cool completely.

• Wipe the hob clean of leftover food or grime with a microfiber cloth.

• Focus on the dirtiest regions of the vehicle.

• To remove stains off the hob, use a damp sponge or cloth and a bit of eco scrubby for glass (a little goes a long way; don’t overdo it).

• Wipe away excess moisture with a delicate microfibre cloth before buffing it dry.

• Clean the entire ceramic cooktop with a ceramic or induction cooktop cleaner.

How to Clean Stove Burners

Burner heads need to be cleaned from time to time. Ensure the stove is turned off before you begin. Lift the burner caps to reveal the underside.

• Wipe off the burner head and slots with a moist cloth.

• Use a toothbrush to clean the burner slot.

• Use a wet cloth to remove any residue.

Remember that models and brands vary widely in how they are manufactured. Always follow the instructions in your product manual to avoid damaging your stove.

If you cannot locate your manual, check the manufacturer's website for more information.

Cleaning The Rangehood

An often overlooked part of your stove is the range hood. Sitting just above the burners, this essential part of the kitchen works as an exhaust fan, sucking up the smoke and steam from your culinary creations, drastically improving air quality.

Unfortunately, all this sucking accumulates grease and grime, which, if left uncleaned, can often create blockages in the exhaust filters, leading to a much smellier kitchen. And not in a good way.

A clean hood is critical to a well-functioning kitchen, so let's show you how to clean a range hood correctly.

• Wipe away any dust with a damp cloth. Place a towel down onto the stove beforehand for any dirt and debris that falls below.

• Rub exterior and interior surfaces with a scrubbing brush using soap or dish detergent. Vinegar is an excellent substitute if you’re low on detergent.

• Detach filter from the range hood and clean using a towel or sponge. Soak in water for 20 minutes, then rinse dry.

Look at your crystal-clean stovetop once you’ve reattached the range hood filter. Remember how it looks because it can stay that way all year round with a bit of regular maintenance.