How to Clean a Stove - Everything You Need to Know to Make it Shine
Your stove top is the visible part of your range. It is where you do most of your cooking. It’s also one of the first impressions people have of your kitchen. For these reasons, and because of hygiene and the fact that it just looks nice, you want your stove to be sparkling. But how to clean a stove depends on the type you have. Whether you have traditional electric elements, a gas range, or a glass-top stove, the cleaning method will be different. Let’s take a look at each.
Summary:
How to Clean Different Types of Stoves
- How to Clean an Electric Stove with Coils and a Lift Top
- How to Clean a Stove Control Panel
- How to Clean Electric Stove Burners and Stove Grates
- How to Clean Electric Stove Drip Pans
- How to Clean Beneath Stove Drip Pans and Lift Top
- How to Clean a Stovetop Surface
- How to Clean Stove Knobs
- How to Clean a Glass or Smooth Top Electric Stove Surface
- How to Clean a Gas Stove
- How to Clean Gas Stove Grates
- How to Clean Gas Stove Burner Caps
- 6 Ways to Make Cleaning Your Stove Easier
- What Not to Do When Cleaning Your Stove
- Best Stovetop Cleaning Products
- What are the Easiest Stoves to Clean
- Consumer Reports Top-Rated Stoves for Easy Cleaning
How to Clean Different Types of Stoves
Cleaning your stove top can be tricky because there are many different types. Each style has its own cleaners and methods and can be entirely different from the oven interior of a stove range. Here we will break down each type of stovetop, the various parts, and how to clean each stove the best way to keep them shiny and looking new.
How to Clean an Electric Stove with Coils and a Lift Top
To clean an electric stove, first make sure the stove is turned off, cool to touch, and if you want to be extra safe, unplugged. There are six parts to clean on an electric stovetop: the control panel, the coil elements or burners, the drip pans, under the stovetop, the surface, and the knobs. Before you clean anything, make sure your stovetop is off and cool (this goes for any type of stove).
1. How to Clean a Stove Control Panel
Before cleaning a stove control panel, it’s smart to first unplug the stove and then wipe down the surface with a damp cloth. For tough stains, a mixture of equal parts water and vinegar can be applied to the surface and then wiped clean. Avoid using abrasive materials or harsh chemicals on the stove control panel as they can sabotage the surface or the function of the panel. Be sure to dry the control panel thoroughly after cleaning to prevent damage to the electronic components, too.
Often, the visual display or screen on a stove’s control panel is inset from the rest of the surface. This allows grime and grease to collect in the crevices. Using a small, sturdy object like a paperclip or even a medium bristle toothbrush around the corners of an inset stove display can help remove debris.
2. How to Clean Electric Stove Burners and Grates
Cleaning electric stove burners is a simple process. First, remove the burner coils from the stove by giving them a gentle tug. Scrub the coils with a soft-bristled brush or a toothbrush with mild dish soap and water to remove any food debris or grease. Do not submerge or soak any part of the burners, especially the electrical components because it can damage their ability to heat the coils.
For tough stains, you can use a stove top cleaner, or a paste made of baking soda and water. Once you're done, wipe the coils with a damp cloth to fully remove any remaining cleaning solution and dry them thoroughly with a clean cloth. Reattach the burner coils to your clean stove top and turn on the stove to make sure everything is working properly.
You can burn off excess grime by turning the burner on high for about three minutes if it isn’t too grimy, but this could create secondhand smoke that makes the house smell, so we prefer the soak and wipe method when possible.
3. How to Clean Electric Stove Drip Pans
The drip pans are located under the coil heating elements of the stove. You can easily access them by first pulling out the coil element and then lifting the drip pan. Taking the stove drip pans out early on while cleaning your stove allows you to give them a good soak while you clean the rest of the stove.
If they only need a little touch up, drip pans are generally top rack dishwasher safe, so you can pop them in and spend less time scrubbing. (You may also want to do the same with the stove knobs.) However, the dishwasher may not get the worst grime and burnt food off when cleaning your drip pans. If the dishwasher doesn’t cut it, soak your stove drip pans in the sink with soap and water for a few minutes with the coils.
For more stubborn messes on your stove drip pans, cover each drip pan with a mixture of one part water to two parts baking soda. Let this sit for about 20 minutes, then wipe clean with a damp cloth or sponge. You may need to do some scrubbing if the grime is caked on.
You can also use disposable aluminum drip pan covers. These extend the life of the original drip pans, which catch a lot of mess. Protecting these small, yet significant parts of the stove can help maintain the inner parts longer, too.
And, while we’re fans of proper maintenance and reducing waste, you might like to know that you can also purchase new stove drip pans and trim rings in commercial stores or online. There are different kinds of stove drip pans, so be sure to check the owner’s manual or visually confirm the right ones.
4. How to Clean a Stovetop Surface
Before you put your stove drip pans and fully dried coil elements back in, give the surface a good wash. Most of it will wipe up easily enough, but we all know that dreaded ring of grime hiding under each burner. Again, You can use a water-baking soda paste. Apply it and let it sit for about 15 minutes, then wipe it up with a damp cloth or sponge. Letting the baking soda sit on your stovetop will help loosen grease and grime so you don’t have to use as much elbow grease when cleaning your stove.
If your electric stove top is smooth top or glass, jump to how to clean a glass-top stove surface. You don’t want to make the mistake of leaving scratches and damaging its smooth surface or dulling its shine.
5. How to Clean Beneath Stove Drip Pans and Lift Top
Many stoves have a lift top, and while cleaning under an electric stovetop beneath the drip pans may seem tricky, it’s surprisingly simple and should be done regularly to maintain a clean and safe kitchen. It’s best to do this last because you may drop crumbs or debris inside while cleaning the rest of the stove.
Ensure the stove is unplugged. Then, on most models with drip pans and coils, you can simply lift the top of the stove up until the support rods snap into place, like a car hood. To replace it when you’re finished, simply lift then lower the top while depressing the support rods.
Wipe away any loose debris such as crumbs or spills with a stove-safe soft cloth. If there’s any stuck-on grime or stains, you can use a mixture of warm water and a mild detergent to gently scrub the area with a soft cloth. Avoid flooding the area with water and using harsh chemicals or abrasive materials, as these can damage the stove or the surface underneath. Once you finish cleaning, be sure to wipe the area dry with a clean cloth and plug the stove back in before using it again.
6. How to Clean Stove Knobs
As a finishing touch, remove the stove knobs from the stove by giving them a firm, but gentle pull or unscrew them if they’re held in place with screws, being careful not to turn the knobs and accidentally turn on a stove burner or break them. Keep in mind that some electric stove knobs may not be interchangeable, so cleaning them one at a time can help to remember where they go.
Wipe the surface around the knob pins on the stove panel to clean off any buildup. Then, either place the knobs on the top shelf of the dishwasher and run it on a normal cycle or wash them by hand to remove grease and food particles.
Once you are done cleaning the stovetop, replace the stove drip pans, burners, and stove knobs and you’re ready to enjoy your shiny, like-new electric stove.
How to Clean a Glass or Smooth Top Electric Stove Surface
Glass-top stove surfaces or smooth top induction electric stoves are the easiest to clean because there are no burner coils or grills to remove and no major nooks and crannies to clean. All you need to do is clean the stove surface.
Here are 7 quick steps for how to clean a glass-top stove surface:
1. Wipe the surface with a dry cloth or use a vacuum nozzle attachment to make sure there are no bits of food on it. Consider using a ceramic- and glass-safe nylon plastic scraper to scrape away stubborn spots.
2. Sprinkle baking soda all over the stovetop.
3. Spray vinegar over top of the baking soda, which will cause a stove-safe chemical reaction that can help loosen stuck-on particles. (This mostly happens during the initial bubbling reaction.)
4. Wet a couple of tea towels or other towels with hot, soapy water from a bucket or the kitchen sink. You want to wring them out only to the point that they aren’t dripping.
5. Lay the wet towels on the stovetop and leave them there for 15 minutes. The heat from the towels will also help loosen stubborn debris.
6. Remove the towels and scrub the stovetop clean.
7. Wipe up any remaining baking soda mixture.
How to Clean a Gas Stove
Cleaning a gas stove is important for maintaining its efficiency, safety, and appearance. A dirty gas stove can cause problems such as uneven heating, poor flame control, and even gas leaks. The different parts of a gas stove top that can be cleaned include the burners, grates, and control knobs. It's important to use appropriate cleaning products for the different surfaces and to refer to the owner's manual for specific instructions on cleaning your model.
Cleaning the gas stove knobs and gas stove surfaces is the same as an electric stove.
How to Clean Gas Stove Grates
To clean gas stove grates, first remove them from the stove and place them in a sink or basin. Then, fill it with hot water and a small amount of dish soap to soak. You can also add in the burner caps to speed up the process and let them both soak while you clean the rest of the stove. More on that below.
While soaking, scrub the grates with a stiff brush or a sponge to remove any food debris or grease. For tough stains, you can use baking soda and water paste. Once you've finished scrubbing, rinse the grates off with hot water and dry them with a clean cloth.
If you want extra cleaning power, you can also put the grates in your dishwasher. Be sure to check the manufacturer's manual as not all grates are dishwasher safe.
How to Clean Gas Stove Burner Caps
Cleaning gas stove burner caps is straight forward. Always make sure that the gas stove is cool, and the gas is turned off before you begin. Remove the caps from the stove and place them in a sink or basin filled with warm, soapy water.
Use a brush or toothbrush to gently scrub away any food or grease buildup on the caps. Rinse the caps thoroughly with warm water and dry them completely before placing them back on the stove.
If the caps are particularly dirty or greasy, you can also soak them in a solution of equal parts water and vinegar before scrubbing and rinsing.
6 Ways to Make Cleaning Your Stove Easier
Cleaning a stove can be a tedious task, but with the right tools and techniques, it doesn't have to be. Here are six tips to make cleaning your stove easier:
1. Read the instructions. Be sure to refer to your stove owner’s manual and any product manufacturer’s instructions to make sure they are suitable for your stove’s surface, to prevent any damage, and to ensure your safety. If you no longer have your stove’s manual, you can usually find it online by doing a web search for the brand and stove model, which is usually found on a sticker on the frame of your stove.
2. Try using aluminum foil or replaceable stove drip pan guards for electric stove burners. These can be put under the burner to prevent food and liquids from getting into the connectors and causing buildup. They are also easily removed and replaced when they become dirty.
3. Consider using a stove protectant spray to help create a food- and stove-safe coating on glass stove tops. Stove protectant sprays often double as cleaners, but not always, and can create a barrier that makes it easier to wipe up spills and prevent stains from setting in. They may also protect the surface from scratches.
4. Wipe up spills as soon as they happen. The longer spills are left on the stove, the harder they are to remove. Even a small spill left for a few minutes can turn into a stubborn stain or dried up food scab.
5. Consider investing in a stove guard or non-stick gas stove liner for gas stoves. These are designed to prevent food from getting stuck in the first place.
6. Install stove gap covers to prevent spills and food from falling in those pesky gaps between stoves and countertops. They are also heat resistant and easy to clean.
These tips help make cleaning any type of stove much easier and less time-consuming. Not only that, by using preventative measures and cleaning your stove more often, you won’t have to worry much about stubborn stains or grease built up from spills, leaving your stove always looking new.
What Not to Do When Cleaning Your Stove
When cleaning a stove, there are a couple things to consider to prevent damage to the stove and ensure a thorough and safe cleaning experience.
Avoid harsh chemicals or abrasive materials.
Steel wool or scouring pads on the stove's surface can scratch it or compromise the control panels. And those harsh chemicals can cause just as many issues---melting control panels, seeping in and causing electrical connection corrosion, interfering with the integrity of the protective coating of certain types of stovetops.
Use caution when cleaning the burner coils.
Burner coils are fragile and have connection ports. Be mindful to avoid bending or twisting them, never submerge them in water, and use a soft-bristled brush or toothbrush when cleaning.
Avoid using excessive water.
Like harsh chemicals, water can seep into electrical components and cause malfunctions and short circuits if not dried properly. If the connection ports on the stove are clean of debris, it helps to use paper of a towel to cover and protect while cleaning, too.
Best Stovetop Cleaning Products
You might think the best stovetop cleaning product is a vinegar-baking soda mixture. After all, vinegar and baking soda remain the most popular combination for tackling tough messes. But did you know that mixture is only truly effective while it’s bubbling? If you’ve ever wondered how effective baking soda and vinegar are for cleaning your stovetop, Apartmenttherapy.com shares that “Once the bubbles stop, you’re left with ‘glorified water’.”
Baking soda is a powerful grease-cutter and, according to the article, it’s more effective to clean grease off stoves using it as a paste instead of mixing it with vinegar. So, if you’re planning to use vinegar and baking soda together to clean your stovetop, it makes more sense for glass-top stoves, where you can apply them directly to the surface where they can then cut through grime during the bubbly chemical reaction.
If baking soda and vinegar aren’t your preference, we did the research and compiled some of the best stovetop cleaning products below that can replace the “ole’ bubbly” and relieve you from using all your “elbow grease.”
- Kitchen Degreasers and Cooktop Cleaners like affresh Cooktop Cleaner, Greased Lightning, Krud Kutter, Easy-Off, or Goo Gone’s Kitchen Degreaser may help clean extra-stubborn stovetop grease. If you’re wondering which is safest for your glass and ceramic stovetops, the cooktop cleaner offered by affresh is owned and distributed by Whirlpool Corporation, the same makers of KitchenAid and Maytag, so there may be some extra certainty to be had about using a product made by a company that makes stovetops. Read and follow directions on product labels for the best results.
- Bar Keepers Friend is beloved by many for all kinds of cleaning endeavors. When used properly, it can be substituted for baking soda paste for cleaning stovetops. Be sure to follow instructions and remove when directed to avoid stovetop damage from the cleaning product.
- A flat razor blade is the Swiss Army knife of removing all kinds of yuck from hard surfaces. They are popular for removing stickers from glass and grime from stovetops. But there’s a safer option for you and your stove; Bar Keepers Friend offers a Multipurpose Cooktop Scraper with a plastic blade that does the same thing.
- A Pumice Scouring Stick is great for cleaning lots of hard surfaces from cleaning your toilet bowl to cleaning your stove (clearly not one after the other). It’s great to help you spend less time scrubbing. Some report this as an effective tool to clean your stove. However, press too hard or use it while it’s too dry and it may scratch your ceramic or glass stovetop. If you don’t want to risk scratches, try a more delicate option like 0000 steel wool instead.
- Ultra-Fine Grade #0000 Steel Wool is glass-rated and safer for use with delicate surfaces like glass and ceramic compared to its more common, higher-grade steel wool counterparts. However, mixed reports on whether it’s completely safe for use on ceramic and glass stovetops. If you try this method, be gentle and test on a small spot to ensure it will work well for cleaning your stovetop. When in doubt, see Magic Eraser and Scotch-Brite Glass Cooktop Pads below.
- Mr. Clean Magic Eraser deserves a spot on the list for its, well, magical ability to cut through crud without being too abrasive. It claims to be safe for use on glass and ceramic stovetops, though reading its disclaimer says it’s not recommended for use on high gloss, polished, dark, brushed, satin, or stainless-steel appliances, so avoid those spots on or around your stove when using this product.
- Designed for ceramic and glass stovetops, Scotch-Brite Glass Cooktop Pads use a micro-texture scrubbing surface that won’t scratch when you clean your stovetop.
What is the Easiest Stovetop to Clean?
The easiest stovetop to clean is a smooth top stove, such as an electric or induction stovetop. A smooth, simple stovetop without coils, burners, or drip pans simplifies the process and makes cleaning your stovetop easier.
If you’re in the market for a stove and the idea of spending more time scrubbing and cleaning your stove doesn’t excite you, here are a couple suggestions of smooth top stoves from Consumer Reports and user ratings.
Consumer Reports Top-Rated Smooth Top Stoves for Easy Cleaning
This easy-to-clean stove from GE boasts an 8.8 rating on Consumer Reports at time of writing and offers four stovetop burners and wireless control capability with a paired smartphone. Its appeal for cleaning a stovetop lies in its smooth top surface, self-cleaning function, and fingerprint-resistant stainless steel.
Some reviews on the product report frequent repairs needed on the stove. The price tag is a bit higher at over $2k, but general reviews of this product outperform those of its equally rated Consumer Report peer below.
Fun fact: This range from GE is made in the USA and their headquarters are within spitting distance of Centex’s affordable home builders in Louisville, Kentucky.
LG LREL6321S Range
Nearly a third of the cost of the option above, LG’s stove matches its 8.8 rating on Consumer Reports at time of writing. Offering five burners, cleaning this stove is a breeze because of its smooth top stove surface and its EasyClean® feature for the oven.
According to LG, “The easy clean feature is designed to be a new cleaning alternative to self-clean that uses low heat, no chemicals and allows your oven to be cleaned in just minutes.”
However, some reviews on the product report its oven interior enamel coating chipping off and becoming a food safety hazard, and reviews in general fall at or below four stars.
A clean stove makes your kitchen look tidy and beautiful. From electric to gas stoves, grease and food bits can build up behind knobs and running beneath drip pans. Choosing the right stove, maintaining it properly, and following these stove cleaning tips can help you keep your stove sparkly clean.
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Published xx.xx.xx