Pots boil over. Taco fillings overflow. Pancake batter spills off the griddle. It happens, and often results in burnt on messes that are difficult to clean. But we’ve been around a stovetop or two, and lucky for you, are sharing our knowledge on how to clean your stovetop. Roll up your sleeves and get started.
How to Clean Porcelain Stovetop
No. 1 Enemy: Clean up spills containing acids, such as vinegar and tomato, as soon as the surface is cool enough, as they could affect the finish.
Tool: Nonabrasive plastic scrubbing pad and cooktop cleaner. Mr. Clean Magic Eraser saves a lot of elbow grease.
Timesaver: Throw grates in the dishwasher on the most powerful cycle you have. It’s recommended to give it a good bath in the sink first, but if you have a great Warners’ Stellian dishwasher, no pre-rinsing necessary!
DO NOT: Put caps on the dishwasher or reassemble caps on burners while they are wet. If you put caps back on the burners while they are wet, it could lead to future issues with trying to ignite your burners.
How to Clean Glass/Ceramic Stovetops
No. 1 Enemy: Sugary spills (jellies, candy, syrup).
Tool: Cooktop Scraper or a razor blade. Clean while the cooktop is still warm, wearing oven mitts if necessary.
Culprit: Heavy soil, dark streaks, specks, and discoloration
Tool: Cooktop Polishing Cream or soap and water (and some elbow grease!). Do like Mr. Miyagi taught you: wax on, wax off until white film disappears and takes mess with it.
Culprit: Burned-on soil
Tool: Cooktop Cleaner and Cooktop Scraper (or razor blade). First apply cleaner. Then scrape surface keeping blade as flat as possible. Finish polishing cooktop until film disappears.
Culprit: Overboiling residue
Tool: A melamine sponge (aka Mr. Clean Magic Eraser) eliminates the evidence quite well.
How to Clean Cast Iron Grates
Here are some steps recommended by Wolf appliances, which we picked up after a smart question from one of our customers.
Step 1: Remove grates from unit and place on a flat surface near the sink to clean. DO NOT immerse in water. Towel dry.
Step 2: Use a no-scratch cleaning pad to scrub with hot water and mild detergent or a paste made of baking soda and water.
Step 3: If needed, use a degreaser, such as Formula 409. Then, rinse and towel dry.
Step 4: In a worst case scenarios, spot clean with Fume-free Easy Off or use Carbona Oven Rack Cleaner.
For more background, read this post. HOW TO: clean cast iron grates.
How to Clean Stainless Steel Cooktop
You might have a full stainless steel stove top under your grates.
First try stainless steel cleaner. For tougher messes, try a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser. Always go with the grain for best results.