stove top cleaning Getty / Alex Wilson | Credit: Getty / Alex Wilson
stove top cleaning Getty / Alex Wilson | Credit: Getty / Alex Wilson
stove top cleaning Getty / Alex Wilson | Credit: Getty / Alex Wilson
stove top cleaning
Getty / Alex Wilson | Credit: Getty / Alex Wilson
| Credit: Getty / Alex Wilson
If you ask the average person, cleaning the stovetop probably won’t score too high on their list of chores. Nevertheless, keeping the stove clean not only contributes to the look and feel of your kitchen, but also ensures your cooking surface stays hygienic and prolongs the life of your appliance. While certainly cumbersome, there are straightforward, fail-proof ways to clean the stovetop. Just keep the following expert tips in mind:
How to Clean a Stovetop
Prepare the surface.
Reach for the soap.
For electric stoves, Bailey Carson, Head of Cleaning at Handy, a platform for cleaning and handyman services, likes soapy water. Use a cloth with warm water mixed with dish soap," she says. “If you find that the stove has a lot of stains that a quick wipedown won’t fix, sprinkle some baking soda, let sit for about 20 minutes, then clean with a sponge or melamine foam.”
Take care of the details.
The grates and knobs and deserve some love, too. Carson likes to place the grates in the sink, filled with lukewarm water and some dish soap. “Let it sit while you clean the stove. Use a rag or a brush to clean out any crumbs or dirt, then scrub thoroughly with a sponge and spray solution that’s tough on grease,” she suggests. Rapinchuk has an even easier solution: “If I’m not feeling like soaking the burners and grates, I’ll put them in the dishwasher instead,” she says. She suggests checking and making sure that this is safe for your appliance.
Get rid of the stubborn bits.
“Food that has sat and baked on requires the help of a little extra cleaning powerhouse: baking soda!” says Rapinchuk. “Sprinkle a little directly on to the damp grates and scrub using your wrung out cleaning cloth with a bit of soap.” If you have some stubborn baked on bits that need some extra effort, Rapinchuk suggests adding a dash of Kosher salt to the mix - and don’t forget the grates. “Sprinkle a little salt on the grate as it sits in your sink and use the same damp cloth and dash of soap to scrub away those more challenging spots. The salt is just a bit more abrasive, but is still gentle enough to not damage your grates.”
