A Thorough Guide on Cleaning Stovetop Elements

Two things generally happen when the average homeowner attempts to clean a grimy stovetop: 1) the results are subpar, or 2) they spend a lot more time and effort than required to get the job done. As a homeowner yourself, you’re probably reading this and thinking you don’t want to experience either of these things! Well, luckily, you’ve come to a place where nobody has to worry about unsatisfactory results ever again!

At MaidForYou, we are all about cleaning smarter so that you don’t have to work harder to tackle any such cleaning tasks. While kitchen grime buildup on different parts of a stove can be stubborn to remove, there is always a quicker, easier, and more effective way to do it. Read on to find out how! 

How to Clean a Stovetop (Surface)

The top surface of the appliance actually refers to the stovetop while the elements include stove burners, grates, and knobs. The surface material and cleaning method for the same will depend on the type of stovetop finish you have – powder-coated, stainless steel, or glass. It is relatively easy to learn how to clean stovetop glass because grease and grime don’t cling to the surface as much as they do to stainless steel and powder coating finishes. 

In this article, we are sharing a thorough guide to clean stovetop elements and the surface of a stainless steel and/or powder coated gas stove. Let’s begin!

Step 1: Remove the Stovetop Elements

When the stove and removable elements are cool to touch, take off the stove grates, burner caps, and knobs (if they are removable). The best way to clean stove top burners and grates is to soak them in warm soapy water first to loosen up grime clinging to them. The perfect time for this is while you are cleaning the surface; remember, the longer they soak, the easier they will be to clean. Use anti-grease dish detergent to make a soapy solution in your kitchen sink, or a large enough basin, and submerge your stovetop elements.

Step 2: Sweep Up Loose Debris

The key to cleaning your gas stovetop efficiently and quickly is getting rid of the loose debris first. Attempting to clean with a liquid solution or product before this step will only create a bigger, slimy mess that requires twice as much time and effort to remove! If you have a mini broom and dustpan, that’s perfect for sweeping up loose debris from the surface, otherwise a brush or cloth will suffice while using card paper as a makeshift dustpan.

Step 3: Sprinkle Baking Soda, Spray White Vinegar

This step requires two of the most commonly used household products for cleaning – white vinegar and baking soda. Together, their cleansing power can tackle even the most stubborn stovetop grease and stains! To get the most out of this combination, carefully sprinkle the surface with baking soda (avoid dropping powder down the gaps near the burner). Follow this up by spraying white vinegar over the baking soda, enough to dampen the surface below. Don’t worry if the ingredient starts foaming or bubbling; that’s a non-toxic reaction that occurs when vinegar and baking soda are introduced. Wait for 10-15 minutes before moving on to the next step. 

NOTE: If the cleaning solution dries up during the standing time, re-spray the surface.

Step 4: Wipe Up and Scrub 

Things are about to get messy so put on a pair of rubber gloves before you begin this step. For the initial clean, take a damp sponge and wipe up the the pasty layer left by the vinegar and baking soda. In doing so, you will also be picking up kitchen grease that has been absorbed by the ingredients. The second part of the cleaning requires a bit of elbow grease and more white vinegar. This time around, mix equal parts of warm water and white vinegar, dampen a non-abrasive scrubber in the solution and use it to clean the remainder of the stovetop surface. 

Step 5: Wipe Dry

When you are satisfied with the result, take a clean kitchen towel and wipe the surface dry. This will ensure that no water spots are left behind. You can also go one step further to buff the stovetop by adding a few drops of lemon essential oil to the surface, and then wipe in circular motions using a microfibre cloth.

How to Clean Stovetop Grates

If your stove manual doesn’t advise cleaning the grates in a dishwasher, cleaning them by hand can be more challenging than the actual stovetop itself. This is because you are not just dealing with grime, but cooked-on grease which is a lot more stubborn to get out. Nevertheless, MaidForYou is here to help make the task easier with the guide below:

1. Remove the stove grates that have been soaking in soapy water for a while now.
2. Use a hard-bristled brush to remove as much of the buildup as possible before rinsing them off.
3. Using a slightly abrasive scrubber and grease-fighting dish soap, give the stove grates a good scrub down. 
4. If you’re having trouble removing some of the grease, soak them in 3 parts hot water and 1 part white vinegar for a few hours before scrubbing again.
5. A plastic serrated knife may also be useful in scraping off of stuck-on grease.
6. Finish off by rinsing the grates thoroughly before wiping them dry.

How to Clean Stovetop Burners

If the holes in the burner caps are clogged, this will restrict the gas flow which can prove to be hazardous. Therefore, it is important to deep clean your stovetop burners every now and then while doing routine inspections to ensure that the flame is not being disrupted. The good news is that learning how to clean stovetop burners is incredibly easy and quick when you use the method below:

1. Before you fish out the burner caps from the soapy solution, give them a shake whilst submerged to dislodge grime that may be clogging the holes.
2. Take a toothpick (or safety pin if the holes are too small) and poke through each hole to ensure that there are no blockages. 
3. Rinse off the burner caps and scrub them with dish soap and a sponge/scrubber.
4. If needed, scrape off stubborn grime with a plastic knife. 
5. Rinse thoroughly to remove any residue left by the detergent, and wipe dry.

How to Clean Gas Stove Knobs

Last but not least, the gas stove knobs are often touched by greasy, grimy hands while encountering their own share of oil and food splatters when someone is cooking. Unfortunately, the knobs are rarely given any attention when cleaning the stove, leaving them covered in stubborn, caked-on grease. Even worse, some knobs are ridged which is great for grip but even better at trapping grime! 

Here’s what you need to do to make your gas stovetop knobs as good as new again:

1. Apply liquid dish soap to an old toothbrush like you would toothpaste; take the knobs out of the water, and brush them one at a time. Be sure to go in the direction of the ridges to clean the intricate spaces between them.
2. Use a sponge to scrub underneath the knobs, again using liquid dish soap.
3. Rinse them thoroughly and wipe dry.

Allow your freshly cleaned stovetop elements to air out and dry completely before fitting them back on your gas stove, and remember to use the guide above regularly if you want to keep the stovetop surface and elements clean and pristine!