How to Clean Stuck-on Food on a Cooktop

Remove stuck-on food from a cooktop to keep the appliance in good condition.

Cooking a meal in your kitchen means you will have to clean up afterward. When you clean the cooktop, you may notice burned-on food or grease. The stain may look impossible to remove, but it actually does not take long to dislodge. Leaving food on the stove top may cause it to continue to burn, so you need to remove it quickly.

Things You'll Need

• Dish soap
• Wooden scraper
• Baking soda
• Washcloth
• Nonabrasive sponge
• Towel
• Razor blade
• Commercial ceramic cooktop cleaner

Instructions

Gas and Electric Cooktops

1. Allow the stove to cool completely before you try to remove the stuck-on food.

2. Remove the burners from a gas stove or the elements from an electric stove. Soak the gas burners in hot, soapy water. Do not immerse the electric elements in water because they are self-cleaning. Soak drip pans in the water to remove stuck-on food and grease.

3. Remove tough stuck-on food with a wooden scraper. The scraper dislodges the food without scratching the surface.

4. Clean the stuck-on food stain by dampening the area with water. Sprinkle baking soda over the surface, and scrub it with a washcloth or a nonabrasive sponge.

5. Scrub the burners and drip pans with a sponge after they soak for at least 30 minutes.

6. Rinse the stove top, burners and drip pans. Dry them thoroughly with a towel.

Ceramic Cooktops

1. Let the ceramic cooktop cool completely.

2. Wipe the surface of the ceramic cooktop with a damp washcloth to remove loose food and debris.

3. Remove stuck-on food carefully with a razor blade. Hold the razor blade firmly at a 30-degree angle. Scrape the food or burned-on stain gently from the stove top.

4. Apply a commercial ceramic cooktop cleaner to the area. Follow the directions carefully so you do not damage the cooktop.

5. Rinse the stove top with a dishcloth and clean water. Dry the stove top with a towel.

Tips & Warnings

• Reduce the heat on the stove top to prevent food from boiling over onto the hot burners.

• Cover burners with pot lids or burner covers when you are not using them.

• Clean up spills immediately so they do not have time to dry on the surface.

• Dry the bottom of pots and pans before you use them to prevent water from burning onto ceramic stove tops.

• Never use abrasive cleaners on stove tops because they will scratch the surface and ruin the cooktop.

References

• Good Housekeeping; How to Clean Your Range; Carolyn Forte
• University of Florida IFAS Extension; Keeping It Clean: Cleaning the Kitchen Stove, Range Top, and Oven; Mary N. Harrison; May 2002
• Western Michigan University: Cleaning Guide
• University of Nebraska-Lincoln; Cleaning Glass and Ceramic Cooking Surfaces; Lorene Bartos