The Best Way to Clean a Gas Stove Top

Gas stove tops are preferred by professional chefs worldwide.

Cooking on a gas stove top allows for precise heat control. With one twist of a knob, flames are instantly adjusted, taking a pot from a raging boil to a simmer in seconds. However, when the fuel ports become clogged with dirt or debris, the gas cannot flow freely to the flame, which can produce flare-ups and uneven heating. To keep the stove top running at an optimal level, it must be cleaned regularly. With a few common household items, greasy spills and baked-on crust can be swiftly removed, leaving the stove top looking as good as new.

Things You'll Need

• 1/4 cup liquid dish soap
• Sponge
• Paper towels
• Household ammonia
• Credit card
• Toothbrush
• Thin wire or paper clip
• Stiff-bristled brush
• Car wax
• Soft cloth

Instructions

1. Turn the stove off and wait for the unit to cool. Cleaning hot surfaces with wet sponges or damp cloths can result in steam burns.

2. Pour 1/4 cup of liquid dish soap into the sink. Fill the sink with hot water.

3. Remove the cooking grates, drip pans, and control knobs. Take care while pulling the control knobs from the stove to avoid inadvertently activating the burners. Drop the detachable pieces from the stove top into the sink, and allow them to soak.

4. Sponge the surface of the stove with soapy water. This will remove any crumbs or loose debris. Buff the stove top with a paper towel to dry.

5. Cover stubborn residue with a paper towel that has been soaked in household ammonia. Leave the towel in place for 10 minutes, giving the ammonia time to loosen the debris. Remove the towel, and use the edge of an expired credit card to scrape the residue from the surface of the stove.

6. Wipe the gas ports and surrounding assembly with a damp cloth. Scrub any crusty spills or sticky splatters with an old toothbrush that has been dipped in soapy water.

7. Inspect the opening of each gas port. Insert a thin wire or paper clip into each hole to remove any blockages.

8. Turn your attention to the items soaking in the sink. Scrub each piece with a stiff-bristled scrub brush or piece of steel wool. Rinse with hot water, and set aside to dry.

9. Reassemble the stove top once all the components are totally dry.

10. Apply a thin layer of car wax to the surface of the stove with a soft cloth. Rub the wax briskly, using small, circular motions, until the compound is no longer visible. This will give the stove top a protective, nonstick coating that will ease the removal of burnt-on, baked-on messes.

References

• Apartment Therapy; How to: Clean Stovetop Using Car Wax; Jonathan; September 18, 2007
• Good Housekeeping: How to Clean Your Range; Carolyn Forte
• Penn State College of Agricultural Sciences Cooperative Extension; Cleaning Your Gas Stove; Cathy Faulcon Bowen, et al.; 1994
• "The Queen of Clean's Complete Cleaning Guide"; Linda Cobb; 2002