How to Clean Stove Burners

Cleaning stove burners, stovetops, and ovens can be hard work. Baked-on grease and food residue can seem permanently stuck to a stove, but proven solutions exist. If you use commercial cleaners, you know how harsh the strong chemicals can be. Those unhealthy ingredients cut through buildup but also cause health issues. We have a better idea. Skip the toxins and learn how to clean stove burners using safe, natural ingredients. 

How To Clean Your Stove Burners Safely

Because The Maids® is one of the only residential cleaning services to clean for health, we recommend using green cleaning solutions. Luckily, you likely have most of the common household ingredients you need for DIY kitchen cleaning. Here’s how to clean your stove burners with safe and effective eco-friendly alternatives.

How to Clean Gas Stove Burners

Gas stoves are easy to maintain. However, when the flow of gas gets blocked, the burner heads can’t burn efficiently. Check the gas burners for irregular flame patterns and yellow flames. These are the best indicators that it’s time to grab your gas stove cleaner and get to work. Also, cleaning the stove burners and stove top monthly should keep them working at their best. Here’s what you’ll need to get your gas burners clean:

• Liquid dish soap
• Baking soda
• Distilled white vinegar
• Non-abrasive scrub pad
• Microfiber cloths
• Paper clip

If you have a cooktop with a pilot light, you’ll need to shut off the gas valve first. Gas burners have a removable ceramic cap that diffuses the flames. Beneath the caps, the burner head sits atop the gas tube. Remove the caps and the burner heads by carefully lifting them straight up. When learning how to clean gas stove burners, it’s critical to avoid damaging the ignition electrode if you have one.

1. Soak the burner heads and caps in soap and warm water for 30 minutes. 
2. Fill a spray bottle with half water and half distilled white vinegar.
3. Soak the burner heads and caps with the vinegar and water.
4. Let the vinegar break down the buildup for 20 minutes. 
5. Mix baking soda and enough water to make a thick paste. 
6. Use a non-abrasive scrubber and the paste to scrub the burner parts. 
7. Use a paperclip to clear clogged port openings.

How To Clean Electric Stove Burners

While learning how to clean electric stove burners differs from cleaning a gas stove, you can still use natural cleaners. If your burners and drip pans are covered with buildup and debris, it’s time to break out the cleaning supplies. (You’ll need the same supplies used for a gas stove burner.)

If your coils and drip pans have caked-on grime, turn the burners on for a few minutes to burn off residue. After they cool, lift the burners and gently pull them straight out from the connector. Wipe off the prongs and the inside of the receptacle with paper towels, then reconnect the burner.

1. Remove the drip pans and wash them in warm soapy water.
2. Coat the drip pans with baking soda and water paste. 
3. Let the drip pans sit while you gently scrub the stove coils with a damp scrubber. 
4. Scrub the drip pans and rinse off the baking soda residue. 
5. Dry the drip pans and buff them to a shiny finish with a microfiber towel.

How to Prevent Buildup on Your Stove Burners

Now that you know how to clean coil burners on an electric stove, prevent buildup with a quick cleaning after each use. When you finish a meal, wipe down the burners with a damp cloth. Use vinegar for greasy spills, and remove grease and debris from the drip pans with paper towels. 

Make cleaning stove burners on a gas stove easier by wiping them down daily. Dry the burners with a dry microfiber cloth to prevent rust. Consider investing in a removable gas cooktop liner. These heat-resistant covers fit over the burners to corral boil-overs, spatter, and debris. The stovetop protectors are easy to remove and be used to conveniently clean your kitchen sink.

How to Clean Your Stovetop

Wipe off the stovetop after each use to minimize how often it requires deep cleaning. Cleaning the stovetop without the burners and removing the drip pans makes the job much easier. For gas stovetops, use caution and avoid getting the electric starter wet. Follow these guidelines if you have a glass stovetop. 

1. Degrease the stovetop with a cloth dampened with vinegar to loosen the buildup. 
2. Create a baking soda paste to treat stains and spread it over the stovetop.
3. Let the baking soda sit for 20 minutes.
4. Scrub the stovetop with a nylon scrubber.
5. Remove the baking soda residue with a clean, damp cloth.
6. Buff the stovetop with a dry microfiber cloth for a beautiful finish. 

The Maids: Keeping Kitchens Cleaner Since 1979

Now that you know how to clean stove burners and your stovetop like a pro, what’s next? Whether you use our field-tested cleaning guides or popular appliance cleaning services, The Maids makes keeping kitchens clean simple. Discover how The Maids can help you enjoy a clean home more often and time to enjoy what you love.

Get your free personalized kitchen cleaning quote today.

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