Stovetop Cleaning with @GoCleanCo

Stovetop disasters happen all the time. Spilled sauces, and burnt-on foods just come with the territory while cooking. Depending on the type of stovetop you have, it can be an easy or hard mess to clean up. We are here to help you as we look at each one.

Before you start, make sure your stovetop is cool to the touch.

Safety Pit Stop: We are going to be working with Easy Off® oven cleaner. This stuff means business. Wear gloves and a mask, run your ventilation fan, and open windows if you can.  Protect surrounding areas from overspray using garbage bags, Easy Off can damage your aluminum burners, countertops, flooring, etc.

Gas Stovetops

Gas ranges look stunning when they are sparkling like new, but once the messes start happening it can look like a daunting task to clean. It’s not so bad folks. Just follow these steps.

What you’ll need:

• Dishwasher tabs
• Large-size plastic storage bin 
• Dawn® Powerwash Spray
• SOS® pad
• Microfibre cloth
• Windex®
• EasyOff® oven cleaner (optional)
• Weiman® Stainless Steel (optional)

1. Grates and Burner covers:
   • Remove and soak them in a plastic storage bin (or in your sink if it’s large enough) with 4 dishwasher tabs and HOT water for at least half an hour (or overnight if they are really bad). We do not recommend placing them in the tub as they can scratch your surfaces. If you must, put down a towel first.
   • Pull them out of the water and scrub them with a SOS® pad, then rinse and let dry. 
   • If they are still really bad, you can try spraying them with EasyOff®. Let that sit for 10-15 minutes, scrub and rinse thoroughly. Repeat if necessary. If you choose this method be sure to place the grates and burners on a garbage bag or somewhere safe before spraying on the EasyOff®.

• Pro Tip: If your grates have a white haze on them after cleaning, use Weiman® Stainless Steel Spray to bring them to a shiny black.

2. Stovetop:
   • Take a moment to use your vacuum and horse hair brush to suck up any loose dirt and crud that was under the grates.
   • Grab some Dawn® Powerwash Spray and spray down the stovetop. Scrub with a scrub brush or cloth and wipe (do not use anything abrasive as it will scratch your finish). Rinse with a damp cloth to get rid of all the residue. 
   • For remaining baked-on messes: use EasyOff® oven cleaner. Spray on the spills, let sit for 10-15 minutes, then wipe away with a paper towel. You may need to repeat this step as the oven cleaner works in layers. Rinse well with a damp cloth. 
   •  Polish with Windex® and paper towel to remove streaks.

3. Check your flame. You may need to manually light your burners with a lighter the first time after cleaning, as some water or cleaner may be blocking the igniter.  Rest assured, it will burn off right away and the igniter will work after this. Then let them cool.

4. Return the grates and burner covers back to their homes and marvel at your hard work.

Glass or Ceramic / Induction

These stovetops have a burner under the glass so they are relatively easy to clean. You may have cooked on rings that are hard to wipe off but these steps should help.

What you’ll need:

• Dawn® Powerwash spray 
• EasyOff® oven cleaner
• SOS® Pad
• Windex®
• Microfibre cloth and paper towels

1. Spray Dawn® Powerwash onto the stovetop.
   • Use a wet sponge or SOS® pad to scrub off any burnt spots. You may need to repeat this step until all the spots are gone. Rinse clean with a damp cloth.
2. If you still have burners with baked-on crud:
   • Spray EasyOff® onto the surface, Let it sit for 10-15 minutes. (beware the overspray!)
   • Gently scrub spots with a SOS® pad, use a sponge to bring up the hardened gunk and then wipe the stovetop with a soft cloth.
   • Repeat as many times as necessary to get all the baked-on spills. Remember that oven cleaner works in layers. Rinse with a damp cloth to get all the residue. 
3.  Polish with Windex® and paper towel to remove streaks.

Electric / Radiant Heat Coils

Similar to gas stovetops, electric stovetops with coils require a little extra effort. Be careful to not soak any of the electrical elements during the cleaning process.

What you’ll need:

• Dishwasher tabs
• Mr. Clean® multipurpose cleaner
• Dawn® Powerwash spray 
• EasyOff® oven cleaner
• Windex®
• Microfibre cloth and paper towel

1. Coil rings and drip trays:
   • Make sure your hands are dry and remove the coil rings and drip trays. 
   • Wipe off burnt debris from the coils and place them aside.
   • Soak the drip trays in your sink with 4 dishwasher tabs and HOT water for half an hour, or overnight if they are bad. Remove, scrub, and rinse. Allow them to dry completely.
2. Under the hood:
   • With the coils and drip trays removed, pop the hood just like a car and lift up the stovetop.
   • Vacuum out any crumbs with a horse hair brush.
   • Spray with Mr.Clean® and wipe with a rag. If there is anything burnt onto the surface you can let Mr.Clean® sit for 10-15 minutes to soften, then use a scrub brush. 
   • Rinse with a damp cloth and then close the hood.
3. Stovetop:
   • Spray Dawn® Powerwash onto the surface. Wipe clean with a damp cloth, and repeat if necessary.
   • For remaining baked-on messes, spray EasyOff® oven cleaner onto the surface. Let sit for 10-15 minutes then wipe with paper towels. Repeat until all the stains are gone. 
   • Rinse with a damp cloth to get rid of all residue. 
   • Polish with Windex® and paper towel to remove streaks.
4. Return the dry coil rings and drip trays back into place.

As mentioned above, be careful with EasyOff®.

Range Hood Cover and Stove Knobs

While we’re at it, may as well clean the range hood cover and stove/oven knobs as well. 

Range Hood Vents

Remove the screen and spray with either Mr. Clean® OR Dawn® Powerwash (but not both) and scrub with a scrub brush and rinse. If it’s really bad, you can soak it in the sink with a few dishwasher tabs overnight. Use Mr. Clean® to wipe down the exterior and underside of the hood vent with a cloth or paper towel. Rinse with a damp cloth, then use Windex® to polish.

Stove and Oven Knobs

Pull off or upwards to remove all knobs from your stove/oven. Soak them in the sink with a dishwasher tab or a splash of Mr. Clean® for 10-15 minutes. While they soak, clean the knob area with hot water, a cloth and Mr. Clean® which will cut the grease. Rinse, then polish with Windex® and paper towel. Wipe and dry the knobs and put them back into place.

That’s a wrap on our stovetop talk. Clean after each use to avoid those hard-to-remove stains, and to also keep your space looking bright and spotless. But for tonight: order in. The kitchen is closed. 

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-Denise @GoCleanCo