You can sometimes tell how busy a kitchen is based on the state of its stove top – doesn’t always apply of course but it does makes sense, right? If it’s usually used then more likely it can get really dirty – especially when you’re not the only cook at home. But worry not, you can get to the nitty gritty and learn how to clean your stove top in a few simple steps.

Normally, (and ideally) we tidy up the mess we did in the kitchen after cooking – wash the pots or pans and other utensils we used, wipe clean the counter, discard the aftermath of our food prep, may be even give the floor a quick sweeping or mopping – but the stove top for some reasons gets very little attention. Perhaps because right about the time we’re cleaning up the stove is still hot? Or maybe because, especially when it already has a ‘build up’ of gunk and whatever, it looks like a big task to deal with?

Why You Should Clean Your Stove Top

Well, firstly, you cook food on it. Secondly, it’s hard on the eyes (especially when you’re having guest over). And thirdly, it does wear out your appliance.

You can’t really avoid spill up or splatter here and there when you’re cooking in the kitchen – but that’s exactly why you have to clean your stove top. I mean imagine cooking on it with debris or whatnot from dishes you cook three days ago? Not to mention that leaving your stove top like that is like an open invitation to pests in the kitchen!

It’s not exactly pleasing to the eyes seeing your stove top with all the gritty bits. This is especially through when your stove top is in light color like white or gray (black stove top, you can probably get away at some extent, lol!). It can really be an eyesore and can ruin the what supposedly is a cozy kitchen.

To extend the use or lifespan of any kitchen appliance you have to maintain cleanliness. This is assuming of course that you know how to clean your stove top. Letting gunk to build up will soon wear out your appliance. Not only will it affect the overall appearance of your stove top but it’s very likely that you’ll start encountering problems like uneven flame for instance.

How To Clean Your Stove Top

What You Will Need to Clean Your Stove Top

First off, gather your stuff! Don’t worry, more likely you already have these in your kitchen, here’s what you need:

1. Kitchen or microfiber towel

You can use one that’s big enough to cover your stove top, or you can use two or three small towels instead. I actually prefer using smaller ones, they’re easier to wash and to wring.

2. A bowl

Big enough to dunk your towels in. I prefer using stainless steel bowls – I found them easier to clean and rinse, no odor residue either.

3. Non-abrasive scrub pad/sponge

Stay away from the ‘heavy duty’ scrubbing pads or scouring pads as this can damage your stove top. Go for one that is softer or gentler especially when you have a glass stove top

4. Toothbrush/small brush

This is for the grates, these iron grates can handle a good scrubbing so worry not.

5. Dish soap

Whatever dish soap you’re normally using will work just fine. You can use commercial cleaners but why not just make use of the one you already have, right?

6. Baking soda

Yes, our not-so-secret weapon, baking soda! It can be your best friend as well in cleaning aside from the fact that it’s perfect, too, for removing foul smell. In fact, baking soda is one of the natural deodorizers that you can use in the kitchen.

7. Distilled vinegar

If you have a spray bottle, make use of it, pour about half a cup of distilled vinegar. It makes the application so much easier. And also, don’t you feel like a pro at cleaning when you’re spritzing this and that around the house? Lol!

Step by Step Instructions on How to Clean Your Stove Top

Now let’s get to the nitty gritty! Super simple, even newbies can ace this.

1. Make sure that the stove top has cooled down already.
2. Remove the grates, burners, and caps.
3. Remove any visible debris, spill, or what have you. Give it a quick wipe, don’t force the stuck gunk, we’ll deal with it shortly.
4. Spray vinegar on the stove top and liberally sprinkle it with baking soda.
5. Mix water with a few drops of dish soap in your bowl – just enough that it’ll form suds.
6. Soak the towel or towels in your dish soap and water solution until they’re totally saturated. Give it a gentle wring and cover the stove top with it. Let it sit for 10 to 20 minutes.
7. Soak the grill grates, burners, and caps in soapy water (if the grill grates don’t fit in your kitchen sink, just soak one side at a time).
8. Now, use the non-abrasive sponge to scrub your stove top in a circular motion. The baking soda will act as a mild abrasive agent so it will work just fine with your sponge. For stubborn stains, sprinkle extra baking soda on it and cover it with a warm damp towel. Give it a few minutes – say 10 to 15, and give it a good scrubbing again.
9. Now use your towels to wipe off the soap, gunk, and all, off your stove – this will probably take a few rounds of wiping. When you’re done, simply wipe the stove top with a dry towel.
10. Give the grates, burners, and caps a good scrubbing, too. Use the toothbrush or small brush to brush off any debris from the burners. You can also use the brush or a scouring pad to clean the grates. The caps will do just fine with a good scrubbing with a sponge. Rinse them completely and then wipe dry with a clean towel.
11. Now you just have to put the burners, caps, and grates back to your stove top and you’re done!

How To Keep Your Stove Top Clean

In a busy kitchen not to mention if you also have a busy schedule, giving your stove top a deep cleaning everyday may not sound as practical in as much as we would like to.

So, giving it a good wiping every after use can help lessen the build-up of gunk. If you can keep at it, then a deep cleaning once a week will suffice.

Make it a habit to wipe spills as soon as the stove cools down. With oil splatter, wipe it down with a soapy kitchen towel and then follow through with a damp kitchen towel. With burnt bits – remove the ones that you can easily wipe with a towel.

If everybody who uses your kitchen can make this a habit then giving your stove top a deep cleaning every week will be a breeze for sure!

Final thoughts.

Learning how to clean your stove top and how to keep it that way is not as dauting as it may sound. Especially when the stuff you need to clean is are more likely already in your kitchen.

And don’t get me wrong, even my stove top is not squeaky clean all the time – but one thing I assure you, once you get it done – it’s so refreshing to see that you’ll be inspired to keep it looking like that (well, at least until you get your next bout of ‘I don’t want to do anything right now’ – I know, been there, done that! Lol!).

Bottom line, it still pays to know how to clean your stove top – not only will it make the whole cooking experience even more enjoyable, you’ll also feel confident that you got everything under control in your kitchen.

So, how about, we try adding deep cleaning our stove top to our to do list this week? Who’s in?