Smooth top electric ranges, also known as glass top stoves and glass cooktops, have become incredibly popular not only because of their astounding cooking performance and functions, but also because of how much easier they are to clean and maintain.
Not to worry! Here are some step by step instructions on how you can clean a glass stove carefully to have a smooth and sparkling glass cooktop and avoid scratching.
How to Clean a Smooth Top Electric Range with Baking Soda and Vinegar
Step 1: Let Your Stovetop Cool
Before you start with the cleaning, it's important to always make sure that your stovetop has cooled completely. Not only can you harm yourself should you accidentally touch the hot surface, but spraying any cleaning solution while the stove is still hot can leave burn marks on.
You can also take this time to browse through your stove's user manual, whether as a physical copy or an online version. The manufacturer's instructions may come with their recommended cleaning methods, or a list of things that you should avoid when cleaning. These instructions should be the primary instructions you follow.
In case your stove has any removable parts, it’s best to remove these and set them aside before proceeding.
Step 2: Spray the Stove Top with White Vinegar
Once your stove has cooled down, pour some white vinegar into a spray bottle and spray the surface of your cooktop evenly to soften any grease and grime. White vinegar serves as a great alternative to other cleaning solutions that may have harsh chemicals and can damage the surface of your stove. The acidity of it will soak into any grease and stains on your cooktop.
Step 3: Sprinkle Baking Soda Over Your Glass Stove Top
We all know what happens when you combine baking soda and vinegar—it's what makes this combination a very popular household cleaning staple. In the case of cleaning glass stove tops, the chemical reaction will help further loosen and lift any food residue buildup. Make sure to sprinkle a liberal amount on areas with more stubborn stains.
Step 4: Cover Stove Surface with Towel
While the reaction occurs, grab a dry cloth and soak it in hot water. Once damp, place the towel over the entire surface of the stove and leave it for 10 to 15 minutes.
Step 5: Wipe the Entire Surface
When the time is up, remove the damp towel. Then, give your stovetop another spray of vinegar and wipe everything off with a microfiber cloth. Try to avoid using a regular dry cloth, a paper towel or anything abrasive as these can leave streaks across your cooktop, unlike microfiber cloths.
Step 6: Scrape Off Remaining Residue with a Razor Blade
Should there be any remaining stains and residue left, simply spray these areas with vinegar once again and use a razor blade to lightly scrape them off.
When doing this, make sure that you angle the razor blade at a 45 degree angle and that you avoid putting too much force when handling it. Failing to do either of these may leave deep and visible scratches on your glass top stove.
Once everything has been scraped off, get your microfiber cloth once again and run it under some warm water. Use this cloth to give your stove top one final wipe down to remove any remaining crumbs and vinegar from the baking soda and white vinegar.
There you go! You have a perfectly cleaned stove top, all done with a few simple household ingredients. Using baking soda and vinegar is a great way to clean glass stove tops not only because of their accessibility, but also because of their effectiveness, as opposed to soap or other soap-based cleaners that may leave streaks and residue on certain glass stove tops.
How to Maintain a Clean Smooth Top Electric Range
Now that you have a newly cleaned stove top, it might seem that the work is over—but it isn't. Here are some tips and tricks that you can do to keep your cooktop as clean as possible moving forward.
Wipe Down the Surface After Every Use
The best and easiest way to keep glass top stoves clean is to wipe them down after every use to pick up any splatters and smears and stop them from getting worse upon exposure to heat. To do this, you should use a gentle cloth like a microfiber cloth, paper towel or a kitchen sponge soaked in some white vinegar or warm water.
As the surface of a glass stove top is susceptible to scratches, make sure to avoid anything rough and abrasive like scrub brushes, steel wool and scouring pads.
Be Careful When Handling Cookware
It's impossible to avoid heavy pots and pans when cooking in the kitchen, but just be careful to not drag these across your glass top stove. The surface of the stove is very delicate and the friction from these heavy cookware could leave scratches.
Pay extra close attention to any cookware made of aluminum, copper and other soft metals as these can also leave behind stains and deposits. A good habit to form when you have a glass stove top is to carry your pots and pans across the range rather than dragging them, and it may also help to clean the bottoms of your cookware regularly.
Now that you have a squeaky clean glass top stove, you'll obviously also want a kitchen that shines as brightly, and you can have it without putting in elbow grease.
