What You'll Need
- Commercial stove cleaner OR
- Lemon and salt OR
- DIY Cleaning Solution:
- White vinegar
- Baking soda
- Dish soap - choose a brand with degreasing properties
- Scouring pad, Cloth, or Sponge
- Microfiber cloth
- Razor blade - optional; for tough grease stains
How to Remove Burnt-on Grease from Stove Top: A Step-by-Step Guide
Step 1: Cool the Stove Top
First, make sure the stove top is completely cool before you start the cleaning process, especially if you have a glass stove top common for electric stoves and induction cooktops. Heating coils and hot cast iron stove grates on gas stoves can be blistering hot, so take precautions when handling these components.
Prepare the cooled stove top: Cover gas heating elements with aluminum foil, and cut the gas supply to prevent untoward incidents if working on a gas stove. Unplug your electric stove to avoid accidentally activating the heating coils as you clean burnt on grease from the stove top.
Step 2: Clean with Preferred Cleaning Solution
Commercial Cleaner Method
Commercial cleaners are meant to be effortless ways to clean burnt-on grease from your stove top. They come in clear, gel, foam, and cream formulas, and are available for different types of stoves from metal grills to glass.
Use the cleaning solution according to the manufacturer's instructions. You will most likely need to leave the solution to sit for a few minutes for it to work to break down the grease and oils, and soften the food particles that dried on the surface of your cooktop. Wipe the solution clean with a damp cloth to get rid of any residue.
Lemon and Salt Method
This method takes a bit more elbow grease, but is effective in removing hardened and burnt food from your stove top. This method is safe for ceramic stove tops as well as a gas stove top. Simply cut a lemon in half, and squeeze the juice all over your stove top, avoiding the burner caps. Sprinkle coarse salt over the stove, and use the lemon rind to scrub away burnt grease.
Wipe the residue clean using a damp towel, and repeat the process if necessary. Lemon juice would soften the burnt-on food particles, while salt acts as a gentle scrubber that won't scratch or tarnish the material of your stove.
DIY Degreaser Method
Create a homemade degreasing solution using vinegar and baking soda. Add two parts white vinegar and one part baking soda in a spray bottle, and spray a generous amount all over the stove top. Avoid spraying over the heating elements. Let the solution sit for at least 15 minutes.
Use a clean cloth or sponge dipped in warm water to clear the solution from the stove top, and remove as much of the baking soda residue as possible. Repeat the entire process as necessary. You can also make a baking soda paste with the same ingredients to spot clean stains for a stronger, more effective solution.
Step 3: Remove Tough Stains with Razor Blade
For tough stains that can't be cleaned with any cleaning method, use a razor blade to scrape the baked-on grease away. However, this step is optional. Do this with caution as the sharp end of the razor can cut through fingers, and can scratch the surface of stainless steel and glass stove tops. You may also use a stiff plastic card to remove grease stains.
Step 4: Wipe Clean with Dish Soap
Take a damp sponge or cloth, and add a few drops of dish soap on it. Use this to degrease the surface of your stove top, and remove any remaining grease residue. Use warm water to easily wipe away any oils, and go over the entire stove top twice to make sure you didn't miss any areas or spots.
Step 5: Wipe Clean with Microfiber Cloth
Wipe the stove top clean with a dry, lint-free cloth. Buff out the stove top to get a sparkling shine, particularly on stainless steel and glass cooktops. Remove any fingerprints or remaining oil and grease residue, and your stove top is ready for food preparation!
Preventing Grease Buildup on Stove Top
- Clean your cooktop after every use to prevent grease from building up on the surface. Clean your ovens after every use as well.
- Use only food-safe cleaners when cleaning your stove tops as non food-safe cleaners can emit harmful fumes into your food when heated.
- Consider using splatter guards while cooking to prevent grease from getting all over your stove top.
- Deep clean your stove top frequently. The more you use your stove, the more you have to deep clean it to remove any grease and food stains.
- Degrease the stove top with dish soap daily to remove unnoticeable grease residue left behind from cooking.
Go for Professional Cleaning
Professional cleaning services at Luce Home will get that stove top back to its shining glory! Our experienced cleaners can deep clean your kitchen so you can be sure you're eating only the cleanest and healthiest of meals. We work around your schedule, and we tailor-fit our services so you can get the home maintenance your household needs.
Contact us today to hear about our complete list of cleaning services!
