Regardless of whether you have a gas or glass stove, maintaining it in impeccable condition can be difficult. The last thing you want are scratches from a scraper if you’re trying to get rid of stubborn stains and stuck-on food.
An impeccably clean kitchen – is it possible?
Even those who are not experienced cooks and don’t spend a lot of time in the kitchen are likely to notice food remnants stuck on the stove or stains left by boiling water that has overflown.
And what if you cook? Then the kitchen will certainly be more demanding in terms of cleaning. But does this mean spending long hours scrubbing dried, burnt sauce? Not necessarily! In this guide, we will show you how to clean a black glass stove and electric hob using standard cleaning agents and a steam cleaner.
Remember that instructions are a vital source of information for every hob owner. There you will find guidelines specifically designed for your device, as well as diagrams explaining the cleaning process in detail. Before cleaning your stove, it’s worth having such instructions at hand.
Why is cleaning the stove so important?
The stove needs to be cleaned regularly because a lot happens on it during the day – stains, deposits, dried dirt, spilled sauce – all this not only looks unappealing, but is also a breeding ground for bacteria. Such accumulation of germs, especially in a space where food is prepared, can be the cause of many diseases. Therefore, cleaning the stove is recommended as an integral part of overall home cleanliness.
How to clean a glass stove?
Almost all electric stoves are less sensitive than gas hobs; they either contain heating coils with a heating element or glass stoves with glass edges.
When cleaning electric stoves, it can take a lot of time to thoroughly clean the hob. If food gets stuck, a scraper is the most effective way to clean a glass hob. It easily deals with stubborn dirt.
Here is a step by step guide on how to clean a glass stove.
What do you need to clean glass stoves?:
- a scraper
- a cleaner approved for glass stoves
- a clean cloth
Before you start cleaning, turn off the glass stove and make sure it is completely cold to avoid injuries.
Step 1: Clean the glass stove
Wipe the surface of your glass stove with a damp cloth before applying any cleaning agents. This will ensure at least one layer of food residue is removed. That’s already something!
Step 2: Soak the glass stove
Soak the area with a cleaner approved for glass stoves and leave for a few minutes. If you’re unsure what is recommended for your specific glass stove, refer to the user manual.
Step 3: Scrape the stove with a special scraper
Slowly but firmly start scraping the problematic spot at a low angle of 30-40 degrees. Don’t press too hard and avoid holding the scraper at a large angle; this may accidentally scratch the glass surface.
Step 4: Dry the stove
Wipe the glass stove with a clean microfiber cloth.
How to clean glass stoves with a steam cleaner
Over the past few years, steam cleaning has become a preferred method for cleaning and disinfecting various items, including homes, offices, medical facilities, and many different types of commercial businesses, as well as all kinds of vehicles. Steam cleaning is environmentally friendly, as operators don’t require aggressive cleaning agents. The greatest advantage of steam cleaning is its ability to kill and remove over 99% of bacteria, viruses, germs, and other pathogens.
The Fortador Volt MINI – this portable steam cleaner is lightweight, weighing only 16.5 pounds, allowing operators to easily move it to and from a van and transport it to the job site. Like other Fortador steamers, the Volt MINI’s boiler heats up quickly, producing steam in just five minutes. Unlike other small commercial portable steam cleaners, the Volt MINI also operates at high pressure and temperatures, giving you steam power of 101.5 psi at a maximum temperature of 338 degrees Fahrenheit. It’s made from highly durable AISI 304 stainless steel, attesting to its durability.
The Volt MINI allows operators to add detergent to the steam cleaner in case you need extra cleaning and disinfecting power. Best of all, since the Volt MINI is a small portable electric steam cleaner, it doesn’t produce diesel exhaust, making it a truly green machine as it doesn’t pollute the air. The machine is also quiet, making it much easier to work in homes and commercial premises when other people are present.
If you own a steamer or plan to buy one, here is a guide on how to clean a glass stove with a Fortador Volt Mini steamer.
What you need to clean a stove top with a steamer:
- steamer
- microfiber cloth
- scrubbing sponge
Before starting the cleaning, turn off the glass stove and make sure it is completely cool to avoid injury.
Step 1: Turn on the steamer
Plug the steamer into an outlet and start filling it with fresh water.
Step 2: Wipe the glass stove with a damp cloth
Running a clean cloth will help to take off the first layer of burnt food.
Step 3: Steam the stains on the stove
Start from the glass surface, focusing on grease stains.
Step 4: Wipe the glass stove
Wipe off the warm water that appeared from the steam.
Step 5: Apply cleaning agent
Use a spray bottle or cream to spread it over the entire stove surface and leave it for the recommended time on the label.
Step 6: Steam the glass stove
Using a sponge, gently scrub the glass stove while steaming the surface. Make sure you focus on the corners and edges of the stove top to remove the remnants there.
Step 7: Wipe the electric stove
Wipe the stove surface with a dry microfiber cloth to absorb all the hot soapy water. Repeat steps 5 to 7, if necessary.
How to clean heating coils in electric stoves?
Heating coils in electric stoves can accumulate burnt food residues if they haven’t been cleaned for a while. Later, dried dirt is harder to clean. Thanks to the tips below, you just need to clean the heating coils once a week. And they will look like new.
What do you need to clean heating coils in electric stoves?
- dish soap
- microfiber cloth
- scrubbing sponge
- baking soda (optional)
Before starting the cleaning, turn off the stove and make sure it is completely cool to avoid injury. Remove the heating coils from the stove. It is important that the heating coils are completely dry.
Step 1: Remove the heating coils from the stove
First, lift the burner a few inches from the stove. Check where the burner is connected and disconnect it from the stove.
Step 2: Clean the heating coils with warm soapy water
Dip a microfiber cloth in warm soapy water and clean the heating coils. If your coils need deep cleaning, use a special sponge to wash the heating coils.
Step 3: Clean the heating coils
After washing the heating coils, wipe them with a damp cloth to remove remaining residues.
Step 4: Reinstall the coils
Do the reverse of step 1. You will know if the coils are properly installed if they fit into the burner drip trays.
How to clean a gas stove?
Gas stoves are still the most popular and preferred option. They use a real flame to heat surfaces. On gas stoves, cookware stands on grates, which allows for the use of cast iron pans and stoneware dishes without the risk of scratching, as is the case, for example, with a glass stove.
Although daily cleaning of gas stoves is not as simple as with a glass stove, this process is still not too complicated. We will describe it step by step below.
What do you need to clean a gas stove?
- cleaning agent intended for gas stoves
- microfiber cloth
- damp cloth
- dish soap
Step 1: Remove the grates
When the stove is completely cold, lift the gas stove grates and wipe any burnt food residues that may have fallen between them.
Step 2: Clean the stove top
Spray a special cleaning agent intended for gas stoves on the stove top. Wipe the counter and grates with a damp cloth. If the grates are still dirty, you can wash them with dish soap, warm water and a sponge in the sink.
Step 3: Dry the stove top
Dry the counter and grates with a microfiber cloth. Arrange the grates.
How to clean the burner heads of a gas stove?
Burner heads must be clean so that gas can flow properly through them. To check if the burner heads need cleaning, check under their covers.
What do you need to clean the burner heads of a gas stove?
- toothbrush
- damp cloth
- microfiber cloth
Step 1: Wipe spills
Remove the grates and covers, then use a damp cloth to absorb any spills in the burner heads.
Step 2: Remove crumbs
Using a soft toothbrush, remove crumbs between the holes in the burner. Wipe them with a damp cloth.
Step 3: Arrange the grates
Dry the heads with a microfiber cloth and place the grates back on the stove.
How to clean the covers of gas stove burners?
The easiest way to clean the burner covers is to remove them and soak them in soapy water.