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We’ve all been there. You turn your back on the stove for a moment and before you know it, that pot of oatmeal has bubbled over the top or the tomato sauce has managed to spatter over the entire surface.
Regardless of whether your gas stovetop is covered in the remnants of last night’s dinner or just needs a good cleaning, today’s post is for you. There is no need for harsh chemicals or stinky concoctions – just a little elbow grease and a common kitchen ingredient or two. Let’s get started!
Simple Tools to Clean a Gas Cooktop:
- warm water
- dish soap
- baking soda
- kosher salt
- bar mop towels or dish cloths
- dish towels
How to Clean a Gas Cooktop:
Begin by removing the grates on your stove and placing them in an empty sink. If possible, remove the knobs and the burner covers as well.
Fill a bowl or container with warm water and a squirt of dish soap. Place the knobs and burner covers in the bowl and allow them to soak while you tackle the cooktop and grates.
Dampen a soft cloth (I use bar mop cloths) with warm water and a touch of dish soap. Thoroughly wipe the entire surface of the cooktop using a circular motion. Avoid using too much water as you don’t want any water to sneak down in to the mechanisms of the stove or gas outlets.
After wiping down the surface with the water and soapy solution, rinse and wring out the cleaning cloth thoroughly. Wipe down the entire surface once more to catch any errant crumbs and soap residue. Dry thoroughly with a soft cloth.
Ready to tackle the grates? For me, this is where the need for more than soap and water kicks in. Food that has sat and baked on requires the help of a little extra cleaning powerhouse: baking soda. Baking soda is perfectly suited for this job as it is a mild, safe abrasive that is both economical and effective. Sprinkle a little directly on to the damp grates and scrub using your wrung out cleaning cloth with a bit of soap.
If you have some stubborn baked on bits that need some extra oomph, add a dash of salt to the mix. Sprinkle a little salt on to the grate as it sits in your sink and use the same damp cloth and dash of soap to scrub away those more challenging spots. The salt is just a bit more abrasive, but is still gentle enough to not damage your grates.
After you have scrubbed off all the residue, give the grates a good rinse, wipe them down with a warm, damp cloth and dry. I like to lay out a large towel and lay the grates on them to dry until I put them back on the stove.
The final cleaning step is to take care of the knobs and burner covers. The knobs won’t likely need much for cleaning other than a simple wipe down and rinse. Dry them and put them on the towel along with the grates. If your burner covers are in need of more than just soap and water to clean, you can follow the same procedure as you did with the grates. Enlist the help of baking soda or salt as needed. Thoroughly dry when they are clean to your satisfaction.
Make sure everything is thoroughly dry and reassemble. Stand back and enjoy that clean and shiny stovetop! Â Have a glass cooktop or stove? Â Head to this post.
kristi Says...
What do you recommend for gas stove burners with rusted-ish bottoms? The paint has worn off in areas and leaves rusty residue on our cooktop. I’d like to touch these up with paint if possible.
Thank you!
Becky Says...
Post authorAny paint would have to be heat and food safe so you could look into that but I’d try using a little baking soda and salt and see if that rust doesn’t come off first. Another alternative would be to look up your specific cooktop and see if you can purchase replacement grates from the company.
xo, Becky
kristi Says...
…by burners I meant the grates. 🙂
Heather Richey Says...
Thank you for your blog! I love getting new ideas. I’m a mother of 8 and love making my home functionable and a happy place. Love your ideas. Thank you for sharing your life and ideas with us! Hugs, Heather Richey
Barb Says...
I love your blog. I have been a follower for several years. I love how most of your tips are things my mother taught me years ago. I think the most important thing to remember when cleaning your stove is to do it daily. That way, the grease and grime isn’t building up. It only takes a few minutes to do every evening but saves so much time in the long run.
I also like to use Shaklee’s Basic H as a degreaser on my cooktop. It cuts through the grease and gets it nice and clean. It does tend to streak so I dry it really well with a microfiber cloth.
Becky Says...
Post authorYes! Great tips Barb!
xo, Becky
Tracy Says...
This is a great tip! Thanks!
Also I often put the grates in the dishwasher. It does a great job softening up stuck-on goop and getting them really clean.
Lea Says...
Now that is a “grate” idea! I do that with vent-a-hood pieces, but hadn’t thought of stove grates! Gonna do it right now…
Marianne Says...
I put the hood vents in dishwasher also!
Marianne Says...
Best tip! I put as mamy parts of the cooktop as possible, do this at least twice a month in between wiping the stove top down.
Beth Says...
hiw do you suggest cleaning the gunk that may not have been properly cleaned off the first time, and is now a cooked on, stubborn, sometimes sticky, beast?
Deb Says...
Love this post, but I have inherited a stove with a white enamel top. Lots of built up grease around the elements. any ideas on how to remove this? I have tried several oven cleaners and baking soda etc so willing to try anything.
Becky Says...
Post authorHi Deb!
Try adding a little kosher salt to the baking soda/dish soap/water paste – let it soak and scrub. Repeat if necessary.
xo, Becky
anisah Says...
Hi . Enjoy reading your posts . Thanx for the useful cleaning tips . How to clean cast iron burner covers. Have tried warm soapy water but seems like they have slight rust
Becky Says...
Post authorI have a rust removing recipe here: http://www.cleanmama.net/2015/02/the-best-ways-to-eliminate-residue-stains-and-gunk-in-the-bathroom.html
xo Becky
Terri Says...
Your job looks very clean to start with. What if the grates are too big to fit in the sink? Do you ever use Brillo pads or wire wool? I don’t think baking powder and salt will get embedded grease off.
Becky Says...
Post authorYou could use a utility sink 🙂
Betty W. Fletcher Says...
Hi Becky
Good job! Really very informative blog! I am getting more new information from here.
I am a new homemaker and this is really need for me to clean my gas cooktop.I know many ways but from here I am getting new tips.
Always I will follow your blog and Also Thanks for sharing !
Amanda Says...
Do you have any suggestions for cleaning a glass cooktop naturally? Our manual instructs us only to use ceramabryte but we have no idea what the ingredients are.
Jennifer Says...
Thank you so much for this tutorial. I’ve used oven cleaner for years on my stovetop but never was really happy with it. I was very skeptical to try just dishwashing soap but I am so glad I did. Worked incredible! It is so satisfying to have such a sparkly clean stovetop! Thank you so much! ????
Becky Says...
Post authorYay!
Lisa Says...
Hi, I have a black enamel cooktop on my gas stove. I have surrounding the main burner used a cooked on, hard mess that was once grease. I have tried everything I have read about and lots of elbow grease and nothing budges it. Any suggestions ? Thanks so much.
Stacia Says...
I have he same kind of black toomstove with baked on grease or something, I can’t scrub it off and I’m afraid baking soda or salt willl scratch. Has anyone tried?
Susan Guettler Says...
I have river rock tile in my showers that looks nothing like it did when it was new! The shine is gone and the grout looks yucky with hard water stains and soap scum. It is a shower and so I have to contend with mildew and odor! How can I clean my shower and get the shine back? I think commercial cleaning products have removed the sealer off the tile. One shower has black rock tikes and black grout and the other is light beige rock and grout.
Becky Says...
Post authorYou might need to re-seal it?
Robyn Says...
My gas stovetop has a stain around the burners that feels like burned on grease but I haven’t found anything that will remove it. My grates are easy to clean. I’m talking about the stainless steel part right around the burners. Do you know how to get that clean?
Kendal Says...
Same here. Having that trouble as well.
Kayla Says...
How would you clean a range hood removable air filter after you cook smelly foods like fish or bacon? I’ve tried soaking it in soapy water and it still has a wet-dog/funky smell, lol!
Maria Says...
Are your grates cast iron? Mine are and I’m wondering if you would clean it the same was?
b r Says...
Post authorYes, they are!
Jessica Says...
Just discovered your site and cleaning system! Where does this fit into your routine? I don’t know if I can get this done daily since I’m home with a baby right now, but is that normally when you’d do it?
Clean Mama Says...
Post authorI clean up as I go in the kitchen and wipe down the stove top as needed, and deep clean appliances monthly 🙂