How to clean a glass-top stove—that is the question—especially when something boils over and you don’t have time to clean it right then. The next time you go to turn on your stove you realize that you never cleaned up the stuff that boiled over and before you know it, you’ve got burn on top of burn making it very difficult—nigh impossible—to get off. Ever.
Or at least that is how it seems. On the bright side, there usually is a way to get those tough burn marks off your glass-top stove, and, no, it doesn’t involve using a razor blade! I like to approach cleaning a glass-top stove this way:
Quick Wipe
If you didn’t wipe down your stovetop the last time you cooked and you still have crumbs sitting on top of the stove, take a quick wipe over it first to get off all the loose gunk!
Spray and Soak
If this is a glass-top stove that has been neglected for a while, it may need some additional love that will not be required for a routine cleaning. First, I like to spray the stove with a mix of 50/50 vinegar and water and let it sit for 5-10 minutes. Usually, this is long enough to loosen whatever it is going to loosen within that time.
Scrub
After you have allowed your vinegar solution to sit, it is time to get scrubbing! Use a non-scratch sponge (only non-scratch ones are safe for your stove), and gently remove all the loose debris from the top of your stove. At this point, if you have any stubborn burn marks they will still be there. Please do not scrub hard with your non-scratch sponge because even though it says non-scratch, if you start scrubbing very hard, it will scratch! (Ask me how I know!) Now is when we get into a more specialized discussion on what you can use to remove those stubborn marks!
The Complicated Part
I have several things that I like to use on a glass-top stove given the situation:
My Favorite Sponge
A company called Cerama Bryte has little yellow sponges that give tough scrubbing action but do not scratch! These are the only sponges I feel comfortable using without worrying about scratching. I think getting some of these sponges will make the biggest difference in your stove cleaning and most likely they will be all you need for the routine cleaning of your stovetop. However, if you find you need a little more than these sponges can deliver, pair them with any of the cleaners listed below.
Baking Soda
Sprinkling baking soda onto your glass-top stove, misting with your vinegar solution, and gently scrubbing with a cloth or your non-scratch sponge (still use caution!!) is the most natural option. The downside is that sometimes the baking soda still isn’t abrasive enough to remove the most stubborn stains.
Bar Keepers Friend Cooktop
This is different from regular Bar Keepers Friend (which is too abrasive for a glass-top stove). This paste gives a little more scrubbing power than you will get from baking soda and is a convenient option that can be found online as well as in most grocery stores.
Cerama Bryte Cooktop Cleaner
This cleaner is my all-time favorite. It is a paste gentle enough to not scratch, a little thicker consistency to really polish off the burnt stains and leave your stove top shiner than it was before! This, in conjunction with the Cerama Bryte cleaning pads (same company), is the dream team for stovetop cleaning in my book! The downside is this is not an all-natural solution and so far I have only found this product online, although I cannot say that I have tried extensively to find it elsewhere.
I hope these tips help to solve your stovetop cleaning dilemma and please remember when using any of these products to always spot test first and follow the manufacturer’s directions!
Disclaimer: All of these cleaning tips have come from my personal experience and that of the clients whom I serve. While the information here should be applicable and safe in most circumstances if you have any doubts be sure to check with the manufacturer for the product which you are cleaning and always test a cleaning product or procedure in an inconspicuous area first!