Tips & Tricks for Cleaning Range Tops
- In order to conquer your range top's cleaning issue, you need the right cleaning supplies. You don't want to use any abrasive cleaners. All you need is a sponge, a non-abrasive cleaner, a scrubbing pad, glass cleaner, paper towels and some baking soda. Make sure the cleaner is bleach-free and you use the chemical according to the directions on the container. Another cleaning supply you want to buy for your range top is a can of oven cleaner. You'll use the oven cleaner to remove caked-on dirt on your range top's grates and burners.
- Cleaning the range top should be done gently if the dirt and grime is not too heavy. For heavy spots, it is best to apply a cleaner and let it soak on the spots for about 10 minutes. Then scrub with a scrubbing pad. Don't forget to clean the front of the range top and the controls with a soft cleaner also. Make sure you note what color scrubbing pad you use. Some pads will shed their color off on to your range top's surface. It is best to use a white scrubbing pad instead of a colored one on some surfaces. Test the scrubbing pad on a back part of your range top before using it for cleaning.
- If you have a flat-top range, mix in a bowl 1 cup of baking soda and 1 cup of warm water (do not use boiling hot water) to form a cleaning paste. Next, turn on the burners to "medium" heat to warm up the cooking surface. Let the burners warm up for about two minutes, then turn them off. Pour the baking soda mixture onto the range top. Spread the mixture with a cloth to cover any dirty spots. As the flat top cools, the water will evaporate and the dirt will loosen. Remove the dirt with a clean cloth. After the surface is clean, spray some glass cleaner on a paper towel and wipe the range top to remove any residue.
- To clean your range top's grates, remove them from the stove and place them on some newspaper. Make sure you are in a well-ventilated area like outside or a space with the windows open. Spray the grates with an oven cleaner, and let the chemical set for about an hour--or longer, if a lot of grime is present. Then wipe them clean with a rag or shop towel. Follow up the cleaning by washing them with warm water. Dry the grates before putting them back on the range top.
- When removing the burner caps, you may have to use a flathead screwdriver to pry up the caps. Work slowly---you don't want to damage the burner caps. Clean by placing the caps in a pan of hot water with some non-abrasive cleaner. Let the caps soak for about five minutes. Remove the burner caps, scrub them gently to remove any grime, and then rinse. Dry the burner caps completely before placing them back on the range top. If the dirt and grime is heavy, spray them with some oven cleaner and let them set for at least an hour and a half. Scrub them lightly with a scrubbing pad, then rinse and dry.
