How to Clean a Gas Range Top

Truth be told, your gas range top goes deeper than just the surface. Food may overflow, crumbs will drop, and heat will cause an abrupt burst and mess. Thankfully, there are ways to clean a burnt stovetop mess that accumulates on and under the surface. And you should know that it's easier than it may seem!

Here's how to clean a gas range top.

Gather the Proper Materials

The first step to any cleaning project is to get the proper materials together. When it comes to cleaning your gas range top, you will be happy to know that the cleaning materials you need are probably already in your home.

Here is what you will need:

There are other methods that use store-bought, chemical products. And while they do offer a nice clean shine, the method presented here will provide the same shine sans chemicals.

Cleaning the Grates

So, how do you clean stovetop grates? The first step in cleaning your gas stovetop would be to remove the grates. These heavy cast iron pieces can be durable, but they do take a beating while cooking. Salt, acid, other mixtures and burnt food are the banter every time you use it. Over time, this buildup gets thicker and thicker. This may lead you to believe that gritty texture and coating are permanent bony buildup.

But, fear not! There is an easy way!

Fill up your sink or a bucket with hot soapy water, using your dish soap. Then place the grates in the soapy water to soak. There are long set soaking, I'm talking cook-and-scrape heavy scrubbing. Then, scrub those pieces with your scrubbing sponge until all the dirt is removed.

Use a sponge and scrub the residue on the grates and run it under water to clean it off. All debris that was on these grates would be removed!

Make this process easier in the future by performing routine care. Fill a spray bottle with plain white vinegar and spray down the burners after each use. Let the vinegar sit on the grates for approximately ten minutes or so, then wipe off. The vinegar does not allow the grease to build, so leaving your burners cleaner.

Careful with the Fuel Ports

When you remove the grates, you are looking at the burner caps. Remove these and put them in the bucket of hot, soapy water you have been using for the above cleaning. Look underneath and remove the burner heads themselves.

Sometimes, in gas ranges, food particles can find their way down into these fuel ports, clogging them and making it more difficult to distribute even heat. If you have one even a bright burst of flame when lighting your burner, this comes from food bits around the fuel ports, too.

Caring for the Surface

Finally, you want to wipe down the surface to make sure that you remove all unstuck debris. Get it off of there so you know what you are working with. Then, using a wet, soapy sponge (NOT the scrubbing side) gently begin wiping down the surface. You might also use a stainless steel cleaner. However, it's to handwash with a little bit water a sturdy scrubbing. Note: Do not use any other type of household cleaners or scouring wipes that scratching the surface. If you have a stainless steel top, dishwasher detergent helps to prevent scarring.

But what if that doesn't eliminate all the grime? Well, here is what you can do. Mix a cloth and place it in the microwave for 30 seconds. Then, place the steamy wet cloth over the stuck-on debris and let it sit for a few minutes. The dirt should loosen up in quick, allowing you to wipe it off much easier.

Once your surface is clean, wipe it down with a dry cloth. Then, replace your burner tops and grates.

Don't Forget the Knobs

Lastly, it's easy to forget about your knobs if you are simply focused on the top of your range. But believe it or not, your knobs may be the dirtiest portion of your entire stovetop. It accumulates method as you cook, and if possible remove them in order to complete a full cleanse. Use your damp soapy sponge, and then dry all of the knobs. Place them right back on the range.

How Often Should You Clean Your Gas Range Top?

Congratulations, you have got yourself a clean gas range top. So, now you may be wondering what you can do to keep yours this clean again. The reality is every single time you cook, you should follow these easy stovetop cleaning steps.

The answer is: These questions will vary, of course, based on how often you cook. For instance, someone who uses the stovetop regularly will want to clean the range more frequently than someone who occasionally cooks a meal on the stove.

So, simply stated, you should clean your gas range top after every use by wiping it down, carefully cleaning as crumbs and spills. Then, perform a deep, thorough cleaning as needed.

Conclusion