Gas stoves are often preferred by culinary enthusiasts, but those grates can get nasty quickly. Over the years, really smart people have figured out easy hacks for cleaning stove grates and stovetops.
Here, we break down some steps and basic materials on how to clean a stovetop to perfection. Just so you can mess it up all over again.
First and foremost, always wait until grates are totally cooled before removing them from the cooktop. There's no sense in ending up in the ER with major burns.
This is probably the easiest and most basic method for cleaning stove grates.
Materials: dish soap, water and a soft cloth.
Although this method does require some elbow grease, it's still a fairly low-key way to clean stove grates until they reach sparkling status.
If you're not a fan of strong chemicals like ammonia, keep on reading. If you hate scrubbing, however, this could be just the grate cleaning method for you!
Before you begin, here are some safety items to note. Never let ammonia get in your eyes. Wear gloves to protect your skin. Never ever mix it with bleach or anything that contains bleach. Doing so turns toxic quick!
Materials: ammonia, Ziploc bags large enough to fit your grates, rubber gloves. If you have large grates substitute kitchen trash bags in place of Ziplocs.
Now, marvel over how clean they are!
Again, take care to avoid any chemical exposure when cleaning the stove grates this way. Safety first!
It's much easier to avoid a huge mess if it's handled a little bit every day. To prevent unsightly pileups use a daily vinegar spray to keep stove grates clean. It's cheap and non-toxic.
Materials: spray bottle, white vinegar, gloves and a clean cloth
Doesn't get much easier than that!
Much like white vinegar, baking soda is widely beloved for its cleaning capabilities. Try using a simple baking soda paste to get those grates back to good.
Materials: 3 Tbsp baking soda, 3 Tbsp cold water, gloves, paper towels or a clean cloth and a soft-bristled scrub brush
The bonus thing about baking soda is that it is a really great scrubber but won't damage any surfaces.
It's not necessary to use homemade cleaners on stove grates. Plenty of commercial products are available that do a bang-up job, as well.
Materials: a non-toxic degreaser
Remember to let the grates dry completely before putting them back on the stove.
Clearly, a stove is more than just grates. When they get dirty, the rest of the parts tend to, as well. Here are a few steps to getting a fully clean gas stovetop:
An electric stove top usually needs only some warm, soapy water and a sponge. Use a baking soda paste or commercial cleaner, if necessary, to get rid of stubborn stains.
Obviously, this process doesn't need to happen after every single cooking session. But it is a good idea to keep an eye out for stovetop grate buildup to make it a less laborious process.
Spend less time cleaning stove grates and more time eating and enjoying the fruits of your labors!