HOW TO CLEAN A GAS COOKTOP

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 cloths 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!