How to clean a glass stove top in only three steps

This is my easy cleaning method to remove tough burnt food from glass cooktops without a scraper

Someone cleaning a a glass stove top with a sponge and soap
(Image credit: Getty Images)

Glass stove tops are super sleek additions to any kitchen, and are becoming more popular as people look for appliances that are easier to keep clean. That being said, it is simple to burn food and liquids on flat tops and mar the otherwise shiny surface.

After burning some milk onto the glass top when trying to make mac and cheese once, I was desperate to clean my flat top stove before the burnt residue set on fire when I tried cooking again.

When typical kitchen degreasers and elbow grease didn't work, I turned to something a little more abrasive and hoped for the best. That is how I learned that The Pink Stuff is the best thing to clean a glass stove top and remove even the toughest of burnt-on food without the need for a scraper.

How to clean a glass stove top 

Often we avoid using anything with the word 'abrasive' in the description to clean an induction cooktop. Nevertheless, The Pink Stuff's abrasive qualities are so gentle that it is no harsher than cleaning with baking soda made into a paste with water or vinegar.

As with trying any new cleaning tips, however, it is best to test it on a small inconspicuous area first to make sure it doesn't have any adverse effects on your particular make or model.

You will need:

1. Wipe the cooled hob with a degreaser

Someone cleaning a a glass stove top with a sponge and soap

(Image credit: Getty Images)

When I am cleaning my kitchen, I always start with a good heavy-duty degreaser and a microfiber cloth to get rid of any loose debris and light grease splatters. This makes This Pink Stuff’s job a little easier and lessens how much I have to scrub and prevent large crumbs from scratching the glass patina. I buff this spray away with one side of the clean, dry microfiber cloth.

If you do not have any degreaser to hand, then you could use a simpler multi-surface spray to clean kitchen grease, or even a mixture of equal parts water and white vinegar – it just may not smell as nice.  

2. Scrub with a sponge and The Pink Stuff

Someone cleaning a a glass stove top with a sponge and soap

(Image credit: Getty Images)

How much Pink Stuff paste you use will depend largely on how greasy your hob is, how large it is, and if you have burnt any food onto it.

I use a soft sponge to really scrub a thumb-sized amount of paste into the hob, focusing on areas of burnt-on food until I feel that the rough patch has been broken up and the surface feels smooth beneath the sponge. The paste will foam a little as you scrub making it easier to work into the surface.

What’s so great about the miracle paste is that you can use the same method when cleaning stove burners too, making sure you work into the corners and around each rim with care. You could opt to use a sonic scrubber instead of a sponge if you want to avoid manual scrubbing too.

Electric Cleaning Brush | $17.99 at Amazon

Electric Cleaning Brush | $17.99 at Amazon
These powered brushes make cleaning even the smallest corners and toughest marks easier on your arms. 

3. Wipe away the paste with a cloth and warm water

Flat Top Stove

(Image credit: GettyImages)

The one downside to using the Pink Stuff is the fact that the paste can be awkward to clear away as it clogs up a cloth easily. My trick is to use the same sponge I used to apply it, having thoroughly rinsed it to remove any paste buildup before using it to collect the paste in one swipe – rinsing and repeating as I go.

Once my glass stove top is clear of paste, I will use the remaining clean side of the microfiber cloth to buff the watermarks and dry the surface. You may also wish to use a clean dry towel to do this too. You should be left with a shimmering glass stovetop that looks almost new.

My verdict

Cleaning with The Pink Stuff has become a miracle solution in my home, and I don’t think I would use anything else to deep clean my glass stove top. 

The mild abrasive is just enough to help remove tough marks without scratching the glass and, coupled with regular cleaning with a standard degreaser after each use, my stove stays looking near new with no streaks or white staining from burnt food, water, or off the bottom of my pans.

FAQs

How do you get burn marks off a stove?

A traditional way to remove burn marks from a stove is to soak the area in baking soda and vinegar mix for 30 minutes before using a safety razor to scrape the burnt food away from the glass, working on an angle to help avoid scratching. Afterward, clean the area with a clean cloth, dish soap, and water before drying with a clean towel. 

How do I keep my glass stove top shiny?

One of the best ways to keep your glass stovetop shiny is clean it once it has cooled down after every use. Use products such as The Pink Stuff or white vinegar to help break down tough deposits and use a general kitchen degreaser to remove any other debris that has settled on the glass while cooking.


This super simple method for cleaning a glass stove top may not eliminate the need for scrubbing entirely, but it does eliminate the need for tricky-to-use safety razors and excess cleaning products.

Chiana Dickson
Content Editor

Chiana has been at Homes & Gardens for two years, having started her journey in interior journalism as part of the graduate program. She spends most of her time producing content for the Solved section of the website, helping readers get the most out of their homes through clever decluttering, cleaning, and tidying tips – many of which she tests and reviews herself in her home in Lancaster to ensure they will consistently deliver for her readers and dabbles in the latest design trends. She also has a first-class degree in Literature from Lancaster University.