Glass stove tops are sleek additions to any kitchen and are becoming more popular as people look for appliances that are easy to clean and maintain. That being said, it's easy to spill cooking liquids onto flat tops, marring their otherwise pristine surface with burnt food.
After a few of my own cooking-related spills, 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 some alternatives and hoped for the best. That's how I learned these four tried-and-tested methods to clean a glass stove top and remove even the toughest burnt-on food.
How to clean a glass stove top
‘Flat-tops are simple to clean, but there are a few things you should avoid,' explains Katie Dills, Brand President of the Cleaning Authority. 'Hard surfaces, like sponges and steel wool, can potentially cause scratches. Likewise, applying too much pressure when scrubbing the glass can potentially crack the surface.'
'You should avoid traditional glass cleaners with harsh chemicals, like ammonia, as these could lead to damage,' Katie continues. 'It's also a good idea to test these cleaning tips on a small, inconspicuous area first to ensure they don't adversely affect your particular make or model.'
Preparation
When I'm 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 the following methods a little easier and lessens how much I have to scrub.
If you do not have any degreaser on hand, 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.
For each of the methods below, I also recommend stocking up on the following cleaning supplies:
- A clean sponge: I like to use these bamboo sponges from Amazon
- A microfiber cloth: like these reusable cloths from Amazon
- A degreasing spray: such as TrulyFee non-toxic degreaser from Walmart
- A clean dry towel
Method 1: Vinegar and water
A simple way to clean your glass stovetop is to mix a solution of vinegar and water, spray it on a microfiber cloth, and then wipe it clean.
Rhonda Wilson, Quality Lead Cleaner at FreshSpace Cleaning, also recommends grabbing an old credit card (or something similar) to scrape off any burnt-on grease or food. 'Some folks use a knife or razor blade, but it’s risky, Rhonda cautions. 'You could end up with permanent marks.’
After this simple process, dab a little bit of toothpaste onto an old toothbrush and gently scrub in a circular motion over any burnt-on grease. Wipe your stove top down with a damp cloth, then dry off it to finish the job.
Method 2: Castile Soap
Sometimes the simplest methods can be most effective. Much like the vinegar and water method above, this technique involves carefully using a credit card to scrape off pan rings (scraping at an angle to avoid scratching the glass surface) before using liquid Castile dish soap, warm water, and a microfiber cloth.
‘Castile soap is gentle yet effective,’ explains Delah Gomasi, CEO of MaidForYou. ‘It cuts through grease and grime without leaving behind any harsh chemical residues – leaving the glass top looking brand new.’
Method 3: Vinegar and Baking Soda
Katie Dills from the Cleaning Authority suggests the tried-and-tested baking soda and vinegar method for cleaning a glass stove top:
1. Apply Baking Soda and Vinegar
Sprinkle baking soda over the entire stovetop, then spray white vinegar over it to create a fizzing reaction. According to Katie, ‘This combination not only cleans but also deodorizes the stovetop, leaving it fresh and clean.’
2. Cover and Wait
Dampen a towel in hot, soapy water and place it over the stovetop for about 15 minutes. This helps to lift tough, burnt-on food and grime. Katie adds, ‘The hot, damp towel helps to soften any hardened residues, making them easier to wipe away.’
3. Wipe Away the Residue
After 15 minutes, use the towel to wipe away the residue. Katie suggests, ‘For an extra shine, buff the surface with a dry microfiber cloth after cleaning.’
Method 4: The Pink Stuff
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. You can purchase The Pink Stuff paste at Amazon and Walmart
1. Scrub with a sponge and The Pink Stuff
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.
2. Wipe away the paste with a cloth and warm water
Use a rinsed sponge to clear away The Pink Stuff paste, rinsing and repeating as needed. After removing all the paste, use the clean side of a microfiber cloth to buff away watermarks and dry the surface. A dry towel can also be used for this step.
FAQs
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.
These super simple methods for cleaning a glass stove top may not eliminate the need for scrubbing entirely, but they do eliminate the need for tricky-to-use safety razors and excess cleaning products.
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