This Is How Often You Actually Need to Clean Your Stovetop
The answer might surprise you.
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There’s never a bad time to rethink and revamp your cleaning routines. I’m the sort of crazy that cannot start work or begin a new project if the house isn’t clean. I just can’t do it. And while I certainly have my flaws, the cleanliness of my kitchen, the beating heart of my home, isn’t one of them, due to my daily, weekly, and monthly routines. So let's talk about how often we should actually be cleaning our stovetops.
There are two primary questions to consider: What kind of stove do you have and how often do you use it? That being said, no matter what type of stove you use—be it induction, electric, or gas—it should be wiped down after each use. This will prevent crumbs, splatters, grease, and gunk from building up and baking onto the surface. If you can just make yourself do this one thing, I promise you will thank yourself later on when it’s time to deep clean.
I use this general metric to gauge how often one should deep clean their range. If you cook every single day, your stovetop needs to be deep cleaned once per week. I realize this sounds like a lot, but if you are committed to wiping it down after each use, this becomes a much smaller, more enjoyable chore. If you only cook three times per week, you only need to deep clean your stovetop once every two weeks, as long as you are wiping it down after each use.
Why You Should Trust My Advice
I’ve cooked and cleaned in professional kitchens up and down the East Coast over the span of 20 years, using any and every kind of range you can think of. When you’re a professional cook, you’re also a professional cleaner. You own your station, and that means cleaning and maintaining it, restoring it to its original condition at the end of every single shift. It might surprise you to know that baking soda and vinegar are more often than not the very best cleaning ingredients out there.
How to Clean a Gas Range
Chefs and home cooks alike love gas ranges for their ability to visually control the flame and adjust cooking temperatures with the twist of a knob. They are not difficult to clean and must be maintained to function efficiently and prolong their lifespans. My advice is always to consult your user manual before cleaning or putting any foreign substances on your range.
Daily: Wipe it down with a damp rag after each use.
Weekly/Bi-weekly:
Make sure that the stovetop is completely cool.
Remove grates, caps, and knobs and soak them in dish soap and water for at least 10 minutes.
Use an abrasive scrubby (if safe for your model) to remove baked-on grease and grime from the grates and caps and set them aside to dry. Wipe the knobs clean and let them dry.
Mist the surface with a degreaser/all-purpose cleaner and wipe it clean.
For tough stains, sprinkle the surface of your stove with baking soda and spray with equal parts vinegar and water. Let sit for about five minutes before scrubbing gently. Wipe it dry with a microfiber cloth and reassemble your sparkling clean stove.
How to Clean an Induction Stove with a Glass Top
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These electric ranges have become popular over the last few years, partially due to how easy they are to clean. Never use anything abrasive on a glass surface. If something is really stuck on there, remove it using a plastic bench scraper. Also: Many of these appliances recommend a specific cleaning solution; always follow your manual’s instructions for cleaning to prevent damage.
Daily: Wipe it down with a damp cloth after each use.
Weekly/Bi-weekly:
Make sure the stovetop is completely cool.
Wipe away crumbs and debris with a damp rag.
Sprinkle the surface with baking soda and lightly spray with a mixture of equal parts vinegar and water. Let that sit for five to 10 minutes before gently scrubbing it with a non-abrasive sponge.
Dry the stovetop with a microfiber cloth.
How to Clean a Electric Stovetop
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These look like gas ranges but generate heat with electric coils. They can sometimes be a little intimidating to clean, but follow these steps and you’ll find your way to a sparkling stovetop in no time.
Daily: Wipe down with a damp cloth after each use.
Weekly/Bi-weekly:
Make sure the stove is completely cool, unplug, and remove the electric coils.
Wipe them clean with warm, soapy water, being careful not to get the electrical connection wet. Set those aside to dry while you remove the drip pans (if removable) for a wipe down or soap and water soak.
While these items are soaking and drying, wipe down the remainder of the stove, either with warm soapy water or baking soda and vinegar for tougher messes.
If you are able to lift the lid of your range, do so and wipe it down with either vinegar and water or warm soapy water.
Dry everything with a microfiber cloth and reassemble.
That’s it! My hope is that these tips and tricks will allow you to move forward and clean your range, no matter the type, with confidence. If you remember one thing at all from this article, aside from always consulting your manual, I hope it is to wipe down your stovetop after each use. I promise that adopting this one small habit will make a world of difference.
Related: How to Clean Dirty Baking Sheets So They Look Brand New
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