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The stove is one of the most necessary and overworked appliances in any kitchen. Because it is so frequently used, it tends to get dirty quickly … and often. Thankfully, there are a multitude of stove cleaner products you can choose from to ameliorate the situation. These products are easy-to-use cleaning solutions that allow you to keep one of your most essential kitchen appliances in sparkling condition.
Let’s face it: soap and water often aren’t enough when you’re faced with a stovetop full of grease or baked-on debris. A specially formulated stove cleaner breaks down the mess far better than soap and water can. If you don’t wipe up your stovetop after each use, grease and food crumbs can build up and foster bacteria. A stove cleaner can help. Regular cleaning reflects pride in your kitchen and inspires you and others to enjoy the room.
To keep your stove spotless and shiny, you will need a stove cleaner designed specifically for your type of stove. Read on to find out more about the types of stoves and the best methods and products to clean them. When you are ready to purchase a stove cleaning product, take a look at our top recommendations.
Gone are the days of rubber gloves, caustic cleaners, and noxious fumes. Creamy, non-abrasive stovetop cleaners formulated to cut through grease and grime dramatically clean and protect your stovetop. However, different types of stovetops call for specific products.
Common stovetop types include ceramic cooktops, glass stovetops, and gas stove burners and grates.
Stove cleaners generally come in the form of a liquid and can be split into two general types: multipurpose stove cleaners and surface-specific stovetop cleaners.
Multipurpose stove cleaners
These products are designed for use on ceramic, glass, copper, brass, chrome, stainless steel, and porcelain. A multipurpose cleaner eliminates the need to buy several products for all of your household appliances and surfaces.
In addition to their ability to keep your stove clean and free of grime and bacteria, a multipurpose stove cleaner can be used on a variety of other household appliances. Because the solution is designed to cut through grease and food debris, it can be a staple in your kitchen cleaning arsenal that keeps everything looking brand new.
Multipurpose stove cleaners are designed to remove stains, rust, and residue from hard water. This makes them suitable jobs like cleaning sinks, tubs, and toilets. Although stove cleaners do not disinfect, they are an effective low-cost solution for many challenging household cleaning tasks.
Surface-specific stovetop cleaners
If you are looking for a tool made for the job, a surface-specific stovetop cleaner may be your best bet. These products are designed to clean materials like ceramic, porcelain, and stainless steel without damaging the surface. While they cannot be used on numerous items around the house, as a multipurpose product can, these products can give your stovetop a thorough cleaning and a restorative shine.
Stove cleaners vary in volume, style, and included accessories. Your preferences and needs should inform your decision as you search for the best cleaner for your kitchen.
Stove cleaners are packaged in containers that hold anywhere from nine to 18 ounces. Many of these containers are recyclable. The right volume for you depends on your cleaning needs. If you opt for a multipurpose cleaner that can tackle a variety of surfaces in the home, you may need a larger bottle that holds 16 to 18 ounces.
While most stove cleaners are available in bottles with squirt, pour, or spray tops, some come in pre-saturated disposable cleaning pads, eliminating the need for a sponge or cloth. Other products may have built-in scrub pads with microbeads to break through burnt-on grime.
Common accessories that may come with a stove cleaner include cleaning pads, brushes, and scraping tools. If you don’t already have these at home, you can save a few dollars by getting them in a stove cleaning kit.
The cost of stovetop cleaners depends on the merchandiser, brand, and product size. When shopping for a stovetop cleaner, you may want to choose a brand that's biodegradable and free of petroleum products. A money-back satisfaction guarantee is always nice, too.
Low-priced stove cleaners sell for $5 or less for a 10-ounce bottle. These generally do not include any accessories and may come in a simple pour bottle.
For $6 to $9, you will find stove cleaners in 10-ounce bottles that often include accessories or convenient spray bottles. Products in this range are more likely to be biodegradable or include money-back guarantees.
When shopping in the higher price range, expect to pay from $10 to $20 for up to 22 ounces of cleaning solution. Stove cleaners in this range almost always offer either an excellent price per ounce or a convenient design that includes accessories.
Maintaining a clean stovetop takes more than just wiping down the surface with a cleaning solution. Here are a few tips to keep your stovetop clean and free of bacteria.
Make a habit of wiping up cooking drips and splatters as they happen. This helps prevent a baked-on mess. Wiping your stovetop down with a bit of soap and water daily can prevent stains and buildup.
The proper cleaning of an electric coil stove typically requires a good scrubbing of the four main components: coils that transmit heat, drip pans or metal bowls that hold the coils in place, the underside of the stovetop, and the stovetop itself. Place drip pans on a paper towel, spray them with stove cleaner and let them soak while you quickly clean the underside of the stovetop and the stovetop itself with a few quick squirts of cleaner and a damp rag. Rinse, wipe, and dry the drip trays, and you are done.
We stand by our top recommendations, but there are a few other products worth calling out. The Weiman Cooktop Cleaner Max cleaning pads are a must-have in a busy kitchen. These handy pads use micro-bead technology to provide impressive grease-cutting scrubbing power and leave your kitchen appliances shiny and without scratches. For consumers who prefer a spray cleaner, Weiman Stainless Steel Cleaner and Polish is packaged in a convenient two-pack, making it one of the best deals by the ounce. Stash the second bottle in the laundry room for quick cleanups.
Lastly, for cleaning ceramic cooking tops and other household surfaces, the Therapy Cooktop Cleaning Kit is a great option for all ceramic surfaces. This 16-ounce kit includes a non-abrasive sponge.
Q. How often should I clean my stovetop?
A. The best way to maintain a shiny stovetop is to clean it after every use. If you are starting with a clean stove, this job can be as simple as wiping down surfaces with a damp sponge or microfiber cloth. If you clean up after each use, you won’t have to worry about major cleaning jobs and tough grime.
Q. What is the best way to clean the gunk off of my gas range top?
A. To clean grates and burners on your gas stove, apply a non-abrasive stove cleaner to a non-abrasive sponge. Give the grates and burners a good scrub, rinse, and repeat if necessary. Grates and burners should be free of grease and non-tacky to the touch. Avoid using any abrasive scrubbing powder or cleaning tool to prevent damage to the enamel on your grates.
Q. Are stove cleaners safe to use on other appliances?
A. Most stove cleaners are safe to use on ceramic, stainless steel, copper, and brass. Use non-abrasive cleaners to remove the soap scum from shower stalls or to remove the streaks and smudges on your kitchen appliances. If you are worried about damaging a surface, check the manufacturer’s recommended surfaces.
