Cleaning your stovetop can be a pain, especially when food has caked onto the burners. Cleaning your electric stove burners requires a different method than a gas stovetop. Below, we asked Yooshin Kim, Senior Manager of Quality Engineering at LG Electronics, for his best tips on how to properly clean electric stove burners without damaging your stove.
- Yooshin Kim is the Senior Manager of Quality Engineering at LG Electronics,
Before Getting Started
It’s important to regularly clean electric stovetop burners to prevent any stubborn soils from staining the cooktop. “Sugary spills can cause pitting on the cooktop surface if left uncleaned and heated repeatedly,” explains Kim.
You don’t need to unplug your whole stove before cleaning the burners, but you can use the control lock feature on the oven range if that makes you feel more comfortable. “On an electric oven range, it’ll lock out the controls for the cooktop so you don’t accidentally turn it on,” explains Kim. “And make sure the cooktop is not hot so you don’t burn yourself.” He notes that a warm cooktop may be helpful when cleaning, but use your best judgment if protective gloves are needed or not.
Finally, anything abrasive, like metal scouring or cleaning pads, can damage the cooktop surface. If using any cleaning solutions or chemical sprays, make sure not to mix any bleach and ammonia products, as this is a dangerous combo in any situation.
Health and Safety Concerns
Harsh chemicals from commercial cleaners could potentially cause unwanted fumes and odors. Additionally, “some chemicals could cause discoloration on surfaces and/or fade away printed labeling on surfaces,” says Kim.
What You’ll Need
- Damp cloth
- Water
- Baking soda
- Vinegar
- Dish soap
- Cloth or sponge
How To Clean Electric Stove Burners
Method 1: Damp Cloth Cleaning
- Ensure the cooktop is cool or warm to the touch, but not hot.
- Dampen a cloth with warm water.
- Gently wipe away any debris from the burners.
- For greasy messes, you can add a small drop of mild dish soap to a damp cloth and wipe that along the burners.
- Repeat the process for each burner.
- Wipe dry the cleaned surface with another dry cloth.
Method 2: Baking Soda and Vinegar Cleaning
- Ensure the cooktop is cool or warm to the touch, but not hot.
- Dampen a cloth with warm water.
- Gently wipe away any debris from the burners.
- Mix vinegar and baking soda in a 1:2 ratio in a bowl.
- Spread the mixture on the stovetop using a damp cloth.
- Allow the mixture to sit for 10 to 15 minutes.
- Scrub the stovetop with a non-abrasive scrubber or soapy sponge.
- Wipe away the mixture with a damp cloth and dry the stovetop with a clean cloth.
- If there are any remaining stains, you can repeat the process.
How To Clean Electric Stove Burners with Coils
Before cleaning coils, it’s important to read the manufacturer’s instructions for removing the coils. Some models allow the coils to be unplugged easily, but some may require special instructions for removing coils safely.
You should always avoid submerging or soaking the electric coils to make sure they don’t get damaged
- Make sure the electric coils are completely cool before handling.
- Remove the electric coils from the stovetop.
- Use a damp cloth with dish soap to gently clean the coils.
- Remove the drip pans and wash them in the sink with soapy water. If the drip pans are not removable, wipe the stovetop with a mixture of water and dish soap or a diluted vinegar solution (1:1 ratio).
- Rinse and dry the coils and drip pans completely before putting them back in the correct place.
How Often To Clean Electric Stove Burners
Wipe it clean with a damp cloth frequently and quickly after any spills. “Any prolonged spillovers can leave stains and in certain cases, possibly pitting the ceramic glass cooktop surface,” says Kim.