Cleaning the Stovetop 🧽🎬

This lesson is 662 words, a 2 min and 38 second read time. It is the second lesson of The Weekly Kitchen Cleaning Routine. 📍 Introduction Like a painter approaching a blank canvas or a writer sitting down to a neat desk - a home chef at a shiny cooktop is likely to feel more inspired & at ease. With that said, a stovetop isn’t always so easy to clean. Splatters, spills, smears - there are many ways that grease and residue build up and cake on. This lesson is about how to keep the stovetop clean. Let’s dive in. ⚙️ Required Gear * Towel or sponge for cleaning (e.g., terry bar mop) * Towel for wiping and drying * All-purpose cleaning spray (or dish soap) * Baking soda (optional) ✅ Instructions Gas stove with burners * Ensure the stove is off and cool. * Remove all grates (what pots and pans sit on) and burner caps (disks on tops of burner heads). If needed, wash everything in the dishwasher or by hand. * Dry-wipe debris and crumbs off the stovetop. * For a light clean, spray 2-3 times with cleaning spray, allow it to sit for one minute, and wipe the surface down with a cloth. Wet one side of a fresh cloth to rinse, using the other side to wipe dry. * For a deeper clean, use a warm soapy non-abrasive sponge. Wash down the stovetop using minimal water to avoid getting burner heads wet and damaging components. To remove burnt or stuck on food, add a paste of baking soda and water for 2-3 minutes. Wring and reuse sponge to rinse or use a fresh towel (half for rinsing, half for wiping dry). * Reassemble the stove. Electric stove with coils * Ensure the stove is turned off and cool. * Wipe down coils with a damp cloth. If coil burners are heavily soiled, turn coils on high for a few minutes to burn off residue. Once cooled, use a dry toothbrush or abrasive sponge to scrape off any remaining residue. * If drip pans are heavily soiled, pull coils out of the stove and remove drip pans. Wash them in warm soapy water or soak in a mixture of one part vinegar and two parts baking soda. * Rinse and wipe down with water and allow to dry. * Lift the top to check for burnt food underneath, removing as necessary. * When all parts are dry, reassemble. Glass or ceramic cooktop * Dry-wipe surface to collect any food pieces or crumbs. * Spray with warm water or all-purpose cleaner. Wipe with a microfiber cloth or clean towel. * To deep clean, sprinkle baking soda on top and cover with warm damp soapy cloths. Let sit for 15-30 minutes. Remove towels, using cloths to wipe down the cooktop. * Use a lint-free cloth (e.g., microfiber) to dry and polish. 📓 Notes, Tips & Tricks * Ideally, wipe down the stovetop after every use. Messes are easiest to lift off when fresh. More quick cleans = less deep cleans. * If you don’t have time to do a proper clean, at least wipe off new spots, drips, or spills. * If you have many crumbs on or inside the stove, you can use a vacuum cleaner to sweep them up. * Avoid abrasive cleaning solutions and pads that can scratch the stovetop. * To scrape off hardened foods, use a plastic knife or spatula. Avoid metal, which can scratch. * Stovetop cleaner is highly optional and rarely required. Soap, all-purpose cleaner, and baking soda are almost always sufficient. * Cotton cloth works well for this job as it’s strong, absorbent, & inexpensive. Terry cloth is particularly effective as it has extra texture for scrubbing. Dedicated bar mops (like these) or old towels cut up into rags work quite well. 🎓 Further Study: * The Daily Kitchen Cleaning Routine [Life School] * How to Launder Your Kitchen Towels 🎬 [Life School] * How to Clean a Stove Top [YouTube] * The Ultimate Step-by-Step Guide to a Clean Stove [Food52] * Cleaning Routine - Electric Stovetop 🎬 [YouTube] * How to Clean Your Glass Stovetop! 🎬 [YouTube] — ✏️ What should we research next? To weigh in, fill out this 1-minute survey here. 🎧 Prefer to listen? Subscribe on iTunes, Spotify, or Overcast. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.trylifeschool.com