Even if you don’t use it every day, the stove and oven will become dirty over time. Whether you are deep cleaning before an inspection or looking to tidy up on a weeknight, here are a few helpful tips to clean your stove.
How to Clean a Gas Stove
Gas stoves have four core components that need to be cleaned: the grate that sits on top of each burner where you place pots, the burner caps that fan out the flames, the burner heads, and the stovetop surface around each burner. Always leave the stove and oven off while you clean.
Start cleaning by removing the grates and burner caps. Soak these components in soapy water to loosen grime. Then rinse them and place them in the dish drainer to dry. If they are very dirty or greasy, use a paste made from one part vinegar and two parts baking soda. Rub the paste onto each grate and allow it to sit before rinsing.
To clean the stove burner heads, check the ignition port and burner holes for grease and food particles that prevent the proper flow of gas. If there is grease present, use the tip of a pin or paper clip to remove it before wiping the burner head with a lint-free cloth. Finally, to clean the stovetop itself, use a damp soapy sponge to scrub stubborn spots and wipe it clean with a microfiber cloth.
Electric or Induction Stove
If the stove has metal coil burners, you will need to clean the coils, the pans underneath them, the underside of the stove, and the stovetop. Electric stovetop coils can be quickly wiped down with a cloth, as they burn off debris in a minute or two. The drip pans underneath the coils require more effort: remove them and let them soak in soapy water before scrubbing them with a sponge.
To clean underneath the stovetop, lift it upward and wipe the surface with a damp cloth or soapy sponge. The surface of the stove can be cleaned in the same manner. For stuck-on messes, use a mixture of one part vinegar and two parts baking soda. After allowing it to sit, clean the surface normally.
How to Clean a Glass Top Stove
Glass top stoves are easy to care for because the smooth glass surface makes it easy to clean. Turn off the appliance and start by wiping it off with a clean cloth. Sprinkle baking soda across the surface of the stove before spraying it with white vinegar. This mixture will react and create bubbles that work to loosen grime and debris. Wait a few minutes and then use a cleaning rag, soaked in hot, soapy water to wipe the surface clean.
Rock Solid Property Inspections offers inspections to homebuyers and sellers in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. Contact us to schedule our services.