How to Clean a Gas Cooker Top
How to Clean a Gas Cooker Top? After a large family gathering or holiday meal, your stove top is likely in need of a thorough cleaning. Plus, it’s similar to making your bed every day: if your stove is clean, your entire kitchen appears clean! But don’t wait until it’s so bad that you have to spend hours decreasing and scrubbing it. “A quick wipe is much easier than waiting until you need to deep clean,” says Katrina Keith, owner and president of Molly Maid of DFW Metro Northwest. “Make a habit of wiping down your stove-top after it cools.”
Keeping your stove top clean also helps it last longer, and who doesn’t want that? It is also a matter of safety and efficiency when cooking. Dirty burners that don’t allow gas to flow freely can be dangerous. The flame should be blue; a yellow flame indicates incomplete combustion, which could indicate that the small holes in the side of the burner are clogged.
How to Clean a Gas Cooker Top to Shine again.
Read your manual
Yes, it’s not the most exciting reading you’ll ever do, but you should know what the manufacturer recommends (or does not recommend) for cleaning. Furthermore, failing to follow their advice may void the warranty. If you can’t find your book, look for it online by model number; that information is usually found on a label on the oven door or another hidden surface, such as inside the storage drawer.
Clean spillovers up immediately
When spills occur (and they will! ), act quickly. “If you do have a mess, stop cooking on that burner right away and move to another burner to finish,” Keith advises. “That way, things don’t get cooked on.” Truth: It’s much easier to clean when food particles or liquids aren’t baked into the burner after repeated uses, so let it cool before getting started.
Scrub the grates
Degrime the removable grates with a soft brush and warm, soapy water. A drop or two of degreasing soap, such as Dawn, works wonders if they’re really funky, says Keith. Some grates can be cleaned in the dishwasher; consult your manufacturer first. Before replacing grates, thoroughly dry them.
Remove and clean the knobs
To clean the knobs, use warm, soapy water and a microfiber cloth. Scrubbing too aggressively may result in the removal of the dial markings. Keith recommends using a soft toothbrush to clean out the nooks and crannies in the backs of knobs that are filthy. Allow the knobs to air dry completely before replacing them on the stove.
Clean the burner caps and burners.
Remove the small circular caps on top of each burner, as well as the burner heads, which can be shiny or brushed aluminium. Wipe down the caps and burner heads with a drop of degreasing soap and a microfiber cloth or soft brush, but avoid getting water down into the burners. Rinse with a damp microfiber cloth. A baking soda and water paste may help remove stubborn marks, but some discolorations may already be baked on, particularly on aluminium burner parts, which stain easily.
Before reassembling everything, make sure the little holes where the gas flows through the burners are clear. If not, use a needle or paper clip instead of a toothpick, which can break off (and catch fire!). Allow caps to dry before replacing.
Clean the cook-top surface and the control panel.
Keith recommends avoiding abrasive materials and scrubbing gently. Your best bet is to use a microfiber cloth and warm, soapy water. Wipe the surface clean, then rinse with a clean, damp microfiber cloth. Buff to a shine with a clean, dry microfiber cloth. It may take several passes to remove grease from stainless steel tops, or you can use a stainless steel wipe for the final buffing.
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Avoid using window cleaners on the cook-top surface and control panel because they may contain ingredients that will mar the surface. Finally, wash microfiber cloths in a separate load to avoid picking up fuzz or other debris, and never use fabric softener, which will reduce their absorbency, advises Keith.
