Scrubbing the Stovetop

December 13, 2007 1:52 PM

I'm having trouble cleaning my electric stove top. My main problems are the eye pans underneath the burners.

I had great success getting the blackened stuff off of the stainless steel eye pans without scratching using Barkeeper's Friend. But now there's a slightly sticky residue, especially on the edges, that I want to also remove. Is there a product that will do that?
Also, do you have any general tips on cleaning a stove top? Mine isn't particularly dirty, but it's the first time I've cleaned the thing since moving in to my rental and I will I'll be cleaning it regularly from now on, so any general hints would be appreciated.

posted by k8lin to grab bag (14 comments total)

I've had great luck with the Mr Clean Magic Eraser for tasks like that.
It has easily removed baked-on non-stick cooking spray that I would have otherwise scrubbed for a long long time.

The biggest tip to regularly cleaning the stove is to wipe up liquid messes before they dry (i.e., immediately). This will make subsequent cleanings much easier.

Other than that, get a basic multi-purpose cleaner and spray at it. I like the Method Go Naked multi-purpose spray. It removes dried spaghetti sauce stains like no one's business, and there's no odor. If you like scents, the other Method products are just the ticket!
posted by odi.et.amo at 2:02 PM on December 13, 2007

I've used oven cleaner. It cleans EVERYTHING.

Yes, people here will pile on about how dangerous it is to use, but just be careful, and open a window, run a fan. Spray a tiny bit on somewhere where overspray won't go all over (like inside the oven) let it sit, then wipe it off.

Not the kind of thing you want to do all the time, but it's perfect for getting rid of other people's grunge when you first move into a rental.
posted by jeff-o-matic at 2:03 PM on December 13, 2007

If those are what I think they are, pull your burners out (they just plug into the stove), remove the pans, and wash them by hand in the sink. Easy!
posted by Malor at 2:03 PM on December 13, 2007

I should add that the scents in the other Method sprays are quite pleasant as opposed to the nose-burning-hold-your-breath smells that, say, 409 multi-purpose has.
posted by odi.et.amo at 2:06 PM on December 13, 2007

Magic erasers.
Truth in advertizing for once.
posted by CunningLinguist at 2:11 PM on December 13, 2007

I'm a fan of Bon Ami for tasks like that. It works well, and you don't need to wear gloves or worry about chemical residue. Sometimes it takes a bit of elbow grease, but it hasn't scratched yet.
posted by mumkin at 2:14 PM on December 13, 2007

Seconding Malor and jeff-o-matic: pull the pans out, apply some oven cleaner in a well-ventilated space (ideally the outdoors), let them sit for a bit and they should be easier to clean.
posted by yerfatma at 2:14 PM on December 13, 2007

Run them through the dishwasher. (As mentioned, they're easy to remove from the stove.)
posted by Steven C. Den Beste at 2:51 PM on December 13, 2007

Seconding the "Method" brand spray -- might be only available at Target though.

Also, vinegar. It's remarkable what a little vinegar will do.
posted by Pantengliopoli at 2:52 PM on December 13, 2007

Wow, how did I not think of the Magic Eraser? I use it for everything else.
To be clear, I had removed the burner pans from the stove top itself, but they were still a little greasy, but no longer dirty, after scrubbing. The Magic Eraser got the rest of it.
posted by k8lin at 3:34 PM on December 13, 2007

If you don't mind not doing work, you can get replacement pans cheaply and easily. Start fresh.
posted by sageleaf at 3:37 PM on December 13, 2007

Remove and soak in ammonia. (If they'll fit, a gallon ziploc bag is perfect for this) If that doesn't work, break out the heavy artillery AKA oven cleaner.
posted by Brian James at 5:00 PM on December 13, 2007

I've found that Scrubbling Bubbles works wonderfully on those burner pans and the oven itself, in a pinch. (Note: link is to a Flash site.)
posted by Lynsey at 11:28 AM on December 14, 2007

All good suggestions.

What I can tell you *not* to do is to grab that old dull knife you use for scraping stuff, and start using it to scrape that black crud off the stove, until you hear that little voice in your head say "Maybe you shouldn--" and get cut off by stabbing your self in the other hand, requiring a late night visit to the ER and several stitches.

So, yeah. Don't do that.
posted by RikiTikiTavi at 1:35 PM on December 14, 2007