The Best Ways to Clean Your Glass Cooktop Stove

 The Best Ways to Clean Your Glass Cooktop Stove

It’s hard to beat a glass cooktop, which provides more rapid and responsive heat control than conventional coils or burners. A glass cooktop is actually a combination of glass and ceramic. The seamless surface adds a sleek profile, safety features, and easy cleanup design if spills are wiped up in a timely manner. That being said, glass stovetops can become a major eyesore in your kitchen when covered in food spills, a white cloudy haze, grease, and burnt-on gunk. Even light splatters that you can barely see will build up over time and become more difficult to remove. That’s why it’s essential to give your cooktop a thorough wipe down after each use. 

One of the biggest concerns with owning a glass cooktop is how vulnerable the surface is to scratches. If you scrub stuck-on food or spills too vigorously or with the wrong cleaning agents, you can permanently damage the surface. So, how aggressively can one clean without scratching the surface of the stove? Which cleaning products are safe and is there a trick to cleaning these things? It’s recommended that you avoid using strong cleaning agents and rough scrubbers altogether. It may seem logical to use glass cleaner on your glass cooktop, but if it contains ammonia, it can actually damage the surface. You also never want to use scouring pads, scrub brushes, or steel wool on a glass cooktop as they will leave scratches. 

How to keep your glass cooktop clean and sparking:

Try to always wipe up spills and splatters as soon as they occur with a damp sponge or cloth. Even if the surface looks clean, invisible layers of grease can build up and burn on the surface.

• Use a grease-cutting spray or a wipe specifically designed for glass on a cool cooktop. Make sure the stovetop has cooled completely before cleaning. Cleanser exposed to heat could burn pits into the glass finish.
• If you don’t have cooktop wipes or cleaner handy, a spritz of full-strength white vinegar will cut grease and clean the surface without streaking. Start by mixing one part vinegar with two parts water in a spray bottle. Spritz the surface of your cooktop and clean with a microfiber cloth. The vinegar helps loosen stains and acts as a natural deodorizer.
• Rinse the surface thoroughly and buff dry with a soft cloth or paper towel. Make sure to completely remove any cleaning product residue as it can bake and burn on the surface and even interfere with the performance of your cooktop.

How to remove white cloudy haze from your glass cooktop 

After years of use, a dark glass cooktop can develop a dull, whitish haze, usually around the burners.  If the cloudiness doesn’t respond to normal cleaning methods, it’s probably not a food or cleaning agent stain, but micro scratches from using the wrong cleaning tools or from your cookware. Micro scratches can be removed if they aren’t too deep.

You will need dishwashing liquid, baking soda, and citric acid:

• First, apply the dishwashing liquid over the area you want to treat 
• Cover it with a layer of baking soda
• Then make a mixture of 1 tablespoon citric acid and 1 cup of hot water. 
• Put the mixture in a squirt bottle and squirt the baking soda and dishwashing liquid on the surface   
• Allow the mixture to bubble on the cooktop for at least 20 minutes, then scrub it clean. 
• Use a microfiber cloth and water to remove all the residue, and then dry the glass.  

There are also various polishing powders on the market, such as Bar Keepers Friend, that are designed to lift micro scratches. However, it’s always best to consult your cooktop care instructions to see if these products are recommended.

How to get rid of burnt-on stains from your glass stovetop  

Baking soda is a natural cleanser with a mild alkali to dissolve grease and a gentle abrasive that won’t scratch the glass. 

• Start by pouring a small amount of hot water on problem areas 
• Then sprinkle baking soda over the mess 
• Cover with a hot, damp microfiber cloth and allow it to dwell for about 15 minutes 
• Then scrub with the towel, working in the basic soda to dissolve the crud
• Rinse the towel with hot water as necessary and keep scrubbing until the baking soda is gone 
• Spray the surface with a little vinegar and use a damp cloth to remove any baking soda residue 
• Buff surface with a dry cloth to bring back the shine 

If you still notice stubborn burnt-on gunk in spots, try easing it off with a razor blade (preferably in a holder for control and safety). Mist the area lightly with vinegar, then aim the blade’s cutting edge at a 45-degree angle to the stovetop and carefully scrape off the crud, working one small section at a time, with a light, even motion.

The Takeaway

First and foremost, the easiest way to keep your glass cooktop clean and shiny is to wipe it down after each use. While the cleaning methods detailed above are appropriate and safe for most glass cooktops, it’s always a good idea to consult the manufacturer’s care instructions. Your cooktop manufacturer may require that you use only certain products and/or methods of cleaning so as not to void your warranty.  

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