How To Clean A Black Stovetop

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Crockpot stew and gooey skillet brownies? Yes, please! Cleaning the stove later on? A bit harder, but definitely doable. The word cleaning itself evokes a feeling of tiredness and a sense of, “Ughhh do I have to??” But cleaning a black stove top isn’t as difficult as it seems.

Of course, the grease stains are a pain, and we definitely don’t want scratch marks all over the stove. And don’t even get me started on the number of times the burners have to be removed and individually cleaned!

Here are a few tricks to get your black stove top shining in no time!

Outline

6 Ways to Clean a Blacktop Stove

1. Vinegar Solution

Take out all the removable parts of the stovetop and soak them in hot water. Caps, burners, and grates are all in this category. Soaking them in water will easily remove all the grease and crusty food that you’ve been trying to scrape off for eternity.
If the burners cannot be removed, lay a wet, warm cloth over the components. Be careful not to soak any of the electrical parts to avoid damage.
Now clean the stovetop itself with a solution of equal parts of vinegar and water. The acidity of the vinegar breaks down the grease and dirt that has accumulated. (Vinegar is an amazing cleaner)
A paper towel is more effective than a sponge for, especially stubborn stains.
Depending on the amount of grease, let the vinegar solution sit for about a minute or more.
DO NOT use a steel scrubber unless you want a re-enactment of the Texas Chainsaw Massacre on your stove.
Use another wet cloth to get rid of all the loosened particles and dirt.
Wipe down the stove with a dry cloth, preferably a microfiber one. Its softness ensures that more dirt particles will be trapped within the fibers of the cloth, making cleaning a heck of a lot easier. Otherwise, any cotton cloth will do, so don’t go rushing off to the store if you don’t have a microfiber cloth.

2. Baking Soda

Remove all the elements possible from the stovetop and soak them in hot water.
This makes it easy to remove grease and other stains.
If there are any electrical components, avoid making them wet, and place a warm, wet cloth over the other components.
Sprinkle a thin layer of baking soda over the stovetop. Baking soda is a reliable cleaner.
Take a bunch of towels, and wet them with warm soapy water. Use these towels to cover the stovetop over the layer of baking soda.
The moisture from the towel traps the baking soda, allowing the soda to cut through the grease, loosening and breaking up the crusty spots.
Make sure the towels are not sopping wet like a wet dog that just took a bath! Leave the towels on the stove for about 15 minutes, and let them work their magic.
Take the towel off then wipe the stove with a few wet paper towels, in circular motions. This helps gather the dust and dirt quickly, so cleaning is done more effectively.
As a final step, wipe down the stove with dry paper towels for that shiny, squeaky clean effect.

3. Using a Scraper

Using a steel brush or any type of steel tool on your stovetop can scratch it into oblivion, so avoid that at all costs!
Use a wooden or plastic scraper, at about a 45-degree angle (getting technical here!).
Make a paste of baking soda and vinegar. The paste should be 4 parts vinegar and 1 part baking soda. If you don’t have any vinegar, you can use hydrogen peroxide.
Apply the paste on all those wonderfully greasy spots, and scrape away with a scouring pad. Do not use a steel scrubber to avoid scratch marks.
When buying scouring pads, make sure to buy the pad specifically made for stoves, since normal pads can be quite abrasive and destructive on the stove.

4. Homemade Spray Cleaner

This spray cleaner can be used after using a spatula or after a round of cleaning has already been done on the stovetop.
In a spray bottle combine: 24 ounces of warm water, ¾ cup of white vinegar, and 6-7 drops of detergent that cuts grease.
Apply this spray on the stovetop and scrub the stove with your special scouring stovetop pad.
This spray also works on glass and other reflective surfaces that have grease and dirt stains!

5. Back To The Basics

If you’re on a budget or if the grease stains and dirt aren’t quite that strong on the stovetop go back to the basics: good ol’ soap and warm water.
The soap breaks through the grease, and the warm water gets rid of the stains by loosening the crusts and dirt particles.
Since only the basics are being used, be careful with what tools you use to clean the stove. Use a special scouring pad specifically for stovetops for effective cleaning.
Make sure you take out all the removable parts like the knobs and grates and soak them in a separate bowl of warm water and a few drops of vinegar.
If you don’t have any of the basic items, don’t worry! Pour some boiling water carefully over the stovetop, taking care not to pour water over any of the electrical components.
This will definitely loosen up all the dirt and crusty melted cheese around the burners. This technique is very easy and eco-friendly.

6. Baking Soda and Lemon

Sprinkle the stovetop with a bit of baking soda and scrub over the soda with slices of lemon.
The acidity of the lemon gets rid of the grease, while the soda breaks down the dirt.
Wipe down the area with a wet cloth or wet paper towel. If you are using a cloth, make sure it is soft and made of microfibers so that the dirt is easily trapped
For one last round, have a go at the stovetop with the homemade spray cleaner, before finally wiping it down with a dry cloth or paper towel.

Now I don’t think you will find cleaning your black stovetop a difficult task at all.