GUIDE TO EASILY CLEANING GAS STOVE BURNERS & GRATES
Gas stovetops are equipped with powerful burners and durable grates, offering a top-notch cooking experience.
Cooking on a gas stovetop, however, can make a mess on the surface and the burners and grates can get filthy over time. To maintain the look and performance of your gas stovetop, you must regularly clean the appliance.
Read this guide to learn the steps for cleaning your stove burners and grates and heavy-duty techniques to tackle more challenging stuck-on messes.
Please note that before cleaning your gas stovetop, check your appliance’s owner’s manual. Your model may recommend certain cleaning methods.
CLEANING GAS STOVE BURNERS
Most gas burners have an easily removable burner cap to guard the burner base against spills. Grease or food can still build around and under the caps. Regularly cleaning them and the burner base can help the appliance produce even flames and proper ignition.
Follow the below steps to clean clogged or dirty gas burners.
SUPPLIES AND TOOLS:
Non-abrasive scrubbing pad or cloth
Mildly abrasive cleaner or soap
Straight metal pin or needle
Baking soda (optional)
STEP 1: GET THE GAS STOVETOP READY FOR CLEANING
Turn off all the controls and confirm that the cooktop is cool. Take off the grates and set them aside somewhere safe and then remove the burner caps.
STEP 2: CLEAN THE BURNER CAPS
Using a non-abrasive scrubbing pad or cloth and mildly abrasive cleaner or soap, clean every side of each burner cap. If the caps are extremely filthy, it’s recommended to soak them in hot, soapy water for at least 20 minutes.
If the burner caps have stuck-on grease and food, you can clean them with a paste made of three parts baking soda and one part water. Apply the paste to each cap, coating them entirely, and set them aside for 20 minutes. Then, rinse them before wiping them down with a soft cloth.
STEP 3: CLEAN THE BURNER BASE
Using a non-abrasive scrubbing pad or cloth and mildly abrasive cleaner or soap, the next step is to wipe down the burner base. If the ports, which help spread the flame, appear clogged or dirty, try removing any food or grease with a straight needle or metal pin, never a wooden toothpick. Lastly, wipe down the burner with a soft cloth and clean water.
STEP 4: REPLACE THE BURNER CAPS
Use a towel to dry the caps before returning them to the cooktop. Certain burners feature markers on the cap’s underside, indicating which burner they belong to.
Some burner bases also have pins to help ensure that the cap is aligned correctly. You must replace the burner cap so that it’s flush with the burner. It should barely move when you try to turn it in either direction.
Confirm that the caps were reinstalled correctly by activating the burner and checking that the flame appears normal.
CLEANING STOVE GRATES
A certain amount of spillage should be expected on gas stove grates. Follow these easy steps to clean stove grates, including cast iron, to achieve the desired clean.
SUPPLIES AND TOOLS:
Non-abrasive scrubbing pad or cloth
Mildly abrasive cleaner or soap
Dishwasher (optional)
STEP 1: SCRUB THE GRATES
First, check that the grates are cool. If they are then remove them. Carefully scrub them with a non-abrasive scrubbing pad or cloth dampened with a mildly abrasive cleaner or soap.
You don’t have to use water and cleaners on cast iron grates. Since they are primarily for durability and heat conduction, treating them like you would a cast-iron pan is unnecessary.
STEP 2: CLEAN THE GRATES IN YOUR DISHWASHER, IF NECESSARY
While many gas stove grates are dishwasher-safe, you must always refer to your oven’s owner’s manual before cleaning them in the dishwasher.
If using your dishwasher to clean your grates, they should be placed in the lower rack and washed with the most aggressive cycle. You can attempt to improve the cleaning process by hand-scrubbing the grates before putting them in the dishwasher.
STEP 3: RETURN THE GRATES TO YOUR STOVE
Grates must be completely dry before returning them to your stove. Search for marks or tabs that show you how to configure the grates on the stovetop. Once the grates are in place, move them slightly to confirm they are safe and secure.
PREVENT SPILLS BY KNOWING YOUR BTUS
Gas burners measure heat in BTUs (British Thermal Units). Remember, not every gas burner on a single stovetop can generate the same amount of heat. Your owner’s manual should provide the BTU ranges for each burner and this information can help you avoid messy spills and overcooking ingredients.
REMOVING GREASE FROM THE STOVETOP SURFACE
To remove grease stuck to a gas stovetop, start by removing the grates. Use a soft cloth to mix warm water and liquid dish soap (the same you would use for handwashing dishes) into a lather. Cover the stovetop surface with the soapy water and leave it for at least five minutes before scrubbing it until every drop of grease has been removed.
A stronger alternative to liquid dish soap is to make a paste comprised of three parts baking soda and one part water. Apply the paste to the stovetop surface and let it rest for a minimum of 20 minutes. After enough time has passed, you should be able to easily remove the paste with a sponge or soft cloth.
To learn more about cleaning stovetop surfaces, check out this article on how to clean an oven in four steps.
KEEPING YOUR GAS STOVETOP CLEAN
Cleaning your stove surface, grates and burners after each use will help it look immaculate and operate as intended. It shouldn’t take a major spill to convince you to clean your gas stovetop as grease and food residue can wreak havoc on it and harden over time from the heat produced as you cook. The best approach is to clean your gas stovetop regularly or even after every use.
If you’re looking to enhance your kitchen and cooking, shop for a stovetop with a built-in protective finish. Maytag® DuraGuard Protective Finish and DuraClean Cast Iron Grates are easy to clean and allow for pots and pans to smoothly slide around, resulting in fewer spills.
Shop Maytag® gas cooktops
Maytag brand offers durable, high-performing gas cooktops. Select models have innovative features like the Power™ burner, delivering an ideal sear to meats and vegetables. There’s also the simmer burner for precise, adjustable heat—giving your cooktop the benefits of both a full-power simmer burner and a warming setting all in one. Browse these Maytag® Cooktops to find the right fit for your kitchen and household.
READY TO TAKE ON YOUR NEXT CLEANING PROJECT?
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