How to Clean a Flat-Top Stove With Burned Stuff on It

Turn all of the burners off, remove any pots and pans, and let your stove top cool. Although it may seem easier to clean a flat-top stove while it is still hot or warm, you run the risk of burning yourself or having cleaner burned onto the stove top as well, which can make an even bigger mess.

Use the tip of a spoon to remove the top layer of burned food or liquid from the stove top. Do not let the spoon touch the stove itself, as this can scratch the surface. Continue doing this until you can no longer remove anything without scratching the surface. If you are confident in your skills with a sharper object, you can try using a razor blade or knife, although you increase the risk of damaging your appliance.

Sprinkle a small amount of baking soda over the spill, covering it completely. Cut a fresh lemon in half and squeeze the juice of one or both halves directly over the baking soda, depending on the size of the spill. Don’t let any fizzing alarm you; this is perfectly normal. Let this sit for 10 to 20 minutes, periodically checking to ensure the baking soda does not dry out; if it does, cut another lemon in half and wet the mixture again.

Wet a soft cloth or sponge and scrub off the baking soda and as much of the burnt stuff as possible. Do not use anything abrasive, as this can damage your stove top. If there is anything left over, sprinkle the area with baking soda again and wet again with lemon juice. After 10 minutes, use a sponge to scrub the spill again. Repeat this process until the spill is removed.

Clean the entire surface of your flat-top stove with a cleaner meant for this type of cooktop to get rid of any remaining residue and to give your stove top a glossy finish.