Portable electric stoves have introduced us to a world of convenience that we were previously unaware of. With these helpful appliances, making food on the go or in smaller spaces has never been easier.
Whether you are an at-home cook or a college student living in a dorm, we are sure you can relate to the struggle that goes hand in hand with keeping your stove clean at all times. We are all guilty of letting this little chore linger on for weeks on end, but there has to be a better way.
Instead of having your cooktop look like a messed up canvas of the previous week’s cooking, why not restore it to its formal glory by taking out some time to clean it properly. We are not only talking about aesthetics here but it is also about hygiene.
If you let spilled food sit and congeal on the cooktop for too long, it can attract all sorts of microorganisms such as bacteria that can be harmful to your health in the long run. In addition, this can also affect the durability of your stove and maintain the performance of your hot plate/burner.
So settle in and keep reading to find out how you can easily get out of this sticky situation (pun intended)!
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How Often Should I Clean My Cook Top?
We can all agree on the age-old adage that prevention is better than the cure. This little nugget of wisdom applies in this particular situation as well because if you give your cooktop a quick wipe after every time you use it, you are less likely to end up with more stubborn stains.
Make sure that you use a dry, soft cloth or towel for this purpose, so you do not scratch the surface of the stovetop, especially if it is ceramic glass. You can use a sponge as well as long as it is non-abrasive.
Even so, there are times when you end up with bigger stains or spills or even burn marks. Naturally, you cannot avoid these altogether, so for such stains, it is best to give the stove a more in-depth cleaning every other week or so.
However, if you have put off cleaning your stove for some time now, then the next section is for you!
How to Clean Individual Components of an Induction Cook Top?
There are several components that make up an induction cooktop and all of them have to be dealt with in different ways because some are more delicate than others. However, all these areas need equal attention if you want your stove looking fresh from top to bottom!
Burner Coils
Most burners and coils are typically self-cleaning to a certain extent. If you have been cleaning these regularly anyway, then simply wipe them once with a damp cloth and turn the stove on maximum heat for a few minutes.
This will allows the residue on the burner to burn off in a short amount of time. Once that is done, turn the burner off and let it cool down completely and wipe it down once again as a final touch.
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Drip Pans
In order to access the drip pans, you might have to get the burner coils out of the way. This shouldn’t be a problem because most stoves come with coils that can be removed easily. For the drip pans, you can start with dishwashing liquid. Use lukewarm water for better results.
For more stubborn residue, allow the drip pans to soak in a vinegar and/or baking soda mixture. You can buy a cleaner as well but this is a much more convenient and cheaper alternative and it works just as well.
Simply take a few tablespoons of baking soda in a bowl and add water until a paste is formed. Apply the paste all over the drip pans or dilute it even further if you want to completely submerge the pans in the mixture.
Once they have been soaked, grab an old toothbrush and gently scrape the remaining residue off of the pans, and they’ll be bright and shiny all over again!
The Bottom of the Stove
Yes, you heard it folks, the bottom of the stove is just as important as the top of the stove. This is because bacteria are more prone to residing over there because it is less frequently exposed and cleaned.
Start with a dry sponge or towel to wipe away any crumbs or bits of foods leftover from previous meals. You are less likely to find stubborn stains here, but for good measure, gently use a sponge dipped in soapy water to clean it anyway.
The Surface of the Stove
Now onto the surface, start with a damp cloth or dishtowel to wipe away any stray bits of food and then use soapy water or dishwashing liquid with a sponge to get rid of grease buildup.
For more stubborn stains, mix one-part vinegar and two parts baking soda and spread it over the surface and let it sit for a few minutes. Afterward, scrub the surface gently to get rid of the residue and finish off with a good wipe with a damp cloth and then a dry one for that clean matte finish.
Put back the components in place and feel free to admire your handiwork, you’ve earned it!