Stove top grids require regular cleaning.
Putting off cleaning a greasy, messy stove top grid turns what could be an easy task into an arduous chore that requires a lot of elbow grease. The key to cleaning a stove top is to do it when you can still feel the heat from your cooking. Taking the "chore" out of stove top grid cleaning is a matter of knowing what to use to clean the mess away.
Soap and Water
Soap and water may be enough to do the job with a little added heat. Applying liquid soap directly to the stove top grid and then heating it back up will cause the soap to react with the grease and stuck-on food. As it starts to bubble, add a little water to help loosen the mess. A light scrub with a scouring brush will further loosen any remaining debris, and a simple wipe-up will remove the debris and clean the stove top grid.
Baking Soda
When you mix baking soda with fat, it makes a very mild form of soap. According to Chemistryquestion.com, baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) is the weakest of sodium compound alkali, but it has the ability to partially saponify the fat component of dirt, making it easier to wash away. Applying baking soda directly to a greasy stove top grid will work to break down the grease. Let it sit for a while on the stove top, and then apply heat and scour the stove top grid until it comes clean.
Cornstarch
A paste made of cornstarch and water is a simple recipe for cleaning stove tops, according to Bidmycleaning.com. Allow the cornstarch to sit on the stove top grids to absorb grease. Its mildly abrasive properties may also loosen baked-on grease when you use it with a scouring pad.
Oven Cleaner
When all else fails, and if you don't clean your stove top grid well in between uses, the job may call for a quick treatment with oven cleaner. Select a brand that has minimal fumes, ventilate the kitchen well and wear a face mask and rubber gloves for this job.
Apply the oven cleaner directly to the stove top grid so it soaks into the baked-on grease just as it does on the oven walls. After a few minutes, use a scouring pad to loosen the grease and food. A little heat will also speed up its effects, and once it is clean, wash it with soap and water before you use the stove again.
After Care
To prevent future heavy cleaning tasks of your stove top grid, rub its surface with olive oil and heat it well to season it. This will make it have a somewhat non-stick surface.
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