You would think that since glass stovetops are flat, they would be easier to clean than traditional stovetops with their metal rings and drip pans. I think they are to a point, but it’s not as easy as just wiping down the surface of the glass. As many of you who own these kinds of stoves know, the food you cook can boil over. This leaves pesky scorch marks and gunked up food…which then burns into a nasty hard to clean mess. I could go on for days and complain about how I really dislike cleaning my glass stovetop. But instead I will show you how I clean it. For my hate turns into a big love when it’s clean. Because when it’s clean… it’s BEAUTIFUL!
The question is how do you get it that way, especially if you’ve been neglecting it for a while and have lots of burned-on food (not that I would ever do that *wink, wink*)? Okay, maybe I do. See the evidence below. I am so ashamed!
After trying different methods to get my stovetop sparkling, this is the best way I have found to clean your glass stovetop.
Here’s what you’ll need:
- spray bottle (on Amazon.com)
- white, distilled vinegar
- baking soda
- towel or washcloth
- razor scraper (on Amazon.com)
Here’s what you’ll do:
Sprinkle baking soda all over your stovetop. Want to know a neat trick I found? Keep your old parmesan cheese containers (you know the ones you get near the pasta with grated parmesan) and put the baking soda in them. It will help with sprinkling baking soda, so it’s not all clumped together.
Spray the surface with vinegar. Wet the entire surface and let sit for 15 or more minutes while you let it do its thing.
Wipe down with a wet towel or washrag.
If there is still burnt food left on the cooking surface, use a razor scraper to scrape this food off. Caution: Do so very carefully to avoid damaging the stovetop.
If you don’t have a razor blade, and it all didn’t come off in the first soaking. Reapply it again. Especially if it’s really bad like mine was at first. I did this process three times without any elbow grease or hard work and it all came off mine. But if you have a razor blade it will make it so much faster.
Tips:
- Never clean a stovetop when it’s hot.
- For stains that are harder to remove, try using magic eraser (such as Mr. Clean or the like),
- To avoid the need for a razor scraper, try to clean up spills right after they happen. This can be hard because you have to remember to go back once the stovetop is cool to clean it. Try setting the timer on your stove to help you remember. If this isn’t possible then clean your stovetop before the next time you use it.
So here is my beautiful finished clean glass stovetop. It’s so nice when it’s clean. All is well with the world.
Do you have any tips for cleaning glass stovetops? What other methods have you tried?
About Karrie
Food is my love language. But so is saving money. So I like to combine the two a lot and make thrifty make ahead and freeze meals to save time. Because life is busy, and freezer meals can come to the rescue for all of us. And yes, they actually CAN taste good. Read more...
Comments & Reviews
Julie says
I do know the magic eraser and I used it religiously on my glass top stove until someone said it wasn’t eco friendly. It is actually a product made of formaldehyde-melamine-sodium bisulfite copolymer. Now I’m kind of thinking I could go back to using this. I also really appreciate this post because I am currently needing inexpensive options. I would like to hear what anyone else has to say about the magic erasers because my experience is that they work very well on the glass top.
Lynnae says
For greasy spills I use either glass cleaner or formula 409, whichever is within my grasp. Burnt on spills get the razor and then finish the cleaning with Shaklee Scour Off. I have owned a glass top stove for 25 years, but grew up with a glass top stove before I owned my own. The Shaklee cleanser hands down is the best thing I have ever used in approx 35 years with a glass top stove. It comes as a thick paste, u only use a dab, so it lasts years- mine has lasted 3 years. I can’t say enough about the value or the cleaning power of this product! And, I can keep it in a drawer close to my stove for easy access due to the squatty nature of the container!
Patty says
My cooktop is white. I can get burned on stuff off it but the stains remain. Any ideas?
Karrie says
Have you tried the magic eraser? That might work on the stains. Not 100% sure though. Anyone else know this one?
Tina says
Try Cream of Tartar. It removes the marks from pans in my porcelain sink. I just sprinkle it on and add a little water to make a paste then use a washcloth (or a Magic Eraser) to scrub it off.
Michelle L Overcash says
Yes tried! Worked like a charm on glass top stove.
Karrie says
Wonderful!
JEANNE says
Steam works awesome for dried on anything.
Cristyn says
Nylon pan scrapers like these: http://amzn.to/1amXSZb work really well. You can get a 2 pack at the 99 cent store for a dollar! Woot! 🙂
Nancy A. says
I really needed this! I clean and clean on mine and it still has stuff stuck on it! Definitely going to give this a try!! Thank you so much!!!!
Karrie says
So happy to help!
Claudia Diltz says
I find a steel wool soap pad works great and its quick, easy and cheap
Darren McBride says
I have done that and it ruins the glass top. don’t use steel wool!!!
Debbie Rioux says
My daUghter bought me a special scraper made for flat top stoves, this little scrapper is much saffer than a razor blade and won’t scratch the top.
Tina says
Where and how long ago did she buy it? I have looked several places. Grrr!
Yasmin says
Mine is actually using a hot stove top! LOL When the stove is off and cold I pour a 1/4 cup of lemon conentrate (juice) onto the stove and then turn on all four burners. Allow the lemon to begin to boil off (within a couple of minutes) then turn off the burners. Allow the lemon juice to cool and then wipe clean. No scraping at all and the glass looks brand new. Bonus: The kitchen smells like lemons. lol
Karrie says
Ooooooh…that sounds really cool too. I might have to give that one a chance! Thanks Yasmin!
Kiki says
I just found it and tried the method with baking soda-vinegar.
Works like charm, except 2 little spots , so I decided to try the tip with concetrated lemon juice and hot stove top just on these little spots…. horror!
Lemon juice left new baked stains a lot bigger than the previous stains on the glass. :(((((
I had to start over again with baking soda and vinegar on the cold top.
So AVOID LEMON JUICE on the HOT stove top!!!!
Penny V says
To safely remove melted plastic from your glass/ceramic stove top you can spray it with WD40 and sit lifts easily with a razor blade.
Laura says
I have never had to use anything other than Mean Green cleaner (purchased at The Dollar Store) on my glass stove top and the razor if it was burnt on such as when potatoes boil over.
Barb says
If you would put a tablespoon of margarine or butter in your potatoes when cooking them they will not boil over. Just a little tidbit. This also works for pasta.
Karrie says
Great tip, thank you Barb!
Chitchat says
I lay a wooden spoon across the top of the pot that I am boiling the potatoes or pasta in. It prevents boilovers.
Edie says
works great for anything you boil, just place a wooden spoon across it and it works fantastic.
Phyllis says
I always put a little bit of veg. oil in the water when I boil pasta to keep it from boiling over.
Olga Mullins Coots says
Just put a wooden spoon over what ever you are boiling and it doesn’t boil over trust me I use it all the time…..
Cynthia Whitaker says
Great idea, going to do it today! Instead of a razor I use a pampered chef scrapper on mine, perhaps a little safer for me. If there is a chance of damaging something I usually do 🙂
Laura R says
Rather than buying the ceramic glass cook top cleaner stuff again after a ‘break’ from having a glass cook top, we started using Barkeeper’s Friend that we already keep handy for getting the metal markings off the porcelain sink, hard water build up on the sink drains & faucets plus keeping our stainless & hard anodized pans looking pretty and nearly new. A scrubby sponge, Barkeeper’s friend & a razor blade if needed is what I use when I clean our cook top. I also like using a surface cleaner to keep it nice when it isn’t so bad. 🙂
Sharise says
I just use baking soda and elbow Greese. I would never recommend a razor. Most people gouge their glass tops when they use them. I have had my stove 7 years and it looks show room ready only one minor scratch. I also use the cream for glass tops to give it some extra sparkle and shine
Courtney says
I used this on my pan I had soup in and it was amazing!! I let the vinegar boil in the pot with water then I added the baking soda and WOW it was great. I have only used the baking soda and water on my glass stove top and it comes off great. I will try the vinegar next time with it. Love it,
Thanks Karrie!!
Tracy says
I wonder if this would work for the oven too?! 🙂
Danielle says
It does my friend and I cleaned her apartment and deep cleaned the oven it looked brand new and we did this exact same thing
Janice says
How sad is it than I can’t wait to try this? Baking soda & vinegar are two of my staples for cleaning. Thanks for posting this.
Marlene says
I use a generic window cleaner on my stovetop when it is cold for simple spots that aren’t really burnt on. For burnt on issues I use Bartender’s Helper with a little water to make a paste. Let it set for a whle. I then use a non scratch sponge to scrub off what is left. It works for me. I do want to try your method with the soda and vinegar. Thanks for the idea and this infprmative website.
Ania says
I am so going to try it right now! It is like you read my mind- just spend an hour last night trying different things and nothing worked – will take a pict before an after – keeping fingers crossed !
Karolyn MacLeod says
Try using Vim to clean and then rubbing the stove shiny with windex . It does a great job
janie says
Easy easy way ….. Spray that glass with EasyOff oven cleaner. Wsit 30 min
Wioe it clean …. No blades …. Ni mixing …
Ta-dah. … Clean
EASY. OFF. DOES NOT. HURT. THE GLASS
Margo says
Will it remove the gray stain on a white stove ?
Judy says
That’s what I’m wondering. I don’t have burnt on food. Just black discoloration. This picture of your “clean “ stovetop looks just like mine. Discolored. ???
Bob says
Thanks I’m going to try it right now, nothing I’ve tried all day has done it!
Ann K. Golobic says
what is vim?
Karima Gari says
let us know how you made out. I am getting ready to try this myself!~!~!~
Veronica says
Trying it now. It’s 1:41 am. I can’t sleep so I guess I’ll keep looking for post that r easy an go to work ?. I’ll let u guys know how it turns out.
Lori Cate says
HOW MUCH VINEGER DID YOU USE IN THE BOTTLE. THANK YOU