Many homeowners now prefer electric stove tops since they’re convenient and easy to use, plus you don’t need to purchase gas.
Of course, getting one means knowing how to clean an electric stove top. But thankfully, maintenance is just as straightforward as cooking.
Depending on your type of cooktop, you can use diluted white vinegar or some warm, soapy water. Tackle stains with a baking soda paste and some scrubbing. Just minimise the moisture used around knobs or burners so you don’t cause a short!
Keeping your stove clean makes it safe for cooking and ensures things don’t look messy.
How Often to Clean | Before Cleaning | Cleaning Different Stove Types | Cleaning the Other Parts | Treating Stains
Types of Electric Stoves
Just as the name says, an electric stove top uses electricity to generate heat!
There are different heating mechanisms, which will affect the way you clean the stove.
| TYPE | ABOUT | CLEANING TIPS |
| Glass electric stove top | Also called “smooth top” electric stoves, these have a layer of tempered glass-ceramic over the electric burners. | Avoid abrasive cleaners or tools so you don’t scuff the glass surface. |
| Hot plate burner stoves | Can be found on both portable stoves and at-home cooktops. These have flat, circular burners made of metal, ceramic, or heat-resistant glass. | Often have a stainless steel or porcelain-enamelled cooking surface, which can be washed with warm, soapy water. |
| Electric coil stoves | These are less common now in homes, but are still featured in campfire stoves. Traditional coil stoves have exposed coil burners in a recessed cavity on the stove top. | You’ll need to wash the drip pans found underneath the coils, where grease and dirt can build up. |
Induction cooktops do use electricity to work, but their heating mechanism is different. An electric glass stove top gets the burner hot via electrical current, then transfers the heat to the cookware through infrared energy.
On the other hand, induction glass stoves use electricity to power the electromagnetic radiation, which is then transferred to special, compatible cookware. The glass surface is not directly heated.
How Often to Clean an Electric Stove Top
Regular maintenance is crucial to keeping a safe and clean electric stove!
| TASK | HOW OFTEN TO DO |
| Mop up spills or messes | ASAP, once the cooktop has cooled |
| Wipe down the stove top with a damp cloth | After cooking or at the end of each day |
| Deep clean the electric stove top | Every 1–2 weeks (or sooner if the stove gets very dirty) |
Before Cleaning an Electric Stove
You can clean most types of electric stoves with mild solutions and a bit of elbow grease.
But if you’re tired of the constant kitchen maintenance, book a Maid2Match house cleaner to handle the job!
What is the best thing to clean an electric stove top with?
Your most effective electric stove top cleaners are already in your kitchen.
Mix one of the following in a bowl:
- Warm water + a few drops of dish soap
- Equal parts warm water and white vinegar
With glass stove tops, you can also try a commercial cooktop cleaner like the Weiman 3-in-1 Cook Top Kit.
For treating stains, opt for a baking soda paste made of 2 parts bicarb, 1 part water, and 1 tsp dish soap.
Make sure to minimise the water used around the burners for coil burner or hot plate-type stoves. Too much moisture can get into the components and cause a short or other damage.
Additionally, you’ll need soft microfibre cloths or non-abrasive sponges, plus a cooktop scraper for removing food residue. Avoid plastic scrapers since they might melt from the residual heat; stick to metal or ceramic scrapers instead.
What not to use when cleaning an electric stove top?
Avoid abrasive cleaners, such as steel wool or melamine sponges, on any type of electric stove. These can leave scuff marks that trap dirt and food debris later on.
Skip cleaning products with harsh ingredients like bleach or ammonia, which could strip the cooktop finish or leave a harmful residue.
Do not use commercial glass cleaner on a glass electric stove — they’re not formulated for cooking surfaces and often contain ammonia.
Paper towels are fine for removing solid food debris when the stove is cool, but be careful! They may track lint on the stove, which later scorches onto the surface.
How to take apart an electric stove top to clean it?
Glass-topped and hot plate hobs generally don’t need taking apart for cleaning, but traditional coil burner stoves do! You’ll need to remove the coil burners and drip pans to do a thorough job.
Check your owner’s manual for instructions on removing the burners. If you don’t have one, look up the brand and model online for the digital version.
On many models, you’ll either turn the coils or undo the fasteners.
Cleaning Different Types of Electric Stoves
Always ensure the stove is switched off and the indicator light is out. Unplug your stove if possible. Test a drop of water on the surface — if it sizzles, the stove is still too hot.
While the stove is just warm to touch, brush off crumbs with a dry cloth, then dampen any food remains with some warm water. Hold the cooktop scraper flush to the surface at a 30º–45º angle while working.
Don’t use a scraper while dry or you could scuff the material!
After you’ve removed any food residue, move on to deep cleaning your stove top. Remember to wear gloves and work in a well-ventilated room.
How to clean an electric glass stove top
| What to clean with | Equal parts vinegar and water |
For everyday grime, you can clean an electric glass stove top with a 1:1 mixture of white vinegar and warm water in a spray bottle!
Thoroughly saturate the glass cooktop surface with the vinegar and let it sit for 3–5 minutes. Avoid spraying around knobs, since the moisture could seep into the components. You’ll tackle those separately!
Wipe the cooktop clean with wide, zigzag strokes for a streak-free finish. Then go over the surface with a dry cloth to remove excess moisture and prevent water spots.
For heavier grime, wash the stove top with hot, soapy water or opt for a commercial cooktop cleaner. Follow the package instructions, especially if the product needs rinsing.
How to clean an electric stove top with coils
| What to clean with | Dish soap and water |
Start by switching the burners on high for 2–3 minutes to burn off any stuck-on food debris. Make sure to run the rangehood or exhaust to vent any smoke.
Do not do this if you suspect there’s plastic residue (since it releases harmful fumes) or heavy grease mess (which could cause a flare-up or excessive smoke).
Once that’s done, switch off the stove and let it completely cool down. Carefully remove the burners according to the manufacturer’s instructions and brush away any ash using a dry cloth. After that, take out the drip pans or burner bowls.
For the burners, wipe them with a soft cloth that’s just damp. Don’t use any cleaning products or soak the burners in water.
Tackle the rest of the stove surface with a soft cloth and some warm, soapy water. Rinse the cooktop afterwards with a fresh, damp cloth, then dry.
For the drip pans, you can usually soak them in hot, soapy water for 10–15 minutes and gently scrub dirt off with a soft sponge. Thoroughly dry them with a clean cloth before reassembling your stove.
How to clean a hot plate stove top
| What to clean with | Dish soap and water |
Unlike coil burner stoves, there’s no need to take off the hot plates from your hob to clean them!
Switch the stove on high for 2–3 minutes to burn off any debris stuck to the hot plates. Run the rangehood or exhaust to vent smoke, and do not do this step if there’s any plastic residue or heavy grease.
Afterwards, switch off the stove and let it cool down. Then use a damp cloth to wipe away any ash and other grime from the hot plates. For the crevices, switch to a cotton bud or old toothbrush.
Wash the rest of the cooktop surface with another soft cloth or sponge and warm, soapy water mixed in a bowl. (Remember: not too much moisture!)
Rinse off any leftover soap with a clean, wrung-out cloth, then wipe the cooktop dry.
Cleaning Other Parts of an Electric Stove
After the cooking surface and burners, tackle the other parts of your electric cooktop to keep things in good condition.
Knobs and buttons
Check the stove manual to see if the knobs are removable. If yes, take them off so you can do a more thorough clean!
Don’t spray your cleaning solution directly onto the knobs, since the water could seep underneath. Instead, mix warm, soapy water in a bowl and dip in a soft cloth. Wring out the excess moisture.
(Avoid using vinegar here, since it could dry out any rubber seals on the knobs.)
Go over all the knobs and buttons with the cloth. Pay close attention to any food or grease buildup, especially beneath the knobs. Then rinse away the leftover soap with another damp cloth.
Dry all the knobs before reassembling the stove.
Underneath the cooktop
Certain electric cooktop models can be lifted up. Consult the manual to see how — usually you’ll lift the front corners until the support locks click into place.
Remove any crumbs with a paper towel, then wipe away dirt with a damp cloth. For food-based stains, wash them off with some soapy water before rinsing with a moist cloth.
Thoroughly dry the area afterwards before you put the cooktop back down.
Stove exterior
Finish up by tackling any exterior surfaces on the stove, such as front or side panels.
The same solution of dish soap and water still works here! Dampen a microfibre cloth with the mixture and use it to buff the surfaces clean. For a stainless steel stove, be sure to wipe with the grain.
Use another moistened cloth to clear away soap residue, then follow with a clean towel to dry.
Tackling Stains on an Electric Cooktop
Stains and messes are a normal part of cooking! Tackle them straight away so they don’t bake onto the surface and become more stubborn.
How do I get food residue off the metal on my electric stove top?
Fresh stains are easier to clean up, especially with grease, so treat them ASAP.
For newer stains, sprinkle baking soda over the affected area. Lay a towel dampened with hot water on top, and leave for 10–15 minutes to absorb the grease. Wipe away the stain afterwards.
For dried food stains, make a paste of 2 parts baking soda, 1 part water, and 1 tsp dish soap.
Spread the paste over the stained area and cover with a hot towel for 10–15 minutes to loosen the mess. Then use the towel to work the paste into the surface and lift the stain.
Follow by washing the area with some soapy water to remove any remaining residue, then dry with a clean cloth.
How do you get burn marks off an electric stove?
This works on both burnt-on food and ring marks left by cookware on glass electric stoves!
Switch off the stove so it can start cooling down and not cause the stain to “bake” on. Take away the cookware as well.
Once the stove is warm, not hot, spray the burnt area with a mix of equal parts white vinegar and water. This should loosen the burnt grime so you can remove it with the cooktop scraper.
If that doesn’t get off all the burn marks, wipe the area and apply a 2:1 paste of baking soda and water, plus 1 tsp of dish soap. Wait 5–10 minutes before scrubbing the surface clean.
Mop away the residue with a damp cloth before drying.
How do you remove melted plastic from an electric stove top?
Switch off the stove immediately and run the rangehood or exhaust to vent the fumes. Open the windows as well if you can.
Once the indicator light is off and the stove is just warm to touch, sprinkle on some water.
Use a cooktop scraper or wooden spatula to scrape off as much plastic as possible. Wipe the residue on a paper towel as you work.
Follow up with a baking soda paste (2 parts bicarb, 1 part water, 1 tsp dish soap) to scrub off any remaining plastic. Rinse the area with a damp microfibre cloth, then dry.
How do I remove rust from an electric cooktop?
Chips or scratches on the coating of a (non-glass) electric cooktop can let in moisture, leading to rust.
White vinegar is great for treating rust, reacting with the metal compounds so they’re easier to remove. Wet a paper towel in a mix of equal parts water and vinegar (or lemon juice), and lay it over the rusty spot.
Leave it to soak for up to 10 minutes, then scrub off the rust with a damp sponge. Go over the area with a wrung-out cloth. Dry the surface fully afterwards.
Prevent rust by drying the stove after use or after cleaning. Do not slide cookware over the stove so you don’t damage the protective coating.
FAQs About Electric Stove Top Cleaning
Here are a few more tips for keeping your electric stove top clean.
How to clean an electric stove top without leaving streaks?
The amount of cleaner used and the way you wipe the stove top can prevent streaks while cleaning.
When using dish soap, add just a few drops to water to make your cleaning solution. Then for vinegar, wring out excess wetness from the cloth before wiping. Rinse off any residue with a damp microfibre cloth afterwards.
Wipe glass electric stove tops with wide, zigzag strokes. For stainless steel electric cooktops, go with the grain. And don’t forget to buff the surface dry!
How to clean an electric stove top without scratching?
Avoid abrasive cleaners and tools while cleaning. Baking soda is fine since it’s just mildly abrasive as a paste, but skip harsh scrubbing pads, scouring powders, and steel wool.
When using a cooktop scraper, keep the area damp and hold it flush to the surface at a 30º–45º angle.
How to clean an old electric stove top?
Old electric cooktops may have baked-on stubborn stains, discoloured coatings, or even tough rust spots.
You may need repeat applications of the appropriate cleaning solution:
- OLD FOOD STAINS: Equal parts baking soda and dish soap, with a hot towel on top
- DISCOLOURATION: Equal parts vinegar and water, let sit for 3–5 minutes
- RUST: Paper towel soaked in equal parts vinegar and water, left for up to 10 minutes
Scrub the stove top with a damp sponge or microfibre cloth afterwards, then wipe off any residue and dry.
