# How best to clean a stove? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [May 26, 2006, 1:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-best-to-clean-a-stove/358308 "2006-05-26T13:35:39Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 17\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![GingerOfTheNorth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/cdc98d/32.png) [@GingerOfTheNorth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GingerOfTheNorth)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2006, 1:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-best-to-clean-a-stove/358308/1 "2006-05-26T13:35:39Z")
We are moving in a week, and of course there’s the move-out clean to deal with. I have a gas stove/oven that is white. In the burner wells (also enamel) is burned-on, black crud which I need to remove. Using steel wool will scratch the finish. Magic Eraser on its own doesn’t do it, although it’s great for most of everything else. What recommendations do you have? I need to get this taken care of as soon as possible. I prefer non-caustic cleaners, if possible - I’m a delicate flower (shut UP) with various allergies. ---
**Author:** ![twickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2006, 2:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-best-to-clean-a-stove/358308/2 "2006-05-26T14:04:51Z")
Are they removable? If so, the first step would be to soak them in hot water. ---
**Author:** ![Eve](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Eve](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eve)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2006, 2:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-best-to-clean-a-stove/358308/3 "2006-05-26T14:16:37Z")
I am going through the exact same thing: moving next week, cleaning this week. I’m able to remove the whole top “lid” of the stove, which I rest atop the sink, spray with some kind of industrial-strength cleaner, let soak (with damp paper towels on it to keep it from drying up), then go at it with Brillo pads. Now, can someone tell me how to clean and dust the floors when 99% of my apartment is covered with three-ton cardboard cartons? ---
**Author:** ![GingerOfTheNorth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/cdc98d/32.png) [@GingerOfTheNorth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GingerOfTheNorth)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2006, 2:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-best-to-clean-a-stove/358308/4 "2006-05-26T14:26:58Z")
Unfortunately, the top of my stove does not remove. It’s not the burners themselves I’m worried about, it’s the stovetop. ---
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2006, 2:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-best-to-clean-a-stove/358308/5 "2006-05-26T14:57:21Z")
Make a paste of soap and washing soda (get it in the laundry aisle). Washing soda is a natural, no-fumes heavy duty cleaner, but it is caustic. Use gloves. Spread on crud and let it sit a while. Overnight is good. Most natural cleaners need time to work. Wipe off. Finish with a vinegar/water spray and wipe. ---
**Author:** ![gigi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a587f6/32.png) [@gigi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gigi)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2006, 3:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-best-to-clean-a-stove/358308/6 "2006-05-26T15:11:02Z")
> [@twickster](#): > > Are they removable? If so, the first step would be to soak them in hot water. Yes, or water and vinegar. Some of it may end up being permanent. ---
**Author:** ![Splash](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ac8455/32.png) [@Splash](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Splash)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2006, 4:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-best-to-clean-a-stove/358308/7 "2006-05-26T16:04:34Z")
The best thing (which also is biosafe) is LiftOff-3 Graffiti Remover. Will not harm surfaces. Be sure to let it soak in a full minute to get the most effect. I get it at Home Depot in their cleaning supplies dept. and it’s at other stores, mainly hardware and big grocery stores. ---
**Author:** ![gotpasswords](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/c57346/32.png) [@gotpasswords](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gotpasswords)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2006, 6:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-best-to-clean-a-stove/358308/8 "2006-05-26T18:17:48Z")
Easy-Off oven cleaner - spray carefully onto the gunky areas and let it sit overnight. Whatever’s left behind should succumb easily to some Comet or Bon Ami cleanser. Failing that, can you get new drip pans for the stove, (sounds like you should have had them al along!) and just cover up the spills? ---
**Author:** ![Scumpup](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ce73a5/32.png) [@Scumpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scumpup)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2006, 6:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-best-to-clean-a-stove/358308/9 "2006-05-26T18:20:17Z")
Get a heavy duty degreaser like Simple Green or similar. Apply generously to the burnt on gunk. Cover with plastic wrap and let sit for a few hours. The stuff will wipe right off most of the time. A second application will remove the stubborn bits. ---
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2006, 6:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-best-to-clean-a-stove/358308/10 "2006-05-26T18:25:13Z")
For really baked on crud, try rubbing with a pumice stone. They cost about a dollar in the supermarket, usually found in the bath stuff aisle. Just wet a minute and scrub. ---
**Author:** ![GingerOfTheNorth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/cdc98d/32.png) [@GingerOfTheNorth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GingerOfTheNorth)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2006, 7:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-best-to-clean-a-stove/358308/11 "2006-05-26T19:34:25Z")
> [@gotpasswords](#): > > Easy-Off oven cleaner - spray carefully onto the gunky areas and let it sit overnight. > > Whatever’s left behind should succumb easily to some Comet or Bon Ami cleanser. > > Failing that, can you get new drip pans for the stove, (sounds like you should have had them al along!) and just cover up the spills? The drip pans are fixed. The stove top is one piece. ---
**Author:** ![Shagnasty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9dc877/32.png) [@Shagnasty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shagnasty)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2006, 7:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-best-to-clean-a-stove/358308/12 "2006-05-26T19:59:42Z")
I a similar vein to other’s suggestions, I found the holy grail of stovetop cleaning substances. It is some of that citrus handcleaner with ground pumice in it that you find at home improvement stores. My shiny black, translucent stovetop was marred by scorch marks that would not come off any other way. I was impressed with other things that stuff could clean so I tried it and, 5 minutes later, the whole surface was shiny and completely unblemished. I can’t say how great it will be for the heavy gunk but when you get down to the scorched stuff, it works better than anything I have ever found and it won’t damage the surface. ---
**Author:** ![Kalhoun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/3bc359/32.png) [@Kalhoun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kalhoun)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2006, 8:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-best-to-clean-a-stove/358308/13 "2006-05-26T20:42:29Z")
My approach has always been to steal away under cover of night. ---
**Author:** ![BiblioCat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ed8c4c/32.png) [@BiblioCat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BiblioCat)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2006, 8:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-best-to-clean-a-stove/358308/14 "2006-05-26T20:52:41Z")
I have a gas stove with a white cooktop, and it gets all kinds of gunky. Are you sure the whole top doesn’t just lift off? The top of mine lifts off - I lift up from the front. That’s how you relight the pilot lights. I scrub it in place with a plastic scrubby thing (either a round thing that looks like a Brillo pad but is plastic, or the scrubby side of a dish sponge) and some gentle cleanser. I usually spray the cleanser on and let it soak. I’m a big fan of ‘letting it soak.’ You can also use the scrapers you get from Pampered Chef to scrape the pizza stones, if you have any of those. Then I take the top thing outside in the driveway and rinse it with the hose. I always blow out the pilots when I put it back on. You have to sort of ‘slam’ it back in to get it seated correctly, and the force puts out the pilot lights. ---
**Author:** ![Queen\_Bruin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/e274bd/32.png) [@Queen\_Bruin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Queen_Bruin)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2006, 9:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-best-to-clean-a-stove/358308/15 "2006-05-26T21:10:55Z")
Mosey on over to your laundry area (whether in your place or the store) and grab some Spray-and-Wash or similar product. Spray surface, soak for 10, wipe off. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2006, 2:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-best-to-clean-a-stove/358308/16 "2006-05-27T14:09:04Z")
If you have thick gunk, not just a microscopically thin layer of discoloration, use a razor scraper like this: [http://www.jamestowndistributors.com/userportal/woeimages/00001860.jpg](http://www.jamestowndistributors.com/userportal/woeimages/00001860.jpg) The trick is to careful not to scratch the surface. For the flat areas it’s easy to remove the majority of the gunk in a few seconds with one of these. The danger is the curved areas where the edge of the blade can gouge into the porcelain finish. Once you’ve removed most of the bulk this way then the various chenmical suggestions above can more easily get under the remaining residue. Note to **Shagnasty**. This technique also does wonders for a flat cooktop stove. I’ve been amazed at how easily it removes discoloration from minor boilovers. ---
**Author:** ![GingerOfTheNorth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/cdc98d/32.png) [@GingerOfTheNorth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GingerOfTheNorth)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2006, 6:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-best-to-clean-a-stove/358308/17 "2006-05-27T18:07:52Z")
I used a paste of baking soda and water, and let it sit a few hours. Then I hit it with a steamer. With a little bit of scrubbing, it all came off. Thanks for your input. Now, if anyone would like to come over to help with the rest of the house, I sure wouldn’t turn you down.