Getting Your Stove Ready for Spring Cooking
There are three types of stoves – gas, glass and induction. Here’s how to clean each one:
GAS:
A gas stove has four components that require cleaning:
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the grate
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the burner caps (the removable disks that distribute flames)
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the burner heads (where the fire comes from and are not detachable)
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the stovetop surface itself
Remove the grates from the stovetop and the burner caps from the burner heads and put them in your sink. This may need to be done in batches depending on the size of your grates and sink.
For fairly clean grates and burners, put dish soap on your Skura sponge and give the grates and burners a good washing. You’ll know you’ve done a good job if nothing is greasy or tacky to the touch.
For dirty grates and burners give them an initial wash with a soapy sponge. Then apply a paste comprised of 1 part vinegar with 2 parts baking soda, add a few drops of dish soap and coat the mixture on the grates and burners. Let the mixture sit for 20 minutes. Then wash it off with a Skura sponge and some extra scrubbing.
Dry them off really well with a WIPE ENVY.
To clean the surface of your stove make a mixture of one part vinegar and two parts baking soda. Spread it on the surface of your stove and let it sit for 10 to 15 minutes. Then wipe clean with your Skura sponge. Dry with a WIPE ENVY to make it sparkle and add the burner caps and grates back to the stove.
ELECTRIC AND INDUCTION STOVES:
Electric stoves come in two varieties – metal coil burners and glass-topped. Induction stoves have a glass-ceramic top,and can be cleaned using the same method as a glass-topped electric stove.
Coil Burners:
Clean electric coil burners with a quick wipe using a damp WIPE ENVY. Then turn the burners to high for about 3 minutes. Any accumulated grime will burn right off. Turn the burners off and let them fully cool, then wipe them down again.
To clean drip pans lift them out of the stove from under the coils. Smear the pans with a baking soda paste (three parts baking soda to one part water) and let them sit for 10-15 minutes. Wash the baking soda mixture off the drip pans and give them a final wash in warm soapy water, dry them well with a WIPE ENVY.
Clean Underneath the Stove
Lift the front of your stove like a car hood; it should prop open in the same way. Use a damp Skura sponge to wipe out the underside to remove any stray bits of food that might have fallen and then wipe dry with a WIPE ENVY. If there is more serious mess, sprinkle baking soda and then spritz with vinegar. When the mess bubbles up, wipe clean with your Skura sponge.
Glasstop & Induction:
Before handling the entire surface, test this method out on a small section.
Wipe down the surface with a WIPE ENVY to collect any food bits or crumbs.
Generously sprinkle the entire stovetop with baking soda.
Spray (or carefully sprinkle) white vinegar all over. Let the fizzing begin!
Then fill a small bucket or container to handle hot water and soap. Dunk several WIPE ENVY cloths into the soapy mixture. Wring them out so they are damp.
Cover the stove with the WIPE ENVYs. Let them sit for 15 minutes
The soapy heat from the towels activates the baking soda and cleans the stovetop.
After 15 minutes, remove the WIPE ENVYs.
Do one more wipe with vinegar on the surface and then dry the stove with a clean WIPE ENVY.