Cleaning dirty cooking hobs requires a bit of elbow grease and the right cleaning materials. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you effectively clean dirty cooking hobs:
Step 1. Gather Your Supplies
- Warm, soapy water
- Soft cloth or sponge
- Razor blade or scraper
- Baking soda and vinegar (optional)
- Cooktop cleaner suitable for your hob surface (optional)
Step 2: Safety first
- Ensure the cooking hobs are completely cool before starting the cleaning process to avoid burns.
Step 3: Remove grates and burners
- Take off any removable parts like grates and burners. If they are particularly dirty, you can soak them in warm, soapy water to help loosen the grime.
Step 4: Wipe away loose debris
- Use a dry cloth or paper towel to remove any loose crumbs or debris from the hob surface. This helps prevent scratching when you start cleaning.
Step 5: Soapy water cleaning
- Dampen a soft cloth or sponge (avoid abrasive materials that could scratch the surface) in warm, soapy water.
- Gently wipe down the hob surface, paying attention to spills and stains.
- For stubborn spots, let the soapy water sit for a few minutes to loosen the grime.
Step 6: Scraping with a razor blade (if needed)
- For particularly stubborn, baked-on stains, use a razor blade or scraper at a 45-degree angle to carefully lift the residue.
- Be gentle and make sure the blade doesn’t scratch the surface. Hold it flat against the hob, angling it slightly.
Step 7: Baking soda and vinegar (if needed)
- For particularly tough stains, mix baking soda with a small amount of water to form a paste.
- Apply the paste to stubborn stains and let it sit for 15-20 minutes.
- Wipe away the paste with a damp cloth.
- For extra cleaning power, you can also spritz vinegar on the baking soda before wiping.
Step 8: Cooktop cleaner (if needed)
- If your hob has specific cleaning instructions or if it’s made of a delicate material, use a cooktop cleaner according to the product’s instructions.
Step 9: Dry and polish
- Use a clean, dry cloth to wipe the hob surface and remove any remaining moisture. This also helps to polish the surface.
Step 10: Replace grates and burners
- Once everything is clean and dry, place the grates and burners back onto the hob.
Remember to refer to your hob’s manual for any specific cleaning instructions or restrictions. Regular cleaning can make future cleanings easier and keep your kitchen looking its best.