It is important to clean any spills that occur before and after cooking so they won’t stain your cooktop. However, how do you accomplish this without leaving scratches, abrasions, residue, or streaks? Here is some practical advice for cleaning different areas and types of messes on your induction cooktop more effectively without damaging it.
Photo from GE.
Cleaning Around the Burners
Any spills that are not on the cooking surface will not cook on or burn, which makes for easier cleaning. Simply use a damp sponge to wipe them away.
Taking Care of Splatters When They Happen
Messes on the cooking surface can be taken care of soon after they occur. Use a ceramic cooktop scraper or your average single-edged razor blade to scrape off the food while the burner is still warm. This will prevent them from cooking onto the surface and creating more of a hassle later. Make sure to scrape slowly and at a 30-degree angle so you don’t risk scratching the surface.
Photo from DIY It.
What Cleaners are Okay To Use?
The previous two tasks were easy enough that they could be accomplished without the use of cleaner, but for dried food and other jobs, something extra is needed to get your cooktop sparkling again. Some appliance companies or retailers offer their own cooktop cleaning kits, which may include a cleaning pad and scraper, while others recommend specific products.
For those places that don’t offer any sort of direction, here are some good guidelines to follow:
- Do not use cleaners which contain bleach, ammonia, or chlorine.
- Don’t use cleaners that are in powder form.
- Steer clear of any cleaners that are caustic, abrasive, or flammable.
Ultimately, to be safe, avoid cleaners that weren’t designed for use on glass or ceramic surfaces.
General Cleaning
Before you start cleaning, wait for the cooktop to cool. Then pour your cleaner onto the burner and use a paper towel to scrub the surface. Once you are done, wipe it off with a clean, dry cloth.
Photo by The Trailing Husband.
Hard Water and Other Tougher Jobs
Again, allow the cooktop to cool before you get to work. To clean hard water spots, pour white vinegar on the problem area then use a soft cloth to wipe it off.
For thicker residue, apply a bit of cleaner to whatever you want to remove. Scrape off this dried food with a cooktop scraper or single-edged razor blade, holding the blade at a 45-degree angle and applying pressure carefully so this does not damage the surface. Then you can proceed to cover the rest of the surface with cleaner, scrub it with a paper towel, and buff off any excess cleaner with a clean, dry cloth.
Induction cooktops are fairly unusual, and thus it might sound complex to clean them up, but as you’ve just learned, it is a quick and uncomplicated job with the right methods and cleaners.
