Cleaning An Electric Range Pan: Tips And Tricks

Cleaning electric stove drip pans can be a challenging task, especially when food residue gets cooked onto the surface. While covering the drip pans with aluminium foil can help to catch spills, it doesn't always prevent a mess. To effectively clean your electric range pan, you'll need to remove the coils and drip pans, apply a cleaning solution, and then scrub, rinse, and dry the pans. Here are some common methods to help you get started.

Soak in hot water

Soaking your electric range pans in hot water is an effective way to clean them without much scrubbing. Here is a detailed guide on how to do it:

Firstly, ensure your safety by turning off the burners and allowing the pans to cool down completely. Removing the pans while they are still hot can cause burn injuries. Once they are cool, take the pans out from under the burners and place them in the sink.

Fill the sink with very hot water and let the pans soak for at least 10 minutes. The hot water will help loosen any caked-on food, grease, and grime. For heavily soiled pans, you may need to soak them for a longer period. If the water becomes too dirty, replace it with fresh hot water.

After soaking, drain the water from the sink. Then, fill the sink again, this time with enough distilled white vinegar to completely cover the pans. Allow the pans to soak in the vinegar for about 30 minutes. The vinegar will further break down any remaining stuck-on food and grease.

Next, without draining the vinegar, sprinkle a generous amount of baking soda on top. Use your fingers to rub the baking soda into the pans, focusing on any heavily stained areas. Let the mixture of vinegar and baking soda work on the stains for at least 15 minutes. You may start to see the burnt residue flaking away.

Finally, rinse the pans with hot water. If there are any remaining stains, apply more baking soda and work it into the affected areas. Rinse again and dry the pans with a towel before placing them back under the burners.

Your electric range pans should now be clean and ready to use! This soaking method is an effective and gentle way to remove burnt-on food and grease without the need for harsh chemicals or excessive scrubbing.

Use baking soda and dish soap

To clean an electric range pan, you can use baking soda and dish soap. First, remove the drip pans from the stovetop and shake off any loose crumbs into the garbage. Then, rinse the pans thoroughly in the sink with the hottest water possible. Next, prepare a cleaning solution by mixing liquid dish soap and baking soda in a 1:1 ratio. You can adjust the amount as needed, but a half-cup of each is a good starting point. Apply the mixture to the stove drip pans, using your fingers or a pastry brush to coat each pan liberally, scrubbing it into the pans.

Let the mixture sit for about an hour. After it has sat for an hour, rinse the drip pans thoroughly with hot water to remove the soap mixture. If there are any remaining dirty spots, tackle them with a scrub brush or a sponge dipped in baking soda. Finally, dry the drip pans with a dish towel and return them to the stovetop.

Use vinegar and baking soda

To clean an electric stove with vinegar and baking soda, follow these steps:

Step 1: Remove the coils and drip pans

Take out the stove coils and drip pans. If your electric stove does not have coils, you can skip this step.

Step 2: Make a baking soda and vinegar paste

Create a paste by mixing two parts vinegar and one part baking soda. You can also add a few drops of dish soap to the mixture. The vinegar is acidic and will react with the basic baking soda, creating a fizz that helps to soften up burn marks.

Step 3: Apply the paste to the stove top

Spread the paste onto the stove top, avoiding any openings, light and heating elements, thermostat, and wiring. You can use a paintbrush or an old toothbrush to get into tight corners and tough spots.

Step 4: Let the paste sit

Allow the paste to sit on the stove top for at least 10 to 15 minutes. For a deeper clean, you can leave it on for up to 24 hours.

Step 5: Wipe the paste away

Use a damp cloth to wipe away the paste, rinsing and repeating as needed to remove streaks. You can also use a plastic scraper to help remove the paste, wetting it as necessary.

Step 6: Clean the stove top with vinegar

For an extra shine, spray some vinegar on a soft, clean cloth and wipe down the stove top. Alternatively, you can mix equal parts water and vinegar and use this solution to clean the stove top.

Tips:

• Always make sure your stove is turned off and cooled down before cleaning.
• For burnt-on food or tougher stains, let the paste sit for a longer period before scrubbing with a sponge or soft-bristled brush.
• Avoid scrubbing the stove top vigorously to prevent scratching.
• Repeat the process if necessary until your stove top is clean.

Use ammonia overnight

To clean an electric range pan with ammonia, you'll first need to let the burner cool down and then remove the drip pans from underneath. Place each drip pan in a separate sealable plastic bag, preferably a gallon-sized one. Then, add about 1/4 cup of ammonia to each bag. Seal the bags and leave them in your sink or another safe place overnight—the fumes from the ammonia will loosen the grime.

The next day, open the bags in a well-ventilated area or outside as the fumes will be strong. Reseal the bags and dispose of them. Wash the drip pans with warm, soapy water, rinse them with hot water, and dry them with a towel before placing them back on the stove.

Degrease with baking soda and dish soap

To degrease an electric stove with baking soda and dish soap, follow these steps:

Step 1: Prepare the Stove

Before you begin cleaning, ensure that your stove is turned off and cool. This is important for your safety.

Step 2: Remove the Coils and Drip Pans

Most electric stoves have coil burners and drip pans that can be removed for cleaning. Gently lift and remove the burner coils, setting them aside. Then, lift out the drip pans.

Step 3: Clean the Coils

To clean the coils, simply wipe them with a damp microfiber cloth. If there is burnt-on residue, you can turn the heat on high until the spill burns off. Remember to use the exhaust fan to avoid setting off smoke alarms. Let the coils cool, then wipe them again with a dry, lint-free cloth.

Step 4: Clean the Drip Pans

To clean the drip pans, create a cleaning solution by mixing liquid dish soap and baking soda in equal parts. You can adjust the amount as needed, starting with half a cup of each. Apply this mixture generously to the drip pans, scrubbing it in with your fingers or a brush. Let the pans sit for about an hour.

Step 5: Rinse and Scrub

After the soaking period, rinse the drip pans thoroughly with hot water to remove the soap mixture. For any remaining stubborn spots or stuck-on food, use a scrub brush or sponge dipped in baking soda to tackle them.

Step 6: Dry and Reassemble

Once the drip pans are clean, dry them with a dish towel. Finally, put the burners and drip pans back in place on your stove.

Additional Tips:

• For very tough stains, you can try a stronger cleaning paste made from baking soda and vinegar.
• To keep your stove in good condition, it's recommended to wipe it daily with warm water and a mild dish soap solution.
• For a deeper clean, use a paste made from baking soda and water, scrubbing with a soft, non-abrasive tool, and then rinsing.
• Always ensure your stove is cool before cleaning and exercise caution when handling the coils and drip pans to avoid burns.

Frequently asked questions