Cleaning Stove Burner Pans: Easy And Quick Guide

Cleaning stove burner pans can be a challenging task, especially when dealing with burnt-on food residue. The good news is that there are several effective methods to tackle this issue. The most commonly suggested approach involves using a combination of hot water, distilled white vinegar, and baking soda. Other methods include using dish soap and baking soda, acetone, ammonia, or specialised oven cleaners. While some people opt for scrubbing with Brillo or SOS pads, others suggest replacing the drip pans entirely, as they are relatively inexpensive.

Soak in hot water

Soaking stove burner pans in hot water is an effective way to clean them. Here is a step-by-step guide:

Firstly, remove the burner pans from the stove. If you have an electric stove, gently tug the burner coil straight out of the socket to remove it. For a gas stove, simply lift off the metal grates. Place the burner pans in the sink.

Next, fill the sink with very hot water and let the burner pans soak for at least 10 minutes. The hot water will help to loosen any burnt-on food and grease. If the burner pans are very dirty, you may need to let them soak for longer.

After soaking, drain the hot water and add enough distilled white vinegar to completely cover the burner pans. Let them soak for another 15-30 minutes. The vinegar will further break down any remaining residue.

Finally, rinse the burner pans with hot water and dry them with a microfiber cloth or towel before replacing them on the stove.

For particularly stubborn stains, you can also try sprinkling baking soda on the burner pans after the vinegar soak and scrubbing with a sponge or plastic scrubber.

Use vinegar and baking soda

To clean stove burner pans with vinegar and baking soda, follow these steps:

Firstly, ensure your stove is cool. Remove the drip pans and shake them over a trash can, scraping them with a dry paper towel to remove any loose or burnt food particles.

Next, fill a sink or bucket with hot water and a few drops of dishwashing liquid. Allow the pans to soak for 15 minutes. Drain the hot soapy water and refill with distilled white vinegar, ensuring the pans are completely covered. Leave them to soak for 30 minutes.

Now, sprinkle the pans with a generous amount of baking soda. Let the mixture sit for at least 15 minutes. If there are areas with hard-to-remove stains, use a plastic scrubber to scour the pans, sprinkling additional baking soda onto the affected areas.

Finally, rinse the drip pans with hot water and dry them with a microfiber cloth before replacing them on your stovetop.

This method is ideal for tackling food build-up that soapy water alone cannot remove.

Ammonia solution

Using ammonia is an effective way to clean stove burner pans without scrubbing. Here is a step-by-step guide:

Step 1: Prepare the stove burner pans

Ensure the stove burner pans are at room temperature before cleaning. Remove the coils or grates sitting on top of the burner pans. For an electric stove, gently tug the burner coil straight out of the socket and set it aside. For a gas stove, simply lift off the metal grates. Now, lift out the burner pans.

Step 2: Prepare the ammonia solution

Place each burner pan inside its own one-gallon ziplock plastic bag. Add 1/4 cup of household ammonia to each bag. The fumes from the ammonia will loosen the burnt-on food splatter, so you don't need to completely coat the burner pans with ammonia.

Step 3: Soak the burner pans in ammonia

Seal the tops of the plastic bags and let them sit overnight (for at least 12 hours). The longer you leave them, the more effective it will be.

Step 4: Remove the burner pans from the solution

Open the bags in a well-ventilated area, as the ammonia fumes will be strong. Remove the burner pans and seal and dispose of the used bags. Dilute the ammonia with cold water and pour it down the sink drain. If you have a septic system, neutralize the ammonia before disposal.

Step 5: Rinse and scrub the burner pans

If there are any remaining dirty spots on the burner pans, wipe them away with a sponge and liquid dish soap. Rinse the burner pans thoroughly with hot water.

Step 6: Dry and replace the burner pans

Dry the burner pans with a towel and return them to the stovetop.

Tips:

• Always use ammonia in a well-ventilated space and wear rubber gloves for protection.
• Do not mix ammonia with anything containing bleach, as it creates toxic fumes.
• For oversized burner pans, use extra-large ziplock bags or garbage bags.

Hydrogen peroxide and baking soda

To clean stove burner pans with hydrogen peroxide and baking soda, start by rinsing the cooktop drip pans to remove any loose gunk or debris. Next, sprinkle baking soda liberally over the pans, making sure to coat the worst areas thoroughly. Then, carefully drizzle hydrogen peroxide over the pans, ensuring they are thoroughly coated.

The combination of hydrogen peroxide and baking soda will create a fizzing reaction, similar to vinegar and baking soda. This fizzing action will help to lift and remove the gunk from the pans. Leave the pans to soak for about 30 minutes. After soaking, rinse the pans under cool water and use a sponge or scrubber to remove any remaining residue. If necessary, repeat the process.

This cleaning method is suitable for both gas and electric stove burner pans. However, be careful not to damage any elements of the stove during the cleaning process.

Dish soap and baking soda paste

Cleaning stove burner pans can be a challenging task, especially when dealing with burnt-on food and grease. Here's a detailed guide on using a dish soap and baking soda paste to effectively clean your stove burner pans:

Step 1: Remove the Drip Pans

Start by removing the stove burner pans from the stovetop. Ensure that the pans are completely cooled before handling them to avoid any burns. Shake off loose crumbs into a garbage can and then rinse the pans thoroughly in the sink with hot water.

Step 2: Prepare the Cleaning Solution

In a small bowl, mix liquid dish soap and baking soda in a 1:1 ratio. This means using equal parts of each ingredient. A good starting point is to mix half a cup of dish soap with half a cup of baking soda. However, you can adjust the amounts as needed.

Step 3: Apply the Mixture

Use your fingers or a pastry brush to liberally coat each drip pan with the soap and baking soda paste. Scrub the mixture into the pans. This initial scrubbing will help loosen some of the stuck-on gunk.

Step 4: Let the Pans Sit

Stack the soapy pans in your sink and let them sit for about an hour. During this time, the paste will continue to work on breaking down the stubborn residue.

Step 5: Rinse and Scrub if Necessary

After the soaking period, thoroughly rinse the drip pans with hot water to remove the soap and paste mixture. If there are any remaining dirty spots or stubborn residue, tackle them with a scrub brush or a sponge freshly dipped in baking soda.

Step 6: Dry and Reinstall the Pans

Use a dish towel to dry the drip pans completely. Once dry, you can return the pans to your stovetop. Reinstall the burners, and your stove will be ready for your next cooking adventure!

Additional Tips:

• For extremely burnt-on food or grease, you may need to repeat the process or let the paste sit on the pans for a longer period.
• Always ensure your stove burner pans are at room temperature before cleaning to avoid any accidental burns.
• If you have an electric stove, remember to remove the burner coil by gently tugging it straight out of its socket before lifting out the drip pan.
• For gas stoves, simply lift off the metal grates to access the drip pan underneath.
• This cleaning method is suitable for both electric and gas stove burner pans made from chrome or porcelain.

With some elbow grease and this effective dish soap and baking soda paste, you can keep your stove burner pans sparkling clean!

Frequently asked questions