Effective Ways To Clean Stove Coil Pans Easily

Cleaning stove coil pans can be a challenge due to the high heat resulting in burnt-on food that is usually tough to remove. However, with the right techniques and a bit of elbow grease, you can get your stove coil pans sparkling clean again. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to tackle this cleaning task:

Step 1: Turn Off the Stove and Let It Cool

Before you begin cleaning, ensure that your stove is turned off and allow it to cool down completely. This is important for safety reasons and to avoid burning your hands.

Step 2: Remove the Stove Coils

Gently lift the stove coils away from their plug-in source. In most models, you can simply unplug the coils, but some may require you to squeeze the prongs or gently disconnect them. Set the coils aside.

Step 3: Remove the Drip Pans

Take out the drip pans from underneath the burners. If there are any loose food particles or spills, shake them over a trash can and use a dry paper towel to remove any remaining bits.

Step 4: Clean the Drip Pans

There are several methods you can use to clean the drip pans, depending on the level of dirt and grease:

- Dishwashing Liquid: Fill your sink with hot water and add a few drops of dishwashing liquid with a grease-cutting ingredient. Soak the drip pans for at least 10 minutes, then use a sponge or dishcloth to wipe them down. For tough stains, use a plastic scouring pad.

- Baking Soda and Vinegar: Soak the drip pans in hot soapy water for 15 minutes. Then, drain the water and add distilled white vinegar, letting them soak for another 30 minutes. Sprinkle baking soda generously and let it sit for 15 minutes. Scrub the pans with a plastic scrubber if needed.

- Ammonia: Place each drip pan in a separate one-gallon resealable plastic bag. Add 1/4 cup of household ammonia to each bag and seal the bags. Leave them for at least 12 hours, then open the bags in a well-ventilated area. Dispose of the ammonia by pouring it down the drain with cold running water. Finally, wash the drip pans with hot soapy water and a sponge.

- Hydrogen Peroxide and Baking Soda: Coat the drip pans with baking soda and then pour undiluted hydrogen peroxide on top. The fizzing reaction will lift the gunk off the pans. Let them soak for about 30 minutes, then rinse under cool water and scrub away any remaining baking soda residue.

Step 5: Dry and Reinstall the Drip Pans

After rinsing the drip pans, dry them thoroughly with a microfiber cloth. Then, place the drip pans back under the burners, ensuring they are fitted smoothly.

Step 6: Reassemble the Stove Coils

Once the drip pans are in place, you can reinstall the stove coils. Be careful not to twist or bend the connections when reconnecting them.

Remove the stove coils

To remove the stove coils, start by turning off all the burners and waiting for them to cool down completely. This is important for safety reasons. Once the coils are cool, locate the socket that the burner coil plugs into. You will usually find this on the other side of the hole in your drip pan.

Now, it's time to remove the coils. Grip the outer edge of the burner coil as far from the socket as possible and lift it up an inch or so above the edge of the drip pan. Gently pull the coil away from the socket, rocking it back and forth until it comes loose. Set the coil aside in a safe place where it won't be damaged or come into contact with water. Repeat this process for each of the coils you need to remove.

With the coils removed, you can now access the drip pans for cleaning.

Clean the drip pans

Once you've removed the stove coils, you can lift out the drip pans. Drip pans are small metal bowls that sit underneath the stove's burners to catch spills and liquids. Drip pans can be removed for cleaning or replacement.

The best way to clean your drip pans will depend on the type of mess you're dealing with. Here are some methods to try:

• Dishwashing liquid: This is a mild method that works best for fresh spills and splatters. Remove the drip pans, shake off loose crumbs, and rinse the pans in the sink with hot water. Fill the sink with hot water and add a few drops of dishwashing liquid with a grease-cutting ingredient. Soak the drip pans for at least 10 minutes, then wipe them down with a sponge or dishcloth. Rinse and dry the pans before replacing them under the burners.
• Vinegar and baking soda: This method is more effective for tackling food build-up. Remove the drip pans and shake them over a trash can to remove loose food particles. Soak the pans in hot, soapy water for 15 minutes, then drain the water and add distilled white vinegar. Sprinkle the pans with baking soda and let the mixture sit for at least 15 minutes. Scrub the pans with a plastic scrubber if necessary, then rinse, dry, and replace.
• Ammonia: This method is best for greasy drip pans with heavily burned-on food. Place each cooled drip pan in a separate one-gallon resealable plastic bag. Pour 1/4 cup of household ammonia into each bag, seal, and let the bags sit for at least 12 hours. Open the bags in a well-ventilated area, then remove the drip pans and dispose of the bags and ammonia solution. Wash the drip pans in hot, soapy water, rinse, dry, and replace.
• Hydrogen peroxide and baking soda: This method also uses a fizzing reaction to lift gunk off the drip pans. Coat the pans with baking soda, then pour undiluted hydrogen peroxide on top. Let the pans soak for about 30 minutes, then rinse under cool water and scrub away any remaining baking soda residue.

Tips for Cleaning Drip Pans

• Always allow your drip pans to cool down before removing them for cleaning.
• For porcelain drip pans, you can also use a dishwasher or wash by hand with liquid detergent or all-purpose cleaner.
• Clean your drip pans regularly—ideally, after each use—to prevent stains from setting in.
• Avoid lining your drip pans with aluminum foil, as this can trap heat or melt and damage the pans.

Clean the stovetop

To clean the stovetop of an electric coil stove, start by removing the stove burners. It's important to do this before cleaning to get the most thorough clean without affecting the electronics with moisture. Make sure the electric coils are completely cool before you handle them. Refer to the manufacturer's instructions if you're unsure how to remove the electric coils. In most models, the entire coil easily unplugs, just like pulling an electrical cord from the wall; however, some stovetops require the user to squeeze the prongs or gently disconnect the coils.

Once the coils are removed, clean the residue on the burners. If your burners are in good shape, a light cleaning will do. Apply dish soap to a damp cloth and agitate the soap so it's bubbly. Hold the burner in one hand and apply the soap to the coil, being careful not to soak the electrical components. Use an old toothbrush to get in between the coils if necessary. Rinse the cloth and wipe down the coils, then let them air dry.

If you have tough, baked-on food residue or your coil smokes when it heats up, you'll need to do a deep clean. Use a plastic razor blade or the edge of a credit card to loosen any burnt food. Create a baking soda paste by mixing 1/4 cup of baking soda and 3 tablespoons of water. Massage the paste into the electric coil, again using a toothbrush if it helps you get better coverage between the coils. Let the electric coil sit flat on your work surface and cover the electrical components with a dry cloth to keep them safe. Fill a spray bottle with white vinegar and mist the baking soda-covered areas. Let the solution sit for 5 minutes, then wipe it clean with a damp cloth. Allow the burner to air dry.

While the burners are drying, clean the drip pans. These are often removable, making it easy to wash them in the sink with soapy water. If you have the time, chrome and porcelain pans can also go into the dishwasher. Some stovetops have a moulded drip pan, in which case, wipe the stovetop with soap and water or a 1:1 mixture of white vinegar and water.

Finally, lift up the stovetop and clean the area beneath the burners. Use a damp cloth with dish soap to loosen any buildup and clean the surface. Use a dry cloth to wipe the area before closing the stovetop lid. Then, reassemble the stove burners. Be careful not to twist or bend the connections when reconnecting the cooktop components.

Soak the drip pans

So, you've removed the drip pans from your stove. Now what? Well, it's time to soak them, of course! Here are a few methods you can use to ensure your drip pans are squeaky clean:

Dishwashing Liquid

This method is best for fresh spills and splatters that haven't yet dried or caked on. Remove the drip pans and any separate decorative rings as soon as a spill happens. If they are only lightly soiled, you can place them on the top rack of your dishwasher. Otherwise, fill your sink with hot water and add a few drops of dishwashing detergent with a grease-cutting ingredient. Soak the drip pans for at least 10 minutes, or longer if the grime is severe. Then, wipe them down with a sponge or dishcloth. For tough spots, use a cleaning eraser to gently scrub away the food. Finally, rinse the drip pans in hot water and dry them with a microfiber cloth before replacing them under the burners.

Vinegar and Baking Soda

This homemade cleaning method is perfect for when soapy water just won't cut through the food build-up. First, remove the drip pans when the stovetop is cool, shaking them over a trash can and scraping them with a dry paper towel to remove loose or burned food particles. Fill your sink or a bucket with hot water and a few drops of dishwashing liquid, completely submerging the drip pans. Allow them to soak for 15 minutes. Then, drain the water and add enough distilled white vinegar to cover the drip pans. Soak for another 30 minutes. Next, sprinkle the solution with a generous amount of baking soda and let it sit for at least 15 more minutes. If necessary, use a plastic scrubber to scour the pans, adding more baking soda to areas with stubborn stains. Finally, rinse the drip pans with hot water and dry them with a microfiber cloth before replacing them.

Ammonia

Household ammonia is a strong cleaner and should always be used in a well-ventilated space with rubber gloves. This method is best for greasy drip pans with heavily burned-on food. Place each drip pan in a separate one-gallon resealable plastic bag when they are completely cool. Pour 1/4 cup of ammonia into each bag—the fumes will cut through the grease and grime. Seal the bags and let them sit for at least 12 hours. When you open the bags, do so in a well-ventilated area and away from your face. Remove the drip pans and seal and dispose of the bags. Dilute the ammonia with cold water and pour it down the sink drain. Do not dispose of the ammonia-filled bags in the trash as the fumes could create a dangerous reaction. Finally, fill your sink with hot water and a few drops of dish soap and wash the drip pans, using a sponge or scrubber for stubborn spots. Rinse and dry the drip pans before returning them to the stovetop.

Hydrogen Peroxide and Baking Soda

Hydrogen peroxide, like vinegar, has a fizzing reaction with baking soda, helping to lift gunk off the drip pans. Put your drip pans in a sink and coat them liberally with baking soda. Then, pour undiluted hydrogen peroxide over the baking soda. You'll see the fizzing action at work. Let the drip pans soak for about 30 minutes. After soaking, rinse the pans under cool water and use a sponge to scrub away any remaining baking soda residue. Repeat if necessary, then dry and replace the drip pans.

Reassemble the stove

Once you have cleaned your stove coils and drip pans, it is time to reassemble your stove.

Firstly, ensure that the stove is switched off at the wall and the coils are cool to the touch before handling. If your stove has a power cord, ensure that is unplugged too.

Now, carefully place the drip pans back into the stove. They should slot into place with ease. If your drip pans are particularly dirty, it may be worth cleaning underneath the burners before replacing the drip pans. Use a damp cloth with dish soap to loosen any buildup, then wipe the area with a dry cloth.

Next, carefully insert the electric coils back into their designated spots. Be sure not to twist or bend the connections when reconnecting the cooktop components. The coils should fit snugly into the burner drip pan.

Finally, reattach the power cord, if your stove has one, and switch the power back on at the wall. Your stove is now ready to use!

Frequently asked questions