Cleaning Electric Stove Burners: Tips For Sparkling Sip Pans

Drip pans are a pain to clean, but it's worth it to avoid that burnt-on, concrete-like coating of food and grease. The best way to avoid a tedious scrubbing session is to wipe down the pans after each use and to give them a good cleaning weekly or at least once a month. If you're in the market for a new stove, you might want to consider a smooth-top stove, which doesn't have drip pans. If you're stuck with drip pans, there are several methods you can use to clean them, including soaking them in hot water, vinegar, or ammonia, or scrubbing them with baking soda, dish soap, or a combination of the two.

How to Clean the Drip Pans Under Electric Stove Burners

Soak in hot water

So, you've decided to give your stove's drip pans a good clean. Great! Here's a detailed, step-by-step guide on how to do it using hot water and some other household items.

First things first: make sure your stove and its drip pans are switched off and cooled down. You don't want to risk burning yourself during the cleaning process. Once your stove is cooled, it's time to remove the drip pans. If you have an electric stove, this will involve lifting out the burner coil to expose the socket it plugs into. Gently tug the coil straight out and set it aside. Now you can lift out the drip pan. For a gas stove, simply lift off the metal grates to access the drip pan underneath.

Now, fill your sink with very hot water and place the drip pans in it to soak. Let them soak for at least 10 minutes to loosen any caked-on food and grease. If your drip pans are only lightly soiled, this soaking step may be all they need. Give them a wipe with a sponge or dishcloth, then rinse and dry them before replacing them under your burners.

If your drip pans are more heavily soiled, you can try the following steps after they've soaked in hot water. Drain the sink, then pour in enough distilled white vinegar to cover the baked-on food and grease. Let the drip pans sit in the vinegar for 30 minutes. Next, without draining the vinegar, sprinkle baking soda on top and use your fingers to rub it into the burnt-on crust. The chemical reaction between the vinegar and baking soda will help lift away gunk. Let the mixture work for at least 15 minutes. You may see the burnt residue start to flake away.

After this, rinse the drip pans with hot water, then apply more baking soda and really work it into any remaining stains. Rinse again and towel-dry the drip pans. The vinegar and baking soda combination should remove the burnt-on crust completely. If there are still areas that didn't come clean, you may need to repeat the process or consider buying new drip pans.

And that's it! You now know how to clean your stove's drip pans using hot water and some household items.

Use vinegar and baking soda

To clean the drip pans under electric stove burners using vinegar and baking soda, follow these steps:

Firstly, remove the stove burners by twisting them out of their sockets. If you have different-sized burners, make sure to note where each one belongs. Set them aside in a safe place. Next, lift out the drip pans and shake them into a sink or garbage bag to get rid of any loose food particles. You can also use a stiff brush to loosen any stubborn gunk.

Now, fill your sink with hot water and add a few drops of dishwashing liquid. Place the drip pans in the sink and let them soak for at least 10 minutes. Drain the hot soapy water and refill the sink with enough distilled white vinegar to completely cover the drip pans. Allow them to soak for about 30 minutes.

After the vinegar soak, drain the liquid and sprinkle baking soda generously over the pans. 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 as needed. Finally, rinse the drip pans with hot water and dry them with a microfiber cloth before replacing them under the stove burners.

For extremely dirty drip pans, you can also try the following method:

Start by removing the drip pans and burners, as mentioned above. Next, fill a large roasting pan with hot water and place it on two burners. Add 2 tablespoons of baking soda and 1-2 tablespoons of dish detergent to the water. Be careful, as the water may boil over at this point. Once the water boils, turn down the heat and carefully place two of the drip pans in the roasting pan. Let them "cook" for 20-30 minutes, then use tongs to remove them and place them in the sink to cool. Repeat this process for any remaining drip pans. Once they are cool enough to handle, scrub them clean with a degreaser and a scrubber.

Ammonia for heavily burned-on food

To clean the drip pans under electric stove burners, you can use household ammonia, a very strong cleaner that should always be used with caution and in a well-ventilated area. This method is the most effective on greasy drip pans with heavily burned-on food.

Preparing the Drip Pans:

• Allow the drip pans to cool down completely before handling them.
• Remove the drip pans from the stove and rinse them with hot water to remove any loose crumbs or residue.
• Place each drip pan in a separate one-gallon resealable plastic bag.

Using Ammonia:

• Pour 1/4 cup of household ammonia into each bag. The fumes from the ammonia will cut through the grease and grime.
• Seal the bags tightly and let the drip pans soak for at least 12 hours.
• Open the bags in a well-ventilated area, as the fumes will be strong. Be sure to open the bags away from your face.
• Dispose of the ammonia by pouring it down the drain while running cold water to dilute it. Do not dispose of the plastic bags with ammonia in the trash, as the fumes can create a dangerous reaction.

Cleaning the Drip Pans:

• Wash the drip pans with hot water and a few drops of dishwashing liquid. Use a sponge or a plastic scrubber to remove any remaining residue.
• Rinse the drip pans thoroughly with hot water to remove any soap residue.
• Dry each drip pan with a microfiber cloth or towel.

Reinstalling the Drip Pans:

Return the clean and dry drip pans to their respective burners, ensuring they are fitted smoothly in place.

It is important to note that ammonia is a highly irritating and corrosive gas. Always use ammonia in a well-ventilated area and wear rubber gloves to protect your skin. Keep ammonia away from children and pets, and always follow safety guidelines when using this chemical.

Dish soap and baking soda

Step 1: Remove the drip pans from the stovetop

Make sure the stove is turned off and the drip pans are completely cool. Remove the burners or coils by twisting or lifting them out of their sockets. Set them aside in a safe place. Now, lift out the drip pans and shake off any loose crumbs into a garbage can. You can also use a stiff brush to loosen any stubborn gunk.

Step 2: Prepare the cleaning solution

In a small bowl, mix liquid dish soap and baking soda in a 1:1 ratio. A half-cup of each is a good starting point, but you can adjust the amounts as needed. You are aiming for a frosting-like consistency with a slightly foamy texture.

Step 3: Apply the cleaning solution to the drip pans

Use your fingers or a brush to generously coat each drip pan with the soap and baking soda mixture. Scrub it into the pans, working the solution into all the grease and grime. You can also use a scrubby sponge or steel wool for better results.

Step 4: Let the drip pans soak

Place the drip pans in Ziploc bags or regular plastic bags and let them sit for at least an hour. This allows the cleaning solution to penetrate and loosen the built-up grime. While you wait, you can clean the rest of your stovetop with baking soda and a damp sponge.

Step 5: Rinse and scrub the drip pans

After soaking, remove the drip pans from the bags and rinse them thoroughly with hot water. Use a scrub brush or sponge to tackle any remaining dirty spots. If necessary, sprinkle on some additional baking soda for extra scrubbing power.

Step 6: Dry and replace the drip pans

Once the drip pans are thoroughly cleaned and rinsed, dry them with a dish towel or microfiber cloth. Finally, put the drip pans back in place under the burners, and you're done!

Tips:

• Always make sure the drip pans are cool before handling to avoid burns.
• For very stubborn stains, you can try a longer soaking time or repeat the cleaning process.
• If your drip pans are only lightly soiled, you can also put them in the dishwasher for a quick touch-up.

Hydrogen peroxide and baking soda

To clean your stove's drip pans with hydrogen peroxide and baking soda, follow these steps:

Step 1: Prepare the drip pans

Remove the drip pans from your stove and place them in the sink. Give them a quick rinse to get rid of any loose gunk or debris.

Step 2: Apply the cleaning agents

Sprinkle baking soda liberally over the drip pans, making sure to coat the dirtiest areas thoroughly. Then, carefully drizzle hydrogen peroxide over the pans, ensuring they are completely coated.

Step 3: Let the solution work its magic

You will see the baking soda and hydrogen peroxide start to fizz and work away at the gunk on the drip pans. Leave the pans to soak in this solution for about 30 minutes.

Step 4: Rinse and repeat if necessary

After soaking, rinse the drip pans under cool water and use a sponge to scrub away any remaining baking soda residue. If there is still some residue left, repeat the process.

Tips:

• Hydrogen peroxide is sold in concentrations of 3-12%, and even the lowest concentration will be effective.
• This method can be used for cleaning gas or electric stove drip pans. Just be careful not to damage any elements of the stove.
• For particularly tough stains, you may need to add some extra scrubbing or repeat the process.

Frequently asked questions