Simple Steps To Clean Your Kitchenaid Electric Cooktop Drip Pans

Drip pans are an essential component of your Kitchen Aid electric cooktop, collecting food debris and moisture that accumulates during cooking. They are situated beneath the heating coils and can become grimy with spills and food splatter over time. Removing and cleaning them is a straightforward process that can be done in a few simple steps. This guide will walk you through the process of removing and cleaning your Kitchen Aid electric cooktop drip pans, ensuring your kitchen remains a clean and safe space for culinary adventures.

Removing electric coils and drip pans

To remove electric coils and drip pans from your KitchenAid electric cooktop, follow these steps:

Step 1: Power Off the Cooktop and Remove Any Food Residue

Before you begin, ensure that the cooktop is powered off and cooled down. Use a damp cloth to wipe off any food residue. Do not use any cleaning products or water on the heating elements, as they should be hot enough to burn off any residue during normal operation.

Step 2: Remove the Electric Coils

To remove the electric coils, push the edge of the burner toward the receptacle in the drip pan. Gently lift the far side of the heating element above the drip pan and pull it toward you and out of the receptacle. Set the coil aside.

Step 3: Remove the Drip Pan

The drip pan should be located beneath the electric coil. Simply lift it out of the stovetop and set it aside.

Step 4: Clean the Drip Pan

The cleaning method will depend on the material of your drip pan. For chrome drip pans, use a liquid detergent or an all-purpose cleaner. For stubborn stains, you can use a mild abrasive cleaner and a plastic scraper. Alternatively, create a cleaning solution by mixing one gallon of water with 1/2 cup of ammonia. Soak the drip pans in this solution for 20 minutes, then scrub them with a stainless steel wool pad.

If you have porcelain drip pans, they can be cleaned in the dishwasher or by hand with an all-purpose cleaner or liquid detergent. Always dry the drip pans thoroughly with a soft, lint-free cloth before placing them back on the stovetop.

Step 5: Clean Beneath the Drip Pans

Take this opportunity to clean beneath the drip pans as well. On some KitchenAid models, the coil cooktop can be lifted up for easy access. Use a steel wool pad and a suitable cleaning product to remove any caked-on food residue and grease.

Step 6: Reinstall the Coils and Pans

Once everything is clean and completely dry, it's time to put your cooktop back together. Reinstall the drip pans, ensuring that the holes in the pans are aligned with the terminals for the burners. Then, follow the instructions in your user guide to reinstall the electric coils.

Cleaning chrome drip bowls

To remove KitchenAid electric cooktop drip pans, start by turning off the range or cooktop and allowing all components to cool. Then, remove any components above the drip pans, such as electric coils, burners, or grates. For electric coils, push the edge of the coil element towards the receptacle and lift the edge to clear the burner bowl. Pull the coil element towards you and away from the receptacle before removing the drip pan. For burners, simply remove the grates and lift the cap off the burners.

Now, to clean chrome drip bowls, follow these steps:

Step 1: Remove the Drip Pans

Remove the drip pans from the stovetop once all components have cooled down.

Step 2: Clean the Drip Pans

Fill your sink with hot water and add a few drops of dishwashing liquid that includes a grease-cutting ingredient. Place the drip pans in the soapy water and let them soak for at least 10 minutes, or longer if they are very dirty. You can also use liquid detergent or an all-purpose cleaner. Alternatively, create your own cleaning solution by mixing 1/2 cup of ammonia with one gallon of water, and soak the drip pans in this solution for 20 minutes.

Step 3: Scrub and Rinse

Scrub the drip pans with a plastic scouring pad, a stainless steel wool pad, or a sponge. For stubborn stains, use a mildly abrasive cleaner and a wet scouring pad. Rinse the drip pans with clean water.

Step 4: Dry and Replace

Dry the drip pans with a soft, lint-free, or microfiber cloth. Once they are completely dry, place them back on the stovetop.

Remember to clean your drip pans regularly, ideally after each use, to prevent stains and make the cleaning process easier.

Cleaning porcelain drip bowls

To clean porcelain drip bowls, you should first ensure that your stove is switched off and that the porcelain drip bowls are cool to the touch. Then, remove the bowls from the stove.

Porcelain drip bowls can be cleaned in a dishwasher, or by hand. If you are using a dishwasher, place the bowls on the top rack. If you are cleaning by hand, use liquid detergent or an all-purpose cleaner, then rinse with water and dry with a soft, lint-free cloth. Ensure that the bowls are completely dry before returning them to the stove.

If your porcelain drip bowls are particularly dirty, you can try the following method:

• Remove the drip pans from the stove.
• Shake off loose crumbs into a bin and rinse the pans in a sink with hot water.
• In a small bowl, mix liquid dish soap and baking soda in a 1:1 ratio.
• Use your fingers or a pastry brush to liberally coat each drip pan with the soap/baking soda mixture, scrubbing it into the pans.
• Stack the soapy drip plates in your sink and let them sit for about an hour.
• Rinse the drip pans thoroughly with hot water to remove the soap mixture.
• Tackle any remaining dirty spots with a scrub brush or a sponge freshly dipped in baking soda.
• Dry the drip pans with a dish towel and return them to your stove.

Replacing drip pans

To replace the drip pans of your KitchenAid electric cooktop, you will first need to order the correct replacement drip pans for your model. The part number for Kenmore and KitchenAid ranges is #W10291024. Before buying new drip pans, check your owner's manual to make sure you are purchasing the correct pans for your model.

Once you have the new drip pans, follow these steps:

• Turn off the range or cooktop and allow all components to cool completely.
• Remove any components above the drip pans, such as electric coils, burners, or grates. For electric coils, push the edge of the coil element towards the receptacle and lift the edge to clear the burner bowl. Then, pull the coil element towards you and away from the receptacle. For burners, simply remove the grates and lift the cap off the burners.
• Remove the old drip pans by pulling them out of the cavities along the top of the range.
• Check the range surface for any visible rust or cracks in the enamel surface.
• Place the new drip pans into the cavities, ensuring that the hole in each drip pan is oriented so that the terminals are visible and the burners can slip into position.
• Plug the elements back in by placing the element into the bowl of the drip pan at an angle and plugging it into the terminal lock. Then, set it down and align the edges with the edge of the drip pan so that the element is level.
• Replace any other stovetop components that you removed, such as electric coils or burners.

Removing elements

Before you begin, ensure that the oven and stovetop are completely powered off. It is recommended to cut the power supply to your oven at the breaker box. You can also slide out and unplug a freestanding oven.

With all stovetop components cool to the touch, use a damp cloth to wipe off any lingering food residue. Do not use any cleaning products or immerse the heated elements in water. The burners are hot enough to burn off any caked-on messes during normal operation.

Now, you can remove the elements. Lift up the front edges of the element so that it is tilted. Then, pull it free of the terminal and set it aside. Most people prefer to replace all drip pans simultaneously for consistent colour and wear.

Removing Drip Pans

The drip pans lay in the cavities along the top of the range. Simply pull them out and set them aside.

Frequently asked questions