How to clean a gas stove top
By Evan Crowther•Last updated Oct 23, 2023
Last updated Oct 23, 2023
Table of Contents
- What you’ll need
- Step 1: Get the stove ready for cleaning.
- Step 2: Let the grates and burner caps soak.
- Step 3: Clean the burners.
- Step 4: Clean the stove top surface.
- Step 5: Scrape off stubborn residue.
- Step 6: Replace the burner caps and grates.
- Step 7: Clean up any spills.
- Step 8: Check your burners.
- Need help with this project? Download the Thumbtack app.
- FAQs
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For any homeowner, keeping the kitchen clean is an ongoing task. One spot that tends to get especially dirty is the stove. Between oil splatters and food particles, it’s important to clean your stove regularly.
Cleaning a gas stove top requires a slightly different process than cleaning a stainless steel or glass one. In addition to the gas range, you should clean the burners and grates. Keep reading to see how to clean a gas stove the right way.
What you’ll need
- Non-abrasive scrubbing pad
- Microfiber cloth
- Soft toothbrush
- Compressed air (optional, for burner ports)
- Plastic knife or spatula for scraping
- Dish soap and/or mild cleaner
- Warm water
- Baking soda (optional)
- Screwdriver (if necessary)
Step 1: Get the stove ready for cleaning.
Once you have your cleaning supplies ready, it’s time to prepare your stove.
First, make sure the stove is completely cool to avoid burns. Check that every knob is fully in the off position. For a deep clean where you'll be handling the burner heads, you can also close the gas shut-off valve behind or beneath the range for extra peace of mind — just remember to reopen it before Step 8.
Take off the grates and burner caps so you can access the burner heads. For some stoves, you may need a screwdriver to remove grates. Check your appliance’s user manual if you aren’t sure.
Step 2: Let the grates and burner caps soak.
Fill the sink or a bowl with warm, soapy water, and leave the stove grates and burner caps to soak while you clean the stove top. This will help remove burnt-on food particles or residue.
You can also try using baking soda to clean the grates. Coat them in a baking soda mixture (3 parts baking soda and 1 part water). Let the mixture work for 20 minutes before you wash it off.
Pro tip: If you have cast iron grates, don’t soak them unless they have a water-resistant coating. Consult your manual for your stove’s grates to be sure.
Step 3: Clean the burners.
Once you have the caps and grates soaking, use the scrubbing pad to clean off the burner bases. You can use warm water and cleaner (or dish soap) for this step.
Take a look at the burner ports — the small holes around the burner head that direct the gas flame — and check for clogs.
Start with the gentlest approach: work a soft toothbrush around the ports, or use a can of compressed air to blow debris out. This clears most buildup and carries no risk to the burner.
For a port that's still blocked, check your owner's manual before going further. Manufacturers differ — some specify a straight pin or small-gauge wire, others tell you to use only a brush. Follow whatever yours says. If it permits a pin, insert it straight in and out without twisting, prying or scraping. Enlarging or reshaping a port changes the gas-to-air mixture and gives you an improper flame, which is why this matters.
Never use a wooden toothpick. It can snap off and leave a splinter lodged in the port.
If ports stay clogged after brushing, or if a burner still lights unevenly afterward, stop and call an appliance repair technician rather than working at it. A burner that won't clear often has a problem further upstream.
Once you’ve unclogged them, use the cloth to wipe away leftover cleaner or soap.
Step 4: Clean the stove top surface.
After you’ve cleaned the burners, it’s time to remove any food residue and grease from the stove top surface. Use a mixture of warm water and dish soap to wipe the surface down with a cloth. Let the water sit on the surface for a few minutes before you scrub it.
If soap isn’t enough, you can use baking soda for a more abrasive cleaning solution. Make a paste using 3/4 cup of baking soda and 1/4 cup of warm water. Leave a coating of the solution on the surface for a few minutes before wiping it away.
Step 5: Scrape off stubborn residue.
If the residue is still difficult to remove, you may need to scrape it off. Use a plastic spatula to scrape away any stuck-on debris. Avoid using a metal scraper, as this can leave scratches.
Wipe away any leftover cleaning solution when you're finished.
Step 6: Replace the burner caps and grates.
Dry the grates and caps completely with a towel before putting them back. Water left on a burner cap or head can interfere with ignition and cause rust or corrosion over time, so this isn't a step to rush.
Your burners may have alignment guides to help you fit the caps on properly.
Use a screwdriver to replace any hardware you removed to take off the burner caps.
Step 7: Clean up any spills.
Cleaning the stove can sometimes make its own mess. Use a to wipe up any spills on the counters or floors so your whole cooking area will be sparkling clean.
Step 8: Check your burners.
Before you test anything, make sure the burner caps, heads, and igniters are completely dry — a wet igniter may not spark, and water in the burner can cause misfires.
Smell for gas first.
If you notice a sulfur or rotten-egg odor at any point, don't light a burner and don't touch any electrical switch. Turn the knobs off, open windows, leave the house, and call your gas utility's emergency line from outside.
If there's no odor, turn on one burner at a time and watch the flame. A healthy gas flame is mostly blue, steady, and even all the way around the burner. Yellow or orange flames, flames that lift away from the burner, or uneven rings of flame all point to a clogged port or an air-mixture problem.
If a burner doesn't light, turn the knob off and check that each cap is seated on the correct burner and aligned with its guides. Reseat it and try once more.
Don't keep clicking the igniter on a burner that won't light.
Gas is flowing each time you try, and it accumulates. Turn the knob off, ventilate the room, and wait several minutes before trying again. If the burner still won't light, or if the flame looks wrong, shut off the gas to the range and call an appliance repair technician — gas burner adjustment isn't a DIY repair.
Need help with this project? Download the Thumbtack app.
Cleaning the stove is an easy task to overlook. Before long, however, a dirty stove can become much harder to clean. For busy homeowners who don’t always have the time to clean the kitchen, hiring a cleaning professional can help. For more serious issues with your gas stove, you may need to hire an appliance repair technician, which you can do quickly with Thumbtack.
Download the Thumbtack app today to find the best pros in your area and get a free estimate.
FAQs
How often should you clean a gas stove top?
You should give your stove a quick wipe-down every time you cook with it. This helps prevent spills from hardening on the surface. Deep clean about once a week, or more often if you cook daily or fry frequently.
How do I remove difficult stains from my gas stove?
If warm, soapy water isn’t enough to get stains off the stove top surface, use baking soda for a stronger cleaning solution. You may also need to use a plastic scraper to remove burnt-on food residue.
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