Cleaning Your Gas Stove

Clean & Healthy Housing

Avoid pests and grease fires by keeping your stove clean.

Not all stoves are alike. Read and use the manual that came with your stove if it is available. If not, these tips may be helpful for cleaning your electric range.

Safety Tip:
Make sure the stovetop and burners are cool before cleaning!

 

Daily
(or after each meal cooked)

Smooth Surfaces
Wipe up spills on smooth surfaces with warm, soapy water on a soft sponge or cloth.

Soak hardened spots with water or a wet cloth for a few minutes before wiping.

Use a soft plastic scratch pad, if needed. Be careful not to damage the paint with harsh pads.

Wipe crumbs and spilled food out of a cool oven.

Clean the broiler pan after each use. Soak it in hot, soapy water and use a scouring pad if needed.

Weekly or Monthly
(depending on how often you cook):

Knobs Remove the control knobs. Wash them with warm, soapy water, and dry well or air dry.

Clean the stove surface under the knobs well before replacing them.

Burners
Gas burner heads may be pulled out for cleaning with warm, soapy water. Be sure to rinse and dry them well.

If holes are stopped up, clean them with a straight pin or wire paper clip. Do not use a wooden toothpick that may break off in the burner!

Drip Pans
Remove drip pans and grates.

Soak drip pans in warm, soapy water for easier cleaning in the sink.

A baking soda paste or scouring pad may help remove stubborn stains.

Surface Under Cooktop
Some cooktops can be lifted to clean the smooth surface underneath the burners.

Be sure to clean grease and food in this area often to prevent fires.

Oven
To clean burned-on food, try this overnight method:

In a bowl, pour ½ cup of household ammonia. Leave the bowl in the closed oven overnight (or at least 4 hours).

Remove the bowl and wire oven racks.

Wash the oven racks in warm, soapy water, scrubbing off any burned-on food.

Add the ½ cup of ammonia in the bowl to 1 quart of warm water. Use it to wipe down the oven walls and door.

Wash the oven walls and door again with warm, soapy water. Rinse with clear water, and wipe dry.

Storage Drawer
Take everything out of the drawer and clean it well.

Wipe dry.

Resources

Hassle-Free Housework series, University of Florida Extension Service

Household Cleaning series, University of Tennessee Extension Service

Keeping Homes Safe and Families Healthy, Penn State Extension Service based on Ohio State University materials

Basic Home Maintenance, Kansas State University Extension Service

Information Sheet 1981 (POD-04-17)

Distributed by David Buys, PhD, MSPH, Extension State Health Specialist, Food Science, Nutrition, and Health Promotion. Written by Dr. Bobbie Shaffett, retired Extension Professor, Human Sciences.