Preparing delicious meals is surely an exciting thing, especially if you are a dedicated home chef who is really interested in transforming simple dishes into special ones. Even if you are not so fond of cooking, you will still encounter the grit and grime of your kitchen. Oils will splatter, crumbs will be everywhere, and much more kitchen chaos is bound to happen, especially during the holidays when you have to work on big batches in the fastest way possible.
Kitchen hobs attract a wide variety of kitchen dirt, which is unfortunately easy to dry up and stick to, making removal difficult. If you’re wondering why your hob is taking longer to cook your food, then your kitchen appliance must be covered with food residue that affects its efficiency. If you’re dealing with hard-to-clean food grime at the moment, we’re here to help.
Here are some essential tips for cleaning and maintaining your cooking hob. From a gas hob to an induction hob, these DIY tips will help you tackle the stains on different types of hobs.
Essential Hob Cleaning Tips
Before you start tackling the dirt on your kitchen hob, here are the things that you will need.
- A basin filled with soapy water
- A hob cleaning product or a multi-surface cleaner
- Vinegar or lemon juice
- Baking soda
- A clean and soft cloth or sponge
- An unused toothbrush
Whatever type of cooking hob you are using, make sure to turn it off to ensure your safety.
How to Clean a Gas Hob
Gas hobs are undeniably some of the most challenging types to clean, but they are surely worth the effort.
- Remove the trivets and wash them with a sponge or a non-abrasive cloth to thoroughly remove stains. Utilise an unused toothbrush to tackle hard-to-reach areas. Soak them in soapy water to soften soils and remove stubborn dirt. If the pan support is made of cast iron, dry it immediately to prevent the formation of rust.
- Clean stainless steel surfaces with a soft, clean cloth to prevent scratching the surfaces. Pay attention to the gas rings, as stubborn dirt is more likely to build up there. Follow the direction of your hob’s grain to ensure a more seamless look.
- When treating a gas hob with glass or ceramic surfaces, use a soft microfiber cloth to gently remove stains to retain the presentable look of your hob. Remove burned stains with a ceramic scraper.
- Make sure that your burners are fully dried before turning the hob on.
How to Clean an Induction or Ceramic hob
New electric hobs are notably easier to clean, thanks to their glass or ceramic surfaces. Here are some ways to maintain the cleanliness of your ceramic or induction hob.
- Like a gas hob, make sure to turn your electric or induction hob off before performing your cleaning task. Remove loose food afterwards.
- Clean your hob surfaces with a clean cloth or sponge. Carefully remove the dried stains without using an abrasive cleaner or a rough material to prevent scratches. This can be accomplished with a hob scraper.
- Tackle calcium stains with vinegar or lemon juice. If there is too much stubborn dirt that is stuck on your hob, apply a cleaner that is suitable for your material and let it rest on the surface until the stain softens. Clean the hob surfaces once the stain remover is absorbed.
- [Clean ceramic hob with baking soda.] You may use the ever-helpful baking soda to clean your ceramic hob. Baking soda is very helpful in many ways, especially when tackling deep stains and odours.
Tips for Everyday Kitchen Hob Cleaning
- As much as possible, wipe spills, crumbs, and stains off your kitchen hob after each use. This is to prevent dirt from sticking to your surfaces.
- Wipe away liquid stains as soon as possible, especially if your stove contains iron.
- Spray disinfectant all over your hob and let it rest for at least 3-5 minutes before wiping the surfaces. This will help remove the grease from your surfaces.
- Use a gentle sponge or microfiber cloth when cleaning your surfaces. Dry cloth can even work for ceramic or induction hobs.
Tips for Deep Cleaning Your Kitchen Hob
- Hob burners are prone to discoloration due to their constant exposure to flames and high temperatures. Restore their shine by removing them from the hob and soaking them in a 1:1 vinegar-water solution.
- Don’t forget to tackle the dirt from inside the burners, as they are generally hard-to-reach areas where most of the dirt builds up. Get a used toothbrush and soapy water to remove the grit and grime inside your burners.
- Don’t forget to clean your hob controls.
Kitchen Hob Cleaning FAQs
What cleaning agents can I use for a kitchen hob?
Baking soda, vinegar, or lemon juice, and non-abrasive cleaners are safe to use when cleaning a ceramic hob. These are affordable and easy-to-find solutions that you can certainly rely on. Cream cleaners also do an amazing job of maintaining the beauty of your ceramic or induction hob.
What cleaning items should I avoid for my hob?
Abrasive and bleach cleaners, ammonia cleaners, flammable materials, and steel wool or brushes are no-nos when cleaning your ceramic hob. These can also be harmful for stainless steel hobs that are more prone to scratching.
How often should I clean my kitchen hob?
The best way to maintain its shine and prevent dirt from forming on your stove is to wipe its surfaces after use. Spot-clean stains as soon as you notice them to avoid having to deep-clean stubborn dirt that has become stuck on your kitchen hob.
Finally, if you clean your stove after use, you won't have to deep clean it as frequently. You may simply use hot water and a clean cloth to wipe off your surfaces after use, but using a safe cleaner will do the job better. We recommend thoroughly cleaning your hob every three uses to prevent spillage from hardening.
When should I replace my cooking hob?
Is your cooking hob too old, stained, or inefficient? Understanding the condition of your kitchen hob is important, not only because of its functionality but also because of its safety. If there are parts that are not properly functioning, there are cracks on the surface, or there are noticeable gas smells due to some leaks, it’s time to get a new kitchen hob.
If you are shopping for a new hob, try checking out new and efficient models from trusted appliance brands in Singapore online. You may also visit different appliance online retailers to compare various brands and specifications at the convenience of your home.
Whether you are in the market to buy a new kitchen hob in Singapore or simply looking for ways to maintain your hob, following the simple solutions above can help you make the most of your functional appliance. Maintain a clean and safe kitchen hob so you can enjoy cooking without worrying.