How to clean a gas stove top.

What you’ll need:

• Non-abrasive scrubbing pad
• Microfiber cloth
• Metal pin or wire
• 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 all the knobs to make sure the gas is completely off.

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.

Related: How to clean an electric stove top with metal coils.

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.

Related: How to clean your cast iron stove grates and burners.

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, which direct the gas flame, and check for clogs. Use a small metal wire or pin to remove any residue that could interrupt gas flow. Be sure not to use a wooden toothpick, which can break and leave splinters, clogging the port. Additionally, avoid widening or reshaping the ports.

Once you’ve unclogged them, use the washcloth 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 washcloth. 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.

Use a towel or dry cloth to dry the grates and caps before replacing them. Make sure your burner caps don’t have any water on them before you put them back on.

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 washcloth to wipe up any spills on the counters or floors so your whole cooking area will be sparkling clean.

Step 8: Check your burners.

Once you have your gas stove top reassembled, turn on the burners to test them. If a burner doesn’t turn on, check the alignment of the burner cap. Make sure you have each cap on the right burner. Be sure your gas is on, too.

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. You should perform a deep clean roughly once a week or so, depending on how often you use your stove or cooktop.

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.

Related: How to clean a glass stove top (without scratching it).