How to Clean the Black Rings on the Stove Top

The black rings on your stovetop are burner coils, and they're what are used to cook your food. At times, the coils may become dirty due to pans that boil over, dropped food and dust accumulation. It's fairly simple to clean the burners on your stovetop provided you follow some basic safety precautions. You might wish to consider all-natural cleaners since you'll be applying them to a surface used for food preparation.

When cleaning the coils on your stovetop, you'll need to be sure that they're adequately cooled from the last time you used them. If they're not, you risk burns. In addition, any cleaning implement you're using, like a sponge, might adhere to the burners if they're hot or even warm. Cleaning chemicals could be leached dangerously into the air if the burners are warm, too.

If you'll be cleaning your stovetop around children, be sure to explain that this is a task for adults only and that you've let the stove cool before touching it.

There are several products available on the market for cleaning your stove rings. Be sure to choose one that's specifically designed for use in the kitchen, and check the label to see if it's food safe. Follow the instructions on the package to be sure you're using it correctly.

To start, remove the cooled burners and stove drip pans if desired. Then, apply the commercial cleaner according to the package instructions. Once you've used the chemical and let it dry for the allotted time, it's a good idea to wipe down everything you clean in your kitchen with water. This removes any potentially harmful chemical remnants before the next time you cook.

One way to cut down on the number of times you need to clean your stove burners with commercially produced cleaners is to wipe down burners after each use once they've cooled. Food 52 indicates that cleaning after each use is the best way to keep your stove in good shape. Use a microfiber cloth with warm water to remove spills or residue before it gets baked on. This is a key element of proper stove care.

You may also choose to clean your stove burners using all-natural ingredients like white vinegar, water and baking soda. For a quick clean that removes a good deal of grease and residue, All Recipes suggests using a mix of half water and half white vinegar in a container. Use a soft sponge or microfiber cloth to clean all parts of the burner. If your cloth has ridges, it may help with removing tough messes.

If you have baked-on messes or other tough-to-clean spots on your stove burners, put the power of baking soda to work for you. Create a paste of equal parts baking soda and water and rub it on to problem spots with a cloth. You may need to apply a bit of elbow grease for tough spots, as well.

Keep your stove in tip-top shape by putting drip pans into the dishwasher from time to time if they need it. Place them on the top rack and let the power of your appliance give them some extra shine.