Ceramic and glass stovetops have been rising in popularity over the past few decades. They are a modern and sleek addition to any kitchen and are easy to use, but if you don’t keep up with proper cleaning and maintenance, your shiny cooktop will quickly accumulate a buildup of food residue that will harden as it bakes into the surface. And if you try to clean it incorrectly, you can cause permanent damage to the surface! Follow these simple guidelines to keep your glass or ceramic stovetop looking great and performing at its best for a long time.

The best tip is to clean your cooktop regularly. The worst stains happen when substances are left on the surface for long periods of time, and messes are harder to clean up the longer they’re left alone. However, no matter how carefully you try, eventually you’ll find yourself up against a tough, baked-on residue that won’t go away by simply wiping it. Don’t worry though, because your cooktop can look great with just a few simple steps!

How to Remove Really Tough, Baked-On Residue

  1. Turn off all stovetop burners. You might be tempted to leave the burners warm while cleaning tough residue, but it’s better and safer to clean it after they are completely cool.

  2. Cover the residue with a thin layer of olive oil and let it sit for a few minutes to loosen the substance.

  3. Scrape the residue off of the surface with a metal scraper. It’s best to use a tool dedicated to this purpose, since other tools may gouge or scratch the cooktop. These are easy to find at any hardware store (try the painting section). Hold the scraper at a 45-degree angle from the surface.

  4. Wipe away the scraped residue with a soapy sponge, and then rinse with a clean sponge.

  5. If residue remains, combine baking soda and warm water into a paste with the consistency of toothpaste and place it on the trouble spots. Let the paste sit for about 10 minutes. You can add lemon juice to the baking soda and water mixture to add some cleaning power.

  6. Wipe away the paste and residue with a damp cloth, then use warm water to wipe away any remaining particles and baking soda solution.

  7. Use a clean, dry, soft cloth to wipe any leftovers and leave the stovetop looking shiny and clean.

Additional Tips

Avoid abrasive cleaners and scrubbers that can permanently scratch the surface.

When wiping your cooktop, use circular motions to help avoid streaks.

Do not use cast-iron or other rough-bottomed cookware on ceramic or glass stovetops because they will damage the surface.

Skillets and pans with flat bottoms work best on ceramic and glass cooktops. Rounded bottoms will not let the heat distribute as evenly.

Keep the bottoms of your pans very clean to avoid baking in stains.

Try not to drag pots and pans across the cooktop. Lift them straight up.

Don’t stand on or place heavy items on top of the cooktop. Even if it looks fine, tiny fractures can break further during the extreme changes in temperature during use.

It can be hard to tell which parts of the stovetop are hot, so avoid placing any utensils (or hands!) on the surface while cooking.

Don’t place hot bake-ware from the oven on the cooktop to cool. Instead, place it on a dry towel on the counter.

Keep these tips in mind and use the steps outlined above if you end up with a baked-in mess that just won’t go away with a simple wipe down. If you take proper care of your glass or ceramic stovetop, it will look great and cook well for years to come!