Stove burners and stove burner pans are some of the most vexing things to clean in any kitchen. They are prone to both food spills AND high heats, which results in baked-on messes that are seemingly impossible to remove.
Before I got a nice, new gas stove a couple of years ago, I had a clunky old electrical range that suffered from the same issues I mentioned above. I eventually just started buying cheap packs of replacement stove burner pans at Walmart, because I could not for the life of me find an effective way to clean them. But once I got a nice new gas range, I knew I’d have to figure out how to get those parts clean, since they aren’t as easily replaceable as the burner pans had been. That’s when I discovered the ammonia method that I’ll be showing you today!
Using this method, I am able to clean all the removable parts of my stove without any serious scrubbing. It’s super simple, and I use it a couple of times a year to keep my stove looking clean and sparkly! For those of you who haven’t tried this method yet, you simply MUST. Period. One of the best tips I’ve ever come across on Pinterest, and that’s saying a LOT!
How to Clean Your Stove Burners
You’ll need:
- Stove burner parts
- Gallon-sized ziplock bags
- Ammonia
Directions:
Pour a splash of ammonia into a ziplock bag. Then place one of your stove parts into the bag and seal it, and repeat until all the parts you want to clean are sealed up in bags. (You can put between a few parts in the same bag if there’s enough space.)
Leave the bags on your countertop overnight.
In the morning, pull the parts out of the bag and use a soapy sponge to wipe away the grease and grime. (You might want to use rubber gloves for this part!)
If there are a few extra stubborn stubborn spots of grime, tackle them with a paste of baking soda and hydrogen peroxide and a little elbow grease. The baking soda/peroxide paste can also help polish the shinier parts and leave them looking sparkling clean.
I think the before-and-after pictures speak for themselves!
The only part that didn’t come quite as clean as I would have liked was the burner base. But as you can see in the before photo, the part was a little rusty already, so I think that contributed to it not coming as clean as the other parts. I’ll have to use something a bit tougher on that piece, but otherwise everything looked marvelous!
I was highly skeptical of this method before I tried it, but I’m so glad I did! Now it’s your turn! :-)
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this is really great.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Thanks I like to
Please log in or create a free account to comment.the burners of my
Stove I will try thanks for the
BLESSING.
I really want to try this but my burners are double the size shown here and won’t fit in a zip lock bag. They are twenty inches long. Help with any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.This is just a suggestion. Buy a plastic underbed storage container. Put the parts in this instead of plastic bags. Cover and let stand. The storage container can likely then be cleaned in a bathtub or shower the next morning.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I used a contractors trash bag
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I saw that on another site to use heavy-duty trash bags Maybe leaf and lawn size bags
Use a trash bag and twist tie it shut very tightly. Be careful not to puncture bag. I also have done this outside with our grill grates in the sun for several hours. Always open bag away from your face and let it air out so the fumes don’t get to you. Works really well on glass pie plates and white Pyrex. Not sure about patterned pieces.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Ziplock makes storage bags big enough that multiple blankets fit. Dollar stores have them also. Just make sure you have a good seal.
Thank you Jillee! You have made so many things better for me by sharing your knowledge!!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Such a huge blessing!
Any suggestions as how to get the stove top clean? I’ve tried pouring ammonia over the top and putting a huge trash bag but it didn’t work. And I don’t want to scratch the surface. Thanks.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I have used a razor scraper successfully on both glass and enamel cooktops. Use new blades and be a little careful and it shouldn’t scratch.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Not sure how long to leave it on but try wetting a paper towel or towels with ammonia, cover with plastic wrap or cut piece of trash bag and use painter’s tape around edges to seal.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I’ve used this method and it is amazing!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I’m one of those annoying people who need more detailed instructions. Can you use sudsing ammonia? And is the amount like a half a cup per bag? I have the exact same burners pictured and I literally have nightmares when it comes time to clean them, which I never manage to actually get them completely clean. I’m looking forward to trying this. Thanks in advance!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Kelly, the amount of amonia doesn’t really matter; the fumes do all if the work. I actually like putting ALL of the parts in a gallon size rubermaid container with a lid and place it outside. The fumes are pretty strong for me so that’s my method of choice. I am not sure about sudsing amonia, but if it has the same amount if fumes it should be fine. This is absolutely the ONLY way to clean this stuff!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I love this deep cleaning tip. When you DO NOT do this type of DEEP CLEANING frequently, it really does build up!
Hint for keeping it easy to clean — do this more than once every 10 years, more like every month or every quarter
Please log in or create a free account to comment.How to clean oven racks so they don’t turn color and stay silver?
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Here’s a post all about it! http://jillee.co/2bUGjrn
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Do the parts have to be completely covered with the ammonia, or is it the fumes that loosen the grease & grime?
Please log in or create a free account to comment.It’s the fumes!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.This method did not work for me. I was so bummed!!!!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Oh no! How long did you let it sit? How much ammonia did you use? I’ve used this method many times on many different stove burners – I know it works! :-)
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I have an electric range and my pet peeve is burned on crud on the drip pans. My boyfriend and my former roommate both seemed to make those messes and then just ignore them!!! Since they never cleaned the drip pans I was always the one scrubbing them. I have carpel tunnel syndrome so that was becoming a real problem for me! I decided to try one of my bathroom tricks on the drip pans…after a good cleaning, I applied car wax to the pans! It works great. Now the burned on messes just wash right off with no scrubbing! It does have to be reapplied every so often, but that is still so much simpler than having to use all that elbow grease. And it does wonders for my frame of mind when I see something burned onto the drip pans!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.What I resorted to was to clean them and use rubbing alcohol . let dry then paint them with high temperature spray paint. Let dry and respray them. The crud just washes off with very little scrubbing just soap and water………….Using the high temperature paint will prevent the paint from peeling……………
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Well, I am sure that you now feel superior, don’t you????? Thanks SO MUCH for pointing out such an important thing like a little spelling error!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Whenever I can’t remove some baked on stuff I use my ceramic scrapers (made for those stove tops) I have a gas stove and they are a godsend for all sorts of stuff on surfaces you don’t want to scratch , as for the burners I just use a hard toothbrush and washing or baking soda , works pretty well . Recommend patience and elbow grease !
Please log in or create a free account to comment.The ammonia is great for removing excess, gummed-up dirt on the vacuum cleaner parts. I have a stick vacuum which I used to remove a black tar substance that my dog brought in on her paws, and then wiped off onto my beige carpet. I sprayed stain remover on the carpet and vacuumed it up with the stick vacuum, which then required cleaning. Hence, I used the ammonia by putting the separate parts that come off of the wand, like the roller brushes, into a bag with ammonia, which is how Jillee instructed to clean the stove burner pans. In a couple of hours, I had a brand new vacuum. Thanks Jillee!!!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Hi Jillee,
Please log in or create a free account to comment.This is how I clean my stove top burner grates. Whenever I use the self cleaning feature on my double oven I place the grates inside. It totally burns everything off. At first they look gray but the next day they are black again. In between I place them in my dishwasher. It works pretty good also.
Thanks! I was just complaining about this exact thing this past weekend. Please update when you find something for the burner base. I am beyond frustrated with one of my burner bases!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Try scrubbing with a paste of baking soda and hydrogen peroxide :-)
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I wish there were some stove top cleaning hacks you could use on a gas stove with grates that are two burners long and cast iron cause they do not fit in any zip lock bags .and I tried a diy idea for the inside racks once that said if they did not fit in the bag sugestested you could use a trash bag but no zipper I had a mess with amonia and all , and I am over 65 and have painful arthritis in my hands and I HATE CLEANING MY STOVE even though my HUSBAND seems to Love making it a mess. Any one got any ideas?
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I’m not sure it would work on grates, but I have had great success soaking oven racks in the bathtub for several hours with four or five dryer sheets. I don’t know whether it’s any less wasteful or toxic than other methods, but it sure smells better!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Try putting them into a sealed Garbage bag with amonia.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.There are super-sized Ziploc bags that would work for you! You can find them in the housewares department, usually with closet organizers.
The bags are made for storing large items in closets, etc., and come in 3 huge sizes.
I hope this info helps you!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I just put all of mine in a kitchen trash bag, add about a cup of ammonia, seal and set outdoors till the next day. Works fine and a lot less trouble that separate bags.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I have the same big burners, so why not put them in a trash bag with the ammonia and put it in the bath tub to soak. Use a tight rubber band or tie a good knot at the end.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Get your husband to clean it. I can guarantee he will be much more careful!!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Ziplock makes a 2 gallon size bag now. It is amazing. I use it for all sorts of things, e.g., traveling, taking things to the pool).
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I just mine in the dishwasher every week!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.i had something spill on the top of the stove (gas) and it got baked on.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.though i got most of the stuff off, there are some areas where there is a
dull sticky area that won’t budge with what ever i have tried and i have tried
everything! help!
…would vinegar overnight and baking soda on it do anything, in a sealed plastic bag? What about putting it in your self cleaning oven? What about that orange clean stuff overnight?
Please log in or create a free account to comment.If all else fails try scraping off with a razor blade. Make sure you use the razor thats in a plastic holder so you have a better grip and less chance of cutting yourself.
I think the trick here with the burners sealed in a bag is that the ammonia fumes are doing the work.
Try scrubbing with a paste of hydrogen peroxide and baking soda :-)
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Does this work on the electric stove burners as well?
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Yes!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.How can you clean your burner when instead of 4 individual pieces, it is one long burner (I have a 5 burner stove)? No Ziploc bag is big enough. I tried securing in a trash bag, but the ammonia leaked out. Any suggestions?
Please log in or create a free account to comment.It seems you could use the ziploc bags used for sweater storage? The ones you vacuum the air out of? Readily available at Home Depot, etc.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.After trying in vain to clean stove parts, I can’t wait to try this!
A trash bag should work – you might need to tie the top, or use a heavy duty bag. :-)
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I put them in my dishwasher every week.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I run the stove top parts through the dishwasher ( my parts look the same as yours) first I rinse them in the sink to get the easy loose bits off. it’s easy to do so I do it often once a week usually. Easier for me and nothing extra to buy or do
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Does this work for cast iron burners too??????
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Yes!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.This may work fine for the older model ranges with the smaller grates. My oven went out of my “old” range, which wasn’t worth repairing any longer! We were expecting a house full of guests the next day and using the oven was a must! We went to a local retailer and purchased a new range. I do not like black appliances due to the fact they show every little smudge, fingerprint, etc. Unfortunately, we needed a range NOW and there were no white-finished appliances available in the store. To make a long story short, I purchased the black-finished range and have regretted it ever since! The range top is very difficult to clean without the surface looking smeared and greasy! It also has more scratches on it than my 20 year range had in its lifetime! The slightest crumb scratches the surface! Any suggestions on cleaning this beast?
I found some Chlorox Kitchen wipes , which help, but the range top still looks a bit smeared/greasy. It makes my kitchen look dirty, although I know it is not! The kitchen and bath are the cleanest rooms in our house!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I agree with you about black appliances, I miss my white stove top too. After cleaning I finish up with a spray of half water and half rubbing alcohol and a clean cloth to get the surface streak-free.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I keep a terry cloth wash cloth in the drawer next to my stove top. I wipe up the oily and greasy splatters whenever they happen with the dry cloth. Whenever I have the time, I give the stovetop a good cleaning, sometimes with a little window cleaner. This controls the greasy smears and my black stovetop always looks good. Hope this helps.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I do have to tell you that I don’t think the after looks any better than the before picture.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.You can’t see the difference on the round plate?
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