To clean a glass cooktop, let it cool, apply a cooktop cleaning cream, lift burnt-on residue with a razor scraper held at a low angle, and buff the surface with a soft cloth. Wipe it after every few uses, and do a deeper clean whenever you see rings, haze or crusted spills.
Time: about 15 minutes · Difficulty: Easy · You'll need: a cleaning cream made for glass or ceramic cooktops, a cooktop razor scraper, a non-scratch pad, soft cloths, warm water
Before you start
- •Make sure every element is off and the surface is cool, except for sugary spills (see Step 2).
- •Check your manual for the cleaners it allows. Avoid steel wool, abrasive scouring pads and gritty powders, which scratch the glass.
- •Never use the cooktop as a cutting board or a place to set hot bakeware down.
- •If the glass is cracked, stop using that cooktop and don't clean over the crack.
Steps
Step 1 — Wipe away loose debris
Brush off crumbs and wipe the surface with a damp cloth. Grit left on the glass can scratch it once you start scrubbing.
Step 2 — Handle sugary spills first
Many manufacturers advise removing sugary spills, such as syrup or jam, as soon as it's safe, since sugar can pit the glass as it cools. Turn the element off, put on an oven mitt, and push the spill off the hot zone with the scraper.
Step 3 — Apply cooktop cream
Squeeze a small amount of cream onto the cool surface and spread it with a damp non-scratch pad or paper towel.
Step 4 — Scrape stubborn residue
Hold the razor scraper at a low angle, close to flat, and push it gently across the burnt-on spots. Keep the blade sharp and clean, and replace it if it gets nicked.
Step 5 — Work the cream in
Rub the cream in small circles over the whole surface to lift rings and haze. Let it sit briefly if the label says so.
Step 6 — Wipe and buff
Wipe off the residue with a damp cloth, then buff dry with a clean soft cloth until streaks disappear.
Didn't fix it?
Marks that won't come off may be scratches or etching rather than residue, and those are permanent. Metallic gray streaks often come from aluminum or copper pans sliding across the glass, and cooktop cream usually removes them. If the touch controls won't respond at all, check whether the control lock is on; see how to turn off a control lock. An element that won't heat or glows unevenly is a different problem and calls for cooktop repair.
How often to do this
Wipe the surface after cooking once it cools, and do a full clean with cream about once a week if you cook daily.
From Kevin: The scraper scares people, but a fresh blade held almost flat is gentler on the glass than scrubbing with a rough pad. The pad is what causes the scratches I usually see.
Cooktop problems? Call ProFix NJ at (973) 718-9373.