What’s that smell? The best-case scenario is that it’s a batch of your family’s secret sauce. Worst case scenario, it’s the stench of burnt spillage from trying to master your family’s secret sauce.

Either way, there’s no need to worry—it’s nothing that your stove top hasn’t seen before. With all the spills and splatters that occur, learning how to clean your stove top is crucial for ensuring that your appliance and cookware last as long as possible.

The majority of major appliances combine metals, plastics, and glass that are rarely repurposed after use. In 2018, 2.1 million tons of appliances ended up in landfills. The best way to avoid contributing to this statistic is by properly caring for your kitchen items—including your stove and its accessories.

While investing in a durable appliance is key, maintaining its function and use in your home is also extremely beneficial to keeping appliance waste down. Keeping your stove top clean and not letting buildup occur helps your appliance live up to its full potential and meet its life expectancy—an average of 13-15 years—in your home.

How to Clean Your Stove Top, By Material

As with most cleaning requirements, the main factor when considering how to clean your stove top is speed. The longer a spill or splatter remains, the harder it will be to remove, regardless of material.

Every stove comes with its own set of instructions regarding maintenance and long-term care, but there are some tips that keep stoves in mint condition and in your home for as long as possible—and they should be incorporated into your deep-clean routine as soon as possible.

Here, tips for cleaning your ceramic glass, electric coil, and gas stove tops.

How to Clean a Ceramic Glass Stove Top

1. Make sure the stove is cool.

2. Mix 2 cups hot water and 1/2 teaspoon of dish soap with a grease-cutting ingredient (like vinegar and baking soda).

3. Dab or spray your cleaning mixture onto the stove top and wipe in circles with a sponge or cleaning towel. 

4. Wipe away any residue with a sponge and clean water.

5. If residue is old or burnt into the stove top, use distilled white vinegar and sparkly baking soda. Let sit and buff off with hot water.

How to Clean a Stove Top With Electric Coils

1. Turn coils on high for three minutes to burn off debris. 

2. Let cool. Fill your sink with soap and hot water. Grab a bowl and fill it with soap and hot water as well.

3. Remove coils and scrub away grime using a sponge and soapy water from the bowl.

4. Pull the metal disc from the stove and submerge in the sink for at least 15 minutes. Scrub away any remaining grime and dry.

5. Pull up stove top base (like a car hood) and clean with your soap and water mixture. If it does not open, you can clean the empty areas where the coils were removed.

6. Pat dry with a rag or reusable dishcloth.

7. Reassemble the stove and enjoy your fresh and clean stove top.

How to Clean a Gas Burner Stove Top

1. Make sure the stove is cool before removing all burners.

2. Fill your sink or a large bucket with hot water and dish soap.

3. Place burner grates, plates, and control knobs into the solution. 

4. Spray distilled vinegar with baking soda on stove top surface and let sit for 15 minutes. 

5. Use a sponge and hot soapy water to scrub away all grime.

6. Scrub burners, plates, and knobs in sink or bucket. 

7. Rinse everything with water and dry with a towel. 

8. Reassemble the stove and get back to cooking delicious meals!