The right cleaning method depends entirely on your stove type. Gas burners need the caps and grates removed and soaked; electric coil elements must never be submerged but the drip pans can be; glass ceramic cooktops require a ceramic-specific cleaner and a flat razor scraper. Using the wrong method can damage your cooktop or create ignition problems. Always wait for the surface to cool completely before cleaning.
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Quick Summary
- Gas: Remove caps + grates, soak in soapy water, clear burner ports with a pin, dry completely
- Electric coil: Lift out elements, wipe, soak drip pans — never submerge elements
- Glass ceramic: Razor scraper + ceramic cleaner + microfibre cloth — no abrasive pads
- After cleaning gas stove: Ensure everything is bone dry before igniting
- Frequency: Wipe after every use; deep clean monthly
Method 1: Cleaning a Gas Stove Top
Gas stove tops have multiple removable parts: the cast iron grates (the heavy grid that pots sit on), the burner caps (the disc that sits over the burner), and the burner base underneath. Each needs separate attention.
Allow to cool and remove grates and caps
Wait until the stove is completely cool — cast iron retains heat for a long time. Lift the grates straight off. Then lift the burner caps off the burner bases. Note which cap belongs to which burner if they are different sizes.
Soak grates and caps in hot soapy water
Fill the kitchen sink with hot water and a generous squeeze of dish soap. Submerge the grates and burner caps and let them soak for 15 to 30 minutes. This loosens baked-on grease. For very heavy buildup, add half a cup of baking soda to the soak water.
Scrub grates and caps
Scrub with a stiff-bristle brush or non-scratch scrub pad. For cast iron grates with deep grooves, an old toothbrush reaches into the corners. Rinse well. Do not put cast iron grates in the dishwasher — it causes rusting. Enamelled grates can go in the dishwasher.
Clear clogged burner ports
Inspect the burner cap for the small port holes around its perimeter. If any are blocked with food residue, use a toothpick, straightened paperclip, or metal pin to gently clear each hole. Do not use toothpicks that might snap and leave a fragment inside. A clogged port causes an uneven, weak, or yellow flame.
Wipe the stove surface and igniter area
Wipe the stove top surface with a warm damp cloth and dish soap. Pay attention to the area around each burner where grease pools. Avoid getting any moisture on or near the igniter electrode — the small white or tan ceramic tip beside each burner. Moisture on the igniter causes clicking even when the burner is off.
Dry completely and reinstall
This step is critical. Dry all parts thoroughly with a clean cloth, then leave them on a dry surface for at least 30 minutes to air-dry completely. Even small amounts of moisture inside the burner can prevent ignition or cause dangerous delayed ignition. Once fully dry, reinstall caps, then grates.
Fire safety: Never light a gas burner immediately after cleaning if any moisture remains in or around the burner ports. A wet igniter causes the burner to click repeatedly without lighting, during which gas accumulates. Always dry thoroughly first.
Method 2: Cleaning Electric Coil Stove Tops
Electric coil cooktops are the simplest to clean — the coil elements lift out, and the drip pans beneath them are fully washable.
- Allow to cool completely. Electric coils retain heat for 15–20 minutes after use.
- Lift out the coil elements. Grip the coil element near the connection terminal and pull it straight out. Do not bend or twist it. Never submerge coil elements in water — the electrical connection will be permanently damaged.
- Remove the drip pans. These metal bowls sit beneath each element. They catch spills and can be fully submerged. Soak in hot soapy water for 15 minutes, then scrub and rinse.
- Wipe the coil elements. Use a barely damp cloth to wipe any residue from the coils. Do not use excess moisture. Minor residue will burn off when you next use the element.
- Wipe the stove surface around the openings with a damp cloth.
- Reinstall drip pans and elements. Push elements firmly back into their connection terminals until seated. An improperly seated element can arc and cause damage.
Method 3: Cleaning a Glass Ceramic Cooktop
Glass ceramic cooktops look beautiful but are unforgiving of the wrong cleaning products. Abrasive scrubbers scratch the surface permanently, and regular dish soap leaves a film that burns on during the next use.
Wait until completely cool
Glass ceramic cooktops use indicator lights to show when surfaces are still hot. Wait for the hot surface indicator to turn off and then allow another 10 to 15 minutes. Cleaning a warm surface with a cold damp cloth can cause thermal stress cracking.
Scrape burnt-on residue
For burnt food or boiled-over liquid, use a cooktop razor scraper held at a 30-degree angle. Slide it under the residue in short, flat strokes. Keep the blade nearly parallel to the surface to avoid gouging. Only use scrapers labelled as safe for ceramic cooktops.
Apply ceramic cooktop cleaner
Apply Cerama Bryte, Bar Keepers Friend liquid, or a similar cooktop-specific cleaner to the surface. Work it in with a damp microfibre cloth or cooktop cleaning pad using small circular motions. For stubborn discolouration, let the cleaner sit for 5 minutes before wiping.
Wipe clean and buff
Remove the cleaner with a clean damp cloth. Follow immediately with a dry microfibre cloth, buffing in circular motions to a streak-free shine. A final spray of white vinegar and a wipe with a dry cloth produces the best clarity on the glass surface.
Prevent scratches on glass cooktops: Avoid sliding pots across the surface — always lift and place. Keep the cooktop clean because grit and debris act as abrasives between the pot and the glass. Never use cast iron cookware without ensuring the bottom is completely smooth.
Frequently Asked Questions
When an appliance is not working in the Greater Toronto Area, the usual culprits are a worn part, a failed motor or pump, a faulty sensor or control board, or normal wear after years of use. Our technician pinpoints the exact cause during the $89 diagnostic and gives you a clear repair quote — most appliance repairs are finished the same day.
Yes. Nick's offers same-day appliance repair across the Greater Toronto Area and the wider GTA, Monday to Saturday 8am–8pm and Sunday 9am–6pm, with no travel surcharge.
As a rule of thumb, repair is worth it when the fix costs less than half the price of a comparable new appliance. Our technician gives you an honest recommendation during the diagnostic so you can decide with no pressure.
In most cases we can book your appliance repair the same day or the next day in the Greater Toronto Area, and the majority of repairs are completed in that single visit.
For burnt-on grease on a glass ceramic cooktop, use a razor scraper at a 30-degree angle to lift the bulk of the residue, then apply ceramic cooktop cleaner and scrub with a non-scratch pad. Never use regular abrasive scrubbers — they scratch the glass permanently. For very stubborn spots, lay a warm wet cloth over the area for 10 minutes before scraping.
Regular glass cleaners like Windex are not recommended for ceramic cooktops. They can leave a residue that burns onto the surface the next time you cook. Use a dedicated ceramic cooktop cleaner or plain white vinegar for streak-free cleaning.
Remove the burner cap and soak it in warm soapy water for 15 minutes. Use a toothpick, straightened paperclip, or pin to carefully clear each blocked port hole — do not use toothpicks that can break off inside. Rinse and allow to dry completely before reinstalling. Never use water or soap directly on the igniter.
Clicking after cleaning is almost always caused by moisture on or around the igniter electrode. The electrode sits near the burner and picks up water from cleaning. Allow the stovetop to air-dry for several hours, or use a hairdryer on low heat to dry the igniter area. The clicking should stop once the igniter is fully dry.
Wipe down the stove top after every cooking session — especially glass ceramic cooktops, where spills bond to the hot surface quickly. A deeper clean of gas burner caps and grates, or electric coil elements, should happen monthly or whenever you notice residue affecting flame distribution or heating performance.
No. Electric coil elements must never be submerged in water or put in the dishwasher. They contain electrical connections that will be permanently damaged by immersion. Wipe them with a barely damp cloth only, and allow to dry completely before use. The drip pans below them can be soaked and scrubbed.
Call a certified technician if a gas burner won't light after thorough drying and cleaning, a gas burner flame is yellow or orange (not blue), an electric coil element has a burn mark or doesn't heat, or a glass cooktop has a crack. Cracked cooktops are a safety hazard and must be replaced, not used.