Jay Markanich's Blog

So, what to do - how to clean, and not to clean, a glass cooking surface.

There really are some should do and should not do things!

Gee, which burner do you think this household used most, and incorrectly cleaned the most?

Which is second?

Which is third?

There is a lot going on here!  It's ugly!

This is a good subject cook top to give you the scoop.

Look at the photo!  That's an easy call.

Keep in mind - if you damage or break the cooking surface, replacing it alone costs as much as replacing the entire appliance!  So be very mindful!

DON'T DO

>  Don't  use copper, aluminum or cast iron pans or pots when you cook.  They will discolor the surface.  And cast iron can be rough and irreversibly scratch the surface.   If you drop a cast iron anything it can crack the surface.

>  Don't  put any weight on the surface beyond pots and pans.  Leaning on the surface, or kneeling on it to get to a cabinet above, can crack it!

>  Don't  leave spills on the surface.  They will harden dramatically and become extremely difficult to get off.  And sugary spills will pit the surface.  Spatulas of wood or silicone work well to remove spills right away.  Or, being careful, a damp rag.  These surfaces get really hot!

>  Don't  ever clean with any product that contains ammonia!  Bona fide studies show this!  Over time ammonia will cause an opaque staining or discoloration on the surface.  This seems counter-intuitive as ammonia is a great glass cleaner.  But not in this case.  The heat will act chemically with ammonia over time and the damage is permanent.  Other cleaners with scratchy abrasive cleansers, or vinegar, or steel wool pads, or the like, will similarly damage the surface.

Look at the surface above and you will see evidence of many of these mistakes!

DO

>  Do  clean ANY spills immediately.  Like was mentioned above, the right spatulas or damp rags work

well.  After cooking you can clean any spills easily with a small, razor-blade paint scraper.  They are available at any paint or hardware store.  Keep it flat and at an angle.  You don't want to scratch the surface.  We keep our scraper in the kitchen tool drawer nearby.  It makes quick work of any spill, grease or otherwise.

>  Do  wait for the surface to cool to give it a better cleaning.  Often there is a "Hot Surface" light which will stay on for some time.  When it goes out the surface is ready for cleaning.

>  Do  use one of the cleansers made for glass cook surfaces.  They are thick, and sometimes like toothpaste, and come in various brands.  Both Cerama-Bryte and Cooktop Surface Cleaner are popular brands.  Cleaners like Simple Green or plain soap and water work as well.

>  Do  something extra if a spill will not come off.  Make a paste out of water and baking soda.  Mound it up on the spill and let it sit a spell.  Then wipe it off!  By the way, the Scoutmaster in me wants you to know that same baking-powder paste will work to relieve the pain of bee stings and the itch from mosquito bites.

>  Do  polish the surface when you are done.  A clean towel or rag will buff the surface nicely.

These are probably the best glass cook top cleaners out today.  Click the links below.  They apply to the surface the same and read about them to check to see which you like the best.  Click here or here.  The second link is a 28oz container, as compared to the first, which is 10oz.  Both, however, are excellent cleaners.

My recommendation:  be nice to your appliances and fixtures and they will be nice to you!  If you are using something for the first time, investigate how to best do things!  It is so easy these days to research most anything.  There are many helpful people out there!  Take advantage!