KitchenAid cooktops are the name of the game when it comes to high-quality cooking appliances. Gas and induction stovetops from KitchenAid come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and designs to suit all your cooking needs. But with all the cooking you’ll be doing on your KitchenAid range, how do you keep your device clean and free of food and oil buildup? Here are a few quick tips to keep your stovetop looking brand new.

Daily Maintenance

A messy stovetop can do more than ruin the look of your kitchen—it can also be dangerous. A buildup of food and grease on cooking grates can quickly become a fire hazard. Grime stuck in the burners or on the cooktop surface can also keep your food from heating evenly and ruin your meal. This kind of messy buildup can be easily prevented by giving your stovetop a quick wipe down after every use.

Prevent the Mess

Splatter shields and grease-guard screens are both great ways to put a stop to cooking messes before they get started. Grease guards look like flat strainers, and they can be placed over a pan to let steam out and keep hot oil in. Splatter shields can range from simple foil barriers around a burner to high-tech ventilation systems. KitchenAid offers its own built-in downdraft ventilator, which doubles as a splatter shield and helps capture heat, smoke, steam, and grease. After a messy cooking session, all you have to do is remove the grease filters and run them through the dishwasher.

Act Fast

Oil and grease stains are easiest to clean if they’re still wet. That means jumping into action as soon as you notice a spill. Wet oil spills can be cleaned up by simply dusting them with cornstarch, flour, or baking soda. Let it sit for about 15 minutes, then wipe it right up with a paper towel. If the spill has already hardened, pour on some dish soap and let it soak for a few minutes before going to work with a sponge. Try to avoid using anything too abrasive that might damage your cooktop, especially if you have an induction stove.

Start Simple

Most stovetop messes can be cleaned with simple soap and water. If you have a traditional gas range, start by removing the grates over the burners and soaking them in a solution of hot, soapy water. This should break down most of the grease and food particles and allow you to wipe the metal clean with a sponge or scrub brush.

Induction cooktops can typically be cleaned easily by wiping them down with a bit of dish soap or cooktop cleaner, hot water, and a sponge. Just make sure the stove has cooled before getting started. This should do the trick on most cooktops, but for tough stains, you might need to step up your game.

Getting Tough on Stains

If your stovetop has too much baked-on gunk to clean with simple soap and water, there are a few more tried-and-true methods that should restore its natural shine. Vinegar is one of the most popular ways of cleaning up tough stains. Just spray down the burners and stovetop with some white vinegar and allow to sit for about 20 minutes before wiping off with a clean cloth. Baking soda can also be effective—just make a paste out of water and baking soda and spread it on any tough stains. Let the mixture sit for about 20 minutes, then scrub it all away with a sponge or brush.

Restoring Sparkle

When all the grime is removed from your stovetop, you’ll want to do a final polish to remove any soap streaks. Wipe down any stainless-steel surfaces with a bit of rubbing alcohol and cloth to leave your KitchenAid looking brand new. Be careful—alcohol is flammable, so make sure it’s all evaporated before using the stove.

Amanda, Your Appliance Expert