How to Clean Electric Stove Top Coil Burners
Much to my husband’s dismay (he’s the cook in our family), our little house did not come with a gas stove. We looked into routing a gas line to our kitchen but the price was too steep to justify, so instead we purchased a basic and super affordable electric stove/oven complete with old fashioned coils and drip pans.
Because it was our first time using an electric stove, I had to learn how to clean an electric stove top via trial and error – read below for my how-to.
Tools for Cleaning Electric Stove Burners & Drip Pans
HOW TO CLEAN ELECTRIC STOVE BURNERS
- Make sure all burners are turned off and cooled completely
- Grip the outer edge of the burner opposite of the socket, push the coil burner towards the socket then lift and pull away from the stove
- DO NOT get the electrical connection part wet or submerge the coil/burner in water
- Use a soapy sponge or cloth to scrub off residue then rinse with water
- For stubborn residue, create a paste from baking soda and water and scrub away
HOW TO CLEAN ELECTRIC STOVE DRIP PANS
- Lift the metal drip pans from the stove
- Wash with soap and water
- For stubborn stains, sprinkle with baking soda and scrub with a sponge
- For extremely stubborn (impossible to remove) stains and burn marks, I suggest cutting your losses and buying a new set of drip pans (you can purchase for around $10 on Amazon)
HOW TO CLEAN ELECTRIC STOVE TOP
- Using a surface cleaner (I use a DIY recipe of 1 part vinegar and 1 part water), spray the stove top and allow the cleaner to sit for a minute before wiping up with a microfiber cloth
- Lift up the stove top – this works similarly to how you would lift and prop up the hood of your car
- Repeat the same process in step one for the area underneath the stove top
- For stubborn burn marks and oil stains, create a paste with baking soda and water then apply to the surfaces with a sponge
- Allow the baking soda paste to dry, then spray with vinegar/water and wipe up with a damp sponge
Lastly, don’t forget to clean the oven knobs and oven interior!
How Often to Replace Electric Stove Drip Pans
Unless you’re incredibly diligent about cleaning and caring for your drip pans, they will reach a point where they need to be replaced. You will likely need to replace your drip pans every 1-3 years (depending on use and upkeep) and replace your coils every 3-5 years (depending on wear and tear). Luckily it’s easy and relatively inexpensive to do so:
