Induction cooktops make a homeowner’s cooking experience extraordinary. After all, they provide a flat-looking surface that is easy to clean and maintain in the long run. Moreover, it is a lot easier and hassle-free to keep clean compared to a gas stove because you have fewer nooks and crannies to get to. That said, just because they look simple doesn’t mean that keeping them clean is a straightforward task at all. Suppose you don’t follow a few essential cleaning tips. In that case, you will have difficulty keeping them in functional condition and looking as good as the day you bought them.
Typically, induction cooktops function by heating a particular part of the appliance that comes in contact with a pan or pot. However, an induction cooktop’s surface is made up of materials such as glass or ceramic, making it prone to abrasions and scratches. Hence, it is vital only to use cleaning products designed specifically for such an appliance. However, using such products is not always the right approach. With that in mind, let us look at some tips that will allow you to clean your induction cooktops and keep them in tiptop condition. Some of these are listed down below:
Remove Dried-On Food Particles
Generally, it will be wise to wipe away food particles and stains immediately with a cleaning cloth or paper towel. However, sometimes homeowners forget to do this. As a result, these stains and food particles dry up and leave a mess behind. An easy way to deal with such a situation is to take a straight blade or a putty knife to remove stuck-on gunk while avoiding scrubbing your induction cooktops.
Moreover, suppose you use a straight blade or putty knife incorrectly. In that case, it will lead to significant unfixable scratches on the cooktop’s glass or ceramic surface. So, ensure that you don’t damage your cooking range by keeping the putty knife or blade on its surface and push it away from your body at a thirty-degree angle. On the other hand, if you’re someone who has already tried this approach several times and damaged their cooktop’s surface. Now is the time to look for a new one. Before buying a new one for your kitchen, you can search for cooktop reviews on the internet, such as NuWave induction cooktop review, and decide what fits your needs.
Wipe off Spills Immediately
Most homeowners forget to wipe away spills until they are finished making meals. While this might be okay once in a while, a specific type of spill requires immediate action- spills that contain sugar. These usually get on your induction cooktop’s surface while you’re melting marshmallows, preparing homemade jam, or making caramel sauce. If not cleaned on time, these spills will stick to the cooktop’s surface and permanently damage or stain it.
If spills occur on your cooktop’s burner, quickly turn it off and clean it. If you don’t, the heat from your cooktop’s burner will cause the spill to evaporate and leave behind a sticky, gooey residue, which will be hard to clean later on. Moreover, use an oven mitt or heatproof gloves if you’re going to clean such spills right then and there. Otherwise, you can burn your hand badly.
Don’t Forget About Hard Water Stains
Sometimes, you will notice gray or white splotches on your cooktop’s surface that will be hard to remove with water or a cooktop cleaner. These are caused due to the minerals present inside hard water. When water spills on your cooktop, it evaporates and leaves behind mineral deposits, which will be hard to clean using the standard damp water cloth method.
However, do not worry. All you need to do is dab a cloth in white vinegar and rub it on these stubborn water stains until they disappear. After that, rinse off the vinegar with a water-dampened cloth to ensure no vinegar deposits are left behind on your cooktop’s surface.
Clean Your Cooktop Every Day
It is a no-brainer to make it a habit of cleaning your cooktop every day, even if you don’t use it a lot. All you need is a spray bottle containing soapy water and a soft, non-abrasive sponge. Spray some soapy water on your cooktop and take your sponge and get rubbing. That said, consider rubbing it gently and in circular motions to avoid scratches.
Furthermore, you can also use a grease remover to tackle those hard-to-remove grease spots. However, it isn’t a must-have if you can make do without it. After all, these de-greasers leave a residue on your cooktop’s ceramic or glass surface, which can lead to yellowing. In the end, if you clean your induction cooktop on a day-to-day basis, you will never have to perform an extensive lean when spills, dirt, and food particles pile up.
Conclusion
While it can be relatively easy to maintain and clean your cooktop, looking after it will make your life that much easier. After all, induction cooktops are an expensive purchase, and you wouldn’t want them to look old or worn out any time soon. Moreover, nobody likes cooking on a dirty cooktop. So, utilize the tips mentioned above if you want to get the most life out of your cooking range while ensuring that it looks and functions like you just took it out of its box!