Glass Ceramic
Glass Ceramic

Cleaning Glass Top Stoves and Cooktops

If any of your questions go unanswered after reading this article please feel free to visit us at http://www.karlsappliance.com or visit any one of our NJ home appliance stores.

General Guidelines

To avoid damaging the ceramic glass, do not use abrasive cleaners or steel wool.  Items on this list include abrasive powder cleaners, chlorine bleach, rust remover, or ammonia.

For everyday cleaning, use a clean, wet sponge or cloth and dry thoroughly to avoid streaking.  Regular and periodic use of cooktop cleaner is recommended not only to remove stains and polish but also because these cleaners provide a protective coating that helps to prevent scratching, pitting, and abrasions.

A cooktop scraper is a tool specifically designed for scraping stubborn soils off the ceramic surface without damaging the surface.  These tools can be picked up at any home improvement store, ordered online, or even at many grocery stores.  This is a must have for owners of ceramic cooking surfaces.

With glass-ceramic materials, different soil levers require specific cleaning measures.  Here is a guide to follow:

For light to medium soil simply use a damp sponge or cloth or even a wet paper towel.  After wiping clean, dry thoroughly with a dry cloth or towel to avoid streaking.

For sugary spills like syrup, jellies, and candy, use a cooktop scraper while the surface is still warm.  Use of oven mitts to prevent burning may be appropriate.  As soon as the cooktop has cooled down, use cooktop polishing cream and a clean damp cloth or paper towel.  Rub cleaner into ceramic glass surface and continue rubbing until white film disappears.

For heavier staining such as discoloration, specks, dark streaks, and heavy soil use cooktop polishing cream or a non-abrasive cleaner.  Rub agent into soil with a soft damp cloth or sponge.  Work into stain and continue rubbing until white film disappears.

For burned on stains use a cooktop scraper, holding as flat as possible, and scrap off as much of the stain as possible.  Follow with cooktop polishing cream, work into stain, and continue to rub until white film disappears.  If necessary, repeat this procedure until staining is completely removed.

For stains from metals, including aluminum and copper, wait to the cooktop has cooled. Use cooktop polishing cream following the procedure already described in this article.  Metal stains may not completely disappear but over time will fade and become less noticeable.

For tiny abrasions and scrapes, use cooktop cleaner directions previously described.  Like metal staining, abrasions and scraping may not disappear completely but and will become less noticeable over time.  Note that scrapes and abrasions will not affect cooking performance in any way.

We hope this article was informative and helps keep your cooking appliance clean and shiny.  Visit us for more information on Electric Cooking Appliances.

About the Author

Karl's Appliance operates seven home appliance stores throughout New Jersey and an e-commerce website at http://www.karlsappliance.com.  Ranked a Top 30 U.S Major Appliance Retailer, Karl's offers a large selection of appliances for the kitchen, laundry room, as well as outdoor living spaces.  Founded in 1941, the team at Karl's has had nearly seven decades or large appliance experience.

Whats the best type of mosaic tile to use on a kitchen counter? Glass, ceramic? But will ceramic crack?

I'm not crazy about the idea. Junk gets into the grout. You bang a pot down, and ceramic or glass will crack. You drop a glass on it, and there's a good chance the counter AND the glass will break. I'd save it for the backsplash.

I really like stainless steel counters -- they look kind of drab, but they are very easy to keep clean, they aren't as hard as tile or stone, you can set a hot pan or skillet directly on them and they last forever. Best of all, you can sanitize them by pouring some boiling water over them (if they drain into the sink). The ones in our house are almost 30 years old and still great!

But if your heart is set on tile, I'd go for ceramic. Glass is a little more sensitive to temperature changes, and I'd be afraid if the splinters when it breaks.

Karen Thrasher ~ Painter, Glass, Ceramic and Textile artitst from the Big Island of Hawaii