The Best Stove Cleaners

Buying Guide for Stove Cleaners

Why buy stove cleaner?

While some messes can be cleaned with a simple all-purpose cleaner or a swipe of a paper towel, there are times when you need to deep clean your stove to rid it of baked-on food or overlooked stains that have been there for a while. And because of the high cooking temperatures, these things only become more difficult to remove if they are not cleaned immediately. This is where a stove cleaner steps in and saves the day; they are usually formulated with strong ingredients that fight stains, break up hardened food and grease, and eliminate bacteria. Picking the right one suited for your type of stove is important because it can affect your stove’s overall cooking performance.

What should you look for in a stove cleaner?

• Surface Type: While most, if not all, stove cleaners can be used on multiple surfaces, there are some specifically formulated for certain surfaces. Glass and ceramic stovetop cleaners are usually grouped together as a label, while gas range cleaners are sold on their own. These have ingredients that shouldn’t damage the surface and leave it streak-free and shiny.
• Kit or Solution: Stove cleaners can come as a kit or a standalone solution; however, you’ll always need a towel of some sort to clean up the liquid. They can come as spray bottles, gels, or a liquid you just pour out. Kits may include tools like nonabrasive pads or a scraper to really dig in and remove stubborn, hardened bits. You can also opt for wipes, which are great for a quick cleanup and easy to use around the house and not just on the stove.
• Ingredients/Level of Cleaning Power: It’s best to double-check the label to ensure ingredients are safe to use, won’t leave a residue behind, and will perform well. Some cleaners are stronger and more powerful to tackle tougher stains and buildup, while others do the bare minimum. You’d want to go for a set equipped with the right tools and a high-performing solution if you have heavy-duty cleaning to do. If the mess is on the lighter side, wipes or a spray may be sufficient.

What are some tips for cleaning a gas stovetop vs. a glass stovetop?

Gas stovetops take a few more steps than glass ones simply because of the grates and drip pans that typically come with them. These should be removed first and can be soaked in hot, soapy water while you clean the rest of the stove. As for glass or ceramic stovetops, these are way easier and simple to take care of as they are flat and do not have any grates or drip pans to worry about. Most cleaners should be straightforward in how to use them. However, you’ll want to make sure the instructions say it’s safe to use a razor, scraper, or pad on the glass or ceramic. If you find that the cleaner leaves streaks or makes the surface dull, you can use a glass cleaner to bring back the shine.

Our Picks for the Best Stove Cleaners

Pros: Removing grease stains and grime from your stovetop can be tough and annoying, but this cleaning set from Weiman makes the process a bit easier to handle. Three pieces are included: cooktop cream, a razor, and a scrubbing pad. The nonabrasive scrubbing pad combined with the powerful micro-bead cooktop cream can easily remove your baked-on food without any worry of scratching the surface. Just apply, scrub, and then buff it in with a paper towel to leave a streak-free, smooth shine. The formula is safe to use on glass, ceramic, and induction top ranges.

Cons: The razor blade may not be the best quality and could break if applied with too much pressure.

Bottom Line: This handy, all-inclusive cleaning kit can take care of any level of buildup that’s accumulated on your stovetop. Its stain-fighting formula has the strength you can be confident in to break through and remove grime and reveal a clean surface.

 

Pros: A gas range stove can be trickier to take on when it comes to cleaning and removing rust and grease from those hard-to-reach areas. Thankfully, this degreaser from Weiman is specifically formulated to eliminate those stubborn stains. Aside from your stove, it can fight grime on your grill, metal bakeware, drip pans, and knobs.

Cons: For some, this may not deliver as powerful, deep-cleaning results as you’d expect.

Bottom Line: For those who have a gas range stove, this cleaning spray is exactly what you need to keep it shiny and tidy. Whether it’s burned-on food or a thin layer of oil, you’ll be pleased with the spotless, sleek results once this degreaser is applied.

 

Pros: Keep your cleaning to a minimum with these 10-count pads for glass-ceramic stovetops. They are designed with safe, nonwoven fibers that will leave your surface scratch-free. It’s recommended to use along with Cerama Bryte’s cooktop cleaner—just apply a small amount to the cooled ceramic surface and rub it in with one of these dry pads. Then, clean it up with a soft towel. What’s even better is you can use these pads all over the house; however, be sure to use a clean one on your stovetop as other particles may transfer and scratch it.

Cons: These may not last long since they are thin.

Bottom Line: These pads are simple yet effective in their ability to break up those dried problem areas on your stovetop that seem impossible to remove. Just combine with the cooktop cleaning solution for an efficient, deep clean.

 

Pros: Eliminate the growth of bacteria and maintain sparkly, clean surfaces in your space with these Miracle Wipes. These are made with a dirt-lifting formula that can be used in your microwave and even on granite, tile, or chrome. Leave your glass or ceramic surface with a smudge- and streak-free finish that also prevents any potential cross-contamination when you cook. These wipes come in a count of 30 in a portable canister with an easy pull-out tab so you can carry them around the house, office, or when traveling.

Cons: These are a smaller-sized solution for simple spills—not powerful enough to fully remove tough stains or years of buildup.

Bottom Line: These wipes provide a short-term cleaning solution for smudged fingerprints on your microwave or splattered food on your stovetop. Their convenient portability and simple accessibility make them a go-to kitchen essential.

 

Pros: This extra-strong stain-removing cleaner comes with a cleaning pad, a grip pad tool, and a scraper. Its formula is free of silicone and other harmful, invasive ingredients, so you can safely use it on any surface to eliminate hardened food bits or rust. The ergonomic grip pad tool makes it easier to use the cleaning pad with painless control, while the scraper removes baked-on areas without scratching the surface.

Cons: The razor on the scraper does not have a lock or safety cover, so you must handle it with extra care.

Bottom Line: No food or stain will stand a chance with this three-piece cleaning kit from Cerama Bryte. Safe for any surface and biodegradable, you’ll be making a decision you can really feel good about.

Final Thoughts

A stove cleaner has what it takes to rid a surface of any harbored buildup and bacteria that may cause problems later on. With all the time and effort it takes to cook a meal, you want your stove to be in the best shape possible to perform well and last long—so when you decide on a stove cleaner, you’re truly taking preventative care of your kitchen space.