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Here's how to clean an electric cooktop (hint: It's pretty easy)

The hardest part is making sure you have the right cleaner.

Ashlee Clark Thompson Associate Editor
Ashlee spent time as a newspaper reporter, AmeriCorps VISTA and an employee at a healthcare company before she landed at CNET. She loves to eat, write and watch "Golden Girls" (preferably all three at the same time). The first two hobbies help her out as an appliance reviewer. The last one makes her an asset to trivia teams. Ashlee also created the blog, AshleeEats.com, where she writes about casual dining in Louisville, Kentucky.
Ashlee Clark Thompson

Smooth electric cooktops are one of the easiest surfaces in your kitchen to clean. The key is making sure you don't damage these glass-ceramic stovetops in the process. 

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Tyler Lizenby/CNET

Supplies

  • Paper towels, lint-free cleaning cloth or gentle cleaning pad
  • Ceramic cooktop cleaner (click here for some examples)
  • A new single-edge razor-blade scraper (avoid scrapers that are dull or nicked)
  • A spray bottle of water

Steps

  1. Make sure your cooktop is cool to the touch.
  2. Use a paper towel or cloth to wipe away stray crumbs.
  3. Use a razor-blade scraper to remove heavy spills that have burned onto the cooktop. Hold the scraper at a 45-degree angle to the surface and carefully apply pressure to scrape away the residue. Remove the debris with a paper towel or cloth.
  4. Shake your cleaner well. Apply a few drops onto the surface of the entire cooktop.
  5. Use a paper towel, cloth or cleaning pad to spread the cleaner across the cooktop and rub away stains.
  6. Spray the cooktop down with water, and give it a final wipe down with a clean cloth or paper towl to get rid of any cleaning residue.

Tips on keeping your electric cooktop clean

  • Clean up any spills immediately. 
  • Avoid using harsh scrubbing pads that could scratch your cooktop.
  • Regularly polish your cooktop with the ceramic cleaner.
  • To prevent scratches, avoid sliding pots and pans across the surface of the cooktop.

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