Stove cleaning

bg · 08-01-2005, 09:44 AM

Good morning everyone:

We live in an apartment that we rent, and the gas stove top is in a pretty bad shape (dirty). I used to use the store bought oven cleaner to remove the stains (appears to be stains from food that was never cleaned out by previous renter) and it helped a great deal but the fumes are awful!

I have used baking soda and water and a scrubber, but that hasn't completely removed all the stains. I was wondering if any of the cleaning gurus here could recommend a home made potion to help me attain a clean gas stove.

**Mom23boys** · 08-01-2005, 10:08 AM

Fill a small glass bowl with 1/2 cup full strength ammonia, place in oven and close. Let stand overnight, then wipe loosened dirt with paper towels or newspapers. If then necessary, rub surfaces with a suitable abrasive, such as fine steel wool or soap-filled steel wool pad, wiping off "suds" with paper towels. Then wash with warm soapy water and rinse. Repeat the process if necessary.

**Early Bird** · 08-01-2005, 10:33 AM

Is it the stovetop or the oven?

For the oven, try this:

sprinkle baking soda on the crusty spots. Spritz w/ water. Let sit -- at least overnight. Wipe off. Repeat as necessary.

I even cook w/ the baking soda on the spots. Just sprinkle & spritz whenever I see buildup -- and then wipe clean whenever I have time.

bg · 08-01-2005, 10:39 AM

Originally posted by Early Bird
Is it the stovetop or the oven?

Both actually. Priority is for the stovetop though.

**QuilterMom** · 08-01-2005, 10:41 AM

Check out this thread - http://frugalvillage.com/forums/show...highlight=oven

I don't see any listing in the index in the book I mentioned in that thread for stovetops, but the mixture for the oven might work for it also.

**Kimberlina** · 08-01-2005, 10:44 AM

How about "Barkeeper's Friend?" IT is a powder, and while not completely environmentally friendly it is a lot better than oven cleaners. When we bought our house, the stovetop was filthy- encrusted with stuff I just could not get off. I wrote to Sears (it is a Kenmore, one of he smooth-top electric ranges) and the suggested BKF. It is near he Ajax or Bon Ami and comes in a gold can. (Our Wal Mart sells it, and so does our local hardware store.)

**pkellyc** · 08-01-2005, 01:57 PM

I would try comet. Is it white?

bg · 08-01-2005, 02:12 PM

Originally posted by pkellyc
I would try comet. Is it white?

Its cream colored.

**canadian gardener** · 08-01-2005, 02:46 PM

Industrial automotive grease remover or TSP and wear gloves. Don't let it sit or it will etch the surface permanently and strip any remaining gloss.

However that will remove the greasy stains.

Then comet once in a while to bleach and scrub (but you don't want to use it all the time, as it wears the surface off).