Electric stove burners are one of those kitchen appliances that can be a nightmare to clean. Whether it’s burnt-on food, oil splatters, or grime from everyday use, they often end up looking messy no matter how careful you are.
My Nana, who always had the cleanest kitchen I’d ever seen, taught me a simple trick to clean electric burners with almost zero effort. After years of scrubbing until my arms hurt, her method felt like a miracle. Here’s how it works.
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Why Electric Burners Get So Dirty
Electric burners are magnets for grime, especially in a busy kitchen. Spills happen, and they’re usually followed by heat, which bakes the residue onto the surface. The result? Burnt food, grease, and other grime create a thick, stubborn crust that seems impossible to remove. You might be tempted to spend hours scrubbing with harsh chemicals, but my Nana’s method avoids all that effort.
What You'll Need for the Job
You don’t need fancy cleaning products or expensive stove cleaner for this trick. My Nana always believed in simple, household ingredients. Here's what you need:
Baking soda
White vinegar
Dish soap
A microfiber cloth or sponge
A plastic scrub brush or toothbrush (for tougher spots)
Hot water
Aluminum foil (optional)
These ingredients are probably sitting in your kitchen already, and they’re all you’ll need to make your electric burners look brand new.
White vinegar
Dish soap
A microfiber cloth or sponge
A plastic scrub brush or toothbrush (for tougher spots)
Hot water
Aluminum foil (optional)
These ingredients are probably sitting in your kitchen already, and they’re all you’ll need to make your electric burners look brand new.
Step-by-Step: Nana's Trick to Cleaning Electric Burners
Step 1: Turn Off and Remove the Burners
Before starting, make sure your stove is turned off and cool to the touch. Most electric burners can be unplugged or gently lifted out of their socket, so remove them from the stovetop for easier cleaning.
Before starting, make sure your stove is turned off and cool to the touch. Most electric burners can be unplugged or gently lifted out of their socket, so remove them from the stovetop for easier cleaning.
Step 2: Prepare a Cleaning Paste
In a small bowl, mix equal parts baking soda and water to form a thick paste. Baking soda is a natural abrasive, perfect for breaking down grease and grime without scratching the surface of the burner.
In a small bowl, mix equal parts baking soda and water to form a thick paste. Baking soda is a natural abrasive, perfect for breaking down grease and grime without scratching the surface of the burner.
Step 3: Apply the Paste
Using your fingers or a sponge, apply a generous layer of the baking soda paste to the surface of the burner. Focus on areas where you see the most buildup. The paste will stick to the grime and start breaking it down.
Using your fingers or a sponge, apply a generous layer of the baking soda paste to the surface of the burner. Focus on areas where you see the most buildup. The paste will stick to the grime and start breaking it down.
Step 4: Let It Sit
Here’s where the "almost zero effort" part comes in. After applying the paste, simply let it sit for 15 to 30 minutes. The longer it sits, the more effective it will be at loosening the grime.
Here’s where the "almost zero effort" part comes in. After applying the paste, simply let it sit for 15 to 30 minutes. The longer it sits, the more effective it will be at loosening the grime.
While the paste is working its magic on your burners, you can use this time to clean other parts of your stove. Wipe down the drip pans or any spills around the base of the stove with a damp cloth and a little dish soap.
Step 5: Wipe Away the Grime
After the paste has sat for a while, grab a damp microfiber cloth or sponge and start wiping away the baking soda. You’ll notice the grime lifting easily from the burner, without the need for hard scrubbing. For tough spots, use a plastic scrub brush or an old toothbrush to gently scrub without scratching the surface.
After the paste has sat for a while, grab a damp microfiber cloth or sponge and start wiping away the baking soda. You’ll notice the grime lifting easily from the burner, without the need for hard scrubbing. For tough spots, use a plastic scrub brush or an old toothbrush to gently scrub without scratching the surface.
Step 6: Tackle Stubborn Stains with Vinegar
If you still see some stubborn stains after wiping away the baking soda, it’s time to bring in the big guns—white vinegar. Pour a little vinegar onto a cloth or spray it directly onto the burner. The vinegar will react with any remaining baking soda, causing a fizzing action that helps lift off the last bits of grime. Wipe down the burners again to reveal a shiny, clean surface.
If you still see some stubborn stains after wiping away the baking soda, it’s time to bring in the big guns—white vinegar. Pour a little vinegar onto a cloth or spray it directly onto the burner. The vinegar will react with any remaining baking soda, causing a fizzing action that helps lift off the last bits of grime. Wipe down the burners again to reveal a shiny, clean surface.
Step 7: Rinse and Dry
Once you’ve wiped away all the grime and residue, rinse the burners with a clean damp cloth to remove any remaining cleaning solution. Dry them thoroughly with a towel before plugging them back into the stove.
Once you’ve wiped away all the grime and residue, rinse the burners with a clean damp cloth to remove any remaining cleaning solution. Dry them thoroughly with a towel before plugging them back into the stove.
Bonus Tip: Protect Your Burners from Future Messes
My Nana swore by this little trick to keep burners cleaner for longer: after cleaning, she would cover the base of each burner with aluminum foil. This easy step catches any drips or spills, and when the foil gets dirty, you can simply replace it without having to clean the burners again. It’s a great way to extend the time between deep cleanings.
Why This Trick Works So Well
Baking Soda’s Natural Power: Baking soda is a mild abrasive that’s perfect for breaking up tough stains without damaging the surface. It’s also non-toxic, making it a safe option for kitchen cleaning.
The Magic of Vinegar: Vinegar is a natural disinfectant and degreaser. The reaction between vinegar and baking soda helps lift grime off burners without you having to scrub hard.
Gentle Yet Effective: Unlike harsh chemical cleaners, this method is gentle on your stove’s surfaces while still being incredibly effective at removing burnt-on messes.
Cost-Effective: These ingredients are super affordable and likely already in your pantry. No need to buy specialty stove cleaners when these work just as well.
What About Other Parts of the Stove?
If your stove has drip pans, you can use a similar cleaning method. Remove the drip pans and soak them in a sink filled with hot water and dish soap for 30 minutes. After soaking, scrub them with a little baking soda for an extra clean. For glass-top stoves, the baking soda and vinegar combo works wonders, too. Just avoid using any abrasive brushes that could scratch the surface.
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Thanks to my Nana’s easy trick, cleaning electric burners is no longer a dreaded chore. By letting simple ingredients like baking soda and vinegar do most of the work, you can get rid of even the toughest grime with almost no effort. The next time you’re dealing with a messy stovetop, give this method a try and enjoy sparkling clean burners without the hassle. Nana knew best!