How to Clean Gas Burners

Co-authored by Erik Bakirov and Hunter Rising

Last Updated: January 27, 2021 References

Gas stoves may look intimidating to clean due to their various parts, but managing grime on your burners and grates is not as difficult as it may seem. The easiest way to clean your burners is with a commercial oven cleaning spray. If you have built-up grease and grime on the burners, you can remove them and soak them in a soapy solution. If the grates covering your burners are coated with hard residue, ammonia can help break the grease down and make them clean again. Once you’re finished, your stove will look sparkling clean!

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Using a Commercial Cleaner

1
Remove the grates from your stove and set them in your sink. Grab the grates covering the burners and lift them up with both hands. The number of grates will vary depending on the stove you have. Put the grates directly in your sink so you can wash them without making a mess anywhere else in your kitchen.^{[1]
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Expert Source

Chris Willatt
House Cleaning Professional
Expert Interview. 1 July 2019.}
- Some grates have interlocking pieces. If you have trouble picking up one of the grates, try lifting the grate next to it first.
2
Coat the grates with an oven cleaning spray and leave them for 25 minutes. Oven cleaning spray helps break down grease stains and makes it easier to remove grime. Hold the spray can 4–6 inches (10–15 cm) from the grates and press the button to apply a generous coating of the cleaner. Let the cleaner sit on your grates for about 25 minutes so it can loosen the grease.^{[2]
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Expert Source

Chris Willatt
House Cleaning Professional
Expert Interview. 1 July 2019.}
- You can buy oven cleaning spray in big box or grocery stores.
- Be careful not to breathe any of the fumes since they can irritate your lungs.
- If you don't want to use oven cleaner, sprinkle a powdered cleanser on the grates, then scrub them with zero-grade steel wool.^{[3]
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  Expert Source
  
  Erik Bakirov
  Cleaning Specialist
  Expert Interview. 7 January 2021.}
- If there's anything that's still stuck on, use a rounded butter knife to scrape it away.^{[4]
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  Expert Source
  
  Erik Bakirov
  Cleaning Specialist
  Expert Interview. 7 January 2021.}
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3
Spray oven cleaner on the stovetop and let it sit for 20-30 minutes. Hold the can 4–6 inches (10–15 cm) over your stove and spray an even coat across the entire surface. Apply an extra spray around areas that have accumulated a lot of grime. Leave the cleaner on your stove for at least 20 minutes so it can break apart the grease and make it easier to wipe off.^{[5]
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- Oven cleaner can remove paint if it’s left on for too long, so be sure to wipe any off of the burner knobs.
Tip: You can also make your own cleaning paste with 1 cup (230 g) of baking soda and ¹⁄₂ cup (120 ml) of vinegar. Apply the paste to the surface of your stove with a cloth or sponge.
4
Wipe the cleaner off of the burners with a damp cloth or sponge. Dampen a cleaning cloth or a kitchen sponge with warm water. Work from the back of the stove toward the front so you can catch any crumbs or food residue as you clean. Rinse off or wring out the cloth whenever it gets too dirty before wiping the stove again.^{[6]
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Expert Source

Chris Willatt
House Cleaning Professional
Expert Interview. 1 July 2019.}
- If you need to scrub areas that are more difficult to access, use a stiff-bristled toothbrush that you only use for cleaning purposes.
- Wear cleaning gloves if you don’t want to get grease or cleaner on your skin.
5
Rinse and dry the grates before putting them back on your stove. Use a cleaning cloth or sponge to wipe the cleaner off of your grates. Rinse the cleaner off of the grates and dry them by hand before putting them back on your stove. Be sure the grates sit flush on your stove so they aren’t uneven.^{[7]
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- If there’s still food stuck on your grates, then you may need to use steel wool or a scouring pad to remove it.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Deep-Cleaning Burner Heads and Caps

1
Remove the burner heads and caps from your stove. Take the grates off of your stove and set them aside for now. Grab the top piece of the burner, also known as the cap, and pull it off to remove it. Then, grab the round metal part of the burner, also called the head, and pick it up from the stove. Be sure to remember where each burner goes so you can put them back when you’re finished.^{[8]
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- If the burners don’t come out when you try to lift them, then check if there are any screws holding them in place and use a screwdriver to remove them.
2
Put the parts in a large container with warm water and dish soap for 30 minutes. Fill a large tub or your sink with warm water and about 1 tablespoon (15 ml) of liquid dish soap. Agitate the water so it’s sudsy and the soap is mixed in thoroughly. Set the heads and the caps in the soapy water and let them soak for about 20-30 minutes.^{[9]
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- You can also make a cleaning solution that’s equal parts vinegar and warm water if you want to clean your burners naturally.
3
Scrub the burners clean with a sponge. Take each burner out of the container and rinse them underneath warm water. Use a cleaning sponge to wipe any dirt and grime off of the burners. Once you’ve wiped the burners, give them another final rinse to remove any soap.^{[10]
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Tip: If there’s stuck-on material, try using a stiff-bristled toothbrush or a piece of steel wool to remove it.
4
Let the burner heads and caps dry completely before replacing them. Wipe the burners with a clean kitchen towel before setting them on a rack to air-dry. Leave the burners on the rack until they’re dry to the touch, which should take about 1 hour.^{[11]
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- Burners that are slightly wet or damp may not ignite properly when they’re put back on your stove.
5
Set the burner heads and caps back onto your stove. Locate the small hole near the middle of the burner head and line it up with the electrode, which will look like a cylinder sticking up from the stovetop. Make sure each burner is placed in the right spot and set the cap on top of each one.^{[12]
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- Make sure the caps lay flat on top of the burner heads, or else they may not ignite and the flames will be uneven.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Cleaning the Grates with Ammonia

1
Put the grates in large sealable bags. Lift the grates off of your oven and slide them each into individual bags. If you have round or square burners, they will most likely fit inside of a resealable 1 US gal (3.8 L) bag. If you have larger burners that don’t fit in kitchen bags, then use large garbage bags instead.
2
Pour in ¹⁄₄–1 c (59–237 ml) of ammonia and seal the bags. Use only ¹⁄₄ cup (59 ml) of ammonia in smaller kitchen bags and 1 cup (240 ml) in large garbage bags. Pour the ammonia onto the grates before closing the bags so they’re airtight. The ammonia doesn’t have to completely cover the grates because the fumes will break down the grease.
- Use duct tape or rope to tie garbage bags closed so the fumes can’t escape.
- Avoid breathing in ammonia fumes, since it may cause nasal irritation.
Warning: Never mix ammonia with other cleaners that contain bleach, since they will create toxic fumes.
3
Leave the bags alone for 12 hours. Once the bags are sealed tight, store them in a safe place where they won’t get opened or damaged for at least 12 hours. Over time, the ammonia fumes will break down any grease and grime stuck on the grates so they’re easier to clean.
- Set the bags outside so your house doesn’t smell like ammonia if they accidentally break open.
- You can leave the grates in for longer if you have stuck-on food residue.
4
Wipe the grates clean with a wet sponge and dry them. After 12 hours, carefully open the bags so you don’t inhale the fumes. Pour the ammonia into your sink while you run warm water so it gets diluted. Then use a damp sponge or cloth to wipe the grates to remove any residual grease that’s left on them. Wipe the grates dry with a lint-free towel before putting them back on your stove.
- Don’t use paper towels to dry your grates, since they may pill and leave behind residue.

Expert Q&A
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Question

What is the easiest way to clean a gas stove?

Chris Willatt
House Cleaning Professional
Chris Willatt is the owner and founder of Alpine Maids, a cleaning agency in Denver, Colorado started in 2015. Alpine Maids has received Angie's List Super Service Award for three years in a row since 2016 and has been awarded Colorado's "Top Rated Local House Cleaning" Award in 2018.

Chris Willatt

House Cleaning Professional

Expert Answer

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There are dedicated oven cleaners that are honestly so much faster than the other options out there. Easy Off is the most popular one. These products are super toxic, so just make sure you're careful and clean your stove regularly to avoid the need for that kind of heavy-duty cleaner.
Question

Can I clean a stove with baking soda?

Chris Willatt
House Cleaning Professional
Chris Willatt is the owner and founder of Alpine Maids, a cleaning agency in Denver, Colorado started in 2015. Alpine Maids has received Angie's List Super Service Award for three years in a row since 2016 and has been awarded Colorado's "Top Rated Local House Cleaning" Award in 2018.

Chris Willatt

House Cleaning Professional

Expert Answer

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Absolutely. Make a paste out of it with water and spread it over the stove. Let it sit for a while and then go in and wipe the paste off.
Question

Is it hard to clean gas burners on a stove?

Chris Willatt
House Cleaning Professional
Chris Willatt is the owner and founder of Alpine Maids, a cleaning agency in Denver, Colorado started in 2015. Alpine Maids has received Angie's List Super Service Award for three years in a row since 2016 and has been awarded Colorado's "Top Rated Local House Cleaning" Award in 2018.

Chris Willatt

House Cleaning Professional

Expert Answer

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Not really, but the problem is that everyone forgets to do it. People clean their kitchen, but they kind of just let grease and dirt build up on the oven. Some people only clean their stove like once every 5 years. You need to clean it regularly to avoid the need for deep cleaning.

Warnings

Don’t mix ammonia with any cleaners that contain bleach since it will produce toxic fumes.

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Be careful not to breathe in ammonia fumes since they could irritate your nose.

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