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How to Clean an Electric Glass Cooktop

Originally posted on Men's Journal | By Emily Fazio | Last updated Nov 4, 2024 7:00 AM ET

I love a glass stovetop—we've owned both radiant and glass induction cooktops over the years. A glass cooktop can look sleek and modern while still offering a great cooking experience, but they are prone to showing smudges, fingerprints, and cooking residue more than a gas cooktop with burners. That said, we got our cleaning routine down pat, and with a little elbow grease, manage to keep the surface clean (even after cooking fish or a splashy homemade tomato sauce).

What Cleaning Tools Should I Avoid?

Abrasive scrubbers: Steer clear of heavy-duty metal scouring pads or harsh scrub brushes.
Harsh chemicals: Avoid using bleach, ammonia-based cleaners, or oven cleaners.
Paper towels: They can actually scratch the surface or trap dirt. Use microfiber cloths instead.

Using a Store-Bought Cleaner

Cream cleaners and liquid spray cleaning products that do a great job when used in tandem, especially when it comes to cleaning the burner surface. When you need something tougher, Weiman's eraser pads also cuts into the most stubborn baked-on food.

Turn off and cool the cooktop. Make sure it's completely cool before you begin cleaning. A hot surface can be hazardous to clean and may cause burns, especially when you're using a damp cloth to wipe down the area.
Remove loose crumbs and food residue. Use a damp cloth or cleaning sponge to gently wipe away any loose debris or grease from the cooktop's surface. This will help reveal where your tougher stains lie.
Apply the cleaner. Start with the spray, and apply it across the whole glass stovetop surface. Make sure you check the product instructions and let it to sit for the recommended amount of time, if necessary. This can give the cleaner time to break down grease, burnt-on food pieces, and stubborn splatters.
Wipe the surface. Use a dry cloth to wipe away the spray cleaner along with dirt and grime.
Tackle the buildup of food residue with a cream cleaner. After you've cleaned off most of the debris with the spray, you may still notice areas, especially on the burners themselves, where build-up has formed beneath the pots and pans during use. The cream-based cooktop cleaner is great for curing that. Target the areas that have buildup with a small teaspoon-sized dollop. For burned-on residue, apply a cream cleaner directly to the stubborn spots and let it sit for a minute. Using a non-abrasive cleaning pad, clean microfiber cloth, or plastic glass scraper (no metal razor blade scrapers, please), gently scrub in circular motions until the residue is gone.
Buff for shine. Once the cooktop is clean, use a dry microfiber cloth to polish the surface and remove any lingering water spots.

DIY Cleaning Solutions

Once you've mastered the routine and technique of regularly cleaning your glass stove with store-bought products, you'll also find that DIY cleaning methods work pretty well, too. Three we like are:

White Vinegar Solution. Mix equal parts white vinegar and water in a spray bottle. Spray the mixture onto the cooktop and let it sit for a few minutes before wiping with a microfiber cloth. This is our go-to for nights when there is only light grease and smudges to deal with. I'd say it works almost as good as a store-bought spray, but doesn't leave the surface as streak-free.
Baking Soda Paste. For tough, burned-on spots, mix baking soda with a small amount of water to form a paste—it shouldn't be a clumpy baking soda mix, make it smooth. It'll result in a solution that's very much like the store-bought cream. Apply the paste to the stains, then gently scrub in a circular motion with a soft sponge before wiping clean. It doesn't wipe free as perfectly as the paste, so you'll want to go back over the area with the white vinegar to polish it up.
Lemon and Dish Soap Mixture. I don't especially like wasting my lemons on cleaners, but it is a strong cleaner when you really need to soak baked-on debris. To make it, squeeze the juice from one lemon and mix it with a 1/4 cup of hot water and a few drops of dish soap. Soak a clean towel in the mixture and lay it over the stained areas for several minutes. Then, wipe clean with a damp cloth.

How to Prevent Burnt Food and Residue

Prevent spills. Well, we can try.
Clean promptly. Spills can't always be prevented, but you can make it a good habit to wipe down the cooktop after it cools every single time. This prevents stuck-on food and grease from hardening and becoming more difficult to clean.
Use a lid or, at the very least, a splatter screen. Cover pots and pans when cooking foods that are likely to splatter.

Can I use Windex or glass cleaner on a glass cooktop?

No. In general, steer clear of Windex and standard glass cleaners. They may contain chemicals like ammonia that can damage the glass. Stick to cleaners specifically made for glass cooktops or try DIY cleaning solutions instead.

This article first appeared on Men's Journal and was syndicated with permission.

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