How to clean the hob that’s under a layer of burnt food 

Some of the biggest acts of love involve the reliable kitchen hob: Pasta when your housemate wants some comfort food. Veg and greens when you and your partner are determined to eat healthier. Or some chicken for fajitas when you’re being the host with the most. 

And when you’re cooking up a storm for your loved ones, does it matter if you make a mess? No! Because those moments you share are more important. (And because we’ve got the best method for cleaning cooker hobs easily).

From learning how to clean an induction hob to cleaning cooker hob plates covered in burnt food, knowing how to keep the hob clean is easy with this straightforward guide. 

In this article, we’ll cover:

• How to clean an induction hob
• How to clean a stainless steel hob
• How to clean an electric hob
• How to clean a ceramic hob
• Frequently asked questions

How to clean an induction hob 

Knowing how to clean an induction hob is easy, because they’re flat and don’t usually have any hard-to-reach areas for overflowing, globby pasta water to run into. Even with stubborn stains, cleaning an induction hob properly can be done in minutes.

You’ll need:

• A couple of strong sheets of kitchen paper
• A non-abrasive cleaner (such as washing-up liquid mixed with warm water, or a white vinegar and water solution)
• A plastic scraper

Instructions:

1. Ensure the hob is completely cool then brush off any crumbs, excess grease and loose bits of food with a piece of kitchen paper.
2. Spray a non-abrasive cleaner onto the surface and leave it to work for a few minutes. Always follow the instructions and do a patch test when using a new product for the first time. Avoid abrasive powders, scouring pads, and acidic cleaners such as citric acid, as these can damage the glass surface of an induction hob.
3. Use a moistened paper towel to wipe off the cleaner and remove any leftover food.
4. Wondering how to get burn marks off your induction hob? For those crispy, burnt-on stains that always seem to happen, you may want to use a plastic scraper. Dig out your hob’s manual from your ‘stuff cupboard’ to see if it recommends any tools. 
5. Finish by drying and buffing the surface with kitchen towel.

How to clean stainless steel hob

Now you know how to clean an induction hob, let’s move on to the best way to clean a stainless-steel hob.

You’ll need:

• Hot, soapy water
• A couple of sheets of absorbent kitchen towel
• A hob cleaner
• A non-abrasive cloth, such as a microfibre cloth
• A soft brush

Instructions:

1. The best way to clean stainless-steel hob parts is to start off by removing the pan supports, rings and burners, placing them in hot soapy water to soak — which is, like, the easiest form of cleaning! 
2. Use an absorbent kitchen towel to brush away loose food particles and soak up grease.
3. Spray on your hob cleaner and leave it to do its job, just as you would when cleaning cooker hob plates made of glass.
4. Again, use a non-abrasive cloth to wipe the cleaner away, bringing with it any stubborn stains, and use a strong piece of kitchen paper to get any gunk out of hard-to-reach corners.  
5. A soft brush can be used to scrub any particularly stubborn areas.
6. Scrub the remaining residue off the parts you removed earlier and give everything a final wipe with a sheet of dry kitchen paper.

How to clean an electric hob

You can take a more vigorous approach to cleaning electric hobs compared to learning how to clean an induction hob and stainless steel.

You’ll need:

• Warm, soapy water
• A couple of sheets of kitchen towel
• A specialised kitchen cleaning spray, or DIY spray made from 2 parts water, 1 part white vinegar and some washing-up liquid

Instructions:

1. To start with, make sure the plates are cool, and if you can remove them, do so. Leave them to soak in a sink full of soapy water, so they’re easier to scrub.
2. Use kitchen paper to wipe away loose food, crumbs and bits of grease.
3. Generously spray your kitchen cleaning spray over the surface and give it time to break down the brown, sticky grime. Make sure you follow the instructions on the back of the bottle.
4. “But what about how to clean burn marks off an electric hob”, you may ask. Fortunately, you can scrub with a scourer when cleaning cooker hob plates of this type, which should make it easier (and more satisfying) to remove any burnt-on areas. Take that, month-old tomato sauce splatter! 
5. Use an appropriate cleaner to wipe down the plates and the rest of the hob.
6. Finish by drying the hob with kitchen paper and replace the plates.

How to clean a ceramic hob

Ceramic hobs see their fair share of spills, splatters and the occasional burnt-on pasta sauce. If you’re wondering how to clean a ceramic hob, including how to clean burn marks off a ceramic hob, follow these simple steps to get it back to shining.

You’ll need:

• A couple of sheets of kitchen paper
• A damp, microfibre cloth
• Warm, soapy water
• A hob scraper (optional)
• A specialised ceramic hob-safe cleaner (optional)

Instructions:

1. Before you start, make sure that the hob is completely cool.
2. Use kitchen paper or a damp microfibre cloth to remove crumbs, spills and surface marks.
3. Next, apply warm soapy water and leave it to sit for up to 10 minutes to loosen everyday dirt. Wipe away, then dry with a clean sheet of kitchen paper.
4. For heavier build-up, apply a ceramic hob-safe cleaner directly to the surface. Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
5. Want to know how to get burnt food off a ceramic hob? Use a hob scraper alongside the steps above, working gently to lift stubborn burn marks without scratching the glass.

FAQs: Cleaning cooker hobs

How to keep your hob clean?
Once the hob has cooled, wipe up spills as soon as they happen to stop them baking on, and give the surface a quick clean after each use to prevent grease and grime building up over time. Having a regular hob-cleanup schedule keeps your hob looking its best - ready for whatever you’re cooking up next.

How to clean a hob without leaving streaks?
To clean a hob without leaving streaks, keep things gentle and finish strong. Avoid harsh abrasives like bleach, make sure all cleaning residue is fully wiped away, and dry the surface thoroughly using a high-quality microfibre cloth for a clear, streak-free shine.

How to get burn marks off hob that won’t go away?
If burn marks on your hob won’t budge, even after a regular clean, try giving them a little extra time and care. Make a paste using baking soda and a small amount of water, apply it directly to the mark, then cover it with a damp sheet of kitchen towel and leave it for at least 30 minutes. Once lifted, remove the towel and gently scrub with a microfibre cloth to reveal a cleaner, burn-free surface.

These tips on how to clean induction hob plates, stainless steel and electric hobs will have you removing those greasy or baked-on stubborn stains with ease so that you can cook up some more love in the kitchen!