Cleaning burnt and greasy burners on a gas stove can be quite a nuisance, especially if a hard black crust has formed on them. The good news is that you don’t have to sacrifice your nails or spend hours scrubbing. The secret to “effortless” success is to let the chemicals (the ecological or stronger ones) do most of the work for you.
Before cleaning, make sure the burners are completely cold, and disassemble them into their individual parts (the upper cast iron/metal covers and the aluminum crowns themselves).
Here are the 3 most effective ways to clean them with almost no effort:
- The Vinegar and Baking Soda Method (Ecological Classic)
This method works great for normal to moderate dirt and uses the chemical reaction of acid and base.
Procedure:
Pour white vinegar and hot water in a 1:1 ratio into a pot or deep pan.
Submerge the burner parts in the solution and let them soak for 30 to 60 minutes. The vinegar will loosen the grease.
Remove them and, while still damp, sprinkle them generously with baking soda. It will start to foam.
Leave for another 15 minutes. Then, just take an old toothbrush or dishcloth and gently scrub the loosened dirt. It will come off surprisingly easily.
Rinse with water and dry.
- Ammonia Method (For the worst, black burns)
If your burners are literally covered in black burns and the previous method didn’t work, this is the royal trick without scrubbing. The dirt is not dissolved by liquid, but by ammonia vapors (ammonia).
What you will need: Sealable plastic bags (e.g. for freezing food with a “zip” seal) and ammonia water (you can buy it at a drugstore or paint store).
Procedure:
Put one burner in each bag and add only 1 to 2 tablespoons of ammonia. The burner doesn’t have to float in it, the vapors are important.
Seal the bag airtight.
Leave it to act overnight (preferably on a balcony or in a well-ventilated room, because ammonia smells strongly).
In the morning, open the bag (don’t breathe the vapors!), remove the burners and the dirt will literally peel off by itself. Just wipe them with a sponge and wash thoroughly with detergent and water.
- Boiling in washing soda (Quick rescue)
If you don’t have time to wait all night, a great helper is crystalline soda (washing soda), which is much stronger than the kitchen soda.
Procedure:
Pour water into an old pot and add 2-3 tablespoons of crystalline soda.
Place the burners in the water and bring to a boil.
Let them bubble gently for about 15 to 20 minutes.
The boiling will completely soften the hot grease and burnt-on food. After removing (be careful, it’s hot!), just wipe the burners with a cloth or soft brush.
⚠️ Important note at the end
Never put the aluminum parts of the burners (usually the lower light crowns) in the dishwasher and do not leave them in aggressive acidic solutions (like pure vinegar or lemon) for too long. The aluminum could oxidize, turn black and lose its shine.
Which of these methods do you like the most based on what you have in your pantry?