ApplianceJournal.com

    When it comes to cleaning and repairing your cook top, it depends on what type of cook top you have and what type of energy it employs to function.  With a gas ignited stove, you’ll have certain concerns with using particular chemicals, and you’ll have additional parts you may have to repair and replace once in a while.  However, with an electric cook top you’ll find that cleaning is not always a breeze, even on flat tops.

For example, when cleaning a flat cook top, you can’t use anything abrasive, which means that tough, stuck on materials are extremely difficult to remove.  You also can’t use harsh chemicals, including bleach and scrubbing powders, because this affects the integrity of the burners.  You can use specially formulated cleaning products with soft bristle brushes for these cook tops.  When it comes to repair, you’ll probably want to call a professional, since it can be a bit dangerous to take apart a flat top unit yourself unless you are an expert.

On a regular electric cook top, you’ll find that at least you can use your choice of chemicals, including bleach and highly flammable materials, as long as these are used with care.  Because no fires are lit and heating panels or spiral burners are used, there is no chance of igniting a flame before the chemicals are dried up and dispersed.  However, because it is difficult to remove the burners and clean under them into the drip pans, an electric stove can present a real challenge to users.  Often, you’ll need special tools to get down inside the burner drip pans and remove caked on grease and other leftovers from your cooking endeavors.

Even on a gas cook top, you’ll run into your set of troubles.  While burners are more readily removed and there are no drip pans to clean around, it is unwise to clean with anything flammable, as gas stoves actually produce flames for cooking purposes.  This is a quick, easy way to set your kitchen and home on fire.  You’ll want to look for inflammable cleaning products, and you want to stay away from metallic cleaning tools, such as brillo pads that can easily catch fire, melt to the appliance, or scratch up the cook top.  While all cook tops have various elements that make them difficult to repair, a gas appliance can be especially difficult to manage, especially if it needs a new burner igniter.

Overall, gas cook tops are actually the simplest order of range top to clean and repair.  However, any cook top can benefit from preventative measures that keep it cleaner and reduce your work.  Using burner covers to avoid splashing grease to fall into a neighboring drip pan on an electric stove can reduce your need to clean incredibly, and wiping down the appliance after every use of anything in the kitchen will also assist you in cutting down the workload.  Also, knowing the requirements of your cook top at the time you purchase it will allow you to prepare for the future, with the correct cleaning products and accessories already in your storage cabinet.

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