Cooking can be a messy business, especially when you’re whipping up crispy bacon, frying up a batch of chicken wings, or perfecting the sear on a juicy steak. Even a well-loved pot of spaghetti sauce can leave your stove dotted with greasy residue. And let’s not forget those moments when oil overheats or a pan of fried goodies gets flipped with just a little too much enthusiasm.
The good news? Preventing and cleaning grease buildup doesn’t have to be a daunting chore. With a few proactive tips and some targeted cleaning techniques, you’ll keep your stove sparkling without too much elbow grease.
6 Ways to Prevent Grease Buildup
- Use a Splatter Guard: A fine mesh splatter screen over your skillet or pot can block oil and grease from flying onto your stovetop.
- Cook on Lower Heat: High heat not only increases the chance of burning your food but also causes oil to pop and splatter more aggressively.
- Wipe While You Work: Keep a damp cloth or sponge nearby, and quickly wipe up small splatters as they happen. If you cook often, clean on a regular basis to keep greasy buildup from hardening and becoming stubborn stains.
- Position Your Pan Strategically: Center your pan over the burner, and make sure it’s the right size. A pan that’s too small or off-center can lead to grease escaping the cooking area.
- Line Around Burners: Use aluminum foil or silicone burner liners to catch spills and splatters. These act as grease traps and can be removed and cleaned separately.
- Ventilation is Key: Use your kitchen vent fan or range hood to pull away airborne kitchen grease particles.
How to Clean Grease From Your Gas Cooktop
Annoying as it is, regular cleanings are key to make the task easier. It'll keep grease splatters from becoming tough stains or even prevent a grease fire risk. Gas cooktops can be a little trickier than smooth electric ones, but the cleaning process is easy enough with the right approach.
- Cool Down First: Safety first! Never clean a hot stove. Let your cooktop cool completely before starting.
- Remove Grates and Burners: Lift off the grates, heating coils, and any removable burner caps. Soak them in warm, soapy water while you clean the rest of the stove.
- Wipe down the Messy Stovetop: Use a damp cloth to wipe up blobs of grease or loose food residue.
- Tackle the Grease: Wipe a few drops of dish soap or a grease-fighting cleaning solution across the entire surface of the cooktop and let it sit for 5–10 minutes. Then use a non-abrasive sponge or microfiber cloth to scrub away the grease.
- Rinse and Dry: Wipe the surface with a clean, damp cloth, then dry it with a soft cloth to prevent streaks.
- Detail the Grates and Burners: Scrub the stovetop components (grates, coils, burner covers) in hot water with a brush or soapy sponge, rinse, and let them dry completely before reassembling. If cleaning a gas stovetop, give additional attention to the burner heads and soak up any little bit of water near the fuel ports.
Is it really burned on? Try This Deep Cleaning Method
- Make a Baking Soda Paste: Mix baking soda and water into a cleaning paste, then spread it over the greasy area.
- Let It Sit: Allow the paste to work its magic for 20–30 minutes.
- Try to Slide It Off First: See if a cooktop scraper or plastic spatula can loosen grease build-up (avoid the steel wool or the razor blade scraper method as they scratches easily). With any luck the now dry baking soda mixture will lift the stain and that burnt-on residue will slide right off the stovetop surface.
- Scrub with Care: Use a non-scratch soft sponge or a soft scrub brush and use warm water and a damp towel to wipe away the excess residue.
- Vinegar Boost: If you need some additional cleaning power, spray the baking soda residue with white vinegar to create a bubbling reaction, which can lift even more grease.
Cooking something messy? Try One of These Options Instead
- Air Fryer: Perfect for crispy results without the need for excessive oil splatters.
- Slow Cooker: Let soups, stews, or even pulled pork cook low and slow, safely contained in a sealed environment.
- Outdoor Grill: Avoid kitchen mess altogether by taking your grease-heavy recipes outside.
- Oven Roasting: For foods like bacon, bake it on a sheet pan lined with parchment paper for easy cleanup.
Is it easier to prevent a buildup of grease on an induction cooktop?
Yes! One of the perks of induction cooking is that the surface itself doesn’t heat up, reducing the risk of burned-on grease. The lack of metal grills makes it super quick to give the flat surface a daily wipe-down. You don't need any harsh cleaners, just grab a damp sponge. You can even place a paper towel or parchment paper between your pot and the cooktop surface while the heat is on! No mess, no fire hazard—just an easy cleanup!
