Induction cooktops are efficient, safe, eash-to-use, and add a sleek touch to your kitchen. But since nothing is perfect, they have a disadvantage you have to embrace and deal with. They are highly vulnerable to scratches and scuffs. Scratches may appear on the hob either because of cooking vessels with rough surface or wrong cleaning products. In this article we talk about safe cleaning methods that will keep your cooktop scratch-free and sparkling clean.
Soft cloth and hob cream cleaner
If you wonder how to clean induction cooktop, hob cream cleaner is an answer. A hob cream cleaner is specially designed to remove dirt from the induction cooktop while preventing scratches. First of all, wipe the cooktop down with a soft cloth to rid it of loose food particles. Apply a small amount of cream on the dirty surface and gently work it into the glass using a clean and wet microfiber cloth. Once the stains are gone, wipe the cooktop to remove the moisture and cream residue.
Baking soda and vinegar
Another way of tackling greasy stains, baked-on food, and fresh grime on the induction cooktop is using a baking soda and vinegar mixture. Combine 1 part soda and 1 part white vinegar. Spread the paste on the dirty hobs and let it sit for 30 minutes. This length of time should be enough for the mixture to loosen the dirt. After half an hour of waiting, use a soft cloth to wipe the diy solution away. If you notice grime on the hob after cleaning, consider another round of baking soda and vinegar.
Note that this method should be applied only if you have both ingredients on hand to make the mixture. It’s well known that baking soda has great cleaning properties. So if you don’t have vinegar handy, you may be tempted to use baking soda alone to clean your induction stove. Don’t do this. The abrasive feature of baking soda will scratch your cooktop and worsen its performance. This is one of the reasons you have to mix the soda with vinegar so that it turns into an inoffensive paste.
Specialized cleaning knife
To remove dry and long-lasting stains from the induction hob you can use a specialized cleaning knife. This knife is less sharp than knives you use at cooking, so the risk of scratching is lower. This doesn’t mean, though, you can run the knife chaotically across the cooktop surface. There is a technique you have to follow saying you have to keep the knife at 30 degrees angle when scraping the hob. This sharp tilt minimizes the risk of scratches, while maintaining the cutting potential of the knife in removing the long-lasting dirt.
If you don’t have a specialized tool like this on hand, you can use a razor. But again, avoid keeping the edge of the razor in vertical or semi-vertical position. You don’t want to cut and scratch anything. That’s why, it’s best to lay the razor on the hob and drag it across the stain using your fingers. It’s a risky job, so take care and don’t do it in a rush.
Toothpaste
While you shouldn’t expect magic from toothpaste, it may help deal with some stubborn stains on your induction stove. Squeeze a small amount of toothpaste on the cooktop and spread it gently with your fingers. Add a few drops of water, take a microfiber cloth and scrub in circular motions until the stain goes out. Don’t lose courage if the stain hasn’t disappeared completely from the first try. Add toothpaste again and repeat the process. It may take some rounds until you will see the hob perfectly clean.
Commercial cleaners
While you search “how to clean induction cooktop” you may want to find both commercial and homemade solutions. Professional cleaners may come at a higher cost overall, but they are ready-made so you don’t have to spend time on preparing solutions and pastes. The appliance to be cleaned is an induction stove, there is a solid variety of hob cleaners on the market you can try.
Some come in liquid form, others as creams. The cleaning power and efficiency also differ. So make sure to assess the severity of cooktop stains before you buy. Using professional hob cleaners shouldn’t come with much headache. Just apply the product on the cooktop and swipe clean. Nonetheless, you are best off reading the instructions in the first place to avoid stove damage.
Induction cooktop maintenance tips
1. Use pans with inoffensive surface
If you want to prolong the lifespan of your induction stove, you have to avoid using pans and other cooking vessels that can scratch the hob. Also, avoid moving and spinning the pan around while it’s on the induction hob. While it may not necessarily scratch the glass, it causes the shine to disappear.
2. Avoid bleach and abrasive cleaners
Your induction top will be always thankful to you for cleaning it, except for the times when you use bleach or abrasive cleaners. These products will leave your hob upset. Bleach will stain the cooktop, making it lose its appeal. Abrasive cleaners will generate scratches and scuffs on the glass, which negatively affect the stove’s performance.
3. Clean spills while fresh
Threre is a lot more work to do if you let a fresh spill dry and harden. You are better off addressing the spill as fast as possible. In this way you save time and energy.
4. Clean the induction top regularly
To avoid burnt-on stains whose removal is costly and time-consuming, you are good to wipe the cooktop after each use with a damp cloth.
To conclude
If you ask how to clean induction cooktop, there are different methods you can try. Just make sure to use only cleaning products that don’t scratch the hob. It can be either professional cleaners or products readily available in the house, such as vinegar, baking soda and toothpaste. Make sure to wipe the hob down after each use to prevent fresh spills turning into tough stains.
