DIY Decorating/Remodeling Kitchen How to Clean a Glass Top Stove
How to Clean a Glass Top Stove Print E-mail
Written by Tom   

Glass top stoves are wonderful things and while many people think that cleaning glass top stoves is difficult to do, nothing could be further from the truth. When you clean glass top stove fixtures, you should follow a few specific cleaning glass top stove rules. If you follow those rules when you clean a glass top stove, you will find that not only is it easy learning how to clean a glass top stove, it is also a relatively quick process when you actually start to clean glass top stove appliances in your house. See how to clean stainless steel.

The Cleaning Process

The actual cleaning process starts after you have finished your cooking. To clean glass top stoves you need to be consistently vigilant and that vigilance must start as soon as you have finished using the stove for cleaning. The first step in learning how to clean glass top stoves is watching the stove and making sure that you wait until the hot surface light has gone out. All glass stoves have one and it is the light that tells you when the surface still has the potential to burn and melt.

As soon as the indicator light has gone out, you want to make sure that you follow the next step in the how to clean glass top stove guides which is to apply cleaning pressure to the surface right away. You can do this with a soapy water mixture and a sponge, although some non-abrasive cleaners can also work for the task if you have the extra money to spend. It's not necessary however as a lukewarm soapy water mixture applied with a soft sponge is very effective to clean glass top stoves. If you do this after every meal that is cooked using the stove you will find that keeping it clean over long periods of time is very easy to do.

Clean Glass Top Stove

Dealing with Major Spills

Cleaning a glass top stove is not always that simple however, as you can often have very big spills on it. These spills should be soaked in hot water until they become wet and easy to move before being removed in the same cleaning process that was mentioned in the previous section. If the spills are stubborn and refuse to budge even after being soaked in hot water, you may need to use a scraper to get them off. There are scrapers on the market that have specifically been created for use on a glass top stove so make sure that you purchase one of those the next time you are at the hardware or kitchen store that you frequent.

Aesthetics are Important

In addition to getting a scraper, you may also want to invest some money into getting polish specifically made for glass top stoves. This will allow you to keep your stove looking beautiful at the same time you keep it pristine. To keep the look and feel of your stove good however, you should also avoid using the stove as an extra counter since that can lead to big problems should you accidentally place a plastic bag on it when it is still hot.

Comments (65)
  • |2009-08-01 06:26:12 delia cooer-hall  - melted enamel from the tea kettle on the glass top
    Hi, I left my enamel tea kettle on the stove and fell asleep. The water evaporated and the enamel melted onto the stove top. I was able to get the kettle off without damage and most of the enamel, but there is a rough residue left about the size of a quarter. Help!
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  • |2009-10-11 17:27:56 pat maison
    do not buy a white glass cook top if you are going to cook.
    they are always a mess you have to clean it and clean it everytime you cook
    I don't think they even make them anymore
    black gets dirty too but no one seems to see the dirt on those
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  • |2009-10-11 17:28:55 pat maison
    do not buy a white glass cook top.
    you will be mighty sorry hard to clean
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  • |2009-10-11 18:25:28 gman  - white glass cook top
    I couldnt imagine a white one. :ooo: We have black and its a nightmare to keep clean!! :angry-red:
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  • |2009-10-15 07:55:11 connie lawrence  - con
    suggest u use murphys oil soap non diluted with scotch brite sponge, it works to clean this white top stove. I have tried everything this works!
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  • |2009-10-15 08:56:00 gman
    great info, thanks! Vote up!
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  • |2011-02-16 20:16:39 Anonymous
    I REALLY ENJOYED MY WHITE TOP STOVE. I DID NORMALLY CLEAN AFTER EACH USE BUT THIS WAS MOSTLY A SPONGE WITH THE STOVETOP CLEANER AVAILABLE,HOWEVER IT WAS ALWAYS EASY TO SEE WHERE TO CLEAN AND WOULD SHINE BEAUTIFULLY AFTERWARDS,HOWEVER I COULD NOT FIND WHITETOP WHEN WE MOVED THEREFORE I HAD TO GET A BLACKTOP AND I WISH I HAD WAITED ON A WHITETOP. TO ME IT NEVER LOOKS AS CLEAN AND IS HARDER TO CLEAN!!
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  • |2011-07-26 14:42:42 whisper  - why are you yelling?!
    u mad?
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  • |2009-11-13 14:32:01 Grazy  - Do not buy the white one...
    Do not buy the white one for i have a white for 2 years and i can't remove the spots... it is horreble to clean!! a friend of my have a black one and that is much better! :(
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  • |2010-01-25 18:15:53 Gary Bain  - How to Clean a Glass Stove Top
    On this forum regarding cleaning glass top stoves, in the section "The Cleaning Process" the following statement is made "In addition to getting a scraper, you may also want to invest some money into getting polish specifically made for glass top stoves." I have not been able to find any polish specifically made for glass top stoves. Anyone have any recommendations? Thanks!
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  • |2010-12-22 13:43:31 Karen Gordon  - polish on stoves
    my mom buys the polish for her glass top at walmart. it is in the aisle with the mops and such if i remember right
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  • |2010-06-15 11:45:26 Sean  - Smyth
    The best way is to clean first with a sponge and dish soap to remove debris. Then wipe it down to dry surface completely. The next step is the secret, Use rubbing alcohol and watch all the smears and streaks disappear! I do this every time I clean the stove top and it looks brand new! Also rubbing alcohol works great for stainless steel streaks too!!! Just give it a try and let me know how it works! The main additive in glass top polish is alcohol so save a few buck using rubbing alcohol!!
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  • |2011-06-19 19:02:22 Lisa
    I use rubbing alcohol in a spray bottle to clean my bathroom mirror... works great!
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  • |2010-08-18 13:19:50 Marg Perrott  - CLR???
    Have tried several of the cleansing creams on my smooth top range, not getting satisfactory results. I am considering using CLR. Any comments, help?
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  • |2010-09-02 13:10:25 Parkosh  - Cleaner
    The best cleaner for anything stubborn on a glass top stove is that old standby--it's been around for "over 120 years"--Bon ami. It's cheap--around a dollar for 14 ounces--and it will remove everything including burned on residue from pots that have been boiled dry without damaging the top or removing the rings or the little dots. Of course, removing such residue takes a lot of elbow grease and is a real time consumer but persistence will eventually even accomplish this most difficult of removal jobs.

    Bon ami also works great for cleaning enamel ware, but it must be used before the residue is completely burned on. Once this occurs it seems impossible to remove.
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  • |2012-01-12 13:22:26 Linda  - Bon Ami for glasstop stove results
    I remember Bon Ami, and tried to buy it at True Value; however, they didn't have it and the sales clerk sold me on "BarKeep" which I suspect is really Bon Ami with a different label. Anyway, it worked great on my ceramic-top gas stove. Love it!
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  • |2012-01-28 20:33:08 Jim  - Craze in KC
    Thanks for sound help !!! Stove here I comejavascript:JOSC_emoticon(":idea:";)
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  • |2010-09-19 21:30:47 bekezela  - tea spills
    my sister in law makes tea spills om my stove everyday or someties twice a day. i am worried that this will affect the function of the stove or maybe interfer with electric wires coz now my oven stopped working and
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  • |2010-09-27 11:06:38 Anonymous
    well i use a scotch brite sponge, corox bleach, comet n a scraper works miracles on everything.
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  • |2010-10-10 21:18:49 Sandi Strain
    Who every thought a glass top stove was a good idea? What a nightmare! I would give anything to have my 20 year old stove back.
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  • |2010-10-10 21:21:23 Sandi Strain
    Of course I meant to say "Who EVER thought a glass top stove was a good idea?"
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  • |2010-10-24 17:05:37 Anonymous
    Please help to remove "black "spots on glass stove top.thanks
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  • |2010-11-10 19:18:52 Anonymous  - Anonymous
    I have a black glass top and I have found that if I use toothpaste and water it does a great job. For the really tough stains use baking soda and then pour vinigar or lemon juice watch it bubble and scrub with a sponge. :)
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  • |2010-11-23 15:52:50 Anonymous  - Baking Soda did it!
    After reading all your ideas I stepped away from the computer to try a baking soda and water paste on my white glass stove top. The stains came off with hardly any effort. Thanks for the tip!
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  • |2010-12-01 17:13:38 Anonymous
    Mr Clean Magic Eraser for the stains and spots, then just wipe the streaks with a clean rag.
    :love:
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  • |2011-01-03 20:45:26 dahoov2
    After reasing this I've tried just about everything so after searching hundreds of posts on several different boards/pages, I decided to go with what EVERYONG said...

    I had already tried:
    Scotch Brite pads/system for glass/certamic tops
    Vinegar
    Lemon Juice
    Baking soda and water (also tried it with Lemon juice and the vinegar)
    Salt
    The stuff that came with the stove (creamy ceramic/glass top cleaner) as well as another brand of the same stuff
    Dish soap and water
    Glass cleaner
    Lime away
    Scraping (there's nothing to "scrape";)

    came to the conclusion it's now embedded into the glass top. BUT I wanted to be sure I tried EVERYTHING so I just ordered via Amazon:

    Magic Eraser
    Bartender's Secret
    Cerama-Brite
    and a "Glass Scratch kit" made for ceramic glass tops.

    I will follow up if any work. I think my top is ruined and I am not happy. It happened only two weeks after I got the stove when a pot of spaghetti spilled over. I thought the water stain would come out. Hubby thin...
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  • |2011-01-03 20:52:06 dahoov2
    Cook's Stove Top Polish is the other brand I used and the scraper was plastic designed specifically for that purpose (and Pampered Chef stuff) and the glass/ceramic kit is "Scratch-b-Gone"
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  • |2011-04-18 17:37:50 melissa
    I have had my black glass top stove for about 10 yrs now and I highly recommend using a scraper, then lemon fantastik! Not regular, has to be lemon...
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  • |2011-06-17 10:00:53 Tami  - your stovetop
    I am trying to get a friend's stovetop burns off. His was a sugar mixture from making jam. I have tried many things, but not Bon Ami or Bartender's Secret. Going to the store to get those next.
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  • |2011-01-12 13:35:24 Sue  - Last item tried....
    okay; so I finally got and tried all four items that I sent for via Amazon.com

    1) Magic Eraser... NOTHING. I got the "classic" kind and it's nothing more than a piece of foam and nothing looked different after trying it. I did find however, it did well on my stainless steel drip on my dishwasher that wasn't coming clean before. Did a nice job on that.

    2) Bartender's secret. This is no different than any other cooktop cleaner. All are white with a slight abrasive. I've tried MANY brands and they don't do any more than Soft Scrub and this did not change anything in appearance.

    3) Cerama-Brite: Nope. Same thing as Bartender's secret, soft scrub, Cook's and all the brands you can buy at the supermarket and that come with the stove... NOT any difference at all.

    4) "Cerama Shine: Scratch-B-Gone" restore kit for glass top stoves: Well Yes and no. What I had was huge white stains the size of the underbelly of the pan. You get what amounts to two packets of fluid whic...
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  • |2011-08-18 11:35:56 anonymous  - various products
    I tried the baking soda and vinegar, alcohol, stove top cleaner and Murphy's oil soap. I did not get any results from those. I did spray bleach on it (white stove top) and I am getting results from that. This stain had no debris either. I am thrilled to get some results.
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  • |2011-01-12 13:39:03 Anonymous  - Continued:
    You get what amounts to two packets of fluid which are about the size of a magazine sample. Very small and thin. Then there is a scrubbing pad that is teal on one side and black on the other. I used the wrong size first and didn't rub hard enough I thought and I thought well, it's ruined already so scrub really hard and use the more abrasive teal side (special formula I think on it). It was like super fine sandpaper almost. Like a paper coaster only smaller. Anyway after rubbring really hard in circular motion with the teal side and after kneading the packet (didn't say to do that but I think you need to), I felt some resistance like I was actually removing something... after doing that a while, I used the final item in the kit, a soft micro cloth (like a washcloth, only smaller and very soft) and I DID for the first time after more than a dozen attempts, see a difference. The marks are still there, but they are now a dark grey, closer to the glass color and the white and light gr...
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  • |2011-01-12 13:42:05 Anonymous
    The marks are still there, but they are now a dark grey, closer to the glass color and the white and light grays are gone. So in effect, you can go across the room and it doesn't look bad.
    At this time, I am withholding final judgement. When Hubby gets home, he will use the second packet and put MORE elbow grease in.
    So of all the products I used, this is at least SOMETHING which is better than nothing and it's my recommendation if you tried all the other things like I have. Here's the UPC: 92582 82273. They have a website: www.Scratch-B-Gone. And I think you can get it cheaper (it's under 10.00) by going Ebay or Amazon maybe.
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  • |2011-02-05 16:20:21 Desiree  - How to Clean a Glass Top Stove
    So after trying all the above ideas, with no good results. I decided to try what I have been using for years on my glass shower doors and the windows on the outside of the house(which works awesomely!!!) , "Glass Scrub" for you car windows and a sponge. It works GREAT!!! The stove top looks brand new!!! Its clean, no spots and its shiny again. I get it at any auto parts store. I had let the stove top get really bad so it took some elbow grease and doing it a couple of times but it was well worth it.
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  • |2011-02-20 13:46:05 Anonymous  - It Worked!
    :D I read everyone's ideas and had tried most on my black stovetop to no avail. BUT, Baking Soda and Vinegar worked! I just sprinkled on the baking soda and then some vinegar and let it sit for about half an hour. Then scrubbed with a scrubbing pad, like chore girl, and it is sparkling clean without any of the annoying circles around the burners! Thank you so much.
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  • |2011-04-06 13:12:07 Reed Campbell  - black glass top stove
    hi we have a sears kenmore black glass top stove, I'm trying to clean the top, i can clean it with cerama bryte and our cooktop cleaner, and it look ok but we use the front two burner and they have like white spots on them and i try to everything to get them out,so can you help me get them out or to i have to get a new top or just live with it. the stove looks good, but thought burner look like crap please help thank you for your help
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  • |2011-05-28 21:14:44 jat  - black glass top cleaning
    we pour on lemon juice to a the size slightly larger than the stain, then add baking soda. Looks like a small volcano about to explode, but does the trick !
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  • |2011-05-30 16:32:47 J. Gil

    When the dealer installed our Kitchenaid gas cooktop they failed to remove packing tape from the bottom of the glass {white} top. The tape burned leaving several dark brown stripes that are visible through the glass. They look like dirty streaks.The dealer is no longer in business and our warranty has expired on the cooktop. Can you recommend something that can remove the burned tape marks from the undersurface of the glass top?
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  • |2011-06-25 03:29:53 Kandy  - Baking Soda and Lemon Juice -- It Works!
    I have been trying for over a year to find a product that will clean the glass cooktop on my stove and nothing. All the cream products, scrubber sponges and scourers? I've tried them all. Then I was reading all of the entries above and I actually tried baking soda and lemon juice and I couldn't believe it but it worked. It took a little bit of elbow grease but NOTHING like before. I cleaned it in about 5 minutes! YEA! Thanks everyone. I also tried the baking soda with vinegar and it didn't work nearly as well. Probably more acid in the lemon juice. I'm going to tell Sears about it. Anyway thanks!
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  • |2011-07-03 09:33:14 Dorothy  - Baking Soda and lemon juice--Yes, it does work
    I tried a few of these suggestions, and the one that was easy and good results was baking soda and lemon juice. And no harmful chemicals.
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  • |2011-07-06 21:42:15 michelle
    what is bon ami where can i find it in the stores thanks michelle
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  • |2011-07-09 23:39:10 QT
    I just tried this and now my cooktop looks brand new again. SPRAY EASY OFF OVEN CLEANER ON IT LET IT SIT FOR 20 MIN. THEN TURN BURNERS ON FOR 30-45 SECONDS. MAKE SURE TO LET COOKTOP COOL OFF THEN WIPE OFF USING A SCRUBBING SPONGE. AFTER WASH IT DOWN WITH SOAPY DISHCLOTH. YOU WILL BE PLEASANTLY SURPRISED JUST AS I AM!!
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  • |2011-07-11 01:52:09 Anonymous
    :D Makes good sense! Going try it. Have to clean a glass top that probably hasn't been cleaned in a year! Rental apartment.
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  • |2011-07-14 11:23:17 anonymous
    there is a rough residue left on my glass stove top, how do i get rid of that stain. Help!
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  • |2011-07-27 05:21:07 Anonymous
    The baking soda and lemon juice worked miracles! I had almost given up on getting rid of that burnt on ring around my burners! Thank you!! :love:
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  • |2011-08-07 15:14:29 Dee  - Plasic spoon melted on my glassstop
    Help I melted my plastic spoon when it slid on to the cooktop off the spoon rest. How do I remove it off my stovetop?
    Please Help! :(
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  • |2011-08-11 21:47:33 Billy
    I just used scatchbegone car wax and a sand paper and apply the wax and gently rub the scatches right out witht he sand paper.

    the grit of the sand paper is a 360-600 or known by the name of Super Fine which is Fine sanding of the finish to remove some luster or surface blemishes and scratches. I guess you could use any kind of car wax
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  • |2011-09-01 15:29:05 Susan
    Bar keeps friend used as a semi dry paste rub with cloth covered finger, hard. works every time. My white tops stayed pretty and white. I use large handled razor to get burned stuff off first. Easy and both my husband and I cook all the time.
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  • |2011-09-17 19:04:10 Michelle & Kim  - Finally...a clean stove top!
    We have a Whirlpool black glass top stove. We got stains on the top from I don't know what, everyday cooking and spills I guess. (And yes we wipe the stove top off after every use and theses spot still show up, almost like they are part of the stove now). So after reading all these tips on how to clean it, my wife pulled out the "Scratch Free Comet with Bleach", mixed it w/ some water and went at it with a scotch brite pad. It worked & didn't leave any scratches........
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  • |2011-10-13 13:02:53 gregory
    I have black glass top stove. I droped a dish towel on a burner. The result, many small raised lines from the material remained. Any ideas about how to remove it....
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  • |2011-12-04 22:14:56 Anonymous
    I have the same situation. Still looking for answer. Please help !!!
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  • |2011-12-09 13:03:12 Anonymous
    Brasso and superfine steel wool plus elbow grease!
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  • |2012-01-02 13:49:38 Anonymous  - Black Glass Top 6 burner gas range
    I tried everything and was never satified . The soap and sponge got the dirt off but the glass stayed dingy. I tried glass cleaner as a second step but tht did not help. Then, by mistake, i found the perfect cleaner. I used the bathroom scrubing bubbles and it was like magic. Took all of the burn on food and grease off and left a nice shine.
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  • |2012-01-04 05:37:49 misty  - cleaner
    I buy mine at Home Depot where they sell the glass top stoves, works great
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  • |2012-01-04 15:31:11 Karen
    OK, I have tried absolutely everything suggested on this forum, including all cleaners I have under my sink with no success. BUT, one last try--I had a container of Oxi Clean Miracle Foam Grime & Stain Dissolver that I bought years ago from Bed, Bath & Beyond and never used it. I sprinkled some on the stains, sprinkled with water according to directions, let it sit for a couple of minutes, scrubbed with a Scotch Bright pad AND MY STAINS ARE GONE! I hope this works for you.
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  • |2012-01-08 15:46:46 Nina  - Glass cooktop
    :D Thanks I'll try that. The last time I used the oven cleaner I didn't heat it.
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  • |2012-01-14 08:45:59 KP  - black glass stove top
    I have a cleaning compound that my mother in-law bought for me. It's called "cleaning paste" and it's made by NORWEX (www.norwex.com). Not sure if you can buy it in USA but I'm fairly sure you could order it online. It cost $30ish(canadian) and it works great! You can use it on: chrome, nickel, stainless steel, aluminum, plastic, ceramics, porcelain tiles and similar surfaces. I think it's GREAT!!!
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  • |2012-01-19 10:43:20 Sweipp
    I am in the market for a new stove and I have been looking at the glass top electric stoves. We cook with a combination of cast iron fry pans and stainless steel. Would there be a problem with the cast iron? I read of people cleaning the stove tops with abrasive pads. Is there any possibility of damaging the surface? I also see that many of the oven elements are below the floor of the oven. Is this a problem with the electric stove. I am used to a gas stove where this is the case and it makes a wonderful spot for roasting potatoes.
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  • |2012-01-19 12:06:51 MP  - Cast iron vs smooth top
    :D Have a yard sale, you can't use them. I've had 3 smoothtops in my lifetime and for them to really work well you need FLAT BOTTOM pans!

    You can use them in the oven and you could try on top, however cast iron pans normally have a bit of a ridge or are just the slightest rounded and so they do not get good contact (or even contact) with the burner. If you are too attached and still want the smooth top - buy yourself a hot plate to use for your iron skillets.

    Good luck to you. FYI, I don't lke the smooth tops, first was a gift, the second shoved down my throat by husband and salesman and third in a rental unit. I'd rather have a regular stove or a ideally gas!
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  • |2012-01-23 20:45:45 OMG  - Help freaking out!
    Can someone help me. I've rented a beach house and after being the first to use their brand new glass top stove I have stupidly gone to wipe it after cooking but it was still hot and it seems the sponge has melted in it. I'm freaking out how do I fix it?? Some one anyone???
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  • |2012-01-24 19:07:26 sara D  - it's OK, remain calm...
    Buy a glass scraper razor at a hardware store. It's the kind that has rectangular blades that usually slide into the handle sideways. Then, scrape with the blade edge contacting the cooktop at about a 25-45 degree angle. Press down hard as you slide the edge under the residue. If it doesn't go under, just pull back a little and push again. Keep doing this in little movements until the mess slides or breaks up. Be careful that you don't lift sideways allowing a corner to scratch the glass.

    This works great for thicker sticky stuff, but it also works on thin, filmy residue if you have patienc, apply good firm pressure on the blade, and work at finding just the right angle. I've removed water stains this way.

    I usually follow up with weinmann's glass cooktop cleaner. It will also work on filmy residues, but you need to scrub very hard with a paper towel.
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  • |2012-01-29 22:03:06 How do I get the black cooktop
    Cant get rid of streaks in black ceramic cooktop. Help
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  • |2012-02-02 14:27:17 joe q.  - Save yourself some money
    Do not buy any of these glasstop cleaners. In
    just two years you will have spent what you paid for the stove. IT is like
    buying the ink for the printers total rip-off!!
    Find something listed above that works for you
    and stay with it till they come out with a reasonable priced product.
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  • |2012-02-03 17:26:38 Lewis  - Thanks, I hope
    She won't tell me what she burned/spilled. Started with soapy water.Then baking soda (why didn't I add vinagar?), toothpaste, alcohol and finally soft scrub. I hope one of your suggestions works or it will break this Scott's heart to have to pay for commercial cleaner. Perhaps I should leave my belt sander next to the stove as a reminder.
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