Maintain Your Gas Range To Prevent a Fire
6/23/2022 (Permalink)
Life gets busy in North St. Paul, MN, so you're not always thinking about cleaning as you go. However, when it comes to kitchen fires, taking a proactive approach can prevent a disaster. One helpful way to do this is to clean your gas range.
Range Cleaning Tips
1. Gather the Supplies
First, gather all your cleaning supplies. You will need the following:
- Dish Rags
- Scrub Brush (e.g., a soft bristle toothbrush)
- Vinegar
- Dish soap
2. Clean After Cooking
Cleaning your stovetop after each use will make things much easier long-term. Grease and other materials can build up over time, making them challenging to remove. Keeping your stove clean can also help prevent smoke smell during cooking.
3. Remove Grates
Fill your sink with hot water and grease-cutting dish soap. Remove the grates so that you can wash them and more easily access other parts of the stovetop. Then, soak the grates while working on the rest of the cleaning.
4. Clear Crumbs
Clean the crumbs from the stovetop with a damp paper towel or dry brush. You can also use a vacuum. This is an essential step for preventing a cooking fire. A crumb catching on fire could get out of control fast and require the services of fire damage restoration professionals.
5. Clean Stove Top
Next, you can either get a store-bought cleaning solution or create your own mixture of one part vinegar to one part water. Spray the stovetop and let the solution sit for a couple of minutes. Then clean it with a sponge or rag. You may have to scrub parts of it where grease has built up. Be sure to use something that won't scratch your gas range.
6. Clean Grease Stains
If you still have stubborn grease stains, you will probably need to use grease-cutting dish soap to completely remove them. Put a small amount of this soap directly on the stain and then use a soft toothbrush to brush in a small circular motion. Once you've removed the grease, wipe it clean with a damp cloth.
7. Remove and Wash Burner Caps and Heads
Next, remove the burner caps and place them in the soapy water with the grates. Also, remove the burner heads and clean them of grease and debris.
8. Clean Under the Range
Many people forget one part of this process: cleaning under the range. Lift the range (check your owner's manual for instructions), and you will probably find a bunch of crumbs. Vacuum this area free of loose debris. Afterward, wipe it down with a damp rag, let it dry and close the top.
9. Wash Grates and Burner Heads
Finally, wash the grates and burner heads that have been soaking in the warm, soapy water. Scrub the grease off with a soft toothbrush or another non-scratch cleaning tool. Then, rinse and dry them.
10. Replace Grates and Burner Heads
Now, it's time to place your grates and burner heads back on your stovetop. You are sure to notice a difference next time you cook. You can also be confident you have a lower fire risk by having a clean stovetop.
Take time to thoroughly clean your gas range today. Remember to wipe it down after each use to enjoy cooking on a pristine surface.