Robyn asked: We spilled an entire small sauce pan on our glass ceramic stovetop and now it’s burnt onto the top. How and what is the best way to get this off? Help please!
Nothing is more frustrating than having a spillover on a glass top stovetop. It seems to instantly burn and permanently adheres to the surface. The good news is that it will come off, and the bad news is it’s going to take some time and lots of elbow grease. Different cleaning methods work differently for different foods, so experiment and mix them up and/or together to find a fix that works best for your particular situation.
You Will Need:
- Plastic spoon
- Small dish
- Baking soda
- Lemon juice (optional)
- Soft cloth or plastic scrubber (no abrasive scrubbers)
- Olive oil
- Single edge razor blade
- Water
- Mild soap
- Mr. Clean Magic Eraser
Steps to Remove the Burnt Substance:
- Start by allowing the burner to cool completely before attempting to remove anything. Trying to clean a hot burner is dangerous and invites further burns and problems.
- When the burner has cooled, you are ready to begin.
- If the stain is thick, start by scraping away the burnt substance with a spoon or dull knife.
- For tougher stains, a razor may be useful to scrape the larger portions away first.
- To do this, coat the stain with olive oil to help loosen and lubricate it. Let it soak in for a couple minutes.
- Carefully push the razor blade against the stain, keeping it as flat as possible, to scrape it off. Take caution not to scratch the surface. (If you find the residue is still too difficult to scrape off, continue on to the next step without removing the oil.)
- Once the majority of the burnt food is gone and the surface no longer has any edges to catch with the razor blade, you are ready to move onto the next phase. Start by mixing a paste of baking soda and water in a small dish. It should be the consistency of toothpaste.
- Spread the paste over the burnt area and allow it to set for at least 10 minutes. Do not allow it to sit so long that it dries out. An optional step is to pour lemon juice over the baking soda. It will cause a fizzing and may help to release tougher areas. Seltzer can be used instead of lemon juice with similar results.
- After either mixture (plain or with lemon juice) has had a chance to sit, gently scrub the area with a soft cloth or plastic scrubber. Do not use any abrasive scrubbers as it will damage the glass surface.
- Repeat as necessary until the food is gone.
- If a stain still remains after the burnt food is removed, clean the stain with either baking soda and water or a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser.
- When all burnt food and stains are removed, clean the surface as usual with mild soap and warm water.
Additional Tips and Ideas
- Avoid using the burner again until all of the burnt on food is removed. The heat from a second use will cook it on even more and make it much more difficult to remove.
- Bar Keeper’s friend is a commercial cleaner available at nearly every department store and has been useful in removing cooked on food without scratching the glass surface.
- Bounce dryer sheets can also help to lift burnt on food. Moisten a sheet and lay it across the top. Allow it to set for several minutes and then scrub away the burn. Repeat as necessary.
- If removing burnt food is a common problem, there is a tool you can buy to make the job easier. The Skrapr is made for removing stuck-on messes and is safe for use on glass stove tops. It is currently available at Bed, Bath and Beyond and some hardware stores, as well as online.
- Burnt sugar is notoriously difficult to remove. One site user wrote in (Thanks!) to share their success method of pouring club soda over the area, followed by pouring boiling vinegar over the area and scraping off the residue. Be very careful as the boiling liquid will fizz when it comes in contact with the club soda and it would be best to wait until the area is not too hot to touch before scraping in case your hand slips.
Anne says
For burnt on foods, you can save some time by taking a wet washcloth and spreading it on the burnt on food for about 10 minutes or more. This should be done after the burner is cooled. The water softens the food and lets you wipe it up with a paper towel or sponge. If there is anything left on, you can then use the scrapper or a non-abrasive pad.
Hope this helps…
Kaserasera says
To clean glass top stoves, use any brand ceramic stove cleaner, let set for couple minutes, then follow with magic eraser, works with the most stubborn stains wonderfully!
Mary says
We bought a glass top stove about a year ago, bought all new cookware and was really careful when using and cleaning it but still have several scratches on it, wonder if there’s any way to remove them.
I. Cooper says
I purchased this new range in January and used all the products suggested by the manufacturer. Almost immediately the stains and scratches appeared and now it looks awful. Are there ways to remove those scratches? They cause the whole kitchen to look bad.
Just cleaned my glass stove says
If you have food burned onto your glass stove top, Comet will get if off with just a little elbow grease – even if the food has been on the stove awhile and is blackened and hardened. My stove was so bad, I thought the burnt on food was just a damaged stove-top (my glass stove top is black). I got so tired of it that I just decided to use Comet because it cleans my bathtub so well.
1. Scrape off the burnt food as best you can (use a razor blade or metal spatula or metal spoon or whatever works; just make sure it isn’t going to scratch the glass).
2. Wipe down the stove with a damp paper towel or wash cloth.
3. Mix a little Comet in a bowl with water until it’s the consistency of toothpaste.
4. Spread the Comet over the stained area of the stove (section by section – you probably don’t want to let the Comet dry).
5. Use a damp wash cloth and rub the Comet into the stove top using small circles.
(It’s going to take some serious elbow grease – in other words, you’ll need to press hard.)
6. Wipe area with damp paper towel to make sure you’ve gotten up all of the burnt food.
7. Repeat steps 4-6 until you’re stove top is clean.
8. Wipe the stove top using a clean damp wash cloth.
9. Dry with a paper towel.
Your stove top will look like new!
Sandy says
We had splatter burned onto our glass stove top and immediately began trying to remove with a variety of cleaners and lots of elbow grease. After a week of scraping with no success, I tried all of the above suggestions: soda, professional stove cleaner, Goo Gone, olive oil.
Then I placed a damp paper towel on the spill while I made a paste of soda and lemon juice, whipped off with the paper towel, and began scrubbing with the foaming paste. It worked like a MIRACLE!!
Many thanks to person who suggested it!!
Len says
I’m a guy who didn’t have a clue as how to clean splattered soup off my new glass top stove. I found this website with Google. Thanks so much. The lemon and baking soda works.
Ann says
I am so thankful, Sandy, for your solution to burned splatters on a glass stove top. I had tried EVERYTHING and nothing worked. Thanks for passing the suggestion on. It was truly a MIRACLE.
Lori says
I’ll never buy the expensive stove-top cleaners again! Lemon juice mixed with baking soda worked wonders. It cleaned an old, burnt-on mess that I thought had ruined my stove top, and a new one that happened on top of it. I put a wet paper towel down on top of the mess for about 5-10 minutes, then spread the mixture on top and scrubbed with a non-abrasive pad. Thanks for the tips to save my stove top.
Barbara says
Thank you for the tip. I went to Home Depot to get the supplies and saw a new glass stove top. I bought it and it looks great. Thanks again, truly a miracle.
Joe says
Sandy, Ann, Anybody – it sounds like baking soda and lemon work best? I am renting and the NEW stove has a black glass top. Unfortunately, there is burnt food on it at this point that won’t wipe up – the burnt food as been cooked on for about six months now and there are new stains on other burners, and water stains! I wipe it down after use, but it keeps getting worse.
My questions is: will these methods listed above – the baking soda and lemon, and the Comet and lemon, and the over-the-counter projects – ruin the black on the glass? When I wiped hard on the stains, I noticed some black color came off onto the dish cloth, so I’m afraid to try anything that will further ruin it – it’s not my stove, you know.
Janet says
I melted a plastic microwave plate cover on our biggest burner, and furthered the damage by trying to scrape it off with a black plastic spatula while hot. Would you have any ideas for a solution to clean this glass top? I’m not getting anywhere with it.
Emilie says
Try using just baking soda moistened on a rag. If black still comes off, then it’s not supposed to be on there. I have never seen soda scratch glass yet, and I’ve cleaned a lot of glass tops with just soda, a little water, a rag, and lots of elbow grease!
Crystal says
For the plastic that is stuck on, try using a razor blade. My glass top stove instructions say to use a razor for things stuck on, and I use one almost every week. No scratches from that, either.
Steven says
Great job on our glass stove. I used a razor blade and oil, then baking soda paste with Soft Scrub. It’s like new!
Thanks!
Cat says
I have a black ceramic stove top that I cannot get spills off. I have been making peanut brittle and some hard syrup is on the top and i have tried baking soda with little lemon juice waited 15 mins or more and scrubbed very very hard and some came off but still some spots remain. I have read you can use a razor blade but I can’t imagine that a razor wouldn’t scratch the top permanently. I don’t want tiny scrathes on it. The black top show every little bit of lint so don’t want scratches. Please can anyone help. I purchased special stove top cleaner when I got the stove last Christmas. Don’t like that stuff. Leaves a white film unless you use alot of muscle and rub , rub and rub more to remove the film
Annie says
The following works for minor spills and stubborn water marks. Once you have removed the saucepan and turned off the stove, wait until it has cooled slightly and gone from hot to warm. Then rub half a lemon all over the affected area(s). I even rubbed some of the skin/rind side on it. Leave for 2 hours, then wipe off. Wash stove top with a damp sponge and buff with a hand towel. Great result!
Janet says
I desperately need advice! I have white embedded marks in my glass stove top and I’ve tried everything mentioned to clean it. There is no residue on the stove at all! These marks are in the glass. This happened after my potatoes boiled over at Christmas. I cleaned it with a blade, a Magic Eraser, baking soda, Windex and good old elbow grease, but nothing has changed. Does anyone have a solution? Please help! Thank you.
Carole says
I have an induction hob and while cooking pancakes, some of the mixture went on the hob. I can’t get it off. Any help with cleaning it, please?
Marcy says
This food has been burned on the stove too many times. Will anything restore the top?
Natasha says
Worked like a charm! I used a table knife for the scraping. If the paste dries out, just re-moisten the area with a few drops of water.
Amanda says
I thought my WHITE stove was ruined because of all the burnt stuff on it, but after trying the baking soda and water, it looks brand new!! Worked AWESOME!!
Dennis says
This will work 100%. Go to Home Depot and buy a product called Blaster; it is used to clean tools. Spray it on, then use a razor blade on the stain. You will see the burnt residue on the razors edge. Repeat and be careful not to scratch glass top; hold blade perfectly level. When complete, let the chemical evaporate for 30 minutes. Then, spray Dirtex or quality window cleaner… This process will work and save you lots of time.
Keri says
Amazing page! Thank you so much! I had a burnt on mix of water and milk, and nothing (not even the stove cleaner) was getting it off. Olive oil, scraping with a paper towel-covered spoon (as I was terrified of scratching) and then finishing off with a Magic Eraser did it! 🙂
Deb says
Wait for the stove top/burner to be cool. Sprinkle vinegar first on the area, then a dusting of baking soda on top. After the bubbling is done, scrub with a cloth or sponge, then it wipe off. Like new. I tried everything on a burner that I had burned a hot pad onto. This worked perfect.
June says
Hi Everyone,
Thank you all for taking the time to send in your suggestions and advice.
I just bought a Frigidaire Glass Top Range and have been timid about scraping with a razor or using chemicals.
I will put your words of wisdom in a safe place till needed.
Much appreciated,
June
Donna says
A kettle was boiled dry on a glass top stove burner and caused a circular burn mark on the element. Is it possible to remove the burn mark and How?
Melanie says
Donna,
This is the article that you need: How to Remove White Burn Marks from a Black Glass Stove Top.
Gloria says
OMG, I can’t believe how well the baking soda and water worked with lemon. Amazing, simply amazing. Thank you so much! It was burned on pretty bad and this took in off beautifully. You have to work it in with the soft part of a sponge, but if you put a little elbow grease into it, the results are unbelievable. Thank you so much howtocleanstuff.net!!!!!!
Ruth says
The lemon juice and baking soda worked well. Thanks!
Rochelle says
We moved into a house last week with a brand new glass top range that had never been used. I never had one before. The first time I cooked on it, tomato soup boiled over and quickly burned. My kids, Scarlet and Gabriel, googled how to clean burns off of a glass stove and we tried a few. Baking soda and vinegar did not do it. But the Magic Eraser and elbow grease did! Yippee!
Patti says
Baking soda to the rescue once again! I made the paste and left it on for about 10 minutes, then used a plastic scrubby and it worked great. As for BarKeeper’s Friend, the cook store told me to use that on the bottom of pans to make sure they are free from grease when using on the glass cooktop.
Also, the baking soda/water paste also relieves bee stings!
Sid says
Used a SOS steel wool cleaning pad and it worked like a charm. 🙂
Jane says
I used a metal pizza cutter instead of a razor blade to clean off stubborn spots and it worked fine. It’s much easier than a razor and right there in my utility drawer.
Stephanie says
I think the SOS cleaning pad would ruin it from what I have read. Please do not try that.
Grace says
I melted a plastic lid on my glass stove. Scraped it off, but still had a mess. Did the baking soda paste with a very wet cloth, covering it. An hour later, the stove is so clean; it’s a miracle!
Mariah says
Dude you’re my hero! I thought I wasn’t ever goin to get that burn off and it looks brand new because of this. ???????????? Works great!!!
Cindy says
I dropped a cloth on the hot burner after just removing the hot dish…tried to remove the cloth immediately, but it was starting to adhere…tried the cleaner and pad…did not work! 🙁
Pauline says
I tried soaking the ceramic hob with white vinegar and baking soda, left if for 1 hour, gently scraped the hob using a wooden spatula, cleaned up the mess with kitchen paper, then finally washed down the hob in the usual way…good job without hassle!
Vicki says
The lemon juice and baking soda mixture worked good, scraping lightly with a plastic spoon. Then, I added a little olive oil, letting it soak the area for about a hour. The burnt water area was removed…
Thanks for the info.
Barbara says
My tea kettle is stuck to the top of the stove (ran out of water in the kettle). Am I the only one to do this? Any suggestions? Help!
Melanie says
Barbara,
One site user, John, posted a comment about this problem on the guide How to Clean Glass Stove Tops and suggested using CLR and a razor blade to remove the kettle. See John’s comment here.
Another site user, Mark, also commented on that article about this problem and said that they were able to remove the pot using only water applied around the pot and turning the burner on again briefly. See Mark’s comment here.
We have a guide about a similar problem that might help as well: How to Separate a Lamp Stuck to a Glass Table.
Jennifer says
These tips really saved my day today! Thank you!!! Messed up my sister’s stove top and I cleaned it up…she didn’t even figure it out!! Thank you!
Jo Ann says
I spilled sugar water on my glass top & it got caked on. I used a blade & got the hardness off, but now I have a white film coating that I can’t rub out. Have tried every product for glass & every suggestion on this site. Can anyone help me?
Melanie says
Jo Ann,
Have you tried soaking it with white vinegar? It’s possible that the white film is limescale, which can be difficult to remove.
Another option is that the sugar water caused etching. You could try using a scratch remover for glass cooktops, such as Scratch-B-Gone, to see if that works.
Good luck!
Source: HowToCleanStuff.net – How to Remove Limescale
Source: Amazon – Scratch-b-gone
Pepper says
Doesn’t work for me.????
Tammy says
How do you clean a glass stove top that has been burned numerous times? There is no build up, just a smooth surface, but the area is black.
Melanie says
Tammy,
Try the trick for white burn marks: polishing with Bar Keepers Friend. Here is the guide: How to Remove White Burn Marks from Black Glass Stovetop Good luck!
Allan says
Had a pot boil over, and without thinking wiped the stove top with a microfibre cloth. Left a couple of small patches on the burner. Any suggestions as to best way to remove these fibre patches?
Melanie says
Hi Allan,
This is the guide you need: How to Clean Burned on Microfiber Cloth from a Glass Stovetop. Good luck!