Cleaning Guides

How to Clean a Stainless Steel Hob

Fantastic Team
Published: Mar 12/2020
Last update: Mar 16/2022
5min read
Views: 1,943

If you love to cook often, then at one point you probably looked at your cooking hob and realized it looked way better the day you bought it. The more you use it, the more stained it gets and if you leave it like that for a long time, the food deposits and grime will become harder to remove. But, fret not! Because the professional cleaners from Fantastic Services have made this simple guide on how to clean a stainless steel hob, just for you!

If you:

Want to learn the best way to clean a stainless steel hob;
Wish to clean it in a way that preserves the surface;
Want to know how to clean tarnished stainless steel hob;

Then keep reading! This article is for you!

Stainless steel hob cleaning tips

To avoid scratches, always clean your hobs with the grain of the stainless steel hob.
Make sure to wipe all spills or stains as soon as you notice them so as to avoid them from settling.
Clean the stainless steel hob with a damp paper towel as frequently as possible to prevent grease and dust buildups.
Clean only when the hob is completely cool.

Tools you need

A commercial stainless stell cleaning solution of your choosing;
At least three microfibre or soft cloths;
A toothbrush for cleaning hard-to-reach places;
Paper towels for drying;
Rubber gloves.

How to clean a stainless steel hob without scratching it

Time needed: 30 minutes.

Now that you gathered your tools, it’s time to roll up your sleeves and clean up the grime off your stainless steel hob. Here is how to do it:

Check your hob’s user manual.
Before doing anything, make sure to check the user manual of your hob, as it may contain information from the manufacturer about what to use and what not to use on the stainless steel surface.
Make sure the hob is cool.
Never start cleaning a stainless steel hob that is still hot from your latest cooking endeavour. You run the risk of burning yourself, not to mention the cleaning agent might evaporate and irritate your eyes or skin.
Start with the removable parts.
To clean your stainless steel hob rings, burners and support grates, take them off and allow them to soak in warm water and dishwashing liquid. If the rings are attached to the hob and don’t come straight off after lifting, make sure to read the manufacturer’s instructions and remove them according to the instructions. Let them sit for a while, so that the grime may loosen. In the meantime, continue cleaning the hob surface.
Apply your solution.
Spray commercial stainless steel cleaner on the hob and let them sit for a few minutes. Then, use a microfiber cloth to clean up the grime and food deposits. It’s important to know that just like wood and fabrics, steel also has grain. You won’t damage the surface if you wipe against the grain, however, it’s possible to trap miniature food particles in it. So, wipe with the grain instead, to ensure an effective clean.
Use a toothbrush on the stubborn food deposits.
If some stains don’t want to come off, don’t torment yourself with harder rubbing. Simply use a soft toothbrush to get them off the surface.
Dry up.
Dry the surface with paper towels. Move along the direction of the grain as you do.
Apply polish.
After you’re done with the cleaning, it’s time to polish, using baby oil, mineral oil or any commercial stainless steel polish. Apply the polish with a clean and dry microfibre cloth, moving with the grain. Use a paper towel to dry the polishing agent.
Clean the removable parts and place them back.
By now, the removable parts of your hob have soaked for long enough, so you can take them out and wipe off the loosened grime. Once they’re clean, wipe them dry with paper towels and place them back on the hob.

How to clean tarnished stainless steel hob

Stainless steel is known for its durability and shine, but with time, especially if it’s exposed to oxidizing and corrosive agents, it can become tarnished and discoloured. While simple glass or stainless steel cleaners can help you with discolouration and stains, stainless steel hobs that have already become tarnished or rusted will require a bit more work. You will need to use more than one cleaning solution on them.

Apply a bathroom cleaner to a wet cleaning pad and rub thoroughly the tarnished or rusted area and then rinse well afterwards.
Then, spray the hobs with a glass cleaner. Rinse and dry them using a clean cloth.
Read the manufacturer’s instructions, and if safe apply a metal polish to the tarnished area of the hob. Rinse and dry completely.

What to never use on stainless steel surfaces

Jewellery polish. This is one thing you should never use since it’s corrosive to stainless steel.
Bleach. Using a cleaning product that contains bleach on stainless steel is a very bad idea, as it stains and damages the surface.
Abrasive tools. Steel wool, steel brushes or any other abrasive scrubbing pads can scrub away the protective layer of the stainless steel. So, don’t use them.

Need help with oven & hob cleaning?

Now that you know how to clean your stainless steel hob, all you have to do is pick a free date and do the task. But, if you prefer not to spend your free time cleaning, you can always rely on the professional oven cleaners at Fantastic Services. They will take this tedious task from your hands, so you can enjoy your time with family and friends instead.

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Takeaways

Cleaning stainless steel hobs can be done with household products such as vinegar, baking soda and dish soap;
If you don’t want to buy a commercial polisher, stainless steel can easily be polished with baby oil or another mineral oil you have on hand;
It’s advisable to clean and polish with the direction of the grain;
Never use jewellery polish, bleach or abrasive tools on a stainless steel surface, as they can easily damage it.

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Have you cleaned your stainless steel hob before? Tell us how you did it in the comment section below!

Image source: Vladyslav Lehir/shutterctock.com