How to Clean the Burners on a Gas Stove

How to Clean Gas Stove Burners

1. Remove Burner Caps

   If you have an older cooktop with a standing pilot light, shut off the gas valve before you begin.

   Many gas burners have a removable ceramic disc atop the burner to diffuse the flames. If you have this type, lift this disc off the burner, making sure the burners are completely cool before doing so.

   Tip

   Your stove's manual will help you know which areas are safe to remove for cleaning and may even suggest recommended cleaning products (or products and ingredients to avoid). 

2. Remove Burner Heads

   Beneath the caps, the burner head sits atop the gas tube. Remove the burner heads by lifting them straight up. Don't bend or damage the ignition electrode if your stove uses this design.

3. Soak the Parts

   Soak the burner heads and caps in a mixture of liquid dish soap and warm water or distilled white vinegar and water for about 20 to 30 minutes, loosening hardened debris.

4. Scrub Burner Heads and Caps

   Using a non-abrasive scrub pad and an old toothbrush, scrub away food stains from all burner heads' and caps' surfaces. If debris remains in the port openings, use a straightened paper clip to dig it out, but take care not to damage the metal and don't dig too deeply.

   Make a paste of half baking soda and half water for highly stubborn stains. Apply the paste to the surfaces of the burner heads and caps, and scrub with a non-abrasive pad and toothbrush.

   Repeat as needed until the food residue is removed.

   Tip

   Never use a toothpick to clean the portholes, since it can break off and clog the ports. Avoid using bleach or steel wool as well to clean stove burner parts.

5. Rinse and Dry the Parts

   Rinse all parts thoroughly under running water, shaking them to remove excess water, then dry with a cloth. Allow all the parts to then air-dry entirely before reassembling the burners.

   Clean other stove parts, such as the grills and drip pans. The same soak-and-scrub method is also a surefire way to clean these parts.

6. Reassemble the Burners

   Once completely dry, reassemble the drip pans, burner heads, caps, and grills. For electronic ignition stoves: Do not bend or damage the ignition electrodes when reinstalling the burner heads.

7. Relight the Pilot Lights

   For stoves with standing pilot lights: Follow the manufacturer's instructions for relighting the pilot flames.

   Test the burners to ensure they operate correctly—any unusual flame color or shape may indicate that the burner heads are not completely dry or that the caps are not seated correctly over the burner heads.

Tips to Keep Gas Stove Burners Clean Longer

• Use a removable gas range protector cooktop liner that fits over the burners to catch spills and keep boil-overs from causing a mess on your burners.
• Keep all cooktop components, including grates and burners, dry to prevent rust.
• Never use a knife or sharp object to clean hardened spills on your gas cooktop.
• Keep the grates clean to keep the burners unclogged. Some gas range models may have grates that can be cleaned in a self-cleaning oven, but check your user's manual to find out.