There must be a better way! How to clean smooth-top stoves and pan exteriors

[ExtraSlow]

So my smooth-top stove gets cooked on messes and they are really hard to remove. Note this is NOT an induction stove, it's the older technology where the surface is heated directly from below. I have found that using a brand new Vileda Glass-ceramic "scrunge" does work as long as I use a lot of elbow grease. Those pastes don't seem to help at all, and I know of no other product that works.
Spending over an hour to clean the stove seems excessive.

Also does anyone have tips for cleaning the exterior of pots and pans? It's just cosmetic but if there's something I would be interested.

Pics for flavour. No banana for scale, typical stove and pan sizes. Both pan and stove surface have been freshly cleaned with non-scratch sponge and dish soap in water.

[Tik-Tok]

For pots and pans, Bar Keepers Friend (the powder, not the diluted liquid)

Edit: They have a cooktop cleaner too, that might work for you?

[SJW]

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For pots and pans, Bar Keepers Friend (the powder, not the diluted liquid)

Edit: They have a cooktop cleaner too, that might work for you?

This. Works mint. I use it on the cooktop too.

[suntan]

What the holy hell are you cooking that causes that much mess????

[88CRX]

The first key step is not allowing it get that dirty. That one looks way too far gone!

Don't boil things over and if they do clean them up right after it cools down with any of those powdery paste products. And wash your pans, hah.

[ExtraSlow]

I knew these pics would bring the hate, and that's cool. So with the powder, you use that on a rag or what?

[JfuckinC]

http://www.corningware.com/16-oz-cle...r/1048984.html

[ExtraSlow]

And we aren't cooking anything unusual. Normal things, but apparently we are worse than average with letting stuff boil over and having oil splatter onto the hot surface. Having a disabled kid to chase around probably doesn't help, I know the rest of the house is a disaster. The pans get washed every time they get used. Even the outsides. I have no understanding of how that stuff sticks like it does. I guess I could hit it with steel wool too, wouldn't matter if the exteriors got scratched.

funny enough, some pans seem to hold the staining way worse than others. the plain steel exterior ones wipe away just fine.

- - - Updated - - -

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http://www.corningware.com/16-oz-cle...r/1048984.html

I've used similar paste products and I must be doing it wrong. They seriously don't seem to do anything. Had someone recommended fireplace glass cleaner and that was useless. Have two different "glass cooktop cleaner" pastes and neither has done anything.

I may sound like Mar here, but do you have to use an orbital polisher or something with these pastes?

[JfuckinC]

I just squeeze it onto the cooktop then fold up a couple of paper towels and go HAM on it. Works great for me, literally did it last night. Yours might be a lost cause though haha, i try and keep up with mine

[Tik-Tok]

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I knew these pics would bring the hate, and that's cool. So with the powder, you use that on a rag or what?

For the bottoms of those pots and pans, try using the powder and a sponge that has a firmer plastic scrubber side to it, or just go straight for the steel wool and powder.

You may just need an orbital polisher to get that glass clean though. You could try a razor blade too.

[JRSC00LUDE]

Fuck I've got some enamel pans that are like that. Can't get it off.

Yeah, yeah, that's what she said.

Stovetop though, that should come clean with ceramabrite or whatever and a lot of hard work. Then just keep up with it.

[ercchry]

I wet sanded mine, got rid of the scratches and everything... looked brand new

[The_Penguin]

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For pots and pans, Bar Keepers Friend (the powder, not the diluted liquid)

Came here to say that. The powder for sure.

[botox]

Vinegar and baking soda. Let it sit for like 5 minutes then take a razor blade and scrape the harder stuff off. The trick is to do it firm but lightly so you don't end up scratching the top. I do this every month or so and it works great.

[firebane]

Yeah razor blade works best for the really caked on stuff. Make sure the top stays wet for lubricant and just glide it over.

[schocker]

Yup, I use a razor blade too and then cook top cleaner after. I should try the vinegar and baking soda too though. Supposed to work good for pans as well.

[firebane]

I would personally never own a glass cooktop as they are just a giant pain in the ass.

[JfuckinC]

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I would personally never own a glass cooktop as they are just a giant pain in the ass.

No way man, so easy to keep clean, just gotta clean it after you use it.. When i had my house warming party and hadn't even used mine yet someone leaned against the range dial and turned it on and melted a cutting board on lol Burned it at high heat then scraped it off looked new still

[Waldi]

baking soda with water, does wonders.

[Kloubek]

As others have said - baking soda. I've tried both water and vinegar but as we all know that bubbles up right away and I believe they neutralize each other once the reaction is finished so I tend not to do both. The part that made a big difference for me is to do the baking soda paste, then let it sit there for 15 minutes with a wet/damp cloth over top. That really helps soften it, and then the baking soda is slightly abrasive so it helps remove it after you start wiping.

This method has actually worked better for me than attacking it with any of the specialized (and expensive) cooktop cleaners. With that said, it is still a pain in the ass - especially if something has been left to bake on there for a few cooking sessions.