13 ways you’re shortening the life of your stove top

If you think repairing an appliance is costly, try buying a new one. There are very few things that feel as frustrating as getting rid of an expensive appliance that’s just a few years old. The worst part? It could be due to your mistakes! Even the most reliable home appliances on the market need to be properly maintained or their shelf life can be significantly shortened. That is very true for something like a stove top, which will need to be replaced much sooner than it should if you’re inadvertently making any (or all) of these mistakes on a regular basis.

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It’s not fun, but you should read the manual of your appliance as soon as you have it installed. Thumbtack pro Oleg Karpynets of Quality Appliance Repair San Francisco says failing to do this can create problems in the future. “Yes, manuals can be extremely boring,” he admits, “but they’re very helpful in keeping your appliance happy and healthy. Manuals can contain special tips for correct cleaning and care.” This goes for all appliances, not just stove tops.

Contrary to the saying, a watched pot will indeed boil, but if you’re not watching, it may very well boil over. It may be tempting to leave the kitchen when you’re boiling water or heating up liquids, but even small spills can lead to big trouble. Why? Spills, splashes, and other accidents can create stuck-on debris or clogs, according to Paul Berry, owner of Mr. Appliance of San Antonio, a Neighborly company. And if you ignore them, they can cause damage to the appliance, shortening its life.

Do you go to use your stove top, light a burner, and notice it doesn’t work? Don’t ignore this problem. A burner that doesn’t light is likely clogged, so it needs to be cleaned. According to Berry, if a burner clogs, it can corrode the part and, thus, shorten the life of your appliance. If clogs are never cleaned out, the openings where the gas comes out will decrease in size. “This can potentially lead to inefficient gas burning and possible hot spots in the pan, meaning not a uniform delivery of heat,” he explains. “This could also lead to limited options for repairing the appliance. And if left clogged, burners could eventually just stop functioning properly.”

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Glass stove tops are a popular choice for those looking to achieve a sleek, modern look in their kitchen. However, if you let dirt build-up, you’ll likely be shopping for a new appliance sooner than you might have planned. “A glass stove top full of streaks, burn marks, and baked-on stains completely voids the whole aesthetic,” says Sarah Brunette, Brand Director of Molly Maid, a Neighbourly company. “This is why maintaining your glass stove top and cleaning it on a regular basis is of the utmost importance if you want to enjoy it for many years to come.” While cleaning grime can seem daunting, it’s not if you know a few tricks.

Sometimes, less is more – and that is definitely true when it comes to water and your stove top. “We’ve seen stove tops (both gas and electric) shorted out when our customers use too much water to clean them,” explains Karpynets. “It’s important to remember that a gas cooktop is an electric appliance too, and there are control boards, electric switches, and high-voltage wires right underneath your burners. Flooding the stove top with water in an attempt to clean it is never a good idea.” Your stove top isn’t the only thing that needs regular care.

Sometimes, a serious stove-top situation calls for a serious solution. But that solution should never entail removing stuck-on debris with something sharp like a razor blade, especially if you’re dealing with a glass stove top. Brunette says this is a hard no and instead suggests using a silicone or plastic spatula. “This is a great tool because it’s flexible and safe, rather than using the single-edge razor blade or anything sharp that may scratch the glass surface,” she says. And yes, it works.

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Baked-on dirt can be tough to remove, but Karpynets emphasizes that using a wire brush can create an even bigger problem in the long run. “We’ve seen spark electrodes ruined by excessive cleaning using abrasive products like wire brushes,” he explains. “Those are delicate parts, and they need gentle cleaning.”

Using a product designed with your appliance in mind is ideal. Cleaning expert Melissa Maker recommends the Scotch-Brite Glass Cooktop Wand. It not only removes dirt – it also keeps your hands from getting dirty. “Just add water to the surface and scrub the affected area,” she says. “Within a few swipes, the grimy build up that’s been a major source of stress starts to melt away and reveals a shiny, clean cooktop surface.”

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Believe it or not, natural products you probably already have on hand can be more effective (and safer) than pricier, chemical-based cleaners. “Sprinkle baking soda directly onto the stove top, and use a clean, damp microfibre cloth to scrub the spot clean,” Brunette says. If you encounter a stubborn spot, she suggests this easy fix: “Add a few drops of distilled vinegar to the baking soda, which should completely clean it.” Are you cleaning your home with paper towels?