You spent a sizeable amount on buying your induction cooktop. With this, it is in your best interest to ensure your unit is always in good working condition. This will include repairing, fine-tuning, and scheduling regular maintenance. However, there is one aspect that many induction cooktop owners forget or neglect: cleaning their unit thoroughly and regularly.
Cleaning an induction cooktop is overlooked because it takes time and effort. But it is high time you start cleaning your unit if you want it to serve you for a long time.
But before you start cleaning your unit, you need to have the right cleaner. In this piece, we’ll provide you with tips that will help you choose the right cleaner for your cooktop. Ready? Let’s jump right in.
Is the Cleaner also a Sanitizer and Disinfectant?
To keep your induction cooktop clean and free of harmful elements such as bacteria and viruses, you’ll need to invest in a cleaner that is also sanitizer and disinfectant. Cleaning your unit with regular soap and water will only visibly stains and markings. But using a cleaner with sanitizing properties will help you remove visible dirt plus viruses and bacteria.
Multi-purpose Use
You don’t want to keep spending your hard-earned money on cleaners every time you want to clean an item in your kitchen, right? Well, then you’ll need to ensure the cleaner you buy has more general use. Go for a cleaner that you can use to clean your induction unit, countertop, and more. Before you buy a cleaner, read the product description carefully, and make sure it is multi-purpose.
Packaging Size
What is the size of your induction cooktop? How often do you use it or clean it? Be sure to ask yourself these questions before you make an induction cleaner purchase. This will help you know the exact amount of cleaner you need to purchase. We recommend you invest in pre-measured single-use cleaner packets. They will help you reduce cleaner wastage. Also, buy induction cooktop cleaners in bulk for a cost-effective cleaning routine.
Liquids and Powders
Are you in the market for liquid, powder, or tablet cleaners? Each cleaner has its pros and cons, depending on your cleaning routine and objective. If you ask us, we would suggest you go for liquid-based cleaners. Why? With liquid cleaners, getting rid of grease, dirt, and baked-on fat from your induction cooktop will be easy and won’t require too much time and effort. Most liquid-based cleaners are also versatile; meaning they can be used to clean other items in your kitchen as well.
Safety
When shopping for cleaners, be mindful of cleaners that contain high concentrations of potentially harmful chemicals, such as bleach or ammonia. Avoid cleaners that have caustic, abrasive, or flammable properties. Also, if a cleaner isn’t designed specifically for cleaning induction cooktops, don’t use it. It might damage your unit or even worse lead to serious health issues.
Third-party Reviews
Always visit online review sites to see what people are saying about a particular induction cooktop cleaner before you make any purchase. If positive reviews outweigh the negative ones, it means the cleaner is safe to use on an induction cooktop, and you can go ahead and buy it. If there are more negative reviews than positive ones, find another cleaner.
Environmental Impact
Environmental pollution is a serious issue, and you need to be part of the team that is trying to keep the environment clean and safe. Consider purchasing an environmentally friendly induction cleaner. All environmentally friendly products have a biodegradable certification. Make sure the cleaner you choose has this certification. If a cleaner has a biodegradable accreditation, it means that it will break down naturally and won’t harm or pollute the environment.
Now that you know what to look for when looking for a cleaner for your induction cooktop let’s answer some frequently asked questions about induction cooktop cleaning. Shall we?
How Often Should You Clean Your Induction Cooktop?
Most people clean their units every 2 to 3 days. But realistically speaking, daily would be the right answer to this question. Cleaning will improve your unit’s longevity by removing dirt and carbon deposits.
You Want to Keep Your Induction Cooktop Clean at All Times: How Do You Do It?
There are so many tricks that you can use to ensure your induction hob is always clean at all times. Here are our favorite tricks.
Always Ensure You Use the Right Pot or Pan for Your Cooktop
This may seem like a no-brainer, but you would be surprised at the number of inductions hob owners that repeatedly use the wrong types of pans and pots on their units. Using the wrong cookware can lead to spills and stains, which will make your unit dirty. Using the wrong pans and pots can also lead to scratches. If your hob becomes scratched, stains and spills can become embedded in your unit, and this can ruin the look of your hob. Always make sure you use the correct cookware on your hob.
Clean Up Immediately
To avoid dirt build-up, it is a good idea to clean spills, stains, and other markings as soon as you are done using your unit—ideally, as soon as your unit’s surface is cool enough to the touch. Use a cloth/sponge and warm water to wipe any stains, spills, or markings from your unit. And don’t forget to rinse and dry.
Finally, buff it with a clean, dry paper towel or cloth. It is always advisable to use a cleaner designer for induction hob cleaning. Keep away from cleaners that contain harmful scrubbing or scouring agents. Likewise, don’t use steel wool or use scouring/scrubbing pads to clean your cooktop.
What Can I Use to Clean My Induction Cooktop?
Here’s a list of things you’ll need to do when cleaning your induction hob.
- Damp sponge
- Induction hob cleaner or any regular mild detergent
- Glass-ceramic cooktop cleaner
- Paper towel
- Clean cloths
- Vinegar (White vinegar is the best choice here)
- Cooktop cleaning pad
Can You Use Windex on the Induction Cooktop?
Yes, you can. Windex has elements that are designed to clean, shine, and protect the glass. This cleaner is also versatile, meaning it can be used to clean other surfaces and items in your kitchen and house.
Are Induction Cooktops Easy to Clean?
Yes, they are. You see, the induction cooktop only heats the position of your pan or pot. The unused section of the induction hob never gets hot, meaning any spills or splatters on this section doesn’t cook or stick. And this makes cleaning a breeze. You can easily get rid of any spills or splatters using baking soda and peroxide, a paper towel, a cloth, or even a sponge.
Can You Use a Paper Towel on the Induction Cooktop?
Yes, you can. In most cases, you’ll need a paper towel to buff off excess cleaner or detergent.
How Do You Remove Stubborn Marks from an Induction Hob?
You’ve probably asked yourself this question before. Well, if a stubborn mark won’t come off, you can use a scraper or razor to get rid of it. Caution: You need to be extremely careful so as not to scratch or cause any damage to the glass surface.
Steps to follow: Add a generous amount of liquid-based cleaner to the affected section and then use the scraper or razor to remove the stubborn marks. Be careful and work one spot at a time with even motion until the stain is gone. This ensures you don’t scratch the glass. A razor or scraper with a graspable holder is recommended for easy, effective, and safe use.
You can also use a towel to remove some stubborn markings. How? Here’s how: Rinse, wring your towel, and use it to scrab the stubborn marking. Keep doing it with backward and forward motions and watch the marking disappear. Once you get rid of the stubborn marking, wipe the entire surface of your cooktop with a damp paper towel. And polish it to give it a shiny look.
Can You Use Mr. Clean Magic Eraser on a Glass Top Stove?
Yes, you can. Mr. Clean Magic Eraser is safe and has all the properties needed to keep your hob clean and free from bacteria and viruses. It also versatile so it can be used to clean other surfaces such as walls, kitchen counters, bathroom glasses, and so on.
Can I Use Vinegar to Clean My Glass Top Stove?
Yes, you can. But not just any vinegar. Only white vinegar can get the job done. The thing we like about using vinegar to clean cooktops is that it is inexpensive compared to most induction hob cleaners and is always on hand. If you want to clean your unit using vinegar, here is how you should do it. Combine equal amounts of white vinegar and water into a spray bottle. Lightly shake the bottle and ensure the two liquids are well mixed. Then spray on your induction cooktop surface and use a sponge to wipe out any dirt or spills.
Final Words
An induction cooktop cleaner is crucial in maintaining the condition of an induction hob. The tips we have shared above will help you choose the right cleaner for your unit. Make sure you follow them to the letter.
