How to Remove Burnt-on Grease from Gas Stove Top

Burnt grease and food splatters on your stove look gross and, let’s be honest, reek. 

With many home cooks fighting baked-on spills that only get harder to remove over time, this hot mess makes our kitchen unsightly and not a pleasant place to prepare food.

So what should you do? Is there an easy way to clean your stove and get rid of the grease and stains? We say yes! And we are going to show you just how you can do it!

Looking to do a proper cleaning on your stove tops, check out our articles below:

How to clean your gas stove and make it spotless

How to clean your electric cooktop

How to clean a glass top stove with baking soda and peroxide

How to Clean your Induction Cooktop Naturally

How to Remove Burnt Grease & Stains from a Gas Stove Top – Step-by-Step Guide

How to remove burnt-on grease from gas stove top infographic

Before you roll up your shirt ready to get rid of that solidified carbon and fat deposits on your grates and burners, try these steps first:

• Scrape away any loose debris clinging to surfaces with a plastic or wooden spatula. Don’t use anything that could further scratch the metal.
• If particles appear caught below burner caps, remove the caps and shake out any food remnants beneath. 

How to Remove Burn Marks on Grates

Now to the real job!

1. Allow grates to fully cool after use before handling to avoid burns. Wear gloves if needed.
2. Carefully remove grates from burners and soak in a hot soapy water solution for 30 minutes to loosen debris. Use a mild degreaser if extra grimy. 
3. Make a thick paste of baking soda and water. Liberally apply paste to soiled areas using a soft cloth or sponge.  
4. Allow the paste to set for 20-30 minutes before scrubbing. This gives time for the baking soda to break down grease.
5. Wipe away paste residue using a soft sponge, nylon brush, or cashmere luffa pad. Scrub gently – don’t use steel wool or abrasives that could further scratch grates. 
6. For stubborn burnt spots, apply more paste and let sit overnight before scrubbing again. The extended dwell time helps lift carbonization.  
7. Rinse the grates thoroughly before replacing them on the stove.

How to Remove Baked-on Drips and Gunk Inside Drip Pans 

1. Remove drip pan drawers carefully using protective gloves if still warm. Place in the sink.  
2. Spray pans thoroughly with an all-purpose cleaner or degreaser and allow 5 minutes of penetration time. This helps soften baked-on drips and crusty debris inside pans. 
3. Mix a paste of 3 parts baking soda to 1 part water. Generously coat the interior of soiled drip pans with paste using a soft cloth or sponge. 
4. Allow the paste to set for at least 30 minutes for maximum grease-cutting action. Reapply extra paste to heavily stained areas. 
5. Use a plastic or wooden spatula to gently scrape off any loosened burnt food residue within drip pans after the paste sits. Take care not to damage nonstick surfaces further with sharp metal tools during this preliminary cleaning pass.
6. Scrub the paste with medium pressure using a sponge or soft-bristle brush, focusing on stuck-on stains. The baking soda abrasion lifts carbonized gunk without scratching like harsh scouring pads. 
7. Once the majority of debris lifts, apply more all-purpose cleaners using a microfiber cloth. Wipe around the pan bottom and corners to remove all remaining residue. 
8. Rinse pans thoroughly with hot water before drying fully with clean towels. Allow to fully air dry before replacing into stove.

How to Remove Splattered Grease Across Cooktop Surface

Take care when scouring cooked-on grease! Harsh scrubbing can damage drip pans, grate coatings, and cooktop surfaces further. Be patient in allowing solvents time to penetrate and lift stains. 

1. Ensure the stove top is fully cool before wiping to prevent burns. If grease drips are still wet or sticky, simply use hot soapy water and paper towels to lift the residue before it congeals. 
2. For baked-on grease splatters across the cooktop, spray with an all-purpose cleaner. Allow it to penetrate stains for 5+ minutes.
3. Use a plastic scraper or spatula to gently lift any loosened splatter edges. Take care not to scratch cooktop material with metal tools.
4. Apply a baking soda paste using a damp sponge or cloth. Generously coat the soiled areas fully.  
5. Let baking soda paste soak 15-30 minutes before scrubbing with a dish brush or Dobie cleaning pad. Apply light pressure to avoid marring stove paint. 
6. If heavy discoloration persists, use a liquid oxygen-containing cleaner like Bar Keeper’s Friend. Rinse any chemical residue thoroughly after application before reattempting stove operation.

If you are looking to do a deep clean, check out the infographic below:

Bottom Line

While burnt-on spills may look permanently fused to your stove, the right grease-fighting solutions can definitely win this battle. A little patience plus non-abrasive scouring lets you renew and revive aged gas cooktops to near original condition. Remember – that cooked-on crust has likely accumulated over the years. Reversing the stain timeline reasonably takes hours, days, or weeks depending on severity. 

But the satisfaction of restoring your shiny gas range makes the effort worthwhile. Now grab those safe cleaners and get to work!

Common Questions

What removes burnt-on grease from drip pans?

A: For tough grease-caked drip pans, make a paste of baking soda and water and let sit overnight before scrubbing with a cashmere luffa sponge. Ammonia or Bar Keepers Friend also helps lift stubborn carbon. Replace if the damage is too extensive.  

How do you clean burnt grease off a gas stove grate? 

Remove the grates and make a baking soda paste. Apply to grates and let sit for 30 minutes before scrubbing with a sponge or soft brush. For heavy accumulations, use Bar Keepers Friend. Avoid abrasive scrubbers.

How do I clean years of grease from my gas stove?

Address heavy buildup with a baking soda paste, cashmere luffa sponge scrubbing, and grease solvents like ammonia or Bar Keepers Friend. Replacement drip pans restore easy wipability. Magic Eraser sponges lift stained surfaces.  

Why does my gas stove keep getting grease burnt onto it?

Frequent grease buildup indicates pans or pots are likely overcrowded, causing spills. Cook over low to medium stove heat and allow space between pans. Immediately wipe spills before residue bakes on. Use a protective stove mat.

What is the best gas stove top cleaner?  

For routine cleaning, use hot soapy water and a soft sponge or cloth immediately after cooking. For heavy grease, apply a baking soda paste and scrub gently. Specialized stove cleaners like Carbona or Easy-Off work well too.