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How to clean a ceramic, electric, or glass hob

Hobs get dirty easily, and different material hobs require different cleaning methods! We explain how to clean ceramic, electric, & glass hobs.

Updated By Cleanipedia Team

pan on glass hob
Kitchen Cleaning
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A clean hob can change the entire appearance of your kitchen. Rather than it looking cluttered, dull, or dirty, simply cleaning the hob can make the kitchen appear fresher. Unfortunately, hobs get dirty very easily, and most of us don’t have the time to clean the hob after each use. Food can become dried on, which makes it a nightmare to remove, so it’s always best to clean up spillages quickly if you don’t want to spend a whole day scrubbing at old food.

You will need:

  • Gloves
  • Microfibre cloth
  • Newspaper (Optional)
  • Wire wool
  • Cleaning fluid
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How to clean a ceramic or glass hob in 4 steps

Ceramic hobs look beautiful and are an excellent addition to any kitchen. The same goes for glass hobs. The problem with ceramic and glass hobs is that they scratch very easily. However, to get dried food off the hob, scraping it is the best method. There are plenty of homeowners out there that swear by tile scraping tools to get the job done, but unless you’re prepared to take a large chunk out of the ceramic, this isn’t recommended. Here’s how to clean a ceramic hob or glass hob.

  1. Remove loose food

    Remove all loose pieces of food first by just brushing them into a bin or caddy, so you’re just working with the stubborn stains.

    Step 1: Person wearing gloves removing food off hob

  2. Apply cleaning fluid directly to the hob

    Apply a small amount of cleaning fluid specially designed for ceramic hobs or glass hobs, like Cif Kitchen Spray. This fluid will be completely smooth in texture, with nothing that could scrape and mark the hob.

    Always read the directions on the label first before using any cleaning product.

    Step 2: Person spraying cleaning fluid onto hob

  3. Let the cleaning fluid soak

    Allow the cleaning fluid to soak in, but not dry completely. You want it to soften the hard, dried food, but not become difficult to remove.

    Step 3: Leaving the cleaning fluid soak on a hob

  4. Use a microfibre cloth to clean the hob

    Use a microfibre cloth to clean the majority of the ceramic hob. If there are areas that need a bit more elbow grease, try using some scrunched up newspaper. It’s a rougher texture, yet should still be soft enough to not cause damage.

    Always try on a small area first and stop if you notice any scratches.

    Step 4: Person using newspaper to clean hob

How to clean an electric hob in 4 steps

If you’ve got an electric hob with hotplates, cleaning can be a little more difficult. It’s common for owners to dither over how to clean electric hob plates – should you scrub them or treat them delicately? Fortunately, hotplates can usually withstand a bit of rough treatment, which should make cleaning much quicker and simpler.

  1. Remove hot plates (if possible)

    If your hot plates are removable, take them off the cooker top – this will make cleaning much easier.

  2. Apply cleaning product directly to the hob and allow to soak

    Use a specially designed commercial cleaning product like Cif Kitchen Spray, which is the easiest option. Apply as directed and allow to soak in before removing it.

    Step 2: person spraying cleaning fluid on electric hob

  3. Use wire wool to scrub stains

    Don’t be afraid of using wire wool to scrub hot plates, but test on a small section first. If any scratching appears, stop immediately and switch to a softer cloth.

    Step 3: person using wire wool hob

  4. Rinse the hot plate thoroughly

    Always rinse the hot plate thoroughly to get any food, grease or dirt off.

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The secret to maintaining a clean, shiny hob is to clean up spills and dirt as soon as possible before they’ve had time to dry on. Believe it or not, spending just 5 minutes a day wiping your cooker top is a better option than spending much longer on the job once a month. With these tips, however, you should have it down to an art in no time. (For information on cleaning gas hobs, be sure to check out our article on how to clean a gas hob.)

Originally published