Cleaning kitchen appliances does not make the top of a weekend fun list for most of us. But it is one of those necessary chores that when completed, helps us feel as though we've accomplished meaningful work, as indeed we have.
Rather than set out to clean every household appliance, or even just those in the kitchen, which could take all day, schedule an hour or so for the stove. That way the day won't be entirely shot by scrub work and you will still feel good about crossing this task off your to do list.
Begin by preparing your needed cleaning supplies. Gather scrub gloves to protect your hands, non-scratch cleanser that will clean yet protect the finish, and an oven cleaning product. Add a small wisk broom for the baked on tarnish in the oven and broiler and a scrub cloth for the top and sides. Be sure to have running water available for rinsing away soap scum.
Start with the hood. Wipe away dust or stains with a damp cloth. Use the soft scrub soap if necessary, then rinse your cloth and wipe away soapy residue.
Pull out the vent filters and scrub them in the sink, using the wisk broom to loosen stains and dust. Rinse until the water runs clear and set somewhere to dry.
Next, pull off the burner plates if you have them from the top of the stove. Scrub each burner and wipe them clean, using a scouring pad if needed, followed by a rinse with the scrub cloth. Use the cloth to wipe off the top, back, front, and sides of the stove, scouring stains as needed. Wipe all surfaces clean with the rinsed scrub cloth.
Now, on to the oven. Open the door and use your wisk broom to brush loose any baked on debris. Wipe all of it with a paper towel (or two) first, then use your scrub cloth to wipe up remaining dirt. If you have a self-cleaning oven, now is the time to set the gauge and let it burn off. Be sure to vent your kitchen thoroughly to avoid fume build-up. If you are using commercial oven cleaner, wear a respirator mask to protect your face and quickly spray the inside of the oven with the cleaner, following directions on the can or container. Close the oven and leave it set until it's time to wipe away the softened debris with the soft cloth.
Next, open the broiler section. Remove any pots or pans that are stored there, including the broiler pan, which, if dirty, should be put to soak with dish soap. If there is baked on crust, use the wisk broom to brush it off. Use a paper towel to wipe away dust and crumbs. Then put a little bit of non-scratch soap on a damp cloth and wipe the broiler clean.
Voila! Your stove will look shiny and new after your complete cleaning of it; cooked food may even taste better! (This will be the work of your imagination, of course.) Now you can turn your attention to a more enjoyable activity until you decide to tackle the next appliance another day.
