Modern homes today are packed with all sorts of appliances and gadgets that make life easier, especially in the kitchen. With the aid of our refrigerators, dishwashers, and stoves, preparing and storing food, as well as cleaning after meals has become very easy and hassle-free.
Most homeowners who are passionate cooks favour their gas stoves over the electric ones, but there are definite advantages that electric stoves offer to their users. Whether it’s a glass range or a coil burner top, electric cooktops can be easier to maintain and clean, as long as you do it correctly. Otherwise, you might cause damage to electrical components and finishes.
Stoves are hard-working appliances that take a lot of beating which can affect their performance in a negative way. In order to expand the life of your electric stove, follow the recommended tips for regular maintenance routine.
Go by the book
Even if they look the same, not all electric stoves are the same. The surface material of cooktops can be made of ceramic, glass or composite, and some of them are quite sensitive to spills and harsh cleaning products. This is why it’s crucial you abide by the manufacturer’s manual and follow instructions when it comes to appliance maintenance and protection.
Manuals can get easily misplaced and lost, but luckily, virtually all of them can be found online. Type in the manufacturer’s name and model mark in the search engine, and it’s usually best if you refer to their official website for the information you need.
Don’t put off cleaning
One thing you should never skip and leave for later is cleaning drips and spills. It should be done immediately or they will harden, or even penetrate your stove’s finish and make cleaning difficult and even cause damage. Moreover, never clean your stove while it’s still hot and cooking. You can wipe up a small spill off a warm area, but using a damp cloth to clean a hot burner is not advisable as you will most definitely get burned.
It’s best if you get well organized and prepared for any future drips and spills, so keep a few small, cheap cloths in a drawer closest to the stove, so when things get messy, you’ll be able to react quickly.
If you do a lot of cooking in the oven, you should make an effort to clean it regularly, as any food residue can catch on fire. Whether it’s a self-cleaning oven or not, use a recommended oven cleaner and wash the racks separately. If you notice any element not functioning properly, genuine pros as this emergency electrician operating in Sydney can intervene quickly and solve your problem safely. Electrical issues can be dangerous so you shouldn’t attempt to handle them yourself.
Electric coil cooktop maintenance
Stoves with electric coil cooktops are a great trade-off. They may not offer easy and quick heat control, but they are quite inexpensive, durable and low maintenance. Coil burners are practically self-cleaning as they burn off any food residue in just a few minutes. However, it is recommendable you clean them further after they’ve cooled off. Most of them can be easily pulled out from the socket, but make sure you check in the manual first. A thick paste of baking soda and water should easily do the trick.
As for the rest of the cooktop, it should be a breeze. The drip pans below the burners are also removable and can be washed in the dishwasher, and the rest of the surface should be wiped down once a day with a damp cloth. This will keep it clean so you’ll only need to use a cleaning solution once a week.
Flat cooktop maintenance
As flat cooktops are quite sensitive, it’s even more important you follow the manual. You need to be careful which cookware, scouring pads and cleaners you use as they can easily scratch the surface. Your daily maintenance should include wiping it over with a damp cloth to remove minor spills and crumbs.
If it’s more stained, you can use a specially designed scraper for flat cooktops to remove burned-on residue. After that, you can apply a coat of cooktop cleaner, let it dry and then wipe it off with a microfiber cloth.
A lot of damage to your electric stove can be prevented by regular cleaning and maintenance. Follow these tips and establish a consistent cleaning routine and you’ll ensure the optimal performance of your electric stove.
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