How to Clean Gas and Electric Stoves

Cleaning a stove check to make sure that allminutes with water containing a few tablespoonfuls
switches are in the OFF position. The rims of theof washing soda. (Don't use an aluminum pan for this.)
heating units should be wiped clean with a damp clothIn scrubbing the burners be particularly attentive to
when you have finished cooking and the stove hasthe little openings in the turn-on end through which
cooled. Food that has spilled on open units can bethe gas flows to the burners. If any of the little holes
burned off. Put a saucepan of water on the burner(called ports) in the burners are clogged, push out the
and heat it until the food has been completelysoot accumulation with a wire or hairpin. Rinse the
charred, then when the unit has beenswitched offburners thoroughly, shake out the water, and wipe
and has cooled, lift the unit out and brush off thethe outside dry. Then replace them, making sure that
charred material. A mild scouring powder or steelthey are in the right position. Light each burner to
wool can be used to clean the rim on which the unitcomplete the drying and to make sure it is
rests. Wash it, after scouring, with a cloth wrung outfunctioning correctly.
of hot suds, rinse it, and wipe dry. Enclosed units areGas burners are functioning correctly and with
washed with a cloth wrung out of soapsuds. Particlesmaximum efficiency when the flame is blue and even.
that have burned on can be removed with steel woolA ragged yellow flame indicates that the burner is
or a mild scouring powder. It is important to keep thenot getting enough air along with the gas. Such a
reflector pans under the electrical units clean andflame blackens the bottoms of pans and gives poor
bright because they are designed to increase theheat. Sometimes this flame is due to clogged ports; if
heat output of the unit.any are not burning properly, clean them with a wire.
Removable drip pans under the burners of kitchenIf cleaning the ports fails to correct the trouble and
ranges should be taken out and washed regularlyto produce an all-blue flame, see if the little air
along with other stove parts. Lining them withshutter at the turn-on end is open far enough to
aluminum foil saves work here. And if you have aadmit the proper amount of air.
range without a drip pan do use aluminum foilPilot light. Sometimes the pilot light on an automatic
because the area under the heating units is oftengas range goes out due to its tiny ports being
very difficult to reach for cleaning.clogged. Clean them out with a fine wire and relight
To clean a gas range thoroughly the burners must bethe pilot with a match. Sometimes a puff of air can
taken out and scrubbed with a stiff brush in hot sudsblow out a pilot light. Make the flame a little stronger
made with an all-purpose detergent or soap andby turning the screw at the end of the tube
ammonia. If the burners are made of cast iron youconnecting it to the left for a stronger flame.
can clean them easily by boiling them for several