Most kitchens have ceramic hobs on the stove. Compared to conventional cast iron hobs, they have the advantage that they can be operated in a more controlled manner, which makes them much more energy-efficient. Ceramic hobs are also very easy to clean – provided you always clean them immediately after cooking. However, even if you use a cleaning cloth immediately after cooking, strange metallic stains can still form on the surface over time. The question is: where do they come from and how do you get rid of them?
Cleaning the ceramic hob: Helpful tips to remove annoying stains
Unfortunately, simple scrubbing is not enough here, other means are required. However, these do not always have to be expensive – on the contrary simple household remedies are often sufficient.
But first we would like to answer the question of where these iridescent stains actually come from. The answer is quite simple: pans and pots are often to blame for the annoying stains. The reason for this is the copper and aluminum-containing alloys in our cooking utensils, which fuse wonderfully with the ceramic surface through friction. Even if it seems that the stains have formed underneath the glass surface and are therefore impossible to remove, we can reassure you – this is rarely the case!
As a rule, it is always important to clean the hotplates, whether ceramic or cast iron, immediately after use. This can be easily done with conventional cleaning agents and a sponge or cloth. However, the hob should have cooled down sufficiently by this time, otherwise there is a risk of burns!
If, for whatever reason, you didn’t get around to cleaning the hob in time, we have listed a few household remedies here that can help you clean your ceramic hob.
Lemon juice
For light stains, such as water or limescale stains, simple lemon juice is sufficient. To do this, drip a little of the juice onto a cloth and wipe over the stains as usual. Leave the juice to soak in for about 10 minutes, wipe with a little fresh water and then dry with a dry cloth. If you don’t have any lemon juice to hand, glass cleaner is also ideal for the whole procedure.
Baking powder
Baking soda is an excellent cleaning agent for more stubborn stains, such as burnt-on food. All you need for cleaning is half a packet of baking soda and a tablespoon of water. Rub the mixture onto the dirty areas and leave to soak for around 60-90 minutes. You can now simply wipe off the dried, dirty stains with a dry cloth. Finally, wipe over again with a damp cloth and rub everything dry.
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Cleaning the ceramic hob with toothpaste
If scratches have already formed on the ceramic surface, toothpaste can be helpful. The microparticles in the toothpaste smooth the edges of the scratches and make them disappear. All you need to do is rub a small amount of the cream onto the scratched areas with a cloth and then wipe the surface dry with the back of the cloth.
Cleaning stone and vinegar or soda
Now we come to the aforementioned metal streaks. These can be easily removed using a cleaning stone and vinegar or washing soda. The acid contained in vinegar dissolves the metallic impurities after prolonged exposure, making it easier to remove the streaks. If you prefer to use washing soda instead, apply a small amount to the soiled areas and leave the soda to work for around 20 minutes. You can then wipe away the remaining dirt with a simple cloth. You should use so-called cleaning stones with care, as their use can lead to scratches. Suitable cleaning stones are mainly available in drugstores.
Effective prevention of stains
If all household remedies fail to clean your ceramic hob for some unknown reason, the only thing left to do is to reach for the chemical shelf. You can find suitable cleaning agents in any supermarket or drugstore. But before you get that far, here are a few helpful tips to prevent metallic streaks in advance:
- Never slide pots and pans over the hob. This not only saves you from stains, but also protects against scratches!
- Even if the temptation is too tempting – do not wash your pots and pans in the dishwasher! The dishwashing process encourages abrasion of the pots’ alloy, making it easier for it to get onto the hob during cooking.
- Avoid excessively hot, prolonged cooking temperatures. Instead, turn the temperature up once and then continue cooking at a lower temperature. Excessively high temperatures also promote the abrasion of the metallic alloys of the cooking utensils.
With these helpful tips, you now know how to clean your ceramic hob and remove unsightly metallic stains on the hob!
Source: ruhr24.de
