How to Remove Grease Splatter and Gunk

Cleaning surfaces that have grease build up and gunk can be a taunting task.  I have always been good about cleaning my stove top after I use it,  so it does not build up.  The past few weeks I have not felt well, so you can see the terrible mess I had to clean up. My husband bought this stove for his mom ten years ago and it is difficult to clean.  I would have never chosen this stove.  Manufacturers are designing much more efficient appliances that are easier to keep clean.  Don't you just love those flat top stoves?  I have discovered a great way to clean messes like this without using harsh chemicals.  Let's get started. 

Step 1: Products to Consider

Grease build up can be cleaned using an oil base cleaner or concentrated liquid dish soap and baking soda.  I have great success using Murphy's Oil Soap, Concentrated liquid dish washing soap, or Lemon Oil to remove the grease, so one can begin to clean the food from the surface.  I have had great success using an all purpose cleaner and Baking Soda for the food particles.  

Step 2: Supplies

Several bar towels.
Paper towels.
Sponge Scrubber.
Scrub brush with a long handle.
Rubber Gloves.

Depending on the surface, you may need stronger cleaners and scrubbers. I do not like to use paper towels but in some cases paper towels are the only way to go especially with very dirty surfaces.  I also do not like to use oven cleaners, but at times you do need a very strong cleaner. It helps a lot to clean up after each use.  

Step 3: Remove All Drip Pans and Removable Parts

Remove all drip pans and removable parts.
Place them in the sink.
Wearing gloves use an old scrub brush with a handle and run hot water over the parts scrubbing off as much as you can.
Hot water is your best friend.
If you have a dish washer place them in the dish washer and run on a heavy cycle but do not dry them.
If cleaning them by hand run hot water over the parts scrubbing with the brush removing as much as you can.
Then coat your sponge with one of these products and coat all the parts with a layer of soap and let set until the food loosens.  
While you are waiting for the parts to soak go on to the next step.

Step 4: Wipe Excess

Wipe the stove top with a paper towel to remove the loose gunk.
Using a damp sponge coated with a layer of dish soap, Murphy's Oil Soap, or Lemon oil, and scrub the stove top.
Let it set until the food loosens, about 30 minutes or so.

Step 5: Wipe Again

If using the dish washer remove the parts from the dish washer and place in the sink if they need more cleaning.
Run hot water over the parts.
Coat the sponge with Baking Soda and scrub off the food particles.
Rinse well.
Dry with a towel.

If washing by hand, run hot water over the parts again; scrubbing off what you can;using the Baking Soda.
This time soak them in a sink with hot water for about 15-30  minutes.
Then using the scrubber; remove the rest of the food particles, rinse and dry with a towel. 

Step 6: Stove Top

Add a little water to your sponge and scrub the stove top again.
Rinse the soap residue with a damp bar towel.
Use Baking Soda to remove the rest of the food particles.
Rinse again using the bar towel.
Repeat this process until all the food and grease are removed.
Dry with a bar towel.

Step 7: Replace Parts

Place all the stove parts back on the stove.

Step 8: Sunshiine's Final Thoughts

I hope this Instructable has been helpful.  I am sure there are easier ways to clean messy jobs like this using harsh chemicals but I am making an effort to use safer products around my home.  I clean more often and have less build up.  I have found that the oil base cleaners for grease work very good.  They work great on top of the refrigerator where it gets that sticky gunk on top.  I usually clean mine weekly but I know some people do not have time to do that.  I suggest placing wax paper on top of refrigerators to save you all the work of cleaning them.  It helps a lot.  As you can see,  cleaning the stove parts made marks in my old porcelain sink.  My next Instructable will be How to clean it.
Thank you for stopping by and I hope you have a great weekend!
Sunshiine 

Comments

[Bonkelray]

I rent an apartment, and, aside from the fact that the stove is actually tilted forward (frying is especially challenging!), the stove top is somehow misaligned, perhaps with the pilot lights, so parts of it are permanently hot! Any spills get baked on right away! I try to stay on top of it with baking soda and dish soap. All- purpose cleaners seem less effective. Any other suggestions? Your cleaning tips we're very helpful.

[sunshiine]

I often use straight vinegar and let it soak for a while. Baked on grease is hard especially on baking dishes and pans. You might give Dr Bronners a try, I used it straight on the refrigerator a while back that had some type of residue left from a message board I had stuck to the fridge. I tried a lot of things and the Dr Bronners liquid soap did a great job. If I think of something else I will leave a comment~ Have a safe and happy spring~sunshiine~

[sunshiine]

Hi Bonkelray, You might try white vinegar. I use it for my pots and pans when there is baked on food and give them time to soak. If plain vinegar won't cut it add some dish soap to the mixture and try it again. A tooth brush or non scratch pad might be useful. If all else fails I might be tempted to use oven cleaner depending on the type of surface. Hope this helps~
sunshiine~

[JackieH52]

My cooktop has an exhaust vent that has a lot of gunk in the bottom and the side walls. I'm gonna try this today and hope for the best. Thank you for your post, it's sure given me hope that I can clean it.

[tommsgirl]

Hi. Any idea how to clean built up grease on a window screen? I keep a fan in the kitchen window, blowing out so my whole place doesn't smell of cooking. I was thinking easy off. Not sure tho. Any ideas?

[sunshiine]

I don't think I would use oven cleaner. It could melt the screen if it is plastic mesh or if it is metal it could discolor it. I am fairly sure you could use cooking oil, lemon oil, or Palmolive Oxy power decreaser. I have never tried this method but if I had a greasy window screen this is what I would try, but can't say it would not damage the screen or if it works but with my experience I would take the risk and be surprised if it failed. You never know through. Please let me know if you try it.

I would spread a generous amount of oil over the screen on both sides and let it set for a while, then I would rinse it thoroughly, then clean it with a very good cleanser or degreaser. If it does not have any wood around it, and if it would fit in a dishwasher I would run it through the pots and pans cycle if you have one.
I hope this helps, and thanks so much for asking and do have a splendorous day!
Sunshiine

[mnlpedersen]

Any tips on preventing grease splatter and buildup on the oven ceiling. Any thoughts on making an aluminum foil cage?

[sunshiine]

Oh wouldn't it be great to not have to clean that! Sorry I have not created a way yet but maybe someday! Someone should design an oven ceiling plate that is re-movable. Thanks for commenting and do have a splendorous day!

sunshiine

[bajablue]

My stovetop is calling your name! ;-D

[sunshiine]

If I lived nextdoor I would be hearing my name called and your stove top would be smiling!
Sunshiine

[pecospearl]

As always a good instructable with lots of new ideas for me to try out.

[sunshiine]

Thanks dear sis for your support! Have a sunshiiny day!
Sunshiine

[canucksgirl]

Great suggestions sunshiine. I like the lemon oil. Actually using just lemon juice works really well as a degreaser. And if you save your lemon halves (after juicing them), and use them with some baking soda, you can pretty much eliminate the paper towels on the really gross stuff. ;)

oh btw, I saw your note about the sink. I look forward to the next one! ;)

[sunshiine]

Thanks canucksgirl! I will have to remember that about lemons and give it a try. I am always experimenting.