Tips for properly maintaining your ceramic hob
Happy owners of glass-ceramic stoves do not always know how to deal with capricious household appliances. Stovetops, despite their apparent simplicity, quickly become covered with scratches if improperly washed, many stains remain on them, and aluminum dishes and accidentally burned sugar can permanently damage their appearance.
The main features of glass-ceramic maintenance
In order for the ceramic hob to serve as long as possible, you should take into account the characteristics of the material and take them into account when cleaning the device:
- If, during cooking, food gets into the cooker and burns, the remains must be cleaned while the glass ceramic is still hot. For this, the stains are scraped off with a special scraper.
- As soon as the stove has cooled, it is treated with special household chemicals or improvised means, after which it is washed with clean water and wiped dry.
It is important to remember that you need a separate sponge and clean rags for washing the ceramic hob, otherwise the grease left on the washing up utensils will settle on the cooker, creating many stubborn stains on it.
Choose a detergent
When choosing a detergent, it is important to remember that it should not only remove all kinds of dirt, but also not worsen the appearance of the stove. The easiest and most reliable option is to purchase special household chemicals designed for glass ceramics.
If its cost is high enough, there is no need to get upset: you can clean the stove with commonly available vinegar, soap solution or toothpaste.
Special care products for the glass-ceramic coating
Manufacturers of household chemicals produce products in the form of sprays and creams designed to maintain the glass ceramic. They do not contain abrasive particles, so the surface of the hob will always be not only clean, but also free from scratches and scratches. The use of these products is simple: they are applied to the dirt, carefully wiped off, then washed with clean water and wiped dry.
Soap solution
Simple dirt can be easily cleaned by the soap suds obtained by lathering up the dishwashing liquid. It is applied to the stains, after which the plate is carefully wiped with a soft clean cloth, then the remnants of the product are wiped off with a sponge soaked in water.
Ammonia window cleaner
One of the simplest and most effective remedies. The spray is sprayed on the stove and the dirt is carefully wiped off with a damp sponge, after which a clean microfiber cloth is used.
Olive oil
Natural oil is used as a kind of protection, so that food, lying on the glass ceramic, does not stick to it. After the plate is washed and dried, a little oil is applied to it and carefully spread over the entire surface.
Melamine sponge
It differs from standard foam sponges in that it crumbles into small pieces during use, and thanks to this, housewives can easily wipe off even stubborn stains.
The melamine sponge is easy to use. To begin with, the contaminated surface is treated with soapy water, after which the stains are carefully wiped with a sponge until they completely disappear. Wipe the cooktop with a clean cloth to remove residue from cleaning products, then wipe dry.
Toothpaste
To clean the glass ceramic, delicate whitening pastes are used. Due to the delicate abrasive particles in the composition, they clean the stove, but do not cause new scratches to appear. A little paste should be applied to dirty areas, rubbed gently with a sponge, then rinsed with warm water and wiped dry.
The vinegar
To clean the glass ceramic, use a 9% solution. The vinegar is sprayed on the dirt, left to act for a few minutes, then wiped off with a clean cloth.
What cannot be cleaned
To clean the ceramic hobs, it is forbidden to use household chemicals containing abrasive particles. Under their influence, scratches will appear on the surface of the hob, which will not only worsen its appearance, but also make the hob more fragile.
Glass ceramic does not like metal sponges and hard brushes.If food is burnt in it, then in no case should you try to peel it off with an ordinary kitchen knife, for this you need to use a special scraper.
How to make your hob shine again
Even with proper and timely care, the surface of the hob becomes cloudy over time, which significantly spoils its appearance. Baby body oil or petroleum jelly will help correct the situation and give the glass-ceramic shine.
First you need to wash the hob and wipe it dry, then apply a small amount of oil or petroleum jelly, carefully spread on the surface with a soft cloth.
Tips & Tricks
In order for a tempered glass plate to last as long as possible, it is important to remember the following rules:
- do not let sugar or syrup get on the surface, otherwise it is almost impossible to clean the glass ceramic;
- avoid strong point impacts on the surface, as they will lead to its cracking;
- when cleaning, use only clean, damp cloths and sponges, microfiber should be preferred;
- do not use aluminum or plastic dishes, as they leave stains on the hob;
- Do not place wet dishes on the hotplate, as when heated the water will begin to boil, which may lead to cracks in the surface.
The glass-ceramic stove in the kitchen is a convenient and practical household appliance that demands respect. If you do not neglect the rules of cleaning and do not drop heavy objects on it, it will retain its beautiful appearance and delight the hostess for many years.