Cleaning Your Stovetop

by Elsha

The last time my mom was cleaning her stovetop I was in the kitchen with her, and I was surprised to watch her lift up the entire top to clean under it. Like so:

(Do you like the Harvest Gold cabinets, by the way? My parents are redoing their kitchen this summer.)

I'm a little embarrassed to say that I had no idea you could do that. In both the houses I've owned, we've had a ceramic cooktop. I'd like to blame that fact for my ignorance here, but sadly I don't think I can since this stove is the one we had while I was growing up. I guess my mom always cleaned the stove while we were in school?

Anyway, I'm curious: Does your stovetop do this? Did you know that stovetops could do this? Am I the only oblivious one out there?

Comments

[Christy M]

I've never seen this, but my old stove was more all one piece, like the divot under the electrical element was part of the top. I will say that I blew my husband's mind when I just pulled the electrical element part off (it just plugged in the side) to get underneath. Now we have a glass-top electric range and the only plus is that it is easy to clean. Everything else, I hate about it.

[Em]

I'll have to check this out when I get home... I have an older-style stove like that... hmmm.

[Jackie]

Yes. No. No.

Team Oblivious. I just stepped over and lifted my stovetop. I'm embarrassed at how much I want to clean it right this very second.

[Carol]

I think I have the same stove and no, I did NOT know it lifted up like that. And I have lived in my house for SEVENTEEN YEARS. I may have to go home and set fire to my kitchen...gross!

[Jessica]

Whoa. I'll have to try that when I get home!

[J]

Just walked over to check this on our apartment stove -- and mind.completely.blown. My mom's stove was a separated range top and then microwave/oven stacked combo so she did NOT have this to show me! Well. I know one thing I need to do this weekend. This is way easier/more pleasant than trying to shove my hand through the burner hole and hope for the best while I try to scrub and not cut myself on edges. Thanks for the tip!