A ceramic top stove is a stylish and practical edition to any modern kitchen, but they do come with their own risks. It's important to care for your stovetop to keep it looking nice and smooth, and without scratches. These tops are tough but not indestructible. To see just how much they can take, we put our ceramic top to the test with this smash test:
Now, this is extreme, of course. You're unlikely to completely shatter your ceramic top, but it is possible to crack it by dropping a large pot or heavy object, or by attempting to chop ingredients directly on the stovetop. If you crack your ceramic DO NOT USE IT. Cracked ceramic can cause electrocution if it comes into contact with liquid while turned on. If you crack your ceramic we strongly recommend you replace it with one of the many options we have available: here.
Even though these big cracks are rare, it is very easy for small scratches to build up. To care for your ceramic top we have the following recommendations:
- Lift up your pans and pots instead of dragging them.
- Avoid using abrasive materials when cleaning your stove top. Use cloths or soft sponges rather than scouring pads or attempting to scrape the top.
- Make sure your top, and the bottom of your pans, are both clean before cooking. Any food residue on the top, or on the bottom of your pots and pans, could burn and cause damage.
- Be careful of pans and pots with textured bottoms (such as rings). While you can use these items with your stove, they are riskier because of their abrasive texture and less even heating pattern. So go for a smooth bottom, or if there aren't alternatives, just try to be very careful.
- Avoid putting heavy objects on the stove top. A big pot of soup is ok, but don't attempt to use your stove as temporary counter space or else you may crack it.
- Be VERY careful with sugar and sugary substances like jam or syrups. The sugar, when burned, can fuse to the top permanently. Try to clean it up as quickly as possible (without putting yourself in danger) to avoid a sticky mess.
- Only use pots and pans that fit the size of the cooktop
If you get deep scratches in the top surface, they are likely there to stay. However, for superficial scratches, one popular home remedy is using baking soda.
Here's how to fix stove top scratches with baking soda:
- Mix two parts baking soda to one part water to form a paste
- Take a soft sponge or cloth and dampen it
- Dip the sponge or cloth in the paste, and apply to scratched areas
- Buff out the paste until the scratches are minimized or erased
- Wipe off the paste with another clean damp cloth or sponge, and dry off the area
And you're done! Now this is just one of multiple methods. Some other common products to use are:
- Toothpaste
- Metal Polish
- Ceramic Cleaner
If your stove is in need of repairs, please visit Partselect.com for all your appliance part needs.
