My mama taught me this trick to remove caked-on splatter from stovetop burners with 0 effort. Here’s how it works. Full article 👇 💬

5. The Secret Soak: Let Time Do All The Scrubbing For You
The beauty of this method is that it requires minimal intervention from you. Once the burners are sealed in their bags with ammonia, they need to be left alone for at least 12 hours. Overnight is ideal, as it allows the fumes ample time to work their magic.
During this time, the ammonia fumes will soften and lift the baked-on food particles and grease that have adhered to the burners. This process doesn’t require any scrubbing from you, allowing you to focus on other tasks or simply relax. Patience is key here, as the longer the soak, the easier the cleanup will be.
6. Wiping Away The Gunk: Revealing The Clean Metal Underneath
After the soak, carefully open the bags in a well-ventilated area, avoiding inhaling the fumes directly. Using your rubber gloves, remove the burners from the bags. You’ll notice that the grime has loosened considerably.
Take a soft cloth or sponge and gently wipe away the gunk. You should find that most of the residue comes off easily, leaving behind the clean, shiny surface of the burners. In most cases, a single pass with the cloth will suffice, but feel free to rinse and repeat if necessary.
7. What To Do With Extra-Stubborn, Burned-On Spots
Occasionally, you may encounter particularly stubborn spots that haven’t fully come off after the initial wipe. For these areas, a bit of extra attention is required. Create a paste of baking soda and water, applying it directly to the tough spots, and let it sit for about 10 minutes.
Use a soft scrub brush or an old toothbrush to gently work the paste into the residue. This should help lift the remaining grime without damaging the surface of the burners. Rinse thoroughly with water and dry the burners before reattaching them to the stovetop.
8. Safety Tips: Protecting Your Stove, Hands, And Kitchen
Safety is paramount when using ammonia, so it’s essential to take precautions. Always wear rubber gloves to protect your skin from irritation. Ensure the area is well-ventilated to avoid inhaling fumes, and never mix ammonia with other cleaning agents, especially bleach, as this can create toxic gases.
When working with any cleaning solution, it’s a good practice to test it on a small, inconspicuous area first to ensure it doesn’t damage the material. Once you’re done cleaning, wash your hands thoroughly and store any leftover ammonia safely out of reach of children and pets.
9. How Often To Use This Trick To Keep Burners Looking New
To maintain a clean and tidy stovetop, it’s best to use this trick as part of a regular cleaning routine. Depending on how frequently you cook, a monthly cleaning session using this method should suffice.
If you’re an avid cook or frequently preparing meals that splatter, you might find it beneficial to perform this cleaning every couple of weeks. By maintaining a regular schedule, you can prevent the buildup of grime before it becomes a significant issue, ensuring your burners always look their best.
10. Other Surfaces In Your Kitchen This Hack Works On
While this method is designed specifically for stovetop burners, ammonia is a versatile cleaner that can be used on various surfaces around your kitchen. For instance, it’s highly effective at cleaning oven racks, and can even be used on the inside of the oven if properly ventilated.
Ammonia is also useful for removing hard water stains from glass surfaces and cleaning tile grout. Always follow the same safety precautions and conduct a spot test before applying it to new surfaces to ensure it won’t cause any damage.
11. When This Method Won’t Work—And What To Try Instead
There are instances where this method might not be suitable. For example, if your burners are made of materials that react adversely to ammonia, alternative methods should be considered. Additionally, heavily damaged or corroded burners may not respond well to this treatment.
In such cases, consider using a commercial stovetop cleaner designed for your specific burner type. For electric stovetops, which have different components, it’s best to follow the manufacturer’s cleaning instructions to avoid damage. If in doubt, consult the appliance manual or seek professional cleaning advice.