The Easy-To-Clean Stove Type To Consider When Looking To Renovate Your Kitchen

Are you planning a kitchen renovation? Before you get started on the renovation, it's important to consider what kind of stove you want. You have several major options when it comes to choosing a stovetop — induction, electric, gas, and glass ceramic. Buying a stove that is difficult to clean can leave you with major headaches. It can be almost impossible to remove built-up grease and grime on some stoves. 

The hardest stovetop to clean is a gas model, so if you're looking for something low-maintenance, then you will definitely want to avoid this type of stove. With a gas stove, you have to disassemble the burners and turn off the pilot light to clean them, which can be a pain. In addition, the burners on gas stoves can become clogged with grease or food residue, which can be tricky to remove. So, what stove should you consider if you want something that is a breeze to clean? An induction stove is likely the best option for you.

An induction stove uses electromagnetism to heat pots and pans, which in turn cooks food. With induction stoves, the surface of the burner doesn't get as hot as its alternatives, as the heat is transferred directly to the cookware. So, when food splatters on the stovetop, the hob isn't as hot and doesn't get cooked on. This makes it so much easier to clean induction stoves because the food comes right off. However, be careful not to touch the burner directly after use as it can still be warm from touching the hot cookware. 

The disadvantage of induction stoves is that they can be quite expensive. At Lowes, electric stoves start at $529 whereas induction stoves cost $1,100 or more. Fortunately, you have options if an induction stove is out of your price range. A smooth glass ceramic stove is also a good option. Since the cooktop has a smooth surface, you don't have to worry about food falling into the burners as you do with regular electric and gas stoves. This makes a glass stovetop easier to clean compared to these other types. However, it's still not as easy as an induction stove because the glass ceramic cooktop gets hotter. Therefore, food will burn onto the surface more easily, making it a bit harder to clean, which is why it's number two on our list.

Induction stoves are easier to clean compared to other stoves, but they do require some care and know-how when being cleaned. Otherwise, they can be damaged. First, you'll want to deal with spills. If you get anything on the cooktop that contains a lot of sugar, such as melted chocolate, it's important to wipe it up right away, as these substances can damage the cooktop. Other food particles can wait until you clean the entire stovetop.

Wipe off any food particles using a soft microfiber sponge or dishcloth. It is best to clean induction stoves with a specialized cleaner, such as Bar Keepers Friend Cooktop Cleaner, which is available from Home Depot. Using a circular motion, spread the cleaner on the cooktop and wipe the stovetop down. Make sure you completely rinse the cleaner off the cooktop with water. Otherwise, the surface can become stained. Finally, dry the stovetop with a soft kitchen towel.