The Easiest Method For Cleaning Oven Knobs (& How Often You Should Do It)

We're sure you're very good about wiping down the counters every day, and probably even give that stovetop and oven door the attention it needs, but let's be honest: How often do you just sort of skim your sponge and rag over the oven knobs, if that? Oven knobs can get incredibly dirty in what feels like no time, and they are one of the parts of the oven everyone forgets to clean. Just like your countertops, stove, and oven, these knobs get tons of oil splatter and food debris on them. Even worse, they are a high-touch surface, so they get all of your hand oils on them too. Plus, every time you get a little food on your hands and then reach to adjust the heat, that goes onto these knobs. That's why they deserve a good, thorough cleaning. 

But cleaning oven knobs can be a bit of a pain, because as you try to wipe them down, you may find yourself accidentally turning your stove or oven on and off, or see the sticky, oily residue and excess cleaner accumulating in the gap between the knobs and the door. That's why the best method to clean oven and stove knobs is to simply pop them off. That's right, did you know your oven knobs can be removed and reattached fairly easily? After you've removed them, treat them to a bath and a serious cleaning session before drying and reattaching them. Here's how to do it. 

In most cases, it's extremely easy to remove oven and stove knobs. Just give them a good pull and they should come right off. Typically, they'll have a threading or pole so they can be realigned and reinstalled quickly and properly. If your oven knobs aren't coming off easily, they may be stuck down with food residue, in which case you'll need to apply a small amount of degreaser to the base. Give it a few seconds to work through the grime, then pull. In the rare case they can't be removed, use a toothbrush and soapy water to scrub the knobs thoroughly, careful not to soak the socket. 

If you're able to remove the knobs, prepare a big bowl of dish soap or mild detergent and water. Some tutorials recommend using white vinegar, and while vinegar is a versatile cleaning tool, it's important to note that it isn't the best cleaner to tackle grease, which is the main target you want to clean. Grease acts as a magnet for food crumbs, hair, dust, and other debris, so you want to use a solid degreaser like dish soap. While the knobs soak, spray a diluted mix of dish soap and water onto a rag and wipe down the area where the knobs usually sit, as there will likely be some sticky residue here as well. Afterward, use a small cleaning brush or old toothbrush to thoroughly scrub the knobs. 

Once the knobs are free of debris and oily residue, it's time to give them a good rinse. Drain out as much from the bowl as possible, then run the knobs under cold water. Before you replace the knobs on the stovetop, make sure the knobs themselves as well as the surface where you'll be reattaching them are completely dry. Otherwise, you risk water or vinegar seeping behind the panel and causing an electrical shortage, which could damage your stove or oven. Just use a dry microfiber cloth to give everything a once-over, then reattach. 

Now that you know how easy it is to clean your oven knobs, there's no excuse not to do it regularly. How often to clean them will vary slightly. Those who cook and bake frequently need to do it more, and those who do infrequently will need to do it less. In general though, you should be doing a thorough wash and wipe down of your oven and stove's exterior at least once a week. The longer grease is left to sit on these surfaces, the stickier and harder it becomes, and thus it's harder to remove. Maintaining a regular cleaning routine is one of the key ways to make your stove and oven last a long time.