These Seemingly Innocuous Habits Can Be Harming Your Glass Oven - Allrecipes

Although I love my glass cooktop for the extra counter space, it can be quite frustrating to maintain. You might think that the smooth, flat top would be very easy to clean, but the glass surface is so delicate that you have to be very careful not to damage it, even during the cleaning process.

Unfortunately, some seemingly harmless habits can wreak havoc on a glass cooktop, although some damage can be repaired with a thorough cleaning . But as they say, prevention is the best medicine, and that goes for chefs too. These are all the cooking and cleaning habits you should avoid to keep your glass cooktop in top condition.

1. Use thick sponges or steel wool.

If you have burnt food or stubborn stains on your stove, you may be tempted to use the heavy-duty scrubbers to remove them. But even the scrubbing side of a sponge can be too harsh for the delicate surface of a glass cooktop. Abrasive cleaners or scouring tools (including steel wool) can cause minor scratches or even deep holes in the oven. Stick to the soft side of the cake or, better yet, buy some hotplates. These sponges are designed to minimize scratches on a glass cooktop. You can find them at Walmart, Publix or any other local grocery store.

If there is stuck-on residue that cannot be removed with a soft sponge, try using a plastic or silicone spatula to lift the food from the surface. For very serious dirt, you can use a razor blade scraper (try softening the food with white vinegar or glass cleaner first). Just be careful not to puncture the pot with the corner of the blade.

2. Use a cleaner while the stove is still hot.

Sometimes washing dishes while they're still a little warm can help remove grease and grime more easily, but the same principle does n't apply to glass cooktops. You should allow the stove to cool completely before using any type of cleaning product, chemical or otherwise, as the cleaner can burn the stove and cause permanent damage.

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3. Clean your oven with a window cleaner.

It seems logical to use a glass cleaner (like Windex) on a glass oven, but it's best to avoid it. The ammonia in the cleaner is too strong for a glass cooktop and can leave permanent stains and streaks. Not to mention, if you turn on a burner while the cleaner is still on the surface, it will release ammonia fumes into the air.

It's best to use a glass cooktop cleaner (GE Appliances recommends one of my favorite cleaners: Cerama Bryte Ceramic Cooktop Cleaner) or pantry staples like white vinegar and baking soda .

4. Place hot lids upside down on a cold stove.

It gave me a headache at first, but there have been cases where glass cooktops have broken, leaving hot pot lids on the surface. How does this happen? Apparently the heat gets trapped under the lid, creating a vacuum and the pressure causing the pot to burst. I have to say that I have put many hot lids on my stovetop without any problems, but I won't do it again. It's better to be safe than sorry, so from now on I'll put my hot lids on a potholder or tea towel.

5. Drag heavy cookware (e.g. cast iron) over the stove surface

Yes, you can still use cast iron if you have a glass or ceramic stove. In fact, the folks at Lodge Cast Iron Test Kitchen often cook with cast iron on glass stoves. Your advice? Be careful not to drop it or drag it across the surface. Instead, carefully lift it up and lower it back down, using the handle to move it from place to place. The same applies to other types of heavy cookware, such as ceramic ones.

6. Do not clean your ceramic hob after each use

Leaving the mess for another day will only make things worse later. If something overflows or splashes, clean it as quickly as possible with a damp cloth (remember not to use the cleaning solution while it is still hot, but a damp cloth is sufficient). After each use, allow the stove to cool completely, spray the stove surface with vinegar or your favorite stove glass cleaner, wipe with a damp microfiber cloth , and dry with a dry microfiber cloth.

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7. Place dirty pots and utensils on the stove when cooking.

If you're like me, you tend to put dirty utensils on the glass cooktop... and that just adds to the mess you'll have to clean up later. Instead, place the utensils on a spoon rest or paper towel. The most important thing is to make sure that the bottom of the cookware you put on the stove is completely clean. A greasy pan + a hot stove = a mess that will be difficult to clean up later.

8. Putting too much weight on the stove

According to GE Appliances, the weight limit for a glass cooktop is typically around 50 pounds. In most cases this won't be a problem, but it does mean that you should never stand over the stove to reach a tall cupboard, and heavy pots can also exceed the weight limit of a glass stove.

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