Cleaning an Electric Range

The electric range in your kitchen can become a nightmare if left long enough without cleaning. Crumbs collect, grease builds up, and unsightly spills cover the area, making the whole kitchen seem dirty. If your oven range has started to collect food crumbs and spill spots, it is definitely time for a cleaning. It isn't at all fun to clean this part of your kitchen because it is the most prone to spots and messes from cooking, but it really isn't so bad if you take a step-by-step approach to the task. Follow these simple steps and you'll have a sparkling clean electric range before you know it.

1. Remove the removable parts of the burners. If there are parts of the burners that are safe to remove and clean, go ahead and take them off and soak them in warm, soapy (dish soap works well) water either in the sink or in some kind of large bowl. Scrub them if needed, but the residue should come off easily after a little time soaking in the water.
2. 2. Clean off the crumbs and dirt. With a damp washcloth or paper towel, wipe the loose crumbs from the range into a garbage can. If it is easier, you might want to open the oven door to wipe the crumbs off into your hand or directly into the trash can.
3. 3. Spray all-purpose cleaner on the surface. Now it's time to get the nasty spills that are left. Use an all-purpose cleaner and spray, paying special attention to the areas with the most stuck-on spots. Scrub with a damp washcloth, sponge or scrub brush. If the spots are too stubborn, soak a washcloth with water and lay it over the spot. Leave it for several minutes before trying to scrub again. The spill should now be much easier to get off. Wash away the cleaner by wiping a wet washcloth or paper towel over the entire range surface.
4. 4. Dry off and put burners back together. With a dry cloth, wipe off the range and the burner parts that have been soaking. Put everything back together, and you'll have a beautiful, clean electric range.

It can take a little time to get the range totally clean due to stuck-on stains and the time it might take to soak the burner parts. Remember that prevention is key: when something spills, wipe it up right away before it hardens onto the surface. Also, consider investing in burner covers so that food particles don't fall into the burners so easily.