How to clean an induction cooktop

If you’re in the market for a new cooktop, an induction one is definitely worth looking into.

Not only does it look nice, but it’s also a faster and energy-efficient option so you can make home-cooked meals for half the time.

But before deciding to settle on an induction cooktop, some homeowners like to factor in its ease of cleanability.

So, are induction cooktops hard to clean? Want to learn how to clean an induction cooktop?

If you’re intimidated by the fancy exterior of an induction cooktop, these tips & tricks will help you keep your stovetop spick and span in no time.

What is an induction cooktop?

An induction cooktop is a type of electric stove that allows you to cook and heat food through electromagnetic energy.

It consists of copper wire coils that heat the surface of your pots and pans directly through magnetic current.

This technology allows the heat to maintain a consistent temperature, so it will only take you half the time to boil a pot of water. 

Additionally, the rest of your cooktop’s surface won’t turn hot, so it lowers your risk of getting burned when cooking.

The only downside to having an induction cooktop is that you can only use compatible cookware. So they need to have magnetic steel or iron for them to function.

But thanks to the nature of its design, an induction cooktop is easier to clean than a traditional stovetop. So if you want to pick up a few tricks to keep it pristine, read more below.

How do you clean a black induction cooktop?

You have to admit that cooking can get messy no matter how experienced you are when it comes to preparing food. 

If you have a black induction cooktop, it may sometimes get tricky to see food stains and splatters after cooking. So it’s important to establish a regular cleaning habit, especially when you use it often.

One way to cut back time for cleaning an induction cooktop is to immediately wipe off any spills you encounter during cooking.

But make sure the cleaning materials you’ll use won’t be too harsh that they could scratch its surface. So a damp soft sponge or microfiber towel would be enough to wipe off fresh stains. Keep any steel wools and abrasive sponges away from your cooktop.

RELATED: Do induction cooktops scratch easily?

What is the best cleaner for induction cooktops?

Immediately wiping spills away when cooking may cut down your cleaning time, but if you want to prevent stains and bacteria from accumulating, you need to apply some cleaning solution.

So if you’re wondering what the best cleaner for induction cooktop is, here are a couple of cleaners you can try:

1. Induction cooktop cleaner spray

An induction cooktop consists of a glass ceramic surface that’s prone to scratches, so it’s essential to use a cleaning agent that’s gentle yet effective.

So an induction cleaner spray is the easiest method for disinfecting your cooktop.

You just need to let the surface of your cooktop cool down before you wipe off any spills or crumbs with a sponge or microfiber towel.

Then, spray your cleaner, taking care not to wet the control panel to avoid damaging your cooktop. Use a paper towel or cloth to gently wipe down its surface.

Finally, grab a dry towel to remove any excess cleaner to keep your induction cooktop clean and shiny.

2. Induction cooktop cleaning cream

An induction cooktop cleaning cream is similar to a cleaning spray; it just has a thicker consistency, so you need to pour it out of its bottle.

A good quality cleaning cream will disinfect your induction cooktop while giving it a protective film to keep its surface glossy.

Most cleaning creams recommend using a capful of product, but if you have a smaller induction cooktop, you can adjust the amount accordingly.

Then, use a paper towel or sponge to spread the cleaning cream around your cooktop’s surface, making sure you get any dried spills or grease off.

Lastly, wipe off any excess cleaning cream, so you’re left with a spotless cooktop.   

What can you use to clean an induction cooktop?

If you don’t have any cooktop cleaners and don’t have time to run to the store, here are a few alternatives you can use to keep your induction cooktop sanitized:

Can you use dish soap to clean induction cooktop?

Not only will liquid dish soap get rid of grime and grease from your induction cooktop, but it will also remove tough stains that water alone can’t remove.

So if you want to try this method, you’ll need to mix warm water, dish soap, and lemon juice. Grab a microfiber towel and dip it into the mixture until it’s damp.

Then, gently rub the towel over your cooktop. If there are tough stains you want to get rid of, soften them by laying the towel over for 30 minutes.

Once the time is up, scrub the stain off and use another clean towel to wipe off the excess solution.

Can you use Windex on induction cooktop?

You might think Windex may be a good cleaner for your induction cooktop since it has a glass ceramic surface. 

But the truth is, Windex and most glass cleaners are ammonia-based, so they’re not recommended for cleaning your cooktop. 

That’s because ammonia is too potent for cleaning a glass ceramic surface, so frequent use can damage your cooktop.

So for keeping it clean, an induction cleaner will still be your best option. Aside from being ammonia-free, it’s enough to disinfect and polish its surface without leaving any streaks.

How to clean induction cooktop naturally

If you’re not a fan of using chemicals to clean your kitchen, there are natural ingredients in your pantry that are the perfect substitute to keep your induction cooktop spotless.

How to clean induction cooktop (baking soda)

Baking soda is an everyday staple in any DIY cleaning solution because of its abrasive properties that can get rid of almost any stains.

But if you’re worried about getting any scratches, baking soda granules are not rough enough, so your induction cooktop will stay smooth and shiny after every cleanup.

To get rid of dirty sludges, sprinkle a small amount of baking soda on your cooktop.

Then, grab a microfiber towel and soak it in soapy water. When it’s damp, lay it over your cooktop for 15-30 minutes to soften any stains.

Next, grab your towel and use it to scrub your cooktop. Once the stains are gone, use a clean, dry towel to wipe off the excess solution. 

How to clean induction cooktop with vinegar

Vinegar is another essential ingredient when making at-home cleaning solutions as its acidic composition effectively disinfects and removes watermarks.

To create a vinegar solution, mix equal amounts of water and white vinegar in a spray bottle.

Spritz the mixture on your induction cooktop and let it sit for a few minutes. Then, use a non-abrasive sponge or microfiber towel to remove spills or watermarks.

If there are any residues left, use a cloth or paper towel to wipe them off.

How do you clean a burnt induction cooktop?

You’re typically warned against using abrasive sponges and sharp objects for cleaning your induction cooktop. But if it has burnt marks you want to get rid of, you might need to resort to drastic measures.

A scraper or abrasive sponge will help you get rid of burnt stains faster since you’ll need to apply a bit of elbow grease to restore your induction cooktop’s former glory.

To start, mix hot water, baking soda, and dishwashing liquid and pour a small amount on your cooktop’s surface. Let the mixture sit for 20 minutes to soften the scorch stains.

When the time is up, grab your scraper or sponge to scrape away any burnt marks. Be careful not to apply too much pressure so you won’t leave any scratches.

If needed, apply more baking soda mixture and continue scraping until you get all of the charred spots.

When you’re satisfied, use a dry cloth or paper towel to wipe away any excess solution.

How do I remove stains from my induction cooktop?

It’s frustrating to see stain marks on an induction cooktop; that’s why wiping it off immediately is recommended to prevent any buildup.

But if you only spot the stain when it’s all dry and crusty, applying a bit of induction cooktop cleaner will get rid of it.

But if you want to keep it natural, a quick soak of vinegar or baking soda method will solve the problem.

Final thoughts

For a first-time user, it may be intimidating to clean an induction cooktop since it has a glass ceramic surface that you don’t want to damage.

So a good rule to follow is to keep any abrasive sponges and harsh chemicals away from it when you’re cleaning, as these could contribute to your cooktop’s deterioration if you’re not careful.

So invest in a good quality induction cleaner, soft sponge, and microfiber towel, as these will be your greatest weapons for keeping stains away from your cooktop.

But if you can’t find any you like, you can always find vinegar and baking soda in your pantry.