In most households, burners are expected to take a lot of beating as they’re used to create and cook almost daily. It’s no little wonder that your burner shows rustiness when not properly maintained. Most portable burners are made from either stainless steel or cast iron and they’re known for being really durable and lasting a very long time. But like most other things in your home, they have the potential to rust and clog with a build up of oils and grime over time.
It is important to keep your gas burner and stove in top condition to protect it from damage and avoid unsightly and unhygienic effects or worse, present a fire hazard.
See tips below on how to maintain your gas burners in prime condition for years.
Make it a habit to clean your gas burners
Gas Burners are easy to maintain however you have to keep at it regularly. Spills, grease splatters, hardening and blackening, clog in burner holes, rust, and potential for grease fire are some examples that can build up into your gas burners. Don’t wait for this to happen! Build a regular cleaning habit and wipe-downs to prevent this from happening.
For your stainless steel burners:
- Wipe Down Daily After You Are Done Cooking
- Scrub / Soak Weekly (remove the water tray and trivet from the cooker and give them a thorough rinse in the sink)
- Deep Clean Monthly
- Boil For Tougher Grease Build Up
For your electric burners, these tips may help:
- Gently wipe down using dishwashing detergent and warm water on a clean cloth
- For tougher stains, consider adding baking soda and vinegar (gentle on the environment)
- For even tougher stains, a little ammonia may help (this will be especially helpful for for stubborn stains on burner grates)
- Always read your users’ manual for tips relating to your specific burner model – this is important especially so you know how to clean and maintain your burner properly.
For your cast iron burners:
- If possible when you have finished cooking, wheel your bench or move your burner to an undercover area to reduce the effects of rain and wind on your burner – this will also help in slowing down the formation of rust
- Wipe down the surrounding area after you are done
- Make sure you keep the burner cap clean as any clogs may cause the flame to burn yellow / red which will mean wasted gas, soot build up and all sorts of problems
- Proper care and maintenance will help prolong the life of your burner
Know When You Need Maintenance Or Replacement
Always have a service with you that you can call to help you with maintenance or to help you replace old and worn out burner tops if you want to extend the life of your range and keep your kitchen safe. Getting it checked by pros would likely save you a lot of heartache in the future.
