How to Clean Gas Stove Burner Caps? Step-by-Step Guide

Last Updated on March 6, 2023

The burner caps of gas stoves are constructed of cast iron that can easily capture dirt and dried food particles. You may find cleaning the burner caps difficult if you try it for the first time. 

Extra effort is required to clean these caps as they are in direct contact with grease and grime. If the cleaning is ignored for a long time, the dirt will get tough to be removed.

To assist you clean gas stove burner caps, we have compiled some of the easiest and most effective methods. This messy task will be done quickly by following the right strategy.

How to Clean Gas Stove Burner Caps: Safety Tips

Before heading towards the process of cleaning burner caps, it is necessary to consider some safety tips to ensure nothing goes wrong. Some of the highly recommended and tested tips are:

• Make sure to turn off everything to avoid hand burns by touching any hot part.
• Start the cleaning only when the burner, caps, or grates are cool.
• Turn off the electricity and gas supply and close all valves.
• Inspect the condition of burner caps cautiously. You can brush it off or wipe it with a cloth if there is minor dirt. 
• In case of too much dirt and grime, ammonia or homemade cleaners can do all the cleaning jobs.
• Dry the components before inserting them back into position.
• It is also suggested to use safety gloves and glasses while dealing with parts to prevent any injury.

Things Required to Clean Gas Stove Burner Caps

Gather the following tools and supplies before cleaning the gas stove burner caps:

• A non-abrasive cleaning cloth
• Cleaning Solution
• Vinegar
• Water & soap
• A needle
• Scrubbing Pad
• Cooktop scraper
• Screwdriver
• Damp cloth

Important Instruction

Using oven cleaner or some bleach to clean gas stove burner caps is not recommended. Also, avoid using toothpicks instead of needles for opening the burner ports as they can break easily, blocking the smooth flow of gas.

Step-By-Step Guide On How to Clean Gas Stove Burner Caps

The gas stove burner caps get piles of grime and lead to several harmful conditions where the performance falls down below average, and your stove becomes inefficient. Follow this guide to clean them properly:

Scrape Off the Burnt Food

There is a high risk of burnt food getting stuck all over the caps and getting harder over time. This requires strenuous effort for removal, and the task can be more challenging if you do not start with the right tools. So, it is necessary to scratch all the dried grease or grime but to do so, you must follow some cleaning solutions to make it easy to loosen grime. Scrubbing dried items will also damage the coating of the stove.

Cleaning Burner Caps With Ammonia

When you pour ammonia over the burner caps, it will react to make fumes. The formation of fumes helps in slacking the grime for easy detachment. 

• Take a zip bag and safety gloves before dealing with ammonia. Put the parts of your gas stove inside ammonia to submerge completely.
• Keep the bag closed for 3 to 10 hours.
• After this duration, take out the stove’s components and wash them with water.
• Use a sponge or cloth for further cleaning and drying.
• Put them back only when they are fully dried.

Use Baking Soda & Vinegar

Another effective ingredient to clean gas stove burner caps is baking soda. Its efficiency increases when mixed with vinegar. You can clean all kinds of gas burners with them as they are safe to use. Any risk of chemical hazards will reduce by relying on natural cleaning resources. 

• Remove the components, including burner caps.
• Spray vinegar on each part.
• If there is too much dirt, it is better to soak all parts in vinegar and leave for a night.
• Pick them out and wash them with water.
• Make a thick baking soda and water paste, then apply the mixture.
• Keep the mixture applied to the oven metal parts for almost 30 minutes, and then scrub it with the help of a toothbrush.
• If the grime is hard, use a tougher scrubber.
• Rinse and wash everything with water and let the part dry before inserting them back.

Pour Some Oil After Cleaning

After cleaning each component carefully, apply a layer of oil over burner caps and grates. Due to extra cleaning, the real shine of the material fades away, so it is better to pour some oil to restore the original spark.

When to Call A Professional

It is better to keep the maintenance in check regularly to avoid risks. Several things can cause clogging in the areas of the stove that should be cleaned daily. If you can do it yourself, the task won’t be tricky, but you can also hire a professional or expert to fix and clean everything properly.

How Often You Should Clean Gas Stove Burner Caps

It is easy for grates and burner caps to get dirty by covering inside grease and grime that spill during cooking. Regular cleaning checkups are necessary to keep the gas stove in optimal condition or maintain the burner’s performance.

If you feel any blockage in the flow of gases, try to look into the matter. You should clean your gas stove on a daily basis if food spills over the burner after every cooking attempt. If you ignore cleaning for longer, the stains will get hard to remove, and the flame will also become lesser. So, you must be consistent in cleaning.

Are Oven Cleaners Safe to Use For Cleaning Burner Caps

Oven cleaners are not made for cleaning gas stoves, but they can be used to remove grease and dirt from stoves. They do the cleaning job if used properly. 

You can use Carbona 2in1 Oven Rack & Grill cleaner to spray over the components or soak them inside the cleaner for half an hour. Use a sponge or cloth to wipe the grease. Rinse the cleaner with water and dry all parts of the stove before you align them back.