Induction hobs are fantastic at cooking items quickly. They also offer a more energy-efficient cooking solution, and some models can help you save up to 70% on your energy usage for cooking! But how do you clean these appliances and maintain them?
This guide looks at how to clean an induction hob using a simple, no-fuss method. We also offer some simple tips to help look after your induction hobs and keep them looking fantastic.
A Simple Guide on How to Clean an Induction Hob
Compared to some other kitchen appliances like an oven or microwave, cleaning an induction hob is much easier. The process should take approximately one hour, and you will have most of the required equipment in your kitchen!
The Essentials
First, you need the right equipment for this cleaning process! Luckily, the list is short, and you should hopefully have most of it in your kitchen already:
- Microfibre Cloth
- White Vinegar
- Baking Soda
- Washing-up liquid
- Tea Towel / Clean cloth
- Spray bottle
- Paper towels
- Bowl
You can use either brown or white vinegar – it doesn’t particularly matter as both types will clean your hobs effectively when combined with baking soda. Also, you may not need a spray bottle – this just depends on how you intend to apply the soda/vinegar paste to the hobs. Some people may use a clean cloth, for example.
Step 1: Wipe Away Excess Dirt and Stains Using Paper Towels
Before using the vinegar and baking soda solution, it is first important to clean spills and wipe away as much dirt as possible.
Simply use paper towels or a soft cloth to wipe the surface of your induction hobs. The aim here should be to remove as much mess as possible – this will allow the solution to work more effectively.
Step 2: Create Your Cleaning Paste
Next, create your cleaning paste. This is a combination of 1-part white vinegar and 1-part baking soda. Mix the solution in a bowl and pour it into your spray bottle.
Baking soda and white vinegar are excellent cleaning agents and can be used in a variety of ways to clean your kitchen.
Step 3: Cover the Cooking Surface in the Paste
Now you can apply the cleaning paste to the induction tops and the surface of the entire hob.
Simply use your spray bottle and apply a generous amount to the glass surface of your induction hobs. It is important not to touch or wipe the solution once it is applied.
To clean induction hobs and remove stubborn dirt, the solution must be allowed to soak in for a minimum of 45 minutes. A minimum of 45 minutes should give ample time for the vinegar and baking soda to work their magic.
Step 4: Wipe Away the Paste
Once you have left the solution to work for 45 minutes, you can now wipe it away. Fill a bowl with warm soapy water and use a soft, damp cloth to wipe the mixture away. Make sure that it is completely removed.
Using a damp cloth with soapy water will primarily remove the solution. However, it will also clean away any stains, marks, and stubborn patches of dirt.
Step 5: Dry Using Paper Towels
After thoroughly wiping the induction hob with a damp cloth, you can dry it. Use a dry cloth to completely dry the cooker top and remove any soapy water that remains.
Step 6: Buff Using a Microfibre Cloth
As the surface of your cooker tip is most likely ceramic or glass, you can use a soft microfibre cloth to buff it. The microfibre cloth can be slightly damp. Simply buff the hobs using a circular motion. This will improve the finish and make the surface look new!
How to Keep Your Induction Hob Clean Afterwards
The above cleaning method is not tough. It should take you about an hour to complete, with most of that time spent allowing the cleaning solution to soak in! But how do you maintain a good level of cleanliness afterwards? The following tips should help:
Clean Your Induction Hobs After Each Use
The most basic rule to follow to keep a clean induction hob is to clean it after each use! While this may seem redundant, it will save hard work and effort in the long term.
If you spend 5 minutes cleaning your jobs after each use, you can save hours trying to tackle tough stains later. After each use, make sure the jobs are completely cooled before cleaning them. Once cooled, simply use a wet cloth with soapy water to wipe them down! This daily cleaning ritual will help greatly.
Take Care When Handling Cooking Utensils
An induction hob is notoriously prone to damage. This is due to the glass-ceramic surface. As a result, you must be careful when using cooking vessels and utensils. Make sure you do not drag your utensils or pans over the surface of the induction hob – they can easily scratch.
Also, move and position your utensils carefully to avoid spillages. The less you spill, the less cleaning you have to do! Lastly, be attentive and try to prevent things from overboiling, as this is often a prime cause of spills.
Only Use Cleaning Tools With Non-abrasive Materials
Due to the materials that induction hob surfaces are made from, you must also be careful to only use soft cloths and soft materials to clean with.
If you use items like steel wool or scourers, you can damage the surface of the hobs. They will easily scratch, and this could leave ugly marks on your cooker. Abrasive materials are an absolute no-no for cleaning induction cookers – soft materials only!
Induction Hob FAQs
Can You Use Scouring Pads for Cleaning?
No. Abrasive cleaning items like scourers can scratch and permanently damage induction hobs.
How Often Should You Clean Your Induction Hob?
Often! You should ideally clean your hobs after each use – even if you don’t spill anything! This will help keep them clean, preventing the build-up of any tough stains.
Can You Use Water for Induction Hob Cleaning?
Yes! Providing that your hobs are switched off completely, you can use warm water for cleaning.
Keep Your Induction Hob Clean
As you can see from our guide on how to get rid of white marks on an induction hob, it is quite easy to clean your induction hob without the use of a specialist induction hob cleaner.
You simply need to use the right cleaning solution, put in a little effort, and keep on top of your cleaning!
