How to Clean Electric Hob Solid Plates

No matter how hard you try, there will come a day when your food overboils or spills onto your hob plates, leaving them much worse for wear. 

This can be tricky to clean up, especially if you let the grime sit or build up over time. 

Fortunately, we have five great solutions for when this occurs. Some of these methods use store-bought cleaners, but others use more natural ingredients that you can easily find around the home. 

Read on to learn how to clean electric hob solid plates quickly and effectively every time!

 

Solid Plate Cleaning Methods

Although it can be hard to keep your hob in pristine condition, it is possible to do so when using the correct cleaning techniques. 

Below, we have put together some of our favourite ways to clean stove plates that guarantee good results.

According to Good Housekeeping, a good cleaning cloth, a hob scraper, and an old toothbrush are all essential when cleaning your electric hob, so we recommend you have these at hand before getting started. 

Also, ensure your hob is turned off and completely cool before cleaning to avoid accidental burns. Once you’re ready, choose one of the methods below:

1. Washing up liquid and bicarbonate of soda

Our first choice of cleaner for your hob plates is washing up liquid and bicarbonate of soda, two ingredients readily found in most homes. 

If your hob is particularly rusty, one of the other cleaning methods in this list may be more useful. 

However, the fact that washing up liquid can cut through grease makes it an excellent option for getting rid of day-to-day grime.

You will need the following:

• Washing up liquid
• Bicarbonate of soda
• Warm water
• A cleaning cloth
• An old toothbrush

Method:

1. Using your cloth, clean the plates with warm water and washing up liquid
2. Mix two parts water and one part bicarbonate of soda to make a cleaning paste
3. Rub the paste onto each of the plates using an old toothbrush and leave it to sit for 20 minutes to work its way into the grime
4. Wipe the bicarbonate of soda paste off of the solid plates using a clean cloth

 

2. White vinegar and bicarbonate of soda

White vinegar and bicarbonate of soda are two household ingredients that work wonders when used together. 

Not only will they be able to remove all traces of dirt and rust from your hob, but they can also be used to clean loads of other things around your home!

You will need the following:

• Two tablespoons of bicarbonate of soda
• 120 ml white vinegar
• Warm water
• A clean cloth
• An old toothbrush

Method:

1. Soak your clean cloth in warm water and wipe each of the solid plates until they are damp
2. Mix the bicarbonate of soda and white vinegar together to make a paste
3. Using an old toothbrush, gently scrub the paste into the hob plates and leave it to sit for up to 30 minutes to loosen the dirt
4. Wipe away the cleaning paste using your damp cloth, and your electric hob solid platers will be clean and shiny!

 

3. Lemon juice and bicarbonate of soda

If you don’t have white vinegar to hand, why not try mixing bicarbonate of soda with lemon juice instead?

Lemon juice has similar acidic properties to vinegar, meaning it is just as fantastic at clearing away the rust and grime that quickly builds up.

You will need the following:

• Two tablespoons of bicarbonate of soda
• 120 ml lemon juice
• Warm water
• A clean cloth
• An old toothbrush

Method:

1. Using a damp cloth, gently wipe each of the plates until they are damp
2. Combine the bicarbonate of soda and lemon juice in a bowl until they form a paste
3. Scrub the cleaning paste into each of the solid plates using an old toothbrush and let it sit for up to 30 minutes
4. Use your damp cloth to wipe away the cleaning paste, leaving your hobs grime-free!

 

4. Kitchen cleaner

Commercial kitchen cleaners are specifically formulated to cut through all the grease and grime that builds up in a kitchen, making them an excellent choice for cleaning your hob plates.

Most kitchen cleaners will be able to clean the plates effectively, but we recommend buying one specifically designed for hobs for best results.

You will need the following:

• Kitchen cleaner of your choice
• Warm water
• A cleaning sponge
• A hob scraper
• A dry cloth

Method:

1. Gently remove any large areas of burnt-on food from the hob plates using the hob scraper and discard of them
2. Put a small amount of kitchen cleaner onto each plate
3. Use your sponge to rub the cleaner into each of the solid plates in circular motions
4. Rinse your sponge in warm water and use it to wipe all traces of dirt and cleaner from the plates, leaving your electric hob solid plates looking like new.

 

5. Oven cleaner

The final option we have for cleaning your hob is specialised oven cleaner products. Although these products are intended for use in ovens, they are just as effective at cutting through the grime on your hob as well!

When combined with a scouring pad, oven cleaner is especially good at removing dirt, so we recommend using this combo if possible.

You will need the following:

• Oven cleaner
• A sponge or steel wool scouring pad
• A clean cloth
• Rubber gloves
• Warm water

Method:

1. Put on your rubber gloves before beginning! Most oven cleaners are corrosive, and wearing gloves will protect your hands and skin
2. Coat each stove plate with the oven cleaner and let it sit for a few minutes
3. Gently scrub the plates with a sponge or scouring pad
4. Wipe away all traces of the cleaner using a clean, damp cloth

 

How to Prevent Rust on Stove Plates

One of the hardest parts of cleaning stove plates is removing the rust that is prone to build up with extended use.

Therefore, taking the time to use a few rust prevention methods will make your cleaning process much easier in the future.

Our first tip for preventing rust build-up is to always dry your hob plates after cleaning! If you’ve noticed, this is the final step in all the cleaning methods listed above.

Damp solid plates are much more prone to rust, so it is always the best practice to dry them off whenever possible.

The other way you can protect your stove plates is by coating them in a light layer of olive oil, providing them with a barrier that protects them from water and grime.

To do so, all you need to do is turn your hob onto the lowest heat setting, apply a thin coating of oil to each plate, and turn up the heat for a few minutes for the oil to settle.