How do I clean a hob?

How to clean induction, ceramic and gas hobs without scratching them, and how to shift burnt-on residue.

Difficulty: beginner
Time: 30 min
Read: 2 min
Safety: caution

Short answer

Let it cool, then soften burnt-on residue with a hot damp cloth left over it for ten minutes before scraping with a proper ceramic scraper held at a shallow angle. For gas hobs, soak the burner caps and trivets separately in hot soapy water.

Hob cleaning goes wrong when people attack cold, hard residue with abrasives. Softening it first with heat and moisture turns a scrubbing job into a scraping one, and the right scraper removes residue without touching the glass underneath.

Safety

Always let the hob cool completely before cleaning. On gas hobs, make sure the burners are fully off and never let water get into the gas jets — if a burner won't light properly after cleaning, stop and get it checked rather than persisting.

What you'll need

Ceramic hob scraper
Cloths
Washing-up liquid
Hob cleaner cream (optional)
Bicarbonate of soda (optional)

Step by step

Let the hob cool completely.Cleaner on a hot ceramic surface can mark it permanently, and it's a burn risk.
Wipe off loose debris with a damp cloth.Grit dragged under a scraper scratches the surface.
Lay a hot damp cloth over burnt-on areas for 10 minutes.This softens the residue. It's the step that turns scrubbing into wiping.
Scrape residue off with a ceramic hob scraper held at a shallow angle.Shallow angle, flat blade. A proper scraper won't scratch ceramic glass; a knife will.
Apply hob cleaner cream and buff with a dry cloth.Cream cleaners contain a very fine abrasive designed for this surface, plus a protective element.
For gas hobs, remove burner caps and trivets and soak them in hot soapy water.They clean far better off the hob. Check the burner ports are clear before refitting.
Dry and refit everything, making sure gas burner parts are seated correctly.A misaligned burner cap gives an uneven or yellow flame — that needs fixing before use.

Tips

Wipe spills as soon as the hob has cooled after cooking. Sugar spills in particular should be removed promptly, as they can pit ceramic glass.
Never use a scouring pad or a metal scourer on ceramic or induction — the scratches are permanent and dull the surface.
For a stainless steel hob, always wipe along the grain rather than across it.
A yellow rather than blue gas flame after cleaning suggests a blocked port or a misfitted cap. Sort it before continuing to use the hob.

Common mistakes

Using an abrasive scourer on ceramic glass — Permanent scratches that dull the finish and collect dirt.
Cleaning while hot — Burn risk, and cleaners can bake onto the surface and mark it.
Scraping without softening first — Much more force needed, and much more risk of damage.
Getting water into gas jets — It can block them and cause poor combustion. Clean parts off the hob and dry them fully.

Questions people ask

What's the best way to remove burnt-on residue?

Soften it with a hot damp cloth for ten minutes, then scrape with a proper ceramic hob scraper at a shallow angle. Force is rarely the answer.

Can I use bicarbonate of soda on a hob?

As a paste on ceramic, gently, yes — it's a mild abrasive. Rinse it off fully afterwards, as residue bakes on and marks.