How To Clean Induction Hob Burnt On

Are you looking for the best ceramic hob cleaner out there? Look no further! Today we're showing you how to clean your ceramic hob, including those tough burn marks!

Ceramic hobs are meant to look slick, sleek and shiny. This is not just for aesthetic purposes, but also for functionality. A dirty ceramic hob prevents pans from sitting flat enough to touch the heating element, making it much less effective.

You may worry your ceramic hob is in a state of disrepair, but it's never too late. Today we're showing you how to clean your ceramic hob the simple, natural way.

Ready? Time to get started.

Editor's Note: This post was originally posted in March 2018 and has been completely revamped and updated for accuracy and comprehensiveness in August 2020.

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How to clean a ceramic hob

dirty ceramic hob — It's in need of some attention.

You will need:

The best ceramic hob cleaner is surprisingly simple. You really don't need much to get amazing results in your kitchen - natural products and a bit of elbow grease are more than enough to tackle ceramic hob burnt marks.

Here's what you need to get your hob spick and span:

Bicarbonate of soda
2 cleaning cloths
Newspaper
Spray bottle filled with distilled vinegar
A ceramic hob scraper

1. Clean off any debris

First things first, you're going to need a blank canvas.

Use soapy water, or your prefered kitchen cleaning spray, and give your hob a good once over. Remove any food debris, grease, and watermarks, then wipe once again and buff dry with a clean cloth.

When that's done, it's time to get down and dirty.

2. Spray on some vinegar

Spray a thin layer of vinegar around the ceramic hob rings. Make sure the burnt-on marks, in particular, are well-covered.

3. Sprinkle bicarbonate of soda

how to remove ceramic hob burn marks — It's time to get fizzy!

Sprinkle your bicarbonate of soda over the vinegar, ensuring that enough is applied to create a fizzing reaction - this is what's going to help break down those tough, burnt on marks. Leave the solution to sit for a few minutes.

4. Rub with newspaper

Begin to work the bicarb and vinegar solution into the mark using newspaper. Use some elbow grease, and scrub as hard as you can to help break down the mark. Replace your newspaper when it becomes greasy.

5. Rinse away the residue

Once you have scrubbed the burn marks as much as possible, clean the stove. Use a cloth to remove the bicarb mix, grease, and wipe the hob clean with a clean cloth.

This method alone should have removed the majority, if not all, of the burnt-on stains. However, if, like the ceramic hob pictured above, yours is in a particularly bad state, you'll need something stronger. That's where a ceramic hob scraper comes in.

6. Use a hob scraper

Never underestimate the power of your ceramic hob scraper. Whilst it's extremely unlikely to do any damage to your hob, the angle between your blade and hob should be kept relatively small to prevent any chance of scratching. Start from the outside of the ring and, keeping your scraper relatively flat. Use firm, back-and-forth movements to gradually chip away at the stains.

6. Clean off any grime

Once you've completed this process for all your hob rings, it's time to clean your hob again. Remove all the debris the burn marks have left you with.

7. Use a hob cleaner

To finish off and remove any remaining stains, you may want to use a ceramic hob cleaner, such as Hob Brite.

We think this is the best ceramic hob cleaner ever, and we hope you do too! It may require a bit of elbow grease, but we're not afraid of a little hard work, and we know our committed readers aren't either.

8. Admire your work!

Just look at those results - you can even see your reflection! Not a smear, scratch or mark in sight.

How to prevent ceramic hob stains

cooking pasta in a saucepan — Follow these steps next time you cook.

As with most things, when it comes to cleaning your ceramic hob, prevention is much easier than cure.

Here are some of our top cleaning tips to stop a ceramic hob burn mark before it happens!

Don't overfill your pans: Veg doesn't need much water to steam - prevent overflows by reducing the amount you use.
Use a bigger pan: If you can't reduce the amount of water you're using, increase the pot size. It might be an inconvenience if you've already started, but it will save on hassle later.
Clean up spills immediately: If your pot does happen to boil over onto the hot plate, remove the pan, turn off the heat and clean the spill up immediately. A quick, emergency cleanup will prevent a big cleanup later on.
Clean your hob after every use: You might not always see food left on your hob after cooking. Don't leave it till later - someone might use the hob before you get the chance to clean it, making that small spillage a lot worse.

Q&A

What is the best cleaner for a ceramic cooktop?

Our favourite product for cleaning a ceramic hob is HobBrite, but there are many other cleaners out there to try. Why not give HG Hob Cleaner a try?

Can I use The Pink Stuff on a ceramic hob?

You certainly can! We love using The Pink Stuff all around the home, and it's especially good at tackling the built-up grime on your hob.

Our video shows how it's done:

Can you remove scratches from ceramic hobs?

Sadly, it's not possible to remove scratches from your hob. It's important to take care when using and cleaning your hob to keep it looking great. That said, our handy guide might help you to reduce the appearance of scratches.

How do you remove ceramic hob burn marks? We'd love to hear your tips in the comments below.