How to Clean a Greasy Stove (Without Losing Your Mind)

Last Thanksgiving, a customer called us in a panic. She had been cooking for three days straight, and her stove looked like it had survived a small disaster. Grease had baked onto every burner, the drip pans were brown, and the grates were practically cemented together. Sound familiar?

A greasy stove is not just an eyesore. It is a fire hazard. The good news? You don't need fancy products or hours of scrubbing to fix it.

What You'll Need

• Dish soap (Dawn works great)
• Baking soda
• White vinegar
• A spray bottle
• Microfiber cloths or paper towels
• A non-scratch scrubbing pad
• A toothbrush (for tight spots)
• Rubber gloves

Step 1: Remove Everything from the Stove

Take off the grates, burner caps, and drip pans. Set them aside. You can't clean what you can't reach.

Pro tip: Do this while the stove is completely cool. Hot grease spreads. Cold grease stays put.

Step 2: Soak the Grates

Drop the grates into your sink. Cover them with hot water and a generous squirt of dish soap. Let them soak for at least 20 minutes.

"The soaking step is where most people skip ahead, and that's why they end up scrubbing for an hour," says Maria, a professional cleaner with 12 years of experience. "Let the water do the hard work first."

While they soak, move on to the stovetop surface.

Step 3: Tackle the Stovetop Surface

For light grease buildup:

• Spray the surface with white vinegar
• Let it sit for 5 minutes
• Wipe clean with a damp cloth

For heavy, baked-on grease:

• Sprinkle baking soda directly onto the greasy spots
• Spray vinegar on top (it will fizz, that's normal)
• Let it sit for 10 to 15 minutes
• Scrub in circular motions with a non-scratch pad

The baking soda acts like sandpaper without scratching. The vinegar breaks down the grease at a chemical level. Together, they work better than most store-bought cleaners.

Step 4: Clean the Burner Caps and Drip Pans

By now your grates have soaked long enough. Here's how to handle each part:

Burner caps:

• Scrub with a toothbrush and dish soap
• Rinse and dry completely before putting them back

Drip pans:

• If they're badly stained, try soaking them in a mixture of baking soda and hot water for 30 minutes
• Scrub with a non-scratch pad
• Rinse thoroughly

Grates:

• Scrub with a stiff brush after soaking
• Stubborn spots? Apply a paste of baking soda and water, let it sit for 10 minutes, then scrub again

Step 5: Don't Forget the Knobs and Sides

Grease travels. It coats the knobs. It drips down the front panel. Most people miss these spots entirely.

• Remove the knobs if they pull off easily
• Soak them in warm soapy water for a few minutes
• Wipe down the sides and front of the stove with a damp cloth and dish soap

Step 6: Dry Everything Thoroughly

This step matters more than most people think. Water left on burners can cause uneven flames or, in gas stoves, ignition problems.

Dry every surface with a clean cloth. Let the grates air dry for a few extra minutes before placing them back.

When the Stove Is Just Too Far Gone

Sometimes grease has been baking on for months. The baking soda trick won't cut it anymore.

In those cases, a commercial degreaser like Easy-Off or Zep Heavy Duty Citrus Degreaser will do the job. Follow the product instructions carefully. Always ventilate the kitchen when using these products.

If you'd rather not deal with it at all, a professional cleaning service can handle it for you and have your stove looking new in under an hour.

The Bottom Line

A greasy stove is a common problem. It builds up quietly over weeks of cooking and then one day you look at it and wonder where things went wrong. A simple routine keeps it from getting there.

Soak, spray, scrub, dry. That's really all it takes.