We’ve been independently researching and testing products for over 120 years. If you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Learn more about our review process.
Gas, ceramic and glass stovetops all need a little TLC sometimes. Durable Glass Ceramic
This article was updated in November 2022 to ensure all top-rated and previously vetted picks from the Good Housekeeping Institute Cleaning Lab were in stock. We also added a new best wipes for stovetops from Weiman.
You don’t have to do much cooking to know how quickly a stovetop goes from clean to caked-on. Fry a little bacon or simmer a pot of tomato sauce, and you’ll be scrubbing greasy splatters and burned-on bits shortly thereafter. And the longer these messes sit, the more they bake on and the harder they are to remove. What’s more, any buildup or residue can impact the performance of your appliance — particularly if you have a flat electric or induction stovetop. It may seem like a daunting task (especially if it's been a while), but with the right stovetop cleaner, it can be done in no time. From our years of extensive testing, we've found that using a moist towel or pad to gently work the product into the stovetop messes is the most effective method, plus doing daily cleanups after cooking dinner. We test hundreds of products in the Cleaning Lab every year, including kitchen cleaners, the best oven cleaners, stainless steel cleaners for all your kitchen appliances and so much more. When we test stovetop cleaners in the Good Housekeeping Institute Cleaning Lab, we dirty our gas, electric and induction cooktops just the way you would at home. We fry bacon and hamburgers to make grease splatters, spill and bake on pasta sauce, and let pots bubble over. We also have the benefit of testing cleaning products in the GH Institute Test Kitchen and Labs where recipes are developed and appliances are evaluated daily. We assess how well the products clean, how neat or messy they are to use, how easily they rinse off and how much residue they leave behind. Finally, we review the labeling for how complete the directions are and for any safety precautions that may be required based on the ingredients they contain.
At the end of this guide, you’ll find more about how we evaluate stovetop cleaners in our Lab, plus everything you need to know to shop for the right kind of cleaner for your stove. Looking for more innovative products to help keep your cooking appliances sparkling? Learn how to clean a glass top stove, the best way to clean an oven and check out our guide for the best grill cleaners.
One of the most versatile stovetop cleaners we’ve tested, EZ Brite’s Glass and Ceramic Cooktop Cleaner and Conditioner not only tackles grimy glass and ceramic cooktops, but it works on glass and enameled cookware and bakeware too. Quartz and stainless steel surfaces that are looking a little lackluster can also be restored with this stovetop cleaner. In our Cleaning Lab tests we found that because it's a gel, it goes on and rinses off easily, though it can leave some streaks behind. And as a multi-use product, it not only cleans, but helps clean out the clutter in your cleaning product cabinet, too. To top it all off, our experts found the label directions were excellent and very easy to follow.
Weiman's Gas Range Cleaner and Degreaser is a Good Housekeeping Seal star with an easy-to-use trigger spray bottle that dispenses the grease-cutting liquid right where you need it and is an easy way to do a quick cleaning. Our experts appreciate a multitasking product and this gas cleaner is just that. It works on drip pans, knobs, stainless steel, glass, enameled grates, glass and even metal bakeware. When we tested this cleaner in the Lab, our experts were impressed with its performance, but noted that to effectively clean tough stains, it needs to sit for longer than others we tried.
Nothing beats convenient cleanup solutions like disposable wipes. GH Seal star Weiman Cook Top & Microwave Wipes are single-use wipes that are excellent for quick wipe-downs and spur-of-the-moment polishings. Our Cleaning Lab pros say it’s a smart idea to stock these wipes in addition to a heavy-duty cleaner, since they allow you to stay ahead of messes without a lot of work. They may be a little bit thin for really tough jobs, but they work on gas stovetop burners and grates, as well as glass microwave plates, too, and are double-sided for scrubbing and wiping — perfect for when pasta water splashes out or oatmeal bubbles over.
Another multitasking Good Housekeeping seal product? You bet. Weiman Cook Top Max is a cleaner and a polish all-in-one. This paste contains microbeads for better scrubbing action and protectants to restore shine. In our tests it did a better job of attacking burned-on soil with less scrubbing than liquid cleaners did. Other cleaners turned a small mess into an even bigger one upon application, but because this is a paste, it didn't. While we didn't mind this stovetop cleaner's smell, some reviewers found it a bit uncomfortable. Because it's a thicker paste, it's best used with a moist scrubbing pad for easier application.
When a cleaning liquid or gel isn't enough, reach for this kit from Affresh to clean stuck-on gunk from your glass stovetops. This kit includes a five ounce bottle of creamy cleaner, a scraper to remove heavy grime and five cleaning pads to work the product into the stovetop. According to the manufacturer, the pads are non-scratching and many reviewers online agree. We haven't tested this kit in the Cleaning Lab yet, but have tested the cleaner liquid and found it worked well. Because of the small size of the cleaner and few scrubbing pads included, you'll need to restock more frequently if you use this regularly.
This little tool has been previously recognized as a top product in the Good Housekeeping Best Cleaning Product Awards for how easy it is to use and how well it cleans grime and gunk from glass stovetops with just water. The scrubber is abrasive enough to clean without scratching and when we tested it on a heavily-used GH Test Kitchen cooktop, we were amazed at how well it powered through grease and stuck-on grime, but noticed it began degrading after just a few uses. The handle design is comfortable to hold and allows for easy, quick cleanup after dinner without extra steps or products.
Carbona products have long been favorites in the Cleaning Lab, from the laundry room to the kitchen. Unlike other creamy cooktop cleaners we tested in the Lab, this Glass Ceramic Cooktop Cleaner didn't make a big mess when we applied it to our test stove. It was not only effective at removing burnt-on messes, but rinsed away easily — eliminating any chance of leaving behind a residue that can build up over time and hamper the cooking performance of your stovetop. We didn't have any trouble with the cleaner's consistency, but it was too thin for some reviewers.
In case you haven't guessed it yet, multitasking is the theme here. These handy pads can be used way beyond the stovetop. They dissolved grease and stuck-on messes from the glass cooktop we tested them on, but they can be used on the microwave, sink, range hood and more. The cleaner is built in to the pads and only requires water for activating so no buying other cleaners, wiping up extra liquids or storing extra bottles around the kitchen. Flip the non-abrasive pads over and use the polishing side to remove any remaining cleaner and add a little shine to your cooktop too without leaving streaks behind. Each pack includes eight large and 16 small pads, but each one is perforated in half for smaller jobs so you won't have to use a full pad for smaller messes. Take note that each pad can only be used once or twice before you have to throw them away.
The Good Housekeeping Institute Cleaning Lab regularly tests all kinds of cleaning products, including hundreds of kitchen products like stovetop cleaners, oven cleaners, kitchen countertops and more. In our last full category test of stovetop cleaners, our experts tested 14 different cleaners on the market. To measure efficacy, our testers applied a measured amount of spaghetti sauce to a smooth, pre-heated stovetop in an even layer. They then baked the sauce on for five minutes, allowed it to cool, then, according to package instructions, cleaned with each stovetop cleaner. They scored each one based on how much residue was left behind, and repeated the test three times to make sure each cleaner performed consistently. Our experts use these stovetop cleaners at home for real world testing of all different kinds of sticky, heavy messes that can happen during dinnertime.
During tests, our Lab pros also considered things like ease of rinsing — how many passes were required to visibly remove cleaner from the stovetop — as well as neatness of application and completeness of directions. Because cleaner residue can affect the performance of a stovetop, our experts pay special attention to any residue that is left behind. Each product's packaging is also carefully inspected for proper instructions, safety labels and ingredients lists.
✔️ Stovetop material: Stovetops come in a variety of different materials, including stainless steel, glass, ceramic and enamel. When selecting a cleaner, the most important consideration is what type of stove you have — the wrong type of cleaner could damage the surface. Always consult the label to make sure a stovetop cleaner is safe to use on the material your stove is made from. You’ll avoid damaging your stove and potentially voiding your appliance’s warranty.
✔️ Type of cleaner: There’s a whole host of cleaning products suitable for restoring shine to your stovetop sponges, pads, wipes, pastes, sprays… you name it. Disposable cleaners like wipes and pads are very convenient for routine everyday cleaning. They’re easy to use and neater than sprays and pastes though they likely won’t be as successful at removing heavy, baked on messes. Sprays and pastes tend to be stronger, but require a little more time and effort to use. These are better suited for removing stuck-on stains and for more thorough cleanings. As with any cleaning product, regardless of the type of cleaner, you should follow all safety precautions printed on the label.
✔️ Scent: In the past, strong cleaning products have been known for having strong, uncomfortable smells. Many of the stovetop, oven and other kitchen appliance cleaners we test now in the Cleaning Lab come in pleasant scents like lemon or have no scent at all. The scent won’t change the efficacy of a cleaning product so it all comes down to your personal preference when selecting the cleaner that is right for you.
If you’re struggling with caked-on food and burnt-on grease, try this method, recommended by our Cleaning Lab experts:
Carolyn Forté has over 40 years of experience testing and writing about all kinds of cleaning products, including stovetop cleaners. As Executive Director of the Home Care and Cleaning Lab, she personally tests dozens of home appliances and cleaning products each year and oversees all of the testing done by our team of product review analysts.
Induction Cooker Glass Ceramic Brigitt Earley is a writer and editor with over 15 years of experience in the home, cleaning, health spaces and more. She has written extensively about household cleaning products. For this story, Brigitt worked under Carolyn's guidance to research and write about the stovetop cleaners.