And question #2: anyone have ceramic cooktop hatred? I need suggestions.

[Ms. Riding Hood]

We have a ceramic cooktop (white--how stupid was that?) I hate the stupid thing. Last night I spent a good half hour scrubbing it. If I boil water I have to clean it, for crying out loud. But any cooking results in scrubbing with Weiman's cleaner and blue scrubby sponge, or even scraping with a razor blade. Admittedly, it stays cleaner than my old drip pans did. But that's because I work hard at it. The drip pans could sort of stay ugly and no one ever saw that too much. This thing has to be cleaned or it looks awful. I spend lots of time being really annoyed as I scrub my stovetop.

Am I doing something wrong? It just doesn't seem like it should be this hard. Anyone else have this problem?

[Chris in VA]

I have a flat glass one, and abhor it. Try magic eraser type cleaning sponges. And maybe it's your pots that are leaving residue?

[Ms. Riding Hood]

maybe it's your pots that are leaving residue? Yeah, I just can't get away from greasy residues around here, can I? :D

[WTMindy]

and mine is black. I guess I feel more compelled to keep it spotless so I don't ruin it (as opposed to what it used to look like when I had the coils). And, I think it is hard to keep clean. But, mostly I don't like it because it doesn't cook very evenly!

[Diana in OR]

To clean my glasstop stove, I use Earth Friendly Products Creamy Cleanser (I guess it's a more natural version of Soft Scrub) and a scotch scratcher sponge that is safe for non-stick. The Creamy Cleanser works *much* better than Weiman's. I discovered this because I had purchased some at Safeway, and ran out of the Weiman's and used it in a pinch. Now, the Creamy Cleanser is the only thing I use. If something happens to get really caked on, I will leave a wet rag over the stuff for an hour or so. I also try to wipe the top as soon as it is cool enough.

I have found my stove super easy to keep clean this way.

Btw, once I tried Easy-Off cleaner for glasstop and it is the *worst* thing I've ever tried.

[Ms. Riding Hood]

I use Earth Friendly Products Creamy Cleanser.


i'll be finding this!!

[Cindyg]

No help, but if it makes you feel better, my DF was just complaining to me today this very same problem with her BLACK cooktop. Maybe it's the material rather than the color.

[Ms. Riding Hood]

Yes, that does make me feel better.

BTW, is that you riding? I can't see the pic well enough; are you doing dressage or is this a Paso Fino/Peruvian Paso style? Anyway, it looks interesting! :cool:

[Jenny in Atl]

I have a glass top one (used to have gas in my old house) and all I can say is it's evil... :mad:
Food either burns or does not cook well, it's ugly, near impossible to clean well, etc.

Why on earth did they invent such an awful tool? :confused:

[CalicoKat]

it's great on the grease. A razor works great for those baked on crusty's that are flat on the surface. My stove came with one of those and it was recommended so you won't wreck the surface.

I thought I would really like a ceramic stove top. In my small kitchen it is nice because it does double as a counter top surface if we're baking. BUT my new stove for the new house is going to be a gas range. :)

[Cindyg]

Oh! Thank you for giving me a chance to discuss my horse! Yes, that is me riding Ivan. Ivan is an Andalusian, and that is the traditional doma vaquera garb. That picture was taken at a show. A doma vaquera class is like a reining class. You go in by yourself and do a pattern that shows off the horse's agility, quickness, and obedience. It was SO fun! Ivan is so awesome. He's 20 years old now, and I've had him 10 years. If this wasn't enough info, you can search for my name and read many more posts about him! LOL!

[Diana in OR]

I know I raved about my glasstop stove, which is only 2.5 years old. I have heard a lot of people rant about the older ones, and have heard they've improved them over the years

Mine has an "instant on" feature, and the whole burner heats up instantly when I turn it on, so I don't have uneven heating issues. Maybe it also depends on the brand? Just thinking out loud here...

[OnTheBrink]

I know I raved about my glasstop stove, which is only 2.5 years old. I have heard a lot of people rant about the older ones, and have heard they've improved them over the years

Mine has an "instant on" feature, and the whole burner heats up instantly when I turn it on, so I don't have uneven heating issues. Maybe it also depends on the brand? Just thinking out loud here...


What brand is your stove? I'm planning on getting a glass top one, and I want a good one, not one I have to work at.

[Ms. Riding Hood]

Andalusian...SO beautiful! Thanks for answering. :)

[Ms. Riding Hood]

Well mine that I do *not* like is an Amana. It is new (2.5 years). Besides not liking the ceramic, the convection oven motor quit after about 20 months of very infrequent use. Junk, I call it. Grrr.

[Crissy]

My mom uses this (http://www.partadvantage.com/image/mt_20001070.jpg?geometry(400x400)), and she loves it. I've heard her recommend it to several people.

[Sharon H in IL]

I must be the odd one, then. I like mine (it's black), and I've cooked with electric coil stovetops and gas. I wipe it frequently with a wet sponge, use a piece of plastic netting for drips, and Magic Eraser if it's seriously stuck.

If you think your pots are leaving residue, I've had great luck letting the base of the dirty pot sit with liquid dishwashing detergent sitting on it. That stuff will take off oil paint, I bet.
Anyway, you could try it to see if it helps.