How to Remove Baked-On Grease from Your Stovetop and Cooktop

Baked-on grease is what happens when you don't wipe spills the day they happen, and it becomes a dark, crusty, almost shellacked layer that feels permanent. It isn't. The key is that grease hardens over time and temperature, so softening it first—with heat or a chemical that breaks the molecular bond—makes it peel away instead of scratch away. A stovetop that's been ignored for months comes clean in under an hour with the right approach. The real lesson is prevention, but since you're reading this, let's fix what's in front of you.

1. Clear and Cool the Surface. Remove cookware, trivets, and anything else sitting on the surface. Make sure all burners are completely cool or turned off. If you're working on a gas cooktop, ensure the surface is dry before you begin. Open a window or turn on the range hood if you have one—you'll be working with fumes from heat or chemical products.
2. Lift Away Loose Debris. Use a plastic scraper or silicone spatula—never metal—to lift away any loose, flaking grease or crumbs. Work at a shallow angle and let the scraper do the work. You're removing what's already detached, not forcing anything. This takes 2 to 3 minutes and saves your degreaser from wasting strength on material that's already gone.
3. Pick Your Weapon. You have three practical options. For light to moderate buildup, mix baking soda with water into a thick paste (3 parts baking soda to 1 part water). For heavier buildup or stubborn spots, use white vinegar or a commercial degreaser like Zep or Goo Gone (follow label directions). Some people use both: baking soda paste first, then vinegar spray after. The baking soda works mechanically and chemically; vinegar adds acid that breaks down grease; commercial degreasers use stronger solvents. Pick one method and commit to it for at least 15 minutes before you assess.
4. Let Chemistry Work. Spread the baking soda paste thickly over the grease, working it into the buildup with a damp cloth or an old toothbrush. Don't try to scrub it clean yet. Cover all the baked-on spots. Let it sit for 15 to 20 minutes. The paste will dry slightly and the baking soda will begin to break down the grease chemically. If you're using vinegar instead, spray it generously over the area and let it sit for 10 to 15 minutes—you'll see it foam slightly as it reacts.
5. Gently Work the Paste. Using an old toothbrush, soft-bristled dish brush, or non-abrasive cloth, gently scrub the paste into the grease. Work in small circles and let the paste do the lifting. You're not forcing—if it's not coming up, apply more paste and wait another 5 minutes. This phase usually takes 5 to 10 minutes depending on buildup depth. For glass cooktops, a soft cloth works better than a brush to avoid micro-scratches.
6. Lift Away the Grease. Use a clean, damp cloth to wipe the paste and loosened grease away. You may need several passes. Wring out your cloth frequently so you're not just spreading greasy paste around. If stubborn spots remain, apply paste again to just those areas and wait another 5 minutes before wiping. Don't pour water on the cooktop; wipe with a damp cloth to keep moisture controlled.
7. Cut Final Residue. After the baking soda is wiped away, spray white vinegar over the entire cooktop. This serves two purposes: it neutralizes any remaining baking soda residue, and it cuts through the last film of grease and any mineral deposits left by hard water. Let it sit for 2 to 3 minutes, then wipe it dry with a clean cloth. The vinegar smell will fade within an hour.
8. Buff to Shine. Use a dry, lint-free cloth to buff the entire cooktop dry. Any moisture left behind will spot or streak, especially on glass. Pay attention to the edges where water pools. For gas cooktops with grates, dry around the burner caps and between the grates where water accumulates.
9. Spot-Check for Remaining Grease. Look at the cooktop in good light. You should see bare, clean surface. If small spots of grease remain—usually in corners or around burner edges—apply baking soda paste to just those areas for another 10 minutes and repeat the wipe. Thick buildup sometimes needs two rounds. This is normal and not a failure; heavy deposits take time.
10. Soak and Scrub Grates. If you have removable grates (cast iron or steel on gas cooktops), soak them in hot water with baking soda for 20 to 30 minutes, then scrub with a brush. For glass cooktops with no removable parts, the process above is complete. For smooth-top electric or induction cooktops, the same baking soda and vinegar method works—just avoid any abrasive tools. Dry everything before putting grates back.
11. Clean Hood and Backsplash. Grease buildup often extends to the hood and wall behind the cooktop. Use the same baking soda paste or degreaser on these surfaces. Wipe the hood filters if they're exposed, and clean any splatter on the backsplash. This takes 10 to 15 minutes but makes the whole cooking area look finished.
12. Prevent Future Buildup. Now that your cooktop is clean, keep it that way. After cooking, while the surface is still warm, do a quick wipe with a damp cloth to remove grease splatters before they harden. This 2-minute task prevents you from having to repeat the 40-minute deep clean. If something boils over or splashes, wipe it the same day. A cooktop wiped once a week stays manageable.