For anyone looking to get those scorched wort puddles off their stove

[m00ps]

So this is for all of you Kitchen-BIABers out there like me.

I'm sure at some point you've spilled some wort during the boil onto the stove and noticed that if you dont clean it up IMMEDIATELY, you end up with the hardest substance to remove that mankind has ever known. Since it just sugars, you'd think water could dissolve it, but it turns into an almost glass-like substance if the puddles big enough.

Anyway, I've tried every single product I could get my hands on (Comet, Barkeepers Friend, 9 different Oven/Grill cleaners), I've run through countless scrub sponges and rubbed my hands raw. I tried leaving the cleaner there for days, reapplying and reapplying, nothing really made much difference. But I finally stumbled on a solution.

Get a bunch of plain old Baking Soda (I just use old fridge ones that I should have replaced in my fridge months ago anyway) and a big container of Hydrogen Peroxide (comes in a brown container in the Band-Aid section of any store). Pour a ton of Baking Soda in a container, and slowly add Peroxide and stir until you have a slushy paste. The consistency doesnt matter too much. Then just spoon that stuff right onto any black crap on your stove and leave it for a while. I usually do overnight then reapply, but I can see it working within hours. If you leave it for a long time, I find it's best to re-wet the paste with a spray bottle or something. But it works! Trust me, it may take more than 1 application, but I've removed stains that have been there for a year.

Good luck guys!

 

[PrinceOfThePoint]

If this actually works, it is a tremendous discovery. Excellent post!!

 

[johngaltsmotor]

I might have to try this on the outside of my keggle where boilovers get to the flames.
(Then again I'm lazy and the sanding wheel on the grinder is so much quicker.)

 

[m00ps]

It totally does. The best part is its dirt cheap, about $2 for enough to cover the entire half of my stove that gets scorched. I've done it 5 times so far and have some sitting right now. You'll know its working when you notice a brownish color starting to appear in the paste. I've never got 100% of everything off since I brew every weekend and have to clean all the paste up and let the stove dry to brew. I inevitably re-scorch it somehow and repeat the cycle. But the stoves always about 90% better once I remove the paste.

Oh and you don't need too much elbow grease. I've worn out my arms trying to scrub the last few spots out. You're better off just mixing up more paste and re-applying.

 

[Calichusetts]

Cooktop (stovetop?) magic is amazing. Don't even need a hard sponge.

 

[BridgewaterBrewer]

Thanks m00ps, I've used this recipe as grout cleaner and it worked well. Have you tried Oxyclean? It's active ingredient is sodium percarbonate which is probably similar to what you get when you mix baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) and Hydrogen Peroxide.

 

[TexasWine]

If this works you're gonna make my wife a very, very happy lady. Gonna try it tonight.

 

[Cheesy_Goodness]

Definitely trying this too. My stove has seen some things in during the last few brews.

 

[m00ps]

I've tried Cooktop, Oxyclean and PBW with long soaks. Still not much luck before finding out this

 

[solbes]

Oven cleaner works really easy. Spray, let it sit for what is directed, and wipe away. You do have to wear rubber gloves since it is sodium hydroxide (strong base). This is on my white, enamel coated stovetop. I don't see why it wouldn't work on a glass top, but maybe there are restrictions that I don't know about.

 

[TexasWine]

Found this. Apparently everyone outside the brewing world knows about this trick.

http://www.northcarolinacharm.com/2013/01/cleaning-stainless-steel.html?m=1

 

[phyllobeddo]

I will definitely try this. There are some spots on the stove that I'm tired of looking at.

 

[m00ps]

Found this. Apparently everyone outside the brewing world knows about this trick.

http://www.northcarolinacharm.com/2013/01/cleaning-stainless-steel.html?m=1

Wow, we are in our own little drunken world...

 

[TexasWine]

First application. Already seems to be working.

 

[EJay]

Thanks m00ps, I've used this recipe as grout cleaner and it worked well. Have you tried Oxyclean? It's active ingredient is sodium percarbonate which is probably similar to what you get when you mix baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) and Hydrogen Peroxide.

That my understanding too - percarbonate in water turns into Hydrogen Peroxide and some other stuff (soda ash?). But I think I'll try the OPs method next time SWMBO gripes about the stove.

 

[bu_gee]

I find baking soda has a tendency to scratch most surfaces and peroxide corrodes many metals.

The easiest way I've found to clean up any dried sugar mess:

1. Take a big-ass sponge and get it sopping wet.
2. Put it on the spot that needs cleaning and don't move it.
3. Bugger off for exactly the amount of time it takes to leisurely drink a pint of beer. This must be measured extremely carefully.
4. Return to the scene and wipe up the mess.

 

[JohnSand]

I have a glass top. I use a razor scraper, followed by the paste type glass top cleaner. Both work well. The razor will not scratch the glass unless sliced across it. This should work on enamel stove too, as the "enamel" is glass baked onto the steel.