How to Degrease Your Stovetop With a Dishwasher Tablet, According to Cleaning Pros

Dishwasher tablets can do so much more than clean your dishes. These tiny grease-cutters are packed with enzymes and surfactants that can cut through stubborn grime on your stovetop. The enzymes break down fats, oils, and food residues, while the surfactants help them penetrate and lift grease. The next time you cook a meal, consider using a dishwasher tablet to degrease your stovetop and burners with these tips from cleaning experts.

Best Type of Dishwasher Tablet to Use

To degrease a stovetop, use a solid, powder-style tablet that contains enzymes and grease-fighting surfactants, as these ingredients are most effective at breaking down grease and baked-on food, says Alicia Sokolowski, president and co-CEO at AspenClean.

Avoid using gel pods or tablets with extra rinse aid or strong dyes. "Those can be sticky, streaky, or leave residue," says Kathy Cohoon, director of franchise operations of Two Maids. "If your pod has a dissolvable film, open it and use the powder inside rather than rubbing the film on your stove.  

How to Degrease a Stovetop With a Dishwasher Tablet

Using a dishwasher tablet to clean your stovetop is straightforward and requires very few tools.

1. Prepare the stovetop: Turn everything off, remove the grates and knobs, and wipe away any crumbs.
2. Dissolve the tablet: Crush up the tablet and mix it with warm water until a paste-like consistency forms.
3. Apply the paste: Dab the mixture onto greasy areas of your stovetop with a soft sponge or cloth. Avoid using scouring pads or abrasive sponges.
4. Let it sit: Let the paste sit for 10 to 15 minutes to give it time to break down stubborn grease, periodically spritzing the paste so it doesn't dry.
5. Wipe clean: Use a damp sponge to wipe the stovetop clean with warm water until the residue is gone. Dry with a microfiber cloth.

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How to Degrease Grates With a Dishwasher Tablet

A dishwasher tablet can also be used to remove caked-on grease and food from the grates of your stovetop.

1. Remove the grates: Remove the grates from your stovetop and place them in the sink or a basin.
2. Dissolve the pods: Fill the sink or basin with hot water. Break up one to two dishwasher tablets and drop them into the water.
3. Soak the grates: Let the grates soak in the solution for 30 to 60 minutes. Tougher grease may require longer soaking.
4. Scrub: Using a soft brush or sponge, gently scrub the grate to remove loosened grease. Avoid steel wool if the grates have a coating.
5. Rinse and dry thoroughly: Drain the sink or basin and rinse the grates thoroughly with warm water. Dry them thoroughly to prevent rust.

Stovetops You Can Clean With a Dishwasher Tablet

While a dishwasher tablet can be an effective cleaning tool when degreasing stovetops, it is safer to use it on certain materials than others.

• Gas stovetops: Dishwasher tablets can clean both the burners and grates of gas stovetops. They break down grease and baked-on food, making scrubbing easier, says Sokolowski.
• Glass or ceramic stovetops: You can de-grease glass or ceramic stovetops with this method, but Cohoon says to make a smoother, looser paste to avoid scratches.
• Metal stovetops: Metal stovetops, such as stainless steel and enamel, can be cleaned with a dishwasher tablet, as the enzymes help loosen grease without damaging the surface, says Sokolowski. 

Stovetops to Never Clean With a Dishwasher Tablet

Not all surfaces are suitable for this cleaning method. "Aluminum can react with the alkaline ingredients in dishwasher detergents, which may cause discoloration or leave a dull, chalky residue," says Sokolowski. "Natural stone surfaces, such as granite or marble, are also vulnerable to etching or damage due to the detergent's alkalinity." For these materials, she recommends using gentler, natural cleaning products, such as a mild dish soap.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Although your stovetop is the workhorse of your kitchen, it is relatively delicate, so it's important to be careful when cleaning it. Keep these common pitfalls in mind to avoid scratches and stains.

• Using this as a replacement for deep cleaning: A dishwasher tablet is good for routine cleaning, but it's not adequate for tougher jobs. "Use the right product for big jobs, and save tablets for maintenance and moderate messes," says Cohoon.
• Scrubbing too hard: Your cooktop is fragile, and scrubbing too hard, especially on glass, ceramic, or non-stick surfaces, can scratch or damage them, Sokolowski warns. Also, avoid scrubbing with the abrasive side of a sponge, as this can leave haze and swirls.
• Leaving residue behind: Not rinsing thoroughly can leave behind detergent residue, which may create streaks on your cooktop. Letting the paste dry can also make it harder to remove, increasing the chances of leaving behind residue.
• Soaking aluminum burner caps: Cohoon says to avoid soaking aluminum burner caps in the tablet solution, as this can potentially discolor them.