How to Clean a Gas Hob and Keep It Spotless
Remove grease, burnt-on food, and grime from every part of your gas hob with simple household products.
Reviewed by Domakihub cleaning pros · 2026-06-23 · 4 min read
A gas hob takes the brunt of daily cooking — and in Greece, where olive oil, tomato sauces, and frequent frying are kitchen staples, grease and burnt residue can build up fast. The video above by Clean My Space walks through the core technique visually; the steps below translate that into a practical routine suited to homes, holiday rentals, and hotel kitchens. Done right, a full deep-clean takes under 30 minutes and leaves the hob looking like new.
Why Gas Hobs Need a Different Approach
Gas hobs have more parts than ceramic or induction cooktops: removable burner caps, burner heads, pan supports (also called trivets), and a drip tray beneath them all. Each part traps grease and food debris differently, so a quick wipe of the surface is rarely enough. Grime left on the burner caps can eventually block the gas ports, leading to uneven or weak flames — a common complaint in rental kitchens that haven't been cleaned properly in months.
The good news is that no specialist chemicals are needed. Bicarbonate of soda (baking soda), white vinegar, washing-up liquid, and warm water handle the vast majority of kitchen grease when used correctly.
Before You Start: Safety and Prep
Always make sure the hob is completely cold and that all gas knobs are in the off position before you begin. Never spray water or cleaning solution directly onto the gas ignition points or into the gas ports on the burner heads. In Greece, most mains gas and LPG bottle installations will not allow gas to flow unless a knob is turned, but it is still good practice to isolate the supply while doing a deep-clean.
Remove the pan supports first and set them aside — they are the heaviest, most soiled parts and benefit from a long soak. Have a bowl of warm soapy water ready, a non-scratch scrubbing pad, an old toothbrush for ports and crevices, and a few microfibre cloths.
5 Steps to a Clean Gas Hob
- 1
Soak the pan supports and burner caps
Place the pan supports (trivets) and burner caps in your sink or a large basin filled with hot water and a generous squeeze of washing-up liquid. Leave them to soak for at least 15 minutes — or up to an hour for stubborn baked-on deposits. This loosens the grease without any scrubbing effort.
- 2
Tackle the hob surface with baking soda paste
Mix two tablespoons of bicarbonate of soda with just enough water to form a thick paste. Spread it over the greasy areas of the hob surface and around the burner head rings. Let it sit for 10 minutes. The mild alkaline action lifts grease and dissolves burnt-on starch without scratching the enamel or stainless steel.
- 3
Scrub the burner heads and gas ports
Lift out the burner heads (the domed pieces that sit over the gas nozzle) and inspect the small holes around their rim — these are the gas ports. Use an old toothbrush or a thin pin to clear any blocked holes gently. Wipe the heads with your soapy cloth, rinse under running water, and set them aside to dry fully before replacing.
- 4
Scrub and rinse the pan supports
After soaking, the deposits on the pan supports should lift easily with a non-scratch pad. For anything still stuck, make a paste of baking soda and a little white vinegar — the fizzing reaction helps undercut baked carbon. Rinse thoroughly, then dry with a cloth to prevent rust on cast-iron supports, which are common on Greek domestic hobs.
- 5
Wipe down the surface and reassemble dry
Wipe the baking soda paste from the hob surface with a damp microfibre cloth, then follow with a dry cloth to remove streaks. Buff stainless steel panels in the direction of the grain. Replace the burner heads first, then the caps (they should sit flat and centred), and finally the pan supports. Crucially, every part must be fully dry before you turn the gas back on — moisture in the burner ports causes ignition problems and uneven flames.
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FAQ
- How often should a gas hob be deep-cleaned?
- In a busy household or holiday rental, a full deep-clean — removing and soaking all parts — should be done every two to four weeks. A quick surface wipe after each cooking session keeps grease from baking on and makes deep-cleans much faster when they come around.
- Why is one burner producing a weak or uneven flame after cleaning?
- The most common cause is a gas port on the burner head that is still blocked or, more often, a burner cap or head that has been replaced slightly off-centre. Remove the cap, reseat it flat and aligned, and try again. If ports were scrubbed, make sure no debris was pushed inward — use a pin to clear them from the outside.
- Can I use oven cleaner spray on a gas hob?
- Heavy-duty oven cleaners are effective on cast-iron pan supports but should not be sprayed onto the ignition electrodes, burner heads, or any painted surfaces. Always check the manufacturer's instructions for your specific hob model. For most everyday grease, baking soda paste and hot soapy water are safer and equally effective.