Whether you’re a culinary wizard or more focused on ease and simplicity when it comes to making food, an induction hob is the ideal choice. An induction hob doesn’t just offer rapid heating and precise temperature control – they’re also easier to keep clean than gas hobs.
However, that doesn’t mean you don’t need to take care when cleaning your induction hob. Choosing an induction hob for your kitchen is a big investment, and you want to make sure you keep it in top condition for as long as possible. Yes, that means cleaning it regularly – but it also means understanding how best to tackle those stubborn stains without doing any lasting damage.
In this guide, we’ll talk you through the do’s and don’ts of how to clean an induction hob. We’ll also give you some tips on how to prolong the lifespan of your induction hob, and answer some frequently asked questions. Read on to find out everything you need to know about keeping your induction hob as good as new.
Related: best way to clean oven glass
How does an induction hob work
In order to make sure you’re treating your induction hob properly, it’s important to understand a little bit about how they work.
Induction hobs work quite differently from their gas and electric equivalents. While a gas hob produces a flame that heats anything above it, an electric hob achieves the same effect using a heating element concealed beneath a ceramic top. In both cases, you’re relying on heat being transferred from the hob to your cookware.
An induction hob uses a very different method. Beneath the ceramic surface – visibly identical to an electric hob – a copper induction coil generates a magnetic field. This field causes any pan with a magnetic base to heat up directly. This means that the hob itself stays cold aside from some residual heat from the pan, making it a safer choice than an electric hob, which will stay hot for a period after use, or a gas hob that can generate a relatively large flame.
However, as we’ll explain below, this affects which pots and pans you can use on your induction hob. It also affects how you have to take care of it in order to preserve its lifespan – and that includes the way you clean it.
Which pans can you use on an induction hob
Because of its unique method of heating, there’s one major restriction that you need to be aware of when it comes to induction hobs – not every piece of cookware will work on it.
As we explained above, an induction hob uses a magnetic field to generate heat. As a result, only magnetic
materials will actually get hot when placed on an induction hob. So, while you can use steel and cast iron pots or pans, you won’t be able to use aluminium, copper, ceramic or glass cookware unless it has a magnetic plate at the bottom. You’ll also need to be careful with stainless steel – if it has a high nickel content, it may not work.
It’s also important to be wary when it comes to using round-bottomed cookware such as woks. Only a small part of their underside will be in contact with the surface of the induction hob, so they may not work as intended.
Thankfully, there’s nothing to worry about if you do try and use an incompatible piece of cookware on your induction hob. It simply won’t heat up – not great for getting your dinner ready, but not a risk to your health either.
Related: best way to clean oven glass
How to clean an induction hob
As with an electric hob, an induction hob is generally easier to clean than a gas hob, as its flat smooth surface makes for easier wiping. However, an induction hob also has an advantage over an electric hob – because the hob itself doesn’t heat up, any food spilled on it while cooking is less likely to become burnt on and difficult to remove.
Nevertheless, it’s important to take some care over how you clean your induction hob. By using the right cleaning products and taking care to protect the surface of your induction hob, you can ensure it will stay in top working order for the long run.
So let’s look at the best way to clean your induction hob.
What you’ll need:
- Microfibre cloth
- Tea towel
- Non-scratch sponge
- Vinegar
- Baking soda
- Spray bottle
- Washing up liquid
A step-by-step guide to cleaning your induction hob:
- Gather a bowl, vinegar, baking soda, paper towels and a microfibre cloth
- Wipe away any excess dirt or grime from your induction hob using paper towels
- Create a cleaning paste by combining 1-part baking soda with 1-part white vinegar in a bowl
- Cover your hob with this cleaning solution
- Leave the cleaning mixture coated on your induction hob for 45 minutes
- Using a warm damp soapy microfibre cloth, wipe away the cleaning paste from your induction hob.
- Dry your induction hob using paper towels
- Use a slightly damp microfibre cloth to buff up your induction hob.
- Repeat steps 2 to 7 if necessary.
Tips for keeping your induction hob clean
- Avoid dragging pans over the surface to minimise marks.
- Avoid food sticking to the induction hob by cleaning down after each use.
- Use hot soapy water and a cloth after cooking to avoid having to deep clean.
- White vinegar can be applied for extra sheen and sparkle.
- Do not use cleaning tools that feature wire wool or other abrasive materials, such as scouring pads. Also avoid using scrapers, unless they have been specifically created for use with ceramics.
- Assess the dirt and grime on your induction hob before you do anything. You’ll need to use different tools or techniques depending on what kind of dirt the induction hob has accumulated.
By following this process, you can ensure your induction hob is always fresh, clean and ready to use. Ultimately, keeping your hobs and oven clean means they are less likely to break and will therefore last you longer – saving you potentially hundreds in the long run. See our ‘Danger of a dirty oven‘ blog to see just how important keeping a clean oven is.
Frequently asked questions
What are the benefits of induction hobs?
Induction hobs offer a range of benefits over gas or electric equivalents, including:
- Efficiency. An induction hob directly heats the cookware using a magnetic field, rather than transferring heat from a flame or an element. As a result, less heat is lost to the environment.
- Speed. As a result of its direct heating process, induction hobs can also heat cookware much more quickly than the alternatives. This means you’ll be eating sooner and saving money, too.
- Control. Induction hobs offer precise temperature control, with numerical settings making it easy to get the exact level of heating you need when cooking.
- Safety. Thanks to their unique heating method, the surface of the induction hob does not heat up when turned on. This means you’re less likely to suffer unintended burns or other accidents – and they’re safer for your children and pets, too.
- Ease of cleaning. Much like electric hobs, induction hobs offer flat, smooth ceramic surfaces, which are much easier to clean than the nooks and crannies of most gas hobs. And because they don’t heat up when in use, you’re less likely to have burnt-on grease to contend with.
Do induction hobs mark easily?
Induction hobs are generally quite durable, with the surface constructed from a hard-wearing ceramic material that won’t mark easily. Nevertheless, it’s important to take care when moving rough-bottomed pots and pans around, as this can cause scratches or other marks.
It’s also important to remove any grease or stains as soon as possible – if they’re left to dry, they can become difficult to remove. If you are struggling with stains that won’t come off, you should consider exploring a professional oven cleaning service.
How often should I clean my induction hob?
Ideally, you should strike a balance between regularly wiping down your induction hob and doing a semi-regular deep clean to tackle any stubborn stains or lingering marks.
The best approach is to spot-clean any spills immediately – once you’ve finished cooking, that is! Generally speaking, wiping the surface of your induction hob every time you prepare a meal is good practice, and it should suffice to keep your induction hob generally looking clean and shiny. Then, we’d recommend doing a slightly more in-depth clean every two to four weeks, using the method described above.
If you are struggling with stubborn stains and needing a way to get your induction hob back to its best, why not consider a professional induction hob cleaning service?
What are the benefits of a professional induction hob cleaning service?
Your hob is one of the most-used parts of your kitchen, and with daily exposure to the grease and grime of cooking, it’s hard to keep it looking its best. Even if you clean it regularly, you may find stubborn marks and rings accumulate over time and leave it looking like it’s seen better days.
A professional hob cleaning service can use bespoke cleaning products and a unique deep cleaning approach to tackle stubborn stains far more quickly and easily than you could do yourself. So why not save the elbow grease and explore Ovenu’s professional hob cleaning options?
And of course, there’s no reason to stop at your hob. A full professional oven cleaning service can get all of your cooking appliances looking good as new. For a full overview on the benefits of getting professional help, read our blog on “Self-cleaning Ovens vs a Professionally Cleaned Oven”.
Ovenu Winchester
Get in touch with Ovenu for professional hob cleaning
Keeping your induction hob clean won’t just make it a more pleasant sight in your kitchen – it’ll keep it working efficiently for the long-run, ensuring you can rustle up delicious meals for the foreseeable. And the same applies to your other cooking appliances, including your oven.
Of course, keeping your appliances sparkling clean isn’t always easy. It takes regular time and effort to avoid baked-on grease or lasting stains from building up. And you may find that this is just too much for you to regularly devote your time and elbow grease to.
Instead, why not get in touch with Ovenu? Our professional hob and oven cleaning services can keep your cooking appliances fresh and clean with minimal effort on your part. We’re the largest local oven cleaning service in the UK, and we have technicians in your area ready to tackle even the toughest oven-cleaning challenge.
To find out more or request a free quote from your local expert, get in touch today.
See our Ultimate guide on How to Clean your Oven, for a detailed overview of everything you need to know about oven cleaning.
