How to remove scratches from stainless steel gas stove

Stainless steel material has sleek, shine and reputation for durability. Despite stainless steel’s resilient properties gives tough competition to glass gas stove, these appliances are still prone to scratchesstains, and pitting on the gas stove surface, pipe, nozzles damage over time.

While minor blemishes are inevitable with daily use, fortunately, there are some we have seen to reduce their appearance and prevent further damage. Plus, if you follow proper cleaning techniques and stain removal methods, you can keep your stainless-steel gas stove looking like new. Now, without wasting a fraction of seconds let’s dive into step-by-step guide on how to remove scratches from stainless steel gas stove. Before that you should know What Makes Stainless Steel Resistant to Damage?

What Makes Stainless Steel Resistant to Damage?

The key to stainless steel’s durability lies in its composition. Stainless steel contains chromium which forms a thin, transparent chromium oxide layer when exposed to oxygen. This passive layer acts as a barrier that makes the surface highly resistant to rust and corrosion. Essentially, chromium gives stainless steel its defining rust resistance and stain-free properties.

However, the chromium oxide layer can be compromised with careless handling and maintenance. Harsh abrasive materials and cleaning products containing chlorides degrade this protective barrier over time, making the appliance more prone to scratchesstains and other damage.

Scratches – Causes and Repair

Light surface scratches are one of the most common cosmetic issues with stainless steel gas stoves. There are a few culprits that typically cause scratching:

Three-burner gas stove with visible scratch mark on the surface
  • Dragging pots, pans or utensils across the surface
  • Using abrasive scouring pads and powders to clean
  • Spills and messes getting caked on and requiring scrubbing to remove

Even minor scratches that don’t penetrate the metal can stand out and detract from your stove’s appearance. Thankfully, light surface scratches can often be minimized or buffed out completely through the proper stainless steel repair methods.

Removing Light Scratches

For shallow scratches, use a gentle cleaning compound like Bar Keepers Friend to help smooth the surface. Apply the cleaner to a soft cloth and rub it into the scratch using small circular motions. Maintain the direction of the grain as you clean – rubbing against the grain will create deeper grooves. After cleaning, rinse the area and dry thoroughly with a soft towel.

Once dry, apply a thin coat of stainless steel polish to further blend and conceal light scratches. Use an old t-shirt or microfiber cloth to buff the polish in evenly with the grain. This technique can make many minor scratches virtually disappear.

Fixing Deeper Scratches

If light scrubbing fails to improve the look of deeper scratches, you may need a more aggressive approach. Stainless steel scratch removal kits are available that contain sandpaper of varying grits specifically for refinishing stainless steel.

Start with a medium grit sandpaper and gently smooth over the scratch to blend it into the surrounding surface, always following the directional grain. Use light pressure and check often to prevent removing too much material. Work your way up through finer grits to achieve a uniform finish.

Once the scratch is minimized, use a polishing compound followed by stainless steel polish to restore the appliance’s shine. This polishing process takes some practice and elbow grease, but can dramatically improve the look of scratched stainless steel.

Preventing Future Scratches

While scratch removal is possible, prevention is always preferable to preserve your stove’s flawless finish:

  • Use plastic, silicone or wooden utensils instead of harsh metal utensils that scratch
  • Choose smooth-bottomed cookware rather than cast iron
  • Apply tape or silicone pads to the bottom of cookware
  • Clean gently with non-abrasive tools like soft sponges or microfiber cloths
  • Avoid using scouring pads, powders or anything too abrasive on the surface

With care and proper cookware, you can minimize new scratches from accumulating over time.

Removing Stains on Stainless Steel

In addition to scratches, stains from food, grease and hard water are common with stainless steel gas stoves. But while stains can be stubborn, they can often be removed with surprising ease. Here are some effective methods and cleaning solutions for stain removal.

Baking Soda and Dish Soap Paste

For most stains, try this homemade cleaner first. Make a paste with 3 parts baking soda to 1 part dish soap and apply it to the stained area. Gently rub the paste over the stain using a soft sponge or cloth, taking care to follow the direction of the grain. The baking soda acts as a mild abrasive while the soap helps lift and dissolve grime.

Rinse thoroughly once finished cleaning and dry with a soft towel. For tougher stains, cover the paste with plastic wrap and allow it to sit for an hour before scrubbing. This passive soaking time helps loosen stubborn marks. Just avoid excessive scrubbing pressure.

Person in yellow gloves cleaning gas stove top with cloth and spray

Degreasing Cleaners

Burnt-on oil or greasy buildup often requires a stronger degreasing agent like an oxygen bleach cleaner or Mr. Clean Magic Eraser. Lightly scrub with the degreaser using a nylon bristle brush or dobie pad. Pay attention to cooked-on food around the burners. Degreasers excel at breaking down oil and grease.

Plastic Scrapers

For food residue like baked on cheese or sauce, gently try lifting it away with a plastic spatula or scraper. You can also try thinly slicing off stuck-on gunk by scraping the edge of a credit card over the surface at a low angle.

Hard Water Stains

To tackle white scaling or film caused by hard water, use full-strength distilled white vinegar. Pour vinegar over the stains and allow it to soak for 5 minutes before scrubbing and rinsing clean. The vinegar dissolves mineral deposits and hard water residue.

Preventing Stains and Pitting

Gas stove with oil stains on surface

While daily cleaning helps keep your stainless steel gas stove looking tidy, there are also some habits you can adopt to avoid stains and pitting issues in the first place:
Do not use chlorine on stainless steel. Stainless steel can be corroded and pitted by chlorine-containing products such as bleach. Do not put them under or next to your stove.

  • Reduce salt exposure– However, pittings can occur after salty boiling water overflows. Cover pasta, potatoes, or other starchy foods while boiling.
  • Remove grease buildup– This keeps the oils and grease away routinely, thus preventing the burnt-on residue which cannot be scrubbed away easily.
  • Use distilled vinegar– Use a diluted vinegar to occasionally wipe down your gas stove to avoid water stains.
  • Rinse food and liquids. Cleaning spills right away keeps them from turning into stains.

Paying attention to extra caution when cooking and cleaning can reduce stains, and you’ll see fewer stains occurring in the first place.

Maintaining and Protecting Your Stove’s Surface

Caring for your stainless steel gas stove’s finish doesn’t require much time or effort with regular upkeep:

  • Clean gently – Use only soft sponges, microfiber cloths or soft bristle brushes. Avoid anything abrasive.
  • Rub in the direction of the grain – Scrubbing against the grain creates finer scratches.
  • Apply stainless steel polish weekly – Polish protects the appliance’s chromium oxide layer, which prevents surface damage.
  • Seal with stainless steel sealer annually – Sealer leaves an invisible coating that repels grime and stains.
  • Inspect for damage monthly – Periodically examine for any scratches or stains needing touch-up cleaning.

With the proper care and cleaning habits, your stainless steel gas stove can maintain its flawless, scratch-free shine for years of reliable service. Understanding what causes damage and learning the proper removal techniques will have you mastering stainless steel surface repair in no time.

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