Cooking on a ceramic hob feels sleek and stylish until food spills, burns onto the surface, and leaves a stubborn mark that ruins the clean look. Getting rid of those marks isn’t as hard as it seems if you use the right method, the right tools, and a little patience.
Safety First Before You Start Cleaning
A ceramic hob might look tough, but it’s not indestructible. Cleaning it wrong can leave scratches or damage the glass. Always wait until the hob cools fully before you touch it. If it’s even slightly warm, you risk burning your hands or spreading the stain.
Keep your tools gentle and straightforward. A soft cloth, sponge, baking soda, white vinegar, dish soap, and if needed, a ceramic hob scraper are enough. Stay away from steel wool or rough scouring pads since they scratch the surface quickly.
How to Remove Burn Marks Step by Step
Burn marks don’t all behave the same way. Some wipe off with a bit of vinegar, while others need soaking, scraping, or even polishing. Start with the mildest method first, then work your way up if the mark refuses to move.
Vinegar or Baking Soda Paste
The quickest way to clean light burn marks is by using white vinegar or a baking soda paste. Vinegar helps break down grease, while baking soda works as a soft scrub that won’t scratch.
Pour vinegar onto the stain and let it sit for five minutes. Wipe gently with a damp cloth until the mark fades. If it doesn’t shift, make a paste of three parts baking soda and one part water. Spread it over the mark, leave for 15 minutes, then rub in circles with a soft cloth. Wipe clean with water to finish.
Vinegar and Baking Soda Fizz
For stubborn marks, the vinegar and baking soda fizz is a stronger option. The fizzing reaction loosens food particles that stick to the glass.
Spray the burnt spot with vinegar, sprinkle baking soda over the top, then lay a warm damp cloth on it. Leave it for 10–15 minutes. Once it softens, wipe away the mixture. The stain often comes off without much scrubbing.
Dish Soap and Vinegar Soak
If the stain looks baked into the surface, use dish soap with vinegar. Soap cuts through grease, while vinegar works on the burnt residue.
Apply a layer of dish soap to the mark and spray vinegar on top. Leave it for 20–30 minutes. Use a damp sponge to scrub in light circles, then rinse clean. If needed, repeat the soak before moving to tougher methods.
Scraping Off Tough Spots
When food hardens and won’t budge, scraping is the most effective method. A ceramic hob scraper or a razor blade at a low angle works best.
Hold the scraper at about a 30-degree angle and push gently across the mark. Don’t dig in or tilt the blade upright. Keep strokes short and steady. Once the burnt food lifts, wipe with a damp cloth to remove the debris.
Polishing Away Scuffs or Chips
If the mark feels rough or looks like a scratch, it might not be a stain but surface damage. In this case, mild abrasives like a glass hob cleaner or polishing cream can help.
Apply a small amount to the affected spot and rub gently with a soft pad. This doesn’t just clean—it smooths out the surface so light scratches blend in. Avoid over-polishing since too much pressure wears down the glass.
Why Burn Marks Happen and How to Prevent Them
Burn marks form when food boils over or spills onto the hot surface, then hardens under heat. Sugar-based sauces, starchy water, and oil splatters leave the toughest marks since they caramelise and cling. Cookware with rough bottoms also traps dirt that burns against the glass.
Preventing burn marks is often easier than removing them. Wipe away spills as soon as the hob cools, even if they look small. Keep cookware bottoms clean and flat so they make full contact with the hob. Don’t drag pots since dragging causes scratches.
Cooking on medium heat helps stop food from spitting and burning onto the surface. Use lids on pots to catch boilovers and check pans often, rather than leaving them unattended. Keeping a damp cloth nearby makes it easy to wipe spills before they dry and harden.
Quick Recap Table
| Method | Tools Needed | Works Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Vinegar or baking soda | White vinegar, baking soda, cloth | Light burn marks |
| Vinegar + baking soda | Vinegar spray, baking soda, cloth | Stubborn stains |
| Dish soap + vinegar | Dish soap, vinegar, sponge | Deep greasy burns |
| Scraper | Hob scraper or razor blade | Caked-on food |
| Polishing cream | Glass cleaner, soft pad | Scuffs or scratches |
Wrapping It Up
Burn marks on a ceramic hob look bad, but they don’t have to stay forever. Start simple with vinegar or baking soda, then step up to soaking or scraping if the mark won’t shift. With the right method, your hob will shine again without scratches or streaks.
Keep spills under control, clean as soon as the hob cools, and you’ll avoid most stains before they turn into stubborn burns. A little routine care makes the surface last longer and keeps your kitchen looking neat.