We have one of those old, vintage stoves that looks like it walked out of the 1930s because it actually did. It looks cool and functions pretty well (two hours to bake sweet potatoes aside) but because it’s been around for awhile, it’s built up a lot of burnt marks and blackened spots which kind of insists on rustic when we still want a kitchen that’s refined. That said, they don’t make them like they used to, and this oven, aside from occasional maintenance, has much more staying power than most modern day appliances, particularly the ones whose electronics encourage early obsolescence.
Attacking these spots requires a bit of patience and a lot of elbow grease. Yes, there’s Easy Off (which I’ve tried and getting the black off with it is actually not that easy) and some other commercial cleaners, but actually, the best thing I’ve found to work is baking soda and white vinegar.
After removing the stove grates, I mix a paste of baking soda and water (about a 3:1 ratio of baking soda to water), and coat the burnt marks with the paste. Spraying those marks with white vinegar causes a sizzling (as the alkaline and the acid mix to recreate a third grade science experiment right before you) bubbling sensation. After letting that sit, rub with a mesh sponge to loosen stubborn spots, then wipe down with a microfiber towel.
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