Spots on a Smooth Top Range

Dear Home Ec 101,

I have a glass (or maybe ceramic?) range that came with our house. It was new in June when we moved in. I have never had one before and am puzzled by some strange markings which have appeared on it. I use a ceramic cooktop cleaner on it about every other week; the rest of the time I just wipe it down with soapy water. I think the culprit may be my (used-to-be nice) pots which recently started leaking water from the handle/where the handle is riveted onto the pot. They spurt liquid whenever I use them and now there are odd spots on the range. They look kind of like normal stains, but the cooktop cleaner doesn't touch them. Are they burnt into the stovetop? Am I doomed to have a marred surface on my less-than-a-year old stove? Thanks!

Signed,
Crusty in Cranston
Heather says:

No, you're not doomed to have a spotted range forever, but I do want you to know that no matter how careful you are, at some point your smooth top range will no longer be pristine. Today is not that day.

The next time you're in a big box or home improvement store find yourself a razor scraper. Depending on the brand or where you find it, this tool should be well under 10 bucks or if you're an Amazon Prime member go ahead and toss it in your cart. Easy peasy (dangerously so!), In all seriousness every home needs at least one razor scraper and some spare razor blades for tasks like cleaning a smooth top range and removing paint from window panes and I'm sure you can find other uses for this thing.

To use a razor scraper on your smooth top range hold the blade at a 45° angle to the surface of your stove. You'll need to apply pressure and scrape pushing down toward the surface your stove and push forward starting at the edge of the spot.

NOTE: Do not slide the razor from side to side like you're trying to slice something with the blade, that's a great way to permanently scratch the surface of your appliance.

I know the idea of using a razor blade on your new-ish smooth top range can be a little scary at first, but give it a try. Soon enough you'll keep one of these handy things in the kitchen tool drawer and find great satisfaction in removing the remnants of a spillover.

As far as your pots and pans go, it's definitely time to invest in a new set, but remember cast iron is not a good choice for a smooth range. If you're torn on what type of cookware to purchase read

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