How to clean the stainless steel burner "bowl"

by Andrew
(Santa Barbara CA)

Hi - I've been trying to keep the 9" by 9" stainless steel burner "bowls" which surround the gas jets on our stove clean.

A previous cleaner used something too abrasive and some parts of the metal got scarred. The stove is quite old so we cannot get replacements parts.
I used MAAS cleaner for the last few months, the parts not only were clean but generally shined and looked awesome. But it seems now the burners show more spots and almost have a light greasy residue and they seem to require more cleaning than ever.
Can anyone recommend a product you've found that should work for stainless steel that is also exposed to some cooking heat indirectly? Thank you!

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Nov 09, 2026
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starstarstarstarstar 		The Polish May Be the Problem
by: Tara

Hi Andrew,

It sounds like the polish worked a little too well. Metal polishes leave a thin protective film, and on a surface that gets hot, that film can soften, attract grease and bake on, which is the greasy, spotty residue you're seeing now.

To reset the burner bowls:
1. Let them cool, then wash with very hot water and a good squirt of dish soap to cut the grease.
2. For stubborn spots, make a paste of Bar Keepers Friend and water and rub gently with a soft sponge, following the direction of the grain in the steel. Rinse very well.
3. For rainbow-colored heat stains, wipe with white vinegar.
4. Dry completely with a soft towel.

Going forward, skip the polish on the parts that get hot. Wipe the bowls after each use once they cool, and do a Bar Keepers Friend cleaning when needed. Avoid steel wool and harsh scouring pads, since the metal already has some scratches and you can't replace the parts.

The same tricks work on stainless pans: https://www.clean-organized-family-home.com/cleaning-stainless-steel-pans.html

Tara

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