Stains under the glass of a smooth top stove

Question

My smooth glass top electric stove is VERY stained. The problem is, the stains look like they may be under the glass. I have used every imaginable product and combinations of products and the stains haven't budged.  Vinegar, baking soda, Bar Keepers Friend, Comet cleanser, oven cleaner, glass top stove cleaners, fine steel wool, synthetic scrubbed etc. you get the idea.  When I run my hand over the stained area it's very smooth just like the rest of the top. 
Can the stains be under the glass? Has anyone every removed the glass top to clean under it?

Janet Pizaro · Answer

How old is the stove? Do you have your owners manuel? I do not think you should attempt anything until you either read the manuel or call the manufactor. Unfortunately they all look beautiful until we have to clean them.

Sherry E · Answer

My first glass top range came with a single edge razor blade which would clean up gunk that nothing else would remove, but if I were you, I would consult a manual or call the manufacturer.

Cynthia · Answer

I use oven cleaner an it works great

Goq4193785 · Answer

Try to scrape it off with a paint scraper while it is dry and not wet

Elaine · Answer

Mary is saying the glass top 'feels smooth', therefore, I doubt anything (such as razor, knife, cleanser) is going to do the job.  I would call the manufacturer and see what advice that may give as well as go to the store where you purchased the appliance.  I've never had that problem so can't help.  I've recently moved and my stovetop has marks (below the surface) that look as though something has been dropped on it.  I've also got strange looking marks that look like drops of liquid are ON the glasstop but they're not - they appear to be 'inside' the glass or, perhaps, underneath.  So, my problem is similar to yours, Mary .... but just different loo

Elaine · Answer

PS:  Sorry, Mary!!   My finger slipped and my answer went back to you before I was done.  I was about to say that my problem is similar to yours but just different in appearance.  I'm putting up with mine for the time being as I'm gradually replacing the (8 year-old) appliances to match the new dishwasher.  Good luck.

Susan · Answer

Looks like you have worn off the top surface of the stovetop. The spotted effect is applied after the stovetop is manufactured - I've worn mine off in a couple of places also. Nothing to be done, unfortunately.

Sally-Charles Evans · Answer

Elaine gave me an idea...perhaps it is stress fractures IN the glass. Someone may have dropped something on it. Just a thought....

Liz · Answer

To be on the safe side, call the manufacturer. We have a glass top stove and have read warnings online about them cracking or the glass exploding for various reasons. One cause of the discoloration could be that one of the eyes is overheating under the glass. Better safe than sorry.

Jud1016678 · Answer

Have you tried the new Mr. Clean Sponge? The secret is to get it up quickly and not let it burn if you can!

Jeanne Montgomery · Answer

Magic eraser

Bobbie Littlefield · Answer

I had something similair. Used a new straight edged razor blade carefully (on the slant) and it turned out to be a burned area. It may be an indication that the surface needs to be replaced as well. Wish I had gas!

Nancy Evans · Answer

I've seen a method for cleaning between the glass on an oven door on Pinterest. Big job but the post said it work. You might 'google' it too.

Bobbie Littlefield · Answer

We have a cracked top. My son said to order a replacement top and that they are easy (plug in) to install....haven't tried it yet. good luck!

Janet Pizaro · Answer

The discoloration is under the glass so I with said what is a razor blade going to do?This is a top of a stove and not the oven door.As I first mentioned the manufacturer needs to be addressed.

Debbie · Answer

You can't fix it. It has to be replaced. I have a few of the same spots and they are not on the surface.

Mary Insana · Answer

Looking for a new glass top for my electric stove

Jud1016678 · Answer

SO SORRY!

Marilynn Joy · Answer

Couldn't help but check out if you had a different answer. When these stoves are made they have a finish on the top that over time gets worn off and you get stain like marking. The harder you try to clean with all types of cleaners just takes more finish off......Here is your solution and it has worked for me cause I called the factory.....clean your cook top with plain water and this will only work if it looks like stains NOT if you have cooked on food....Turtle Wax for cars....you know the kind that you smear a small patch on ,let it haze,then polish the dickens out of it.The factory said this should be done every 3 months. Wonderful little trick that should be in all manuals but then you wouldn't order new tops or buy new stoves!!!!

Marilynn Joy · Answer

So Mary ,did you try the turtle wax trick ?My surface was smooth also but looked stained...I had no cooked on food. Did the turtle car wax ,let it haze then polished it like a crazy person ...it worked for me.In fact I do that about every 6 weeks now

Marilynn Joy · Answer

Hey Mary,Love your cat!!I think he's Canadian,he looks so mellow.I'll tell you another tip and glass top stoves. I have one cloth to clean my stove .It's called an Ultimate Cloth,You don't use anything but water to clean 'anything'.I have one of those designer ones that look like an old wood stoves .That stove has only see the cream cleaner and water using this cloth.Everyone laughs about how 'touchy 'I am about my stove but she is 9 years old and doesn't look over a month old.The Ultimate Cloths are wonderful.....they clean windows,mirrors anything with just water.No polishing or wiping down with paper towel.Streakfree !!!!And no it's not my company .Just love the product.And love my appliances

Mary Insana · Answer

I'll have to look into that. I've never seen the Ultimate Cloth around her.
And as for my kitty, he's a Russian Blue and he is one of the sweetest cats we have very had. Had 3 cats and a dog, our Persian passed away 2 years ago. 😢 We only  Squeaky our grey cat, Louie an all black cat and Bo-Bo our Westie dog.

Lizzy Cardet de Campi · Answer

http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=4&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwidkLTkvprVAhWLyIMKHZQ2BFwQFgg6MAM&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhomeguides.sfgate.com%2Fchange-burner-under-glass-cooktop-31062.html&usg=AFQjCNGMpjPT5MpctYHL6TzvugXCeHuDuA

Sue Fulstewart · Answer

I have the same problem.....I gave the stove to someone in need n bought another one......Oh MY GOSH..IT HAPPENED AGAIN....please let me know if you find a solution...I wondered if it was the bottom of !my pans...nope have new pans....it does seem to spot with splashed oil?? Maybe. Aluminum ring??

Silvio Cutuli · Answer

Have a new LG range (

Wendy · Answer

Bought a Frigidaire Gallery slide in range with glass cooktop. We followed the directions to clean top prior to use and clean surface with Weiman's Cooktop cleaner after each use. Therefore, so upset that within 3 months, a white ring/spot has appeared in the middle of one of the burners. We've tried cleaning as usual, used razor blade and tried baking soda cleaning trick, all to no avail. The spot (and several surrounding spots) appear to be beneath the glass and not on top where I can get at them to clean. I am worried that the same problem will occur if I get the top replaced. After reading above posts, has anyone else figured out the solution? Thanks!

Faye · Answer

my stove came from sears and when it happened to my stove I called them they said that it was a cosmetic thing and so it is not covered by the warranty and it does not affect how the stove works, they told me that it is a "flaw" in the design and nothing can be done about it.

Patricia · Answer

Have no answers. Just a question of my own , Bought a preowned white top Frigidaire stand alone stove. As soon as I turn the burners on and they get hot, spots begin showing up. Bought a cleaner kit at Lowe's, and have used it repeatedly. Even when it looks half way clean, the minute I turn it on and cook something, other stains/burn marks show up. No matter how much I clean it, this happens. Concerned about safety. Is there a way to take the top up or off without calling a professional. Have not used the oven, but will soon to see if it has any problems. We bought large appliances from a person who was replacing all of his major ones. Did not know this was an issue until I started to cook. Have not been able to find any help online so far. If this stove is dangerous to use, I want to know. My hubby and I are in our late 70's and early 80's, and we do not want to burn the house down with a defective stove. Help.

Beverly Arena-Bainbridge · Answer

I have the same problem and my stove is only a couple of years old. When I run my hand over the glass, it feels clean, yet there is obviously something there and I have tried magic eraser, hot towel with the baking soda, vinegar and dawn mixture and the cleaner made specifically for the stove top. IT's so frustrating!

Pat · Answer

This is interesting. I have had a GE glass top range and it is at least 25 years old. We cook on it every day and so far no problems or spots. I use the cleaning white lotion made for glass top ranges and also a razor blade held at a slant for getting off the burned on food. I guess I am lucky. Good luck to finding a solution for your problems. Could it be your pans? We use Corning Ware pans and ocasionally T-fal. The only thing I am particuliar about is when I make candy because the hot syrupy mixture will etch the glass stop top if it splashes out..