Thoroughly burned onto stovetop

[KaimukiMan]

Something must have boiled over during thanksgiving preparations. I have 'burned on" stuff around the ring on my electric cooktop (enamel finish.) The usual scrubbing and letting it soak is not loosening or removing it. Any suggestions? The stove was on high for quite a while, the stuff is really thoroughly burned on.

[pdxgastro]

Steam should also remove it.

[KaimukiMan]

thanks folks, the white scrubber (store brand magic eraser) worked great, the razor took care of some of the thicker stuff, so the combination took away almost all of it. Had I been willing to spend another 30 or 40 minutes all of it would have come off, and will in subsequent cleanings no doubt. Tips much appreciated! (didn't have any oven cleaner around, and with a self cleaning oven, probably won't any time soon.)

[elfcook]

For the really stubborn stuff I have to resort to a razor blade, held almost parallel to the stovetop. With patience & scraping, I have removed some stuff that I swore would never come off.

[poser]

+1 And if the OP thinks this is off the wall advise, it is exactly what customer service recommended I do when I thought I ruined my stove top. Those razor blades have been working like a charm for 8 years now. And the stove top is none the worse for wear.

[Querencia]

Soak it and then use a single-edge razor blade to scrape off everything you can. When it dries, try Cerama-Bryte or some such stuff made for cleaning these stovetops. Worst[-case scenario, if the stovetop is ruined, you don''t have to replace the whole stove---you can replace just the cooktop for around $200.

[mmmmmmmmmgood]

Try a "Magic Eraser" white scrubbie thingy... they really are magical.

[Sydneyeats]

Could you use an over cleaner such as Easy Off? I have used it on enamel surfaces without any problems. Will probably need a long soak and a couple of tries before it comes off.