I have a Maytag range with a black glass cooktop and I was sick of it too, until I tried Mr. Clean eraser...it works like a dream! I had been using Cerama Bryte liquid on the burned-on mess but it required lots of elbow grease and took forever. The Mr. Clean eraser has not harmed my cooktop and requires less time and effort. Just cut off a piece of eraser, wet it and rub off the mess. So far, everything has come off. Since yours is white, you might try a small, less conspicuous area first to be sure you don't have problems with dulling after using the eraser. Thanks Mr. Clean!

Is there a special kind? I tried the regular and it was okay. I have been using the Cerama Bryte and that is where part of my frustration was coming from last night. It is so freakin' hard to get off my cooktop.

Interesting. I've used Cerama Bryte for years with no issue. I use it sparingly and let it dry and the top looks great.

A Richard ergo grip safety razor scraper is what I reach for first when cleaning any Ceran cooking surface. I run the blade over the entire surface, just like a wood plane, using both hands, from one front corner to the other. Then I lift the blade, go back to the start and shift over to the next "lane" and keep doing it until finished up on a lane from back corner to back corner. When the blade tells you it is finding something "good" to work on lane after lane it is useful to flip the razor over every couple of lanes. Also try scraping any areas that gave the blade a hard time earlier from front to back as well when finished to check that the resistance is gone.

I know someone whose motto is: "A Ceran top and politics have a lot in common, both can seem quite clean but when you start scraping them you may be surprised at what shows up".

Cerama Bryte should be the last cleaning step, not the first, and it should be buffed away before it is completely dry. There are quite a few substitutes like the eraser in a pinch. Vim works well but don't let it dry on you, and it leaves oily streaks that will buff away after left for a day or so or go away eventually on their own. A lightly moistened strong paper towel used with a bit of sprinkled flour is also effective.

Personally I use several steps which seems like a lot but is really quick: First, wipe down excess grime with damp towel or paper towel. Then an initial cleaning with Ceramabryte. Now I know what's left to scrape, and I hit that with a blade. Now a final cleaning with a minimal amount of Ceramabryte followed by a quick polish with a barely damp cloth. Overall, less than a few tops unless I've made a total mess or it's a periodic major cleaning, at which point I'd say 5-10 minutes.

But back to the original question, what is OP's goo? I don't know, but based on saying Ceramabryte is "so freakin' hard to get off my cooktop" my guess is that he/she is using way too freakin' much. Seriously, I don't love my cooktop but I'm a sloppy cook and cleaning it has never been a complaint for me.

I don't know what the stuff is either. It looks like I have something on the bottom of my pans and it burns on my cooktops. The only thing is I clean the bottom of my pans. How much am I supposed to use, a dime size, silver dollar size? I got a bottle of Whirlpool cooktop cleaner and the guy showed my how much to use and I use the samed amount of ceramabryte. I swirl it around the burner and then rub it around. It is pretty thick and that is why I get frustrated when I try to get it off. I probably shouldn't have said freakin' I apologize, I get very frustrated when I have to try and get it off. I also try to get if off with a dry towel. I don't hate my cooktop, I just don't like that there is stuff on the burners after I cook. I was told all I would have to do is after I cook take some glass cleaner, spray it on the cooktop and wipe clean. Easy as pie. It just hasn't worked out for me that easy. I do appreciate the information on how to clean the cooktop a little easier.

Laat2,

I have been letting it dry completely just like the Whirlpool. If I rubbed in on and then let it sit for 30 seconds and buff it off would that be the right amount of time?

Thanks

I have a black ceramic top and it shows every little particle of dust. I use the cleaner that came with it and the window scraper blade. For thick cooked on food--it takes a while to scrape it off but it will come clean. The scraper works best if the dirty spots are wet--I keep scraping still it all comes off. The top looks great until the next dust falls on it.

It is most likely a combination of grease and oxidation from the bottom of your pans and, unfortunately, there is nothing you can do to prevent it. Black tops get the same "goo" but it doesn't shown on a black surface like it does on white (probably why white has never been very popular). Bar Keepers Friend may help.

andreaintx,

I would try this:

If you aren't using a good scraper, get one and use it first on your cleanups. Places like Lowes have them. Also get a 100 pack of blades. Should last a year or two!

Use ceramic cleaner/polisher next. Try a dime/quarter size amount over one burner area and pretend you are a KitchenAid Mixer trying to push the polish right through the glass! As the polish works and starts to dry you should get an indication of how clean the surface is from the color of the paper towel and how hard it is to push. If the minor discolor and easy push say good, buff it up real nice. If not, let it dry, shine it up, and try the razor again.

I think some of the hardest cleaning involves boil over starches from potatoes or pasta water. They are tough!

Thank you all for the advice. I took from what everyone said and my clean up was a breeze. Just finished and I'm not frustrated. Amazing what happens when you know how to correctly do something. Again, thank you, thank you!!