GE XL44 JGBS09 Owner's Manual & Installation Instructions page 23

Burner Grates
Lift out when cool. First remove the center grate
and then the side grates. Grates should be washed
regularly and, of course, after spillovers. Wash them
in hot, soapy water and rinse with clean water. After
cleaning, dry them thoroughly by putting them in a
warm oven for a few minutes. Don't put the grates
back on the range while they are wet. When replacing
the grates, be sure they're positioned securely over the
burners.
To replace the grates:
1. Place the side grates in position on the cooktop.
2. Place the center grate on the cooktop making sure
the locking feet hook over the side grates.
Cooktop Surface
To avoid damaging
the porcelain enamel
surface of the
cooktop and to
prevent it from
becoming dull,
clean up spills right
away. Foods with a lot
of acid (tomatoes,
sauerkraut, fruit juices, etc.) or foods with high sugar
content could cause a dull spot if allowed to set.
When the surface has cooled, wash and rinse. For
other spills such as fat spatterings, etc., wash with
soap and water once the surface has cooled. Then
rinse and polish with a dry cloth.
Do not lift the cooktop. Lifting the cooktop
can lead to damage and improper operation
of the range.
Do not store flammable materials in an oven or
near the cooktop. Do not store or use combustible
materials, gasoline or other flammable vapors and
liquids in the vicinity of this or any other appliance.
To prevent rusting on cast iron grates, apply a light
coating of cooking oil on the bottom of the grates.
To get rid of burned-on food, place the grates
in a covered container (or plastic bag) with 1/4 cup
ammonia to loosen the soil. Let sit overnight
(or approximately 12 hours), then scrub with a
soap-filled scouring pad if necessary. Rinse grates
thoroughly and dry completely before replacing
them on the range top.
Although they're durable, the grates will gradually
lose their shine, regardless of the best care you can
give them. This is due to their continual exposure to
high temperatures. You will notice this sooner with
lighter color grates.
Do not operate a burner for an extended period of
time without cookware on the grate. The finish on the
grate may chip without cookware to absorb the heat.
CAUTION: Do not clean the grates in a
dishwasher or in a self-cleaning oven.
Oven Bottom
The oven bottom has a porcelain enamel finish.
To make cleaning easier, protect the oven bottom
from excessive spillovers by placing a cookie sheet
on the shelf below the shelf you are cooking on.
This is particularly important when baking a fruit pie
or other foods with a high acid content. Hot fruit
fillings or other foods that are highly acidic (such
as tomatoes, sauerkraut, and sauces with vinegar or
lemon juice) may cause pitting and damage to the
porcelain enamel surface and should be wiped up
immediately.
We don't recommend using aluminum foil on the
oven bottom. It can affect air flow if the holes are
blocked and it can concentrate heat at the bottom of
the oven, resulting in poor baking performance.
If a spillover does occur on the oven bottom, allow
the oven to cool first. Remove the oven bottom for
easier clean-up.
Frequent wipings with mild soap and water
(particularly after cooking meat) will prolong the
time between major cleanings. Rinse thoroughly.
Soap left on the oven bottom can cause stains.
For heavy soil, use an abrasive cleaner or a soap-
filled steel wool pad. A commercial oven cleaner
may also be used, following the package directions.
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