Stove Burners Heating Unevenly? Here's The Quick Fix You'll Wish You Knew Sooner

If you've started to notice a pattern of uneven heating from your stovetop, you might be dealing with a faulty burner. On a gas stove, the flames on one side of a burner may be higher than the other side. If your electric burners are only glowing red on one side or your food is cooking unevenly, it may be due to a mechanical or electric heating issue. This happens when burner ports are dirty, clogged, or broken, and your cooking can pay the price. 

As frustrating as this predicament may be, there are a few easy ways you can try to fix the issue before reaching out to a professional. Chances are, you can solve the problem with a simple deep-clean of your gas stove burners or electric coils. For a gas stovetop, that typically means removing the burner cap and cleaning out grease and food buildup. For an electric stovetop, that means giving the surface a deep clean and cleaning under the coils to remove any burnt residue. But if the burner is still not working properly, you will most likely need to replace the coils or have the stovetop assessed by a professional.

Before making any adjustments to your stovetop, ensure that the appliance is completely turned off. For a gas stove, remove the burner caps from the affected burners as well as the burner heads. Using a soft cloth, wipe down the surface of both pieces. If you notice any parts that are cracked or broken, it's time to replace your stovetop burners. For caked-on food or grease lodged in the grooves of the burner head, use a small, sharp tool like a safety pin or a bristled brush to dig out the grime. These are the ports where the flames come out, so clogs can make them uneven. Replace the burner heads and ensure the caps sit perfectly flat on top before starting the stove again.

If you need to remove residual grease or buildup that you can't eliminate by hand, soak the burner heads and caps in a solution of vinegar and water for about 20 minutes. You can also combine baking soda and water to create a paste and scrub the burner components. While you're at it, bring your stovetop grates back to life with this same trick. 

For an electric stovetop, unplug the faulty coil from the connector and wipe it down with a damp cloth. Gently wipe the connector prongs too, using just plain water to wipe; don't use soap or soak the coils. You can, however, remove the drip pans if they have a lot of buildup and soak them in soapy water or scrub with a baking soda paste. Dry the coils and the drip pans before setting them back into place and turning the stove on. If the coils still heats unevenly, you may want to contact a professional to diagnose the issue further.