Stove burner covers, also known as stove top covers, are an accessory designed to cover the burners on your stove when they are not in use. These covers can provide some benefits, but may not be necessary for every kitchen. Here is an overview of stove burner covers, their pros and cons, and whether they are worth investing in for your stove.
What are stove burner covers?
Stove burner covers are flat, vented pieces of metal, glass, or other heat-safe material that sit directly on top of your stove burners. They are designed to cover each individual burner completely when not in use. Most stove burner covers are roughly 6 inches in diameter so they can fully cover a standard size stove burner. They usually have short sides or lips to keep them stable and centered over the burner.
Stove burner covers serve a few potential purposes:
- Protect the stove surface from spills, grease splatters, and other cooking residue when burners are not in use
- Hide the burners for a streamlined, minimalist look on the stove
- Prevent dust and debris from settling directly on the burners
- Reduce the risk of accidental burns from hot burners after they are turned off
They essentially act as a barrier between the burner and the environment when you are not actively using the stove. Stove burner covers are completely removable, so you take them off when you want to use that burner to cook.
What are the benefits of stove burner covers?
Here are some of the main benefits that stove burner covers can provide:
Protect the stove surface
One of the key benefits of stove burner covers is protecting your stove surface from spills, grease splatters, food debris, and other cooking residue. When food, oil, or liquids boil over or splatter on the stove, they can bake onto the surface of the burners and be very difficult to clean if left untouched. Stove burner covers form a protective shield over each burner to prevent this type of buildup when you are not cooking. This helps keep your gas or electric burners looking cleaner for longer.
Improve aesthetics
Stove burner covers provide a sleek, seamless look for your stove when the burners are not in use. Some people prefer the smooth, minimalist aesthetic of the flat cover surface compared to the utilitarian metal burner grates. The covers can improve the overall look of your stove and kitchen when the burners are not actively being used.
Hide burner imperfections
Over time, stove burners can become stained, rusted, cracked, or otherwise marked up from repeated heating and exposure to spills. Stove burner covers can hide these imperfections and effectively cover up damaged burners when you are not cooking. This can be especially helpful for older stoves.
Prevent dust buildup
When left uncovered, stove burners can collect dust, lint, and other debris fairly quickly. The grooves and crevices on burners provide plenty of space for dust bunnies and particles to settle. Stove burner covers form a protective barrier over the burners that prevents dust from building up when the stove is not in use. This helps keep the stove surface cleaner in between cooking.
Reduce burn risk
Stove burners can remain extremely hot for a significant length of time after they are turned off. Stove burner covers can provide an extra layer of protection against accidental burns from touching hot burners that were recently in use. The covers help block direct contact with the still-hot burner surface.
What are the downsides to stove burner covers?
While stove burner covers do have some benefits, they also come with some potential drawbacks:
Extra cost
Stove burner covers are an added cost on top of purchasing a stove. Cover sets can range from $20-50 depending on the material, quality, brand, and number of covers needed for your stove. This may not be in everyone’s kitchen budget.
Added hassle when cooking
Having to remove the burner covers every time you want to use that element adds in an extra small step when cooking. The need to handle the covers can also be an annoyance if your hands are messy when you go to remove them.
Can impede airflow
Some stove manufacturers warn that the burner covers may disrupt optimal airflow to the gas burners, which could affect performance. The flat surface covers the grates surrounding the burner that allow air circulation.
Potential to scratch stove surface
Sliding the covers on and off the stove repeatedly can potentially scratch the surface around the burners over time. The friction from moving the covers could damage the finish.
May not fit all stoves
While most stove burner covers are designed to fit standard burner sizes, the dimensions can vary slightly by brand and model. Some especially large or oddly shaped burners may not accommodate typical burner cover sizes.
Can be a choking hazard for children
Stove burner covers could pose a potential choking risk for young children if they are small enough to pick up and put in their mouths. Proper supervision is still required around the stove.
When are stove burner covers useful?
Here are some of the situations when stove burner covers can be most useful:
- For households with young children – the covers provide an extra barrier to prevent burns from hot stove surfaces.
- For messy cooks – they help protect the stove surface from frequent spills, splatters, and overflow.
- For old or damaged stoves – covers can hide aesthetic imperfections on the burners.
- For people who do a lot of frying or deep frying – the splatter protection helps keep the stove surface clean.
- For minimalist kitchens – the sleek look of the flat covers adds a clean finish when burners are not in use.
The benefits tend to be most pronounced for those who use their stove frequently and need to keep the surface looking clean and tidy between cooking.
Types of stove burner covers
Stove burner covers come in a few main varieties:
Metal covers
The most common type, metal covers are made from stainless steel or aluminum. Stainless steel provides the most durability and stain resistance. Metal covers often have a brushed finish.
Glass or ceramic covers
For a sleek look, glass or ceramic burner covers coordinate well with smooth glass cooktops. They tend to be more prone to breaking than metal, however.
Silicone covers
Silicone covers offer heat resistance and a soft, flexible material that is more shock absorbent if dropped. Silicone can discolor over time but remains safe to use.
Decorative covers
Some companies make custom stove burner covers that can coordinate with kitchen decor. These may have painted designs, faux marble, or other decorative finishes.
How to choose stove burner covers
When shopping for stove burner covers, keep these tips in mind:
- Measure your burners – Inside and outside dimensions to ensure a proper fit
- Match quantity – Purchase the exact number needed for your cooktop layout
- Mind the material – Each has pros and cons. Metal is most durable but glass is sleek.
- Check for ventilation – Covers should have slits or holes to allow airflow
- Verify stove compatibility – Check manufacturer guidelines before purchasing
- Consider ease of cleaning – Metal and silicone clean easiest
- Choose a finish – Brushed or polished metal, painted, stone-look, etc.
- Review safety ratings – Ensure covers are heat-safe and non-toxic
Taking precise measurements is crucial for a proper fit. Also look at reviews of any cover set you are considering to check for fit and quality issues before purchasing.
Top rated stove burner cover sets
Based on customer reviews and ratings, here are some of the top rated stove burner cover sets:
| Brand | Material | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| MUDEELA | Stainless Steel | 4.8 / 5 stars |
| Cuisinart | Stainless Steel | 4.7 / 5 stars |
| BERFEEL | Glass | 4.6 / 5 stars |
| NexGadget | Silicone | 4.5 / 5 stars |
| Cooks Standard | Stainless Steel | 4.5 / 5 stars |
The Mudeela and Cuisinart stainless steel covers are popular choices that stand up well over time. For a sleek glass-top stove, the Berfeel glass covers coordinate beautifully. NexGadget silicone covers offer more flexibility and shock absorption. Cooks Standard is also a trusted brand. Be sure to check your specific stove model against cover dimensions to verify compatibility.
Stove burner cover care tips
To keep your stove burner covers looking and functioning their best:
- Wash periodically with warm, soapy water and dry thoroughly to prevent grease buildup.
- Avoid abrasive cleaners or sponges that could scratch the surface.
- Use plastic, wood, or silicone utensils to avoid scratches if the covers ever need to be placed on a hot burner.
- Check for any manufacturer cleaning guidelines. Glass, in particular, may have special care instructions.
- Ensure the burners and surfaces under the covers are cleaned regularly as well.
- Replace any covers that become excessively stained, warped, or damaged over time.
With proper care and cleaning, quality stove burner covers should maintain their appearance and function for many years before needing replacement.
Conclusion
Stove burner covers offer some useful benefits, especially for protecting stove surfaces prone to frequent spills and splatter during cooking. They provide an easy upgrade that can improve stove aesthetics as well. However, the covers may not be essential for every kitchen. They do come with some potential downsides like added costs and hassles. Ultimately, the benefit of enhanced stove protection tends to outweigh any drawbacks of using covers for home cooks who use the stove frequently.
Carefully measuring your burner dimensions, choosing durable heat-safe materials, and keeping the covers properly cleaned will ensure you maximize the usefulness of stove burner covers. Models from trusted brands like Cuisinart and NexGadget that are rated highly make great choices. With the right covers, your stove surface can stay looking clean and tidy while also reducing risks of burns.