We just replaced our very old small built in stove and newer but much hated Maytag cook top(worst appliance purchase ever) with a gas range (we have not had a working oven for nearly a year while we tried to decide to replace the small hole in the wall stove with another small hole in the wall stove or spend half as much on a much nicer free standing range and have to cut out some cabinet, but I digress). The range is stainless steel but the top is black. I really want to keep it looking nice. My husband does most of the cooking 
as he is retired while I work full time and long hours but he is not so good about cleaning up :(. Any good recommendations for cleaning a black porcelain gas cooktop? (User manual says hot soapy water but it really didn’t look very clean after just using that).
I recently got rid of a gas range that had a black top – but it was a sort of purplish-black-glassy top, and it was the worst thing ever to clean. I tried different stove top cleaners, and could get it clean – but it took a good 20 minutes ever time. I just got a new one that is truly black and not “glassy”, and a paper towel with warm water does the trick most of the time. My sympathies. 
I didn’t use warm water - perhaps that would help. Part of the problem is he has been cooking on it all week and I just don’t have the energy to clean it during the week.
I only have sympathies because I also have one–a GE Profile black glass cooktop. It shows dust within 30 minutes of cleaning it. I know, I know but I live with huge windows surrounded by cornfields. During my more energetic weeks, I lift the grates and use windex or similar glass cleaner. Just using a hot dishrag definitely leaves water spots on mine.
I wondered bout Windex - I use it to clean the cabinets and it is a great degreaser. Just wasn’t sure about using if in close proximity to gas.
Barkeepers Friend is great for cleaning cooktops. Just sprinkle it on and scrub with a damp sponge. After it’s clean, polish it with a dry cloth.
I had a KitchenAid black glass gas cooktop and I used Barkeepers Friend. First I wet the top, then I sprinkle on, then I scrub with the “scrubber side” of a damp sponge and it kind of makes a paste. I let it sit a bit, then scrub it again and wipe clean. Polish it up if necessary.
I have a black porcelain gas stove top and it is a nightmare to keep clean. It also has some discolorations that will not come off, little spots near the heating elements. I use an e-cloth (cleaning cloth with nubby surface) that you wet and clean with. That doesn’t leave so many water marks. Windex also works. I recently bought some Windex cleaning wipes that work well.
One warning about your gas stove top: do NOT get cleaner liquid or water down in the knobs that turn on the burners! I did this and it shorted out one of the burner’s heating element. I also got liquid in there once and the burners started clicking as though there were trying to turn on. My husband had to take the knobs off and dry the element thing inside by wiping with alcohol. So no spraying cleaner or using a really wet cloth around those knobs. Just a damp paper towel or Windex wipe. I didn’t know this about gas stoves as this is the first one I have had.
Best cooktop clearer imo is Weiman Cooktop max in a small round can. Comes with it’s own scrubbing pad. http://www.amazon.com/Weiman-66-Cook-Top-MAX/dp/B00E2USO52/ref=pd_sim_121_6?ie=UTF8&refRID=0W95YN1B1HENV29VNRA6&dpID=undefined&dpSrc=sims&preST=undefined
Gas/glass cooktop??? Weiman’s works well with our (came with the house) glass electric stove. Use the red scrubbing pad and it works well on burnt on material without scratching the glass. Buy it at local stores. However, I also need to use a paper towel to get rid of oil look shine afterwards (the polishing stage).
@bookiemom - I shorted the ignition thing on our last gas cooktop when cleaning it so I learned that the hard way.I may look out for the Windex wipes.
It is porcelain, not glass. Sounds like the weimans is worth a go.
What I really need to do is try and keep on top of it so the grease doesn’t get baked in. Trouble is Once our busy tax season starts I am working 13-14 hour days every day for several weeks. The stove could be a foot deep in grime and I would neither notice nor care!
I use a rubber pan scraper to get the dried-on stuff scraped off. I use dish soap and warm water to clean the stovetop, and I wipe it dry with a microfiber cloth. Works well for me (you know, for that short time it actually remains clean).
Microfiber cloth works wonders on the new stainless steel fridge :). I was wondering about using one on the stove.
I use multi surface Windex just to wipe clean after dinner.
I use Cerama Bryte Cooktop Cleaner. It comes with a little scraper that really helps get any gunk off. You can get it at Lowes and Home Depot. I’ll use Invisible Glass and a microfiber cloth between deep cleanings.
http://ceramabryte.com/products/Ceramic-Cooktop-Cleaners/Ceramic-Cooktop-Cleaning-Kit
I’ll bet oven cleaners would work on long term buildup since the porcelain finish should have similar characteristics to ovens where food gets baked on.
Oven cleaners do work well!
I have a gas stovetop, but the burners look like cast iron. Anyone else have that type? I have trouble keeping them clean.
Are you talking about the grates? Put each one in a ziplock with a 1/2 cup of ammonia and let them sit in the sink (in case of leakage) for a few hours. The ammonia fumes really loosen all the gunk and they will then be very easy to wipe clean.