Can I soak the coils in soapy water to cut the grease faster?

No. Grease lives on the drip bowls and the outside of the coil. The electrical prongs cannot get wet. Wipe the coil with a barely damp cloth and soak only the bowls.

Should I turn the burner on high to burn the grease off first?

Not for a grease film. A short high-heat cycle can ash sugary food spills, but extra heat bakes oil into a harder coating. Degrease cold, then cook as usual.

Guide

How to Remove Burnt Grease from an Electric Coil Stovetop

Switch the coils off and let them go cold. Lift each coil out of its socket, wipe the metal with a barely damp soapy cloth (keep water off the terminals), soak the drip bowls in hot water, dish soap, and baking soda, then dry everything before you plug the coils back in.

Electric coil stovetop Burnt grease

Context

Conditions that change the method

Delicate surface — Never submerge burner coils or electrical plug connections in water. Moisture in the terminals is a shock and fire hazard.
Food contact — Wipe soap residue off the coils and drip bowls before you cook again.

Risk of electrical shock and burns

Turn every knob fully off and wait until the coils are cold before you touch them. Never soak the electrical prongs. If you burn your skin, get cleaner in your eyes, or feel unsure or uncomfortable, rinse with cool water and get medical advice.

What you need

Dish soap
Baking soda
A nylon brush or non-scratch sponge
A sink or basin for the drip bowls
Microfiber cloths

Turn all burners off. Confirm the coils are cold. Do not run a high-heat burn-off to 'cook off' grease — extra heat polymerizes oil into a harder film.
Lift the front of the coil slightly and pull it straight out of the receptacle.
Wipe the coil with a barely damp microfiber cloth and a drop of dish soap. Keep the cloth away from the terminals. Do not dunk the coil.
Lift out the drip bowls and soak them 20–30 minutes in hot water with dish soap and about 1/2 cup of baking soda.
Scrub softened grease off the bowls with a nylon brush and a baking soda paste. Rinse and dry them completely.
Wipe the cooktop deck with warm soapy water, dry it, set the dry bowls back in place, and plug the dry coils into their sockets.

What to avoid

Never soak coils or put them in the dishwasher.
No steel wool or metal scrapers on chrome or porcelain drip bowls — they strip the plating.
Do not spray cleaner into the electrical sockets.
Do not light a burner while a coil or bowl is still wet.

Products

What to use

Related guides

FAQ

Questions people ask

Can I soak the coils in soapy water to cut the grease faster?: No. Grease lives on the drip bowls and the outside of the coil. The electrical prongs cannot get wet. Wipe the coil with a barely damp cloth and soak only the bowls.
Should I turn the burner on high to burn the grease off first?: Not for a grease film. A short high-heat cycle can ash sugary food spills, but extra heat bakes oil into a harder coating. Degrease cold, then cook as usual.

Sources

Glass Cooktop Cleaning Instructions — GE Appliances
Cleaning Tips & Advice — American Cleaning Institute