6 Steps to a Sparkling Stovetop

We are starting a new series this week starring my husband of 26 years, Wayne.

Let me introduce you!

Wayne is a Veteran who served in the US Navy for 10 years. When we were stationed in New Jersey (SIMA Earle, Colts Neck) we bought our first fixer upper.

When I say fixer upper, I mean it had no kitchen. Gutted. It had beautiful hardwood floors though. This house was about 1,800 square feet. It was split level. We were thrilled when we bought it! It sat empty for several years before we bought it. We poured our heart into that house. Sold it two years later for a profit of $50,000.

Wayne started working in New Jersey as a plumber as that was his experience serving in the Navy. When we moved to California he continued as a plumber before landing a job as a building inspector for the City we live in.

He soaked up all the information he could taking classes, reading books and working side jobs to learn more and more about building construction. He was so smart that he was picked to inspect the Costco buildings under construction. He inspected the building from beginning to end and top to bottom!

From the time I graduated high school, I worked in banking. I started as a teller and moved my way up to loan operations. I have always been fascinated with numbers and interest and contracts even though math is not my favorite subject. My last position was a Bank Manager at a small five branch bank.

In 2006, I decided to get my Real Estate license so that I could have more flexibility with my schedule. The Bank Manager position I held wasn’t just a nine to five job. I was called at home most evenings. Coupled with meetings and Meet & Greets and anything else they threw my way, I wanted more time with my family. Real Estate fascinated me so I studied on Tuesdays and Thursdays evenings and passed my real estate exam.

With our experience in construction and real estate, Wayne and I flipped houses as a side hustle. We had an investor who funded the purchases and we did the work designing and construction. I received a commission from the purchase and the listing. We got paid for our time doing the work. Our investor got a tidy profit. We flipped about six houses with him. We were all happy with the outcome.

However, in 2009, the City we live in was hit hard financially just like most other cities at that time. Housing prices dropped significantly. The recession hit us hard. Wayne was laid off from the City as an inspector along with about 100 other employees.

We were thankful to have savings, but the prospect of being hired back to the City was very slim. I continued to practice real estate to support our family, but had to change my business concentrating on short sales and repossessions.

About two weeks into Wayne’s unemployment, we had a serious talk about what he was going to do (besides sulk in the recliner). He always wanted to open his own business and that is how we started our business, Schultz Property Inspections. I will tell you the full process of how we started our business another time, but his experience for the last 20 years more than qualifies him to share his expertise on many home related tasks!

Each week on Wednesdays, Wayne and I will share a home maintenance tip!

This week we share:

How To Properly and Easily Clean Your Stove!

Step 1:

Unplug your stove or stovetop. If you appliance is hardwired, shut off the breaker to that appliance.
Take off your grates and knobs.

Yes, I know they are grimy! I scrub and scrub and they still don’t come clean.

Step 2:

Remove the diffusers and trays. You may need to remove screws that are holding the burners in place.

There should be rubber gaskets under the trays. Remove the rubber gaskets and knobs and soak in hot soapy water.

Step 3:

Grab a trash bag, bucket and full strength ammonia. Do NOT open ammonia inside.

Put your large grates in a trash bag. Put your smaller items (diffusers, burners and trays) in a large bucket with a lid. Open ammonia in well ventilated area. Fill trash bag and bucket with ammonia. I use whole bottle. Fill with water and close bag and bucket keeping away from pets and children. We clean these implements outside on our patio overnight.