Help cleaning a Rangemaster cooker

[WhenDoISleep]

I have a Rangemaster dual fuel cooker, but I am struggling to get the hob area really clean. I am always left with tacky, sticky patches that attract dust etc. instead of a nice clean surface.

The hob is enamel (I think, rented house), so I can't use anything abrasive. Does anyone have the same type of cooker and can recommend some cleaning products/methods?

I haven't even dared to tackle the oven, which is not so bad but could use a clean now as I don't know what to use on it.

I am going to get the professional cleaners in, but can't afford to do that before next year, and the fact the cooker is not really clean is beginning to annoy me.

I think with enamel you have to be carefull, you can download the manuals off the internet. I had to do that with mine, they usually tell you which chemicals to avoid.

Have you tried a soloution of hot water and soda crystals? they are very good at cutting through grease but you will have to check the pack to check they are compatible with enamel.

It is possible that someone else has used a harsh cleaner on it and what you think are sticky patches are in fact where a laquer has been worn away and is now attracting dirt.

Lakeland and john lewis usually do a wider range of cleaning fluids than the mainstream supermarkets.

sticky patches are probably oil. It goes sticky as it oxidises, then eventually turns to varnish. Obviously you have cleaned away any sugary stuff with water and detergent or GP cleaner.

No need to use abrasives. What have you been using so far, and how often to you clean it?

When you say you "think" it is enamel, what else might it be? Glass, ceramic, stainless?

Is the oven catalytic (has a rough, grainy surface) or enamel (smooth and shiny?

May oven have removable linings, does yours? have you got the instruction book? (If not, go to the manufacturers website)

It would be useful to know if it is an electric fan oven or what, and is the hob gas rings, electic plates, induction, or what.

updated

I see now it is a dual fuel. So if I am right and it is cooking fat splatter baked on, a GP cleaner rubbed on neat will soften it. Anything really stubborn you can use a plastic scourer (as used on non-stick pans). This will wear away any printing quite quickly, like over the knobs, but will take years to wear through enamel.

If you rub it over with WUL or GP cleaner each time you use it, it will not get very dirty, and splashes will not get baked on or build up.

Thanks for the suggestions.

PigletJohn what are GP cleaner and WUL? I have the instructions which suggest hope soapy water only and say nothing caustic, but soap and water is not cleaning it properly. The hob area is used sparingly, and is cleaned round once a week.

General purpose eg multisurface such as flash or stardrops

Washing Up Liquid.

Thanks