Greasy Pans: To Clean Or Not?

Whether pans are supposed to have grease left in them depends on the type of pan and what you're cooking. For example, if you're baking a cake, it's important to grease the pan to prevent the cake from sticking. On the other hand, if you're cleaning a burnt pan, you'll want to remove the grease and there are various methods to do so.

Grease and flouring a non-stick pan

Greasing a pan is an important step in the baking process. It ensures that your baked goods don't stick to the pan, helping them to retain their shape and making them easier to remove once cooked. While non-stick pans are designed to prevent sticking, they are not foolproof, and it's still a good idea to grease them.

To grease a non-stick pan, you should rub a small amount of butter or oil directly onto the pan before putting it on the heat. This helps the fat adhere to the pan, rather than the food. You only need a thin layer of grease—around one tablespoon, depending on the size of the pan.

If you're using a traditional pan, you can simply run a stick of butter around the bottom and sides of the pan. If you're using a tub of butter or shortening, it's best to use a paper towel to wipe it over the pan.

Once you've greased the pan, you can then flour it. Add a tablespoon or two of all-purpose flour to the pan and rotate and tap it until the flour covers every greased surface. You can then discard any excess flour. This method is particularly effective for cakes, quick breads, and muffins, helping to create a barrier between the pan and the food.

If you're making a cake with a lot of sugar, flouring the pan is especially important. The sugar can caramelize and stick to the pan, making it difficult to remove the cake. By flouring the pan, you create an extra layer that helps the cake slide out more easily.

In some cases, you may want to substitute sugar for flour. This is a great way to add a crunchy texture to the outside of quick breads, like banana bread. Simply grease the pan with butter or shortening and then use sugar instead of flour.

If you're looking for a more convenient option, you can use non-stick cooking spray. These sprays are designed to make it easier to grease your pans and are a great option for pancakes and skillet recipes. There are also sprays that contain flour, which can be useful for more complex pan shapes like bundt pans.

How to grease a pan without flour

Greasing a pan is an important step in baking as it helps prevent your baked goods from sticking to the pan. While the traditional method involves using butter or shortening alongside flour, there are several other ways to grease a pan without flour. Here are some alternative methods:

Using Non-Stick Cooking Spray

A convenient and easy option is to use a non-stick cooking spray. These sprays are designed to prevent food from sticking to the pan and can be simply applied by spraying the surface of the pan. This method is especially useful for greasing pans with intricate shapes, such as Bundt pans.

Parchment Paper or Foil

Lining your pan with parchment paper or foil provides a non-stick surface for your baked goods. This method is useful when you want to lift the entire batch out of the pan for easy slicing and display, such as with brownies or bars. Simply line the pan with parchment paper or foil, then spray it with a non-stick cooking spray if desired.

Vegetable Oil, Olive Oil, or Coconut Oil

You can also use vegetable oil, olive oil, or coconut oil to grease your pan without flour. These oils can be applied directly to the pan using a paper towel or brush, creating a non-stick surface. However, it is recommended to avoid using oil in combination with flour as it may not provide the desired results.

Sugar

For recipes like quick bread, you can use sugar instead of flour after greasing the pan with butter or shortening. This method not only prevents sticking but also adds a delicious crunchy texture to the outside of your baked goods.

Cocoa Powder

Cocoa powder can be used in a similar way to flour when greasing a pan. It helps to create a non-stick surface and is particularly useful for chocolate-based recipes or when a subtle cocoa flavour is desired.

Alternative Flours

If you don't have white flour, you can use alternative flours such as almond, coconut, or whole wheat flour. However, keep in mind that these flours may impart their respective flavours to your baked goods.

Using butter or shortening to grease a pan

Greasing a pan is an important step in baking to prevent your cakes, brownies, bars, and cookies from sticking to the pan. While there are several ways to grease a pan, using butter or shortening is the traditional way. This method was commonly used before the invention of non-stick cooking spray.

If you are using butter, you can simply run a butter stick around the bottom and sides of the pan. Alternatively, you can use a paper towel to wipe the butter all over the pan. Butter will add a desirable flavour to your baked goods, especially those that are sweet. Additionally, the water in the butter vaporises in the oven, creating tiny puffs of steam that contribute to a light, tender texture.

On the other hand, shortening is pure fat, while butter is only about 80% fat by weight. Shortening does not add any extra flavour to your recipe, but it also does not add water, which may be advantageous in some cases. Shortening also has a higher burning point than butter and is less likely to brown or burn.

In summary, both butter and shortening can effectively grease a pan, but they have distinct characteristics that may make one more suitable than the other depending on your specific needs and preferences.

Using non-stick cooking spray

• When greasing pans, hold the spray can about 6 to 12 inches away from the surface and use a sweeping motion to ensure even coverage.
• Non-stick cooking spray is ideal for grilling, as it prevents food from sticking to the grill grates and makes cleanup easier.
• For roasting vegetables, a light coating of cooking spray on the baking sheet will prevent sticking and ensure even cooking.
• If you enjoy making homemade popcorn, a light mist of cooking spray can help the seasoning stick to the popcorn.
• Cooking spray is also useful when working with dough, such as pizza or pie dough, as it prevents sticking to your hands, the counter, or the rolling pin.
• When using non-stick cooking spray, be mindful of the environment and your health. Store-bought cooking sprays may contain added ingredients like soy lecithin, dimethyl silicone, and propellants. If you prefer to avoid these, consider using a refillable spray bottle filled with your choice of cooking oil.
• You can also make your own homemade cooking spray by combining vegetable oil, water, and liquid lecithin in a spray bottle. Shake well before each use, and it's ready to go!

Non-stick cooking spray is a versatile tool in the kitchen, making cooking and baking easier and cleanup a breeze. With its ability to prevent sticking and its high smoke point, it's a handy product to have on hand for all your culinary adventures.

How to grease a Bundt pan

Greasing a Bundt pan is an important step in the baking process to ensure your cake doesn't stick. Here is a detailed guide on how to grease a Bundt pan:

Method 1: Shortening/Butter and Flour

• Start with a clean and dry Bundt pan. Use a pastry brush to grease the pan with butter or shortening, ensuring every nook and cranny is coated. Pay special attention to the tube area.
• Pour in about a quarter cup of flour. If you're making a chocolate or red velvet Bundt cake, replace the flour with cocoa powder, sieving it first to remove lumps.
• Cover the pan with cling film and shake it to distribute the flour or cocoa powder evenly.
• Flip the pan over while it's still covered and tap it firmly to remove any excess flour or cocoa powder.
• Discard the excess, and your Bundt pan is now ready for the batter!

Method 2: Cake Release

• You can use a store-bought cake release, which is a mixture of shortening and flour, or make your own by combining one part flour, half a part vegetable oil, and, optionally, one part vegetable shortening.
• Apply the cake release generously to the pan with a pastry brush, making sure to cover all surfaces, including the tube.
• Your Bundt pan is now ready for baking!

Tips:

• If you don't have a pastry brush, you can use a paper towel to spread the shortening or butter.
• If you're worried about flour clumping, sift it into the pan using a fine-mesh sieve.
• For chocolate Bundt cakes, dust with cocoa powder instead of flour to preserve the rich colour.
• If you don't have shortening, you can use a baking spray formulated with flour.

Frequently asked questions