The Secret To Spotless Pans In Bakeries

Keeping bakery pans clean is essential to ensure the quality of baked goods and extend the life of the equipment. Here are some methods to achieve that:

- Using pans with special release coatings or greasing them.

- Regularly washing the pans, as done by many European bakers, to prevent the buildup of baking debris and grease that can cause sticking.

- Soaking the pans in a mixture of baking soda and vinegar, or cream of tartar and vinegar, followed by scrubbing and rinsing.

- Using a scouring tool like a copper cloth or aluminum foil along with a granulated detergent to scrub away burnt-on stains.

- Soaking the pans in a mixture of hydrogen peroxide and baking soda, followed by rinsing and repeating if necessary.

- Placing the pans in a self-cleaning oven and following the manufacturer's instructions.

Baking soda and vinegar

Step 1:

First, remove as much food and debris from the pan as possible.

Step 2:

Next, add enough water to the pan to cover the bottom, and bring it to a boil. Place the pan in the sink to avoid mess and for safety.

Step 3:

Now, add a cup of white vinegar to the hot water. You can also use apple cider vinegar if you don't have white vinegar. The vinegar will help to neutralise odours and loosen baked-on food.

Step 4:

Add 2 tablespoons of baking soda to the pan. You will see the mixture start to bubble and fizz as the vinegar and baking soda react.

Step 5:

Let the pan sit for a few minutes while it cools down. The fizzing reaction will help to lift caked-on food.

Step 6:

Using a scouring sponge or nylon brush, scrub the inside of the pan, focusing on any stained or scorched areas.

Step 7:

Empty the pan and wash it normally with dish soap and a clean sponge. Then dry the pan with a clean dish towel.

Alternative Method:

If your pan still has some stubborn stains, you can try an alternative method using a baking soda and vinegar paste. First, make sure you have rinsed out any remaining vinegar from the previous steps. Then, mix equal parts baking soda and hot water directly in the pan to form a paste. If the paste is too runny, add more baking soda, and if it's too dry, add a little more water. Use a scouring sponge to scrub the problem areas until the stains lift. You may need to add more paste as you go. Finally, empty the pan and wash it normally with dish soap and hot water, then dry with a clean dish towel.

Hydrogen peroxide and baking soda

Baking sheets and pans are often left with brown spots and a blackened hue from roasting vegetables and baking cookies. While elbow grease and scrubbing can work, there are other methods to try.

One popular method is to use baking soda and hydrogen peroxide. This method is effective for aluminium pans. First, sprinkle baking soda liberally all over the surface of the pan. Then, spray a generous amount of hydrogen peroxide over the baking soda until the powder is damp. Let the mixture sit for 2-3 hours or, better yet, overnight. The chemical reaction between the two agents will break up the gunk. After this, use a plastic scraper to scrape the mixture into a bin, then wash the pan with warm soapy water and a scrub sponge.

If there are still some stains, repeat the process. You can also use a copper or metal scrubber for more stubborn stains.

Ammonia

• Place your baking pans inside a durable plastic bag, such as a garbage bag.
• Carefully pour about half a cup of ammonia into the bag.
• Seal the bag shut and leave it in a sunny area for at least a full day. This allows the ammonia to react with the grease and food particles, making them easier to remove.
• Open the bag and remove the pans. Be careful not to breathe in the ammonia fumes.
• Scrub the pans with steel wool. The grease and gunk should come off easily at this point.
• Wash the pans thoroughly with soap and water to remove any remaining residue.
• Dry the pans before putting them away.

Some additional tips to keep in mind when using ammonia:

• Always keep ammonia out of the reach of children.
• Avoid breathing in the ammonia fumes while handling it.
• Ammonia should not be used on non-stick baking sheets or aluminium pans as it may damage the coating.

Aluminium foil

To avoid scratching your pans, you can use a non-abrasive scrubbing pad or a nylon scrubber. It is also important to note that you should always wash and dry your pans thoroughly after using foil to clean them, as foil can be quite harsh on the pan's surface.

Using foil to line your pans before baking is a great preventative measure to keep your pans clean and avoid the need for heavy scrubbing afterwards. This is a simple and effective hack that can save you time and effort in the long run.

Cream of tartar and vinegar

Cream of tartar is a powerful cleaning agent, especially for aluminium pans. It can be used to remove baked-on food and stains, as well as scorch food remnants.

To use cream of tartar for cleaning, make a paste with equal parts cream of tartar and vinegar. Apply this paste to the affected areas of the pan and leave it to sit for at least an hour. For best results, it is recommended to let it sit overnight. The cream of tartar and vinegar will loosen the food stuck to the pan and the mild bleaching properties of the cream of tartar will remove the baked-on stains. After letting the paste sit, scrub the pan clean. Avoid using very hard or abrasive materials to scrub. Use the same piece of cloth you used to apply the paste. For more stubborn stains, you may need to repeat the process a few times. Once you are done, make sure to wash the pan thoroughly with soap and cold water before using it again for cooking.

Cream of tartar is also an ideal ingredient to make a gentle yet acidic scrub for stainless steel pans, pots, and other surfaces. To make the scrub, dip a cloth in water, sprinkle a little cream of tartar onto the cloth, and use it to spot-clean stainless steel surfaces.

Cream of tartar works well for copper pots, too. Combine cream of tartar with lemon juice or vinegar to make an abrasive paste that can be used to shine copper pots.

Scratches on dishes can be buffed out with cream of tartar. Sprinkle a generous amount of cream of tartar over the surface of the dish and add a few drops of water. Rub gently with a wet dishcloth and let it sit for a minute or two before scrubbing and washing the dish with soap and water.

Frequently asked questions