Cleaning Stove Drip Pans: Ammonia Solution Guide

Stove drip pans can be a challenge to clean due to baked-on food and grease. While there are several methods to clean stove drip pans, using ammonia is an effective way to cut through the grease and grime. This method involves placing the drip pans in a sealed plastic bag with ammonia and letting it sit for at least 12 hours. The fumes from the ammonia will loosen the baked-on food and grease, making it easier to clean. This process is best done in a well-ventilated area or outdoors, as the ammonia fumes can be strong.

Prepare the stove drip pans for cleaning

Before you start cleaning your stove drip pans, it's important to prepare the area and the pans themselves. Here are the steps you should follow:

• Let the drip pans cool down: Before you begin, make sure your stove and its drip pans are no longer hot from cooking. This is important for safety reasons, as you don't want to burn yourself during the cleaning process.
• Remove the coils or grates: To access the drip pans, you'll need to remove the coils or grates sitting on top of them. For electric stoves, gently lift one side of the burner coil to access the socket it plugs into. Then, tug the coil straight out and set it aside. For gas stoves, simply lift off the metal grates.
• Take out the drip pans: Once the coils or grates are out of the way, you can remove the drip pans. Lift them out carefully and set them aside.
• Shake off loose crumbs: Before proceeding with the cleaning process, it's a good idea to shake off any loose crumbs or debris from the drip pans into a garbage can. This will help reduce the amount of built-up grime you'll need to deal with later.
• Rinse the drip pans: Rinse the drip pans thoroughly in your sink with hot water. This will help to loosen any remaining food particles and grease, making the cleaning process more effective.
• Prepare a cleaning solution: Depending on the cleaning method you choose, you may need to prepare a cleaning solution. For example, a mixture of liquid dish soap and baking soda or a solution of hot water and dishwashing detergent can be effective.
• Gather your supplies: Make sure you have all the necessary supplies on hand before you begin cleaning. This includes items such as rubber gloves, sponges, scrub brushes, and microfiber cloths.
• Ventilate the area: If you're using ammonia or other strong cleaning agents, it's crucial to work in a well-ventilated space. Open windows or doors to ensure proper airflow and protect your respiratory health.

By following these preparation steps, you'll be well on your way to effectively cleaning your stove drip pans and restoring them to their former glory.

Soak the drip pans in ammonia overnight

So, you've let those drip pans get pretty grimy, and now you're ready to clean them with ammonia. Well, the good news is that it's a very simple process, and you won't need to do much scrubbing. The fumes from the ammonia will do most of the work for you!

First, make sure your drip pans are at room temperature. If you've just been cooking, let them cool down. Then, remove the coils or grates sitting on top of them. If you have an electric stove, gently tug the burner coil out of its socket. For a gas stove, simply lift off the metal grates. Now, lift out the drip pans.

Shake off any loose crumbs into a garbage can, and rinse the pans thoroughly in your sink with the hottest water possible. Place each drip pan inside its own 1-gallon ziplock plastic bag. You'll want to do this somewhere well-ventilated, as the ammonia fumes will be strong.

Now, here's the key part: add 1/4 cup of household ammonia to each bag. Don't worry about coating the drip pans completely—the fumes are what will loosen the burnt-on food splatter. Seal the tops of the bags and leave them stacked in your kitchen sink overnight, or for at least 12 hours.

The next day, open the bags in a well-ventilated location, or outside if possible. The fumes will be strong, so be sure to wear gloves. Remove the drip pans from the bags and seal and dispose of the bags. Dilute the ammonia with cold water and pour it down the sink drain. If you have a septic system, neutralize the ammonia before disposing of it.

If any dirty spots remain on the drip pans, they should come off easily with a sponge and some dish soap. Rinse the drip pans thoroughly with hot water, dry them with a towel, and return them to your stovetop. Voilà! Your drip pans are now sparkling clean.

Rinse and scrub the drip pans

Rinsing and scrubbing the drip pans is the final step in the stove cleaning process. By this stage, you will have already soaked the drip pans in a mixture of household ammonia and water for at least 12 hours. The ammonia fumes will have loosened the baked-on food and grease, making it easier to wipe away.

Open the bags in a well-ventilated area or outdoors, as the fumes will be strong. Wearing rubber gloves, remove the drip pans from the bags. Seal the bags and dispose of them safely. Dilute the ammonia with cold water and pour it down the sink drain.

Now, it's time to rinse and scrub the drip pans. Fill your sink with hot water and add a few drops of dishwashing liquid with a grease-cutting ingredient. Using a sponge, scrub away any remaining dirty spots on the drip pans. Rinse the pans thoroughly with hot water to remove any soap residue.

If there are still stubborn spots, you can use a scrub brush or a sponge dipped in baking soda to tackle them. Once you're satisfied with the results, dry the drip pans with a dish towel or microfiber cloth. Your stove drip pans are now clean and ready to be put back on your stovetop!

Dry the drip pans

Once you've soaked your drip pans in ammonia, sealed the bags, and let the mixture work its magic for at least 12 hours, it's time to move on to the next step: drying the drip pans.

Open the bags in a well-ventilated area, as the ammonia fumes will be strong. Remove the drip pans from the bags and seal the bags again. Dispose of the used ammonia solution by diluting it with cold water and pouring it down the sink drain. If you have a septic system, be sure to neutralize the ammonia before disposal.

Now, it's time to dry those drip pans! Grab a clean towel or a microfiber cloth and give the pans a thorough drying. Make sure to get into all the nooks and crannies to avoid any water spots or residue. You want the pans to be completely dry before moving on to the next step.

If you have a particularly stubborn spot that didn't come off during the ammonia soak, you can use a sponge or scrub brush and some liquid dish soap to tackle it. Just apply a small amount of soap to the problem area and gently scrub until the residue comes off. Rinse the pans with hot water to remove any soap residue, and then dry them again with a clean towel or cloth.

Now that your drip pans are clean and dry, you can put them back on your stovetop. Reinstall the burners, and you're ready to cook up a storm!

Replace the drip pans on the stovetop

Once your stove drip pans are clean, you can replace them on the stovetop. Here's how to do it:

Removing the Burner Element

Before you can replace the drip pans, you'll need to remove the burner element. If you have an electric stove, gently lift the burner coil to one side and tug it out of the socket. For gas stoves, simply lift off the metal grates.

Removing the Drip Pans

With the burner element out of the way, you can now remove the old drip pans. Simply lift them out of the stovetop.

Installing the New Drip Pans

Place the new drip pans into the stovetop, ensuring they are fitted smoothly in place.

Reinstalling the Burner Element

Finally, replace the burner element. For electric stoves, gently push the burner coil back into the socket. For gas stoves, place the metal grates back on top of the drip pans.

Remember to clean your drip pans regularly to keep them in good condition. If they become heavily soiled, you can always try cleaning them with ammonia or other household products. However, if they become warped, stained beyond cleaning, or worn through, it's time to replace them. You can find replacement drip pans at home improvement or home goods stores, as well as online. When choosing a replacement, be sure to select the correct size and style for your stovetop.

Frequently asked questions