Cleaning Baking Pans: How Often Is Necessary?

Baking sheets are one of the most frequently used items in a kitchen, and they often bear the marks of it. From burnt-on messes to greasy splatters and sticky sugars, there are many reasons why your baking pans may need a good clean. But how often should you be cleaning them?

Well, that depends on how often you use them, and how particular you are about keeping your kitchenware spotless. If you're happy to let a few burnt-on marks build up before giving your baking sheets a deep clean, then you might want to set aside some time every few months to give them some extra attention. However, if you like to keep your baking pans looking brand new, you might want to give them a quick clean after every use.

Either way, there are plenty of methods you can use to get your baking pans looking as good as new.

How Often Should I Clean My Baking Pan?

Baking soda and hydrogen peroxide

• Sprinkle baking soda liberally all over the surface of the pan.
• Spray or pour a generous amount of hydrogen peroxide over the baking soda until all the powder is wet.
• For better results, add another layer of baking soda on top of the hydrogen peroxide.
• Let the mixture sit for up to two hours or preferably overnight. The longer it sits, the more effective it is at loosening and lifting away the baked-on residue.
• Use a plastic scraper to remove the dried baking soda mixture from the pan and discard it into the garbage.
• Wash the pan with warm, soapy water using a scrub sponge.
• If some stains remain, repeat the process.

This method is effective for removing baked-on grease and stains from your baking pans without the use of harsh chemicals. However, it's important to note that hydrogen peroxide can have a bleaching effect, so it's recommended to test it on a small, inconspicuous area of the pan first. Always remember to rinse and wash the pan with mild dish soap after using peroxide for cleaning.

Baking soda and vinegar

Step 1: Prepare the Baking Pan

Remove as much food residue and debris from the pan as possible. If there are any large chunks of food stuck to the pan, use a spatula or scraper to dislodge them gently.

Step 2: Make a Cleaning Solution

Fill your kitchen sink with hot water and add equal parts baking soda and vinegar, approximately 1/2 cup of each. The exact amount may vary depending on the size of your sink and the extent of the grease or stains on your baking pan.

Step 3: Soak the Baking Pan

Submerge the dirty baking pan in the sink and let it soak for 30 to 60 minutes. The baking soda and vinegar will react, creating a fizzing and bubbling effect that helps loosen grime and lift caked-on food residue.

Step 4: Scrub the Pan

After soaking, use a scouring pad, the rough side of a scrubby sponge, or steel wool to scrub off the remaining grime and residue. For non-stick pans, avoid vigorous scrubbing and use a non-stick-safe sponge or nylon brush to prevent damage to the coating.

Step 5: Rinse and Wash

Once you've removed the baked-on residue, rinse the pan with warm water and wash it with mild dish soap. Ensure that all traces of the baking soda and vinegar solution are removed.

Tips for Using Baking Soda and Vinegar:

• Baking soda and vinegar can be used to clean all types of pans, including stainless steel, aluminum, non-stick, and cast iron. However, for cast iron pans, avoid using vinegar or other acidic items as they can create rust.
• The amount of time needed for soaking the pan may vary depending on the severity of the stains. For tougher stains, consider extending the soaking time or repeating the process.
• For a more heavy-duty cleaning solution, you can create a paste by mixing baking soda and vinegar. Spread the paste on the surface of the pan and let it sit for 30 minutes before scrubbing and rinsing.
• Always exercise caution when handling hot pans and water. Use oven mitts or gloves to protect your hands, and avoid splashing hot water on yourself.

Ammonia

Baking sheets are so versatile, but oil residue and burnt food can leave marks that seem impossible to remove. Here is a method for cleaning your baking sheets with ammonia.

Firstly, it is important to note that this method takes a long time and involves harsh chemicals. For your safety, be sure to wear protective gloves, eyewear, and a mask when working with ammonia. Do not use this method for non-stick baking sheets or aluminium pans.

Place your cookie sheets inside a durable plastic bag, such as a garbage bag. Add half a cup of ammonia to the bag. Seal the bag shut and let it sit out in the sun for a day to allow enough time for the ammonia to soften and react with grease and food particles.

Open the bag without breathing in the ammonia and remove the pans. Scrub the pans with steel wool. Wash the sheets thoroughly.

There are many other methods for cleaning your baking sheets, including using baking soda and vinegar, or baking soda and hydrogen peroxide.

Aluminium foil

Scrubbing with a Ball of Aluminium Foil

If your baking pan has burnt spots or stuck-on food, you can use aluminium foil to scrub it clean. First, soak the pan in water for an extended period. Then, bunch up the foil into a ball and use it to scrub away the burnt spots and stuck-on food. Finally, wash and rinse the pan with soap and water. This method is quick and easy, and it's a great way to reuse clean pieces of foil. However, do not use this method on non-stick or aluminium baking sheets as it will cause scratches.

Lining the Pan

Lining your baking pan with aluminium foil before use is a great way to prevent food residue, grease, and rust from building up. This will make cleaning your pan much easier and help prolong its life.

Cleaning with Baking Soda and Aluminium Foil

This method involves sprinkling baking soda on your sheet pan and adding enough water to make a paste. Then, wad up a sheet of aluminium foil and use it like a scrubber sponge, working in circles all around the surface of the pan. Occasionally reposition the foil in your hand if it gets too flat, and continue rubbing it all over the pan until it comes clean. Finally, rinse and wash the pan with warm soapy water. This method works well for removing hunks of food stuck on the pan, but it may require more effort for flat, baked-on stains.

Other Tips for Maintaining Your Baking Pans

• Dry cookie sheets immediately after washing to avoid bacteria build-up and rusting.
• When possible, hand-wash your cookie sheets soon after use.
• Coat your pan with a light layer of oil to prevent rusting.
• To prevent large messes, line your pan with aluminium foil or parchment paper before use.

Washing soda and cream of tartar

Baking sheets and pans are some of the most frequently used items in a cook's kitchen, and they almost always have the patina to prove it. You can use a simple combination of washing soda and cream of tartar to clean your baking pans.

Here's how to do it:

• Sprinkle cream of tartar evenly across the baking sheet.
• Activate the cream of tartar by spritzing it with enough vinegar to soak through.
• Let the mixture dry for at least eight hours.
• Scrub away the mixture with a scrubby sponge and warm water.
• Rinse the pan with soap and water.

This process requires quite a bit of downtime, but the longer you let the mixture sit and do its job, the less time you'll spend scrubbing your pans.

Other ways to clean your baking pans:

• Soak the pan in a paste of baking soda and hydrogen peroxide overnight. Then, scrape off the gunk with a plastic scraper before washing with warm soapy water and a scrub sponge.
• Soak the pan in a mixture of boiling water and baking soda. After the solution stops bubbling, allow it to sit for an hour before wiping away the debris with a soft cloth. Finish by hand-washing the pan with mild dish soap.
• Soak the pan in a mixture of hot water, baking soda, and vinegar. Then, scrub the pan with the abrasive side of a basic kitchen sponge. After cleaning off the baked-on residue, wash the pan with mild dish soap.
• Use a copper cloth or even a rolled-up sheet of aluminum foil to scrub away burnt-on stains.
• Sprinkle your scorched pan with baking soda and pour hydrogen peroxide over it, followed by another layer of baking soda. Let the mixture sit on the pan for up to two hours. Then, wipe the mixture off with a sponge. If needed, repeat the process for tough stains. Once finished, rinse the baking sheet and wash it with mild dish soap.

Frequently asked questions