Best Ways To Clean A Broiler Pan Easily

Broiler pans are a great addition to your kitchen, but they can be a pain to clean. The high heat they are exposed to often leaves them riddled with burnt grease and food stains. However, there are several easy ways to clean a broiler pan. One popular method is to use baking soda. First, sprinkle a thick layer of baking soda over the surface of the cooled broiler pan. Next, spray some water on the baking soda and cover it with paper towels. Let the pan soak for about half an hour, or longer if the grease is tough to remove. Finally, gently scrape off the baking soda and wash the pan with a washcloth or sponge. Another method is to use dryer sheets. Soak the broiler pan in hot water and dish soap and lay a dryer sheet on top. Leave the pan to soak for at least an hour, then pour out the water and wipe away any remaining stains.

Soak with dryer sheets

Soaking a broiler pan with dryer sheets is an effective method to clean it. Here is a step-by-step guide:

Step 1: Soak the Broiler Pan in Hot Water and Dish Soap

Firstly, fill the broiler pan with hot water. If your broiler pan has higher edges, fill it with water and place it on the counter. If your broiler pan is shallow, place it in your kitchen sink or a large container and submerge it in hot water. Squirt some dish soap into the water. A basic dishwashing detergent will do the job, but if you have one, use a dish soap that is specially formulated to fight grease.

Step 2: Lay the Dryer Sheet Over the Broiler Pan

Get a dryer sheet and lay it flat in the water, making sure it is completely submerged. For pans with burnt-on food residue or grease, use two dryer sheets. Biodegradable dryer sheets are a good option if you want to make this an eco-friendly cleaning solution.

Step 3: Let the Pan Soak

Let the pan sit and soak for at least one hour. If the food residue is particularly stubborn, leave it to soak for a few hours or even overnight. The dryer sheet will help to loosen the food residue while it soaks.

Step 4: Rinse and Wipe the Pan

After the pan has soaked, pour out the water and remove the dryer sheet. Depending on how dirty the pan was, you may need to wipe it with a sponge or scrubber to remove any remaining residue. Finally, give the pan a regular cleaning with dish soap and warm water, and leave it to air dry.

This method is a great way to remove stubborn grease stains and food residue from your broiler pan without needing to buy any special products.

Use baking soda

To clean a broiler pan with baking soda, first, make sure the pan has cooled down. Then, sprinkle a thick layer of baking soda over the entire surface of the pan. Next, use a spray bottle filled with water to dampen the baking soda. If you don't have a spray bottle, you can gently pour or sprinkle water onto the baking soda until it forms a paste.

Now, cover the baking soda with paper towels. This will help the baking soda stay wet for longer, allowing it to further loosen and remove baked-on grease and food residue. If the paper towels start drying out, simply spray or sprinkle some more water on them. Let the broiler pan sit for at least 30 minutes, but for tougher grease, you can leave it for a few hours or even overnight.

Once the baking soda paste has dried, gently scrape it off with a spatula or a stiff plastic scraper. Avoid using a metal spatula as it may scratch the enamel of the pan. Finally, bring the pan to the sink and rinse off any remaining baking soda and food residue. If necessary, use a washcloth or a soft sponge to gently wipe away any stubborn bits.

Use Bar Keepers Friend

To clean a broiler pan using Bar Keepers Friend, start by wetting the surface of the pan. Then, scrub the surface with Bar Keepers Friend using a soft sponge or cloth. Do not use an abrasive material as this could damage the pan. Unlike dish soap, Bar Keepers Friend does not work up a lather, so you will need to scrub with the faucet off, using just the moisture on the surface of the pan to turn the powder into a paste. If necessary, add a small amount of water to the powder to hydrate it.

For a very dirty or greasy pan, you may want to start scrubbing with steel wool. Once you have mostly cleared the surface of the pan, switch to a soft sponge or cloth.

For tough stains, make a paste with Bar Keepers Friend and water, and let it sit on the stain for about a minute. Then, wash, rinse, and dry the pan.

Always wear kitchen gloves when using Bar Keepers Friend to protect your skin, as the product is abrasive.

Oven cleaner

If you do decide to use oven cleaner, make sure to follow the instructions on the product you are using. Here are some general steps you can follow:

• Ensure the broiler pan is made of porcelain enamel: It is not recommended to clean the broiler pan in the self-cleaning oven unless it is made of porcelain enamel. Metal pans may warp under the high temperatures required for the self-clean cycle.
• Remove any residual grease: Wash as much grease as possible from the broiler pan to avoid oven fires during cleaning.
• Set the self-clean cycle: Place the broiler pan in the oven, lock the oven door, and set the self-cleaning cycle following the manufacturer's instructions.
• Allow for cooling: After cleaning, let the oven and the pan cool completely before removing the pan. Most ovens will unlock once they have cooled sufficiently.

If you do not want to use the self-cleaning cycle, you can also apply oven cleaner directly to the broiler pan and follow the product instructions for cleaning and rinsing.

Ammonia

To clean a broiler pan with ammonia, fill your sink with hot, soapy water and add a cap or two of ammonia. Do not mix ammonia with bleach or other cleaning products, as this will produce harmful gases. If your sink is not big enough to fully submerge the broiler pan, use a large plastic tub or bathtub. Soak the broiler pan for 30 minutes or longer, until the cooked-on food can be easily removed with light scrubbing. Avoid heavy scrubbing with an abrasive brush or cleaner, as this can damage the finish on the broiler pan.

After soaking, wash the broiler pan in a sink full of hot, soapy water. Avoid using highly abrasive cleaners and steel wool, as these may damage the surface of the pan. Instead, use a mildly abrasive sponge or plastic scraper to remove any remaining debris. Finally, rinse the pan thoroughly in clear water and dry it before storing.

Frequently asked questions