Cleaning Cookie Sheets: Easy Hacks For Sparkling Pans

Cleaning a cookie sheet pan can be a tedious task, but it's important to do it right to maintain the pan's longevity and performance. The process may vary depending on the type of pan and the extent of the mess. Here are some common methods to clean a cookie sheet pan:

- Baking Soda and Hydrogen Peroxide: Make a paste of baking soda and hydrogen peroxide, spread it on the pan, let it sit for 2-3 hours, then wipe it off.

- Baking Soda and Vinegar: Sprinkle baking soda on the pan, add vinegar, submerge the pan in hot water for 30-60 minutes, then wipe away the dirt.

- Ammonia: Place the pan in a plastic bag with ammonia, leave it in the sun for a day, scrub with steel wool, and wash.

- Aluminum Foil: Soak the pan in water, scrub with a balled-up piece of aluminum foil, then wash and rinse.

- Washing Soda and Cream of Tartar: Sprinkle washing soda and cream of tartar on the pan, add hot water, make a paste, spread and let it sit for 15 minutes, then scrub and wash.

- Baking Soda and Water: Make a paste of baking soda and warm water, cover the pan, let it sit for 30 minutes, gently rub stains, then wash and dry.

Baking soda and vinegar

To clean a cookie sheet pan with baking soda and vinegar, start by filling your sink with hot water. Next, pour in equal parts of baking soda and vinegar (approximately 1/4 or 1/2 cup each). Place the cookie sheet in the sink and let it soak for 30-60 minutes. After soaking, scrub the pan with the abrasive side of a basic kitchen sponge or a scrubby sponge. If you are cleaning a non-stick pan, skip any vigorous scrubbing to protect the coating. Once you've scrubbed the pan, wash it with mild dish soap.

This method works well because baking soda is a great lifter and vinegar is a natural acid. The chemical reaction between the two products will help to loosen the residue and keep your pans clean.

Ammonia

Preparing the Cookie Sheets

• Place your cookie sheets inside a durable plastic bag, such as a garbage bag.
• Pour 1/2 cup of ammonia into the bag with the baking sheet.
• Seal the bag shut.

Soaking the Cookie Sheets

• Place the sealed bag outdoors in direct sunlight for 24 hours. This allows the ammonia to soften and react with the grease and stains on the pan.
• Open the bag and remove the cookie sheets. Be sure to wear protective clothing, including a mask and gloves, when handling the cookie sheets as ammonia can cause skin and eye irritation.

Cleaning the Cookie Sheets

• Use steel wool to scrub the pan clean.
• Rinse the cookie sheets thoroughly with cold water.
• Dry the cookie sheets thoroughly.

It is worth noting that there are alternative methods to clean your cookie sheets, such as using baking soda and vinegar, or baking soda and water, which are less harsh and time-consuming than using ammonia.

Aluminium foil

Aluminium cookie sheets can be cleaned in a few different ways. One method is to use a scouring tool or product, such as a copper cloth or a rolled-up sheet of aluminium foil, to scrub away burnt-on stains. Another option is to use an abrasive kitchen sponge to scrub and scour the pans.

A third method is to fill the kitchen sink with hot water and pour in equal parts baking soda and vinegar (approximately half a cup each). Place the cookie sheet in the sink and let it soak for 30-60 minutes, then scrub with the abrasive side of a basic kitchen sponge. For non-stick pans, skip any vigorous scrubbing to protect the coating. Instead, cover the baking pan with 2 teaspoons of baking soda and 1 cup of vinegar and let the mixture sit for 30 minutes before wiping away the mess and washing the pan with mild dish soap.

A fourth method is to use rolled-up balls of aluminium foil to scrub away burnt spots and stuck-on food. However, this method should not be used on aluminium or non-stick baking sheets as it will cause scratches.

Baking soda and water

To clean a cookie sheet pan with baking soda and water, start by filling the pan with boiling water and adding a couple of tablespoons of baking soda. If needed, add a few drops of dish soap to the mix to cut through grease and oil buildup. Soak the cookie sheet in this solution for an hour or more, depending on how stubborn the residue is. Soaking gives the baking soda time to loosen the food particles from the surface. Wash the cookie sheet with dish soap, using a microfiber cloth. Finally, dry the pan thoroughly.

Another method is to create a paste with warm water and baking soda. Cover the cookie sheet with the paste and let it sit for 30 minutes. Then, gently rub stains with a nylon scrubber until the spots are gone. Wash thoroughly and dry immediately.

You can also try covering the bottom of the pan with a layer of water and sprinkling baking soda liberally over the water to create a thin paste. Let the pan sit for several hours, then rinse and wash the pan.

For more stubborn stains, remove them by boiling a solution of 4 tablespoons of baking soda and 1/2 cup of water in the pan. Let the pan cool, then rinse the stain with straight baking soda and a nonstick-safe nylon scrubbing brush.

Self-cleaning oven

If you're looking for a way to clean your cookie sheets without much scrubbing, you can use your self-cleaning oven. This method should be a last resort, as it can alter the molecular strength of the aluminium, making it softer and easier to bend. It may also discolour the sheets.

To clean your cookie sheets using a self-cleaning oven, place the sheets inside the oven and turn on the self-cleaning cycle, following the manufacturer's instructions. Once the cycle is complete, remove the sheets and wash them with mild soap.

It's important to note that the high temperatures of a self-cleaning oven may cause warping or even melting of the cookie sheets, so this method should be used with caution. It is recommended that you only use this method on cookie sheets that you wouldn't miss if they were ruined. Additionally, do not use this method on cookie sheets with protective or non-stick coatings.

Frequently asked questions