Cleaning Your Furnace: Drip Pan Maintenance And Care

Keeping your stove drip pans clean can be a challenge, especially when food is burnt on. But it's important to keep on top of it, as it will make the whole stove easier to clean. Here's how to do it.

First, make sure the stove is turned off and the drip pans are cool. Then remove the coils or grates above the drip pans. If you have an electric stove, remove the burner coil by lifting one side slightly, then gently tugging it straight out. For a gas stove, simply lift off the metal grates. Now you can lift out the drip pan.

Shake the drip pan over a trash can, then rinse it thoroughly in the sink with the hottest water possible.

Next, prepare a cleaning solution. You can use a mixture of liquid dish soap and baking soda, or a solution of water and ammonia. Apply the solution to the drip pan, then let it sit for about an hour.

Finally, rinse the drip pan thoroughly with hot water to remove the soap mixture. Dry it with a towel and return it to your stovetop.

Removing the drip pans

Before removing the drip pans, ensure the stove is turned off and allow all components to cool. If you have an electric stove, remove the burner coil by lifting one side slightly. You will see the socket that the burner coil plugs into. Gently tug the burner coil straight out of the socket to remove it. Now you can lift out the drip pan. For a gas stove, simply lift off the metal grates to access the drip pan underneath.

If your stove has burners, remove the grates and lift the cap off the burners to access the drip pans. Some electric coil stoves require you to push the edge of the coil element towards the receptacle and lift the edge to clear the burner bowl before pulling the coil out.

Preparing a cleaning solution

Dish Soap and Baking Soda

This method is suitable for both chrome and porcelain drip pans and is effective at removing caked-on food and grime. To prepare this solution, simply mix liquid dish soap and baking soda in a 1:1 ratio. A half-cup of each should be a good starting point, but you can adjust the amounts as needed. Apply this mixture liberally to your drip pans, scrubbing it into the pans. Let the solution sit for about an hour, and then rinse the pans thoroughly with hot water. If necessary, use a scrub brush or a sponge dipped in baking soda to tackle any remaining stubborn spots. Finally, dry the drip pans with a dish towel before replacing them on your stovetop.

Vinegar and Baking Soda

This method is ideal for tackling food build-up that won't come off with soapy water alone. First, remove the drip pans from your stovetop and shake off any loose food particles into a trash can. Then, fill your sink or a bucket with hot water and add a few drops of dishwashing liquid. Soak the drip pans in this solution for about 15 minutes. Next, drain the hot soapy water and fill the sink or bucket with enough distilled white vinegar to completely cover the drip pans. Allow them to soak in the vinegar for 30 minutes. Sprinkle the pans generously with baking soda and let the mixture sit for at least another 15 minutes. If needed, use a plastic scrubber to scour the pans, sprinkling additional baking soda on any stubborn stains. Finally, rinse the drip pans with hot water and dry them with a microfiber cloth before replacing them on your stovetop.

Ammonia

This method is best for greasy drip pans with heavily burned-on food. Make sure your drip pans are completely cool before starting. Place each drip pan in a separate one-gallon resealable plastic bag. Then, add 1/4 cup of household ammonia to each bag. The fumes from the ammonia will help loosen the burned-on food, so you don't need to worry about coating the pans completely. Seal the bags and let them sit for at least 12 hours. When you open the bags, do so in a well-ventilated area, as the ammonia fumes will be strong. Dispose of the ammonia by pouring it down the drain with cold running water to dilute it. Do not dispose of the plastic bags in the trash as the fumes could create a dangerous reaction. After disposing of the ammonia, wash the drip pans in hot soapy water using a sponge. Use a plastic scrubber or melamine sponge for any stubborn spots. Rinse the drip pans thoroughly with hot water and dry them with a microfiber towel before returning them to your stovetop.

Hydrogen Peroxide and Baking Soda

This method is similar to the vinegar and baking soda method and is effective for lifting gunk and mess burned onto the drip pans. Sprinkle baking soda liberally onto your drip pans, which should be placed in a sink. Then, pour undiluted hydrogen peroxide over the baking soda. You will see a fizzing reaction as the hydrogen peroxide and baking soda react, lifting the gunk off the pans. Let the drip pans soak in this solution for about 30 minutes. After soaking, rinse the pans under cool water and use a sponge to scrub away any remaining baking soda residue. Repeat the process if necessary.

Applying the solution

Now that you have assembled the necessary supplies and safety gear, it's time to get started with the cleaning process. Here are the steps you need to follow:

Step 1: Remove the Drip Pans

Turn off the furnace and allow it to cool down completely before attempting to remove the drip pans. This is important for your safety, as you don't want to risk burning yourself. Wear rubber gloves if necessary. Remove any components above the drip pans, such as electric coils, burners, or grates. For electric coils, gently lift one side and pull the coil out of the socket. For gas stoves, simply lift off the metal grates. Place the removed components aside in a safe area. Now, carefully lift out the drip pans.

Step 2: Prepare the Cleaning Solution

There are several cleaning solutions you can use, depending on the level of dirt and grime. For a mild cleaning solution, fill your sink or a large bucket with hot water and add a few drops of dishwashing liquid or liquid detergent that has a grease-cutting ingredient. You can also use an all-purpose cleaner. For more stubborn dirt, create a mixture of equal parts liquid dish soap and baking soda. Alternatively, you can use a mixture of vinegar and baking soda or a stronger solution of water and ammonia.

Step 3: Soak the Drip Pans

Place the removed drip pans in the sink or bucket and allow them to soak in the cleaning solution. The soaking time will depend on the severity of the grime. For lighter dirt, 10-15 minutes of soaking in hot soapy water may be sufficient. For heavier buildup, you might need to soak for 30 minutes or more. During the soaking process, you can use this time to clean the rest of your stovetop or furnace.

Step 4: Scrub the Drip Pans

After soaking, use a sponge, scrub brush, or plastic scrubbing pad to scrub away the dirt and grime from the drip pans. For stubborn stains, you can sprinkle baking soda on the affected areas and use a plastic scrubber to scour the pans. You can also use a Mr. Clean Eraser to gently scrub away food residue. If using the vinegar and baking soda method, sprinkle the pans with baking soda after soaking in vinegar, and let the mixture sit for an additional 15 minutes before scrubbing.

Step 5: Rinse and Dry the Drip Pans

Once you've finished scrubbing, thoroughly rinse the drip pans with hot water to remove any remaining soap or cleaning solution. Ensure that all residue is removed. Use a microfiber cloth or towel to dry the drip pans completely. You can also let them air dry if preferred.

Step 6: Reinstall the Drip Pans

After the drip pans are clean and dry, it's time to put them back in place. Reinstall the drip pans under the burners, ensuring that they are fitted smoothly and securely. Replace any other components that you removed earlier, such as the electric coils or gas grates.

By following these steps and maintaining a regular cleaning schedule, you can keep your furnace drip pans in good condition and improve the overall appearance of your furnace or stovetop. Remember to always exercise caution when handling cleaning chemicals and hot water, and wear appropriate safety gear.

Soaking the drip pans

For Chrome Drip Pans:

• Prepare a soaking solution: Mix 1/2 cup of ammonia with one gallon of water in a plastic tub or sink.
• Soak the drip pans: Submerge the chrome drip pans in the solution and let them soak for about 20 minutes.
• Scrub away stubborn spots (if needed): After soaking, use a mildly abrasive cleanser and a wet scouring pad to tackle any stubborn spots.
• Rinse and dry: Rinse the drip pans with clean water and dry them thoroughly with a soft, lint-free cloth.

For Porcelain Drip Pans:

Porcelain drip pans can be cleaned in a dishwasher. If you prefer to wash them by hand, follow these steps:

• Wash with detergent: Wash the drip pans with liquid detergent or an all-purpose cleaner.
• Rinse and dry: Rinse them with clean water and dry them with a soft, lint-free cloth. Ensure the drip pans are completely dry before placing them back on the stovetop.

Rinsing and drying the drip pans

If you've used a commercial oven cleaner, be sure to follow the product's instructions for rinsing. After rinsing, use a microfiber cloth to dry the pans thoroughly. Make sure there are no water droplets left on the pans, as this could lead to the growth of mold or mildew.

Once the drip pans are completely dry, you can return them to your stovetop. Replace the burners, grates, or coils, ensuring they are fitted smoothly in place.

And that's it! Your stove's drip pans are now clean and ready for your next cooking adventure.

Frequently asked questions