Cleaning Metal Baking Pans: A Step-By-Step Guide

Metal baking pans are versatile tools in the kitchen, used for everything from baking cookies to roasting vegetables. However, they can quickly become stained with oil residue and burnt food, which can be difficult to remove. To clean metal baking pans effectively, it is important to know the type of pan you have, as using the wrong technique can ruin the finish. This paragraph will introduce some of the most common methods for cleaning metal baking pans, including the use of baking soda, vinegar, and hydrogen peroxide.

How to Clean a Metal Baking Pan

Baking soda and hydrogen peroxide

To clean a metal baking pan with baking soda and hydrogen peroxide, follow these steps:

Step 1: Prepare the Baking Pan

Remove any large pieces of food or debris from the baking pan. If the pan is heavily soiled, you may want to soak it in hot water to loosen any burnt-on food. You can also try filling the pan with hot water and a few drops of dish soap, bringing it to a gentle boil for about five minutes, and then allowing it to cool before scrubbing. This can help to loosen and remove baked-on grease.

Step 2: Create the Cleaning Paste

In a small bowl, combine baking soda and hydrogen peroxide to form a paste. You can also do this directly on the baking pan. The exact measurements will depend on the size of your pan, but you want to ensure that you have enough paste to cover the entire surface of the pan.

Step 3: Apply the Paste to the Pan

Spread the paste evenly across the surface of the pan, making sure to cover all the stained or burnt areas. You can use a spatula or the back of a spoon to help spread the paste.

Step 4: Let the Paste Sit

Allow the paste to sit on the pan for at least two hours or up to overnight. The longer it sits, the more effective it will be at loosening and lifting the baked-on residue.

Step 5: Remove the Paste

After the paste has had enough time to work, use a plastic scraper or a sponge to remove it from the pan. Be gentle and avoid using metal utensils or scrubbers, as these can scratch the surface of the pan. If the paste has dried, you may need to wet it with a little water to help loosen it.

Step 6: Scrub the Pan

Once the paste has been removed, use a nylon scrubber, sponge, or brush to scrub away any remaining residue. Again, be gentle and avoid using abrasive tools or harsh chemicals, especially if your pan has a non-stick coating.

Step 7: Rinse and Wash the Pan

Rinse the pan with warm water to remove any remaining paste and residue. Then, wash the pan with mild dish soap and warm water to ensure it is completely clean. Dry the pan thoroughly before storing or using it again.

Tips for Using Baking Soda and Hydrogen Peroxide:

• This method is particularly effective for removing tough, burnt-on stains and residue.
• It is important to give the paste enough time to work, so try to let it sit for at least two hours or longer if possible.
• Always test the paste on a small, inconspicuous area of the pan before applying it to the entire surface, especially if your pan has a non-stick coating.
• For extra tough stains, you can repeat the process or try using a different cleaning method first, such as boiling water and dish soap.

Baking soda and vinegar

To clean a metal baking pan with baking soda and vinegar, follow these steps:

Step 1: Remove Large Food Particles

Start by scraping away as much food and debris from the pan as possible. You can use a spatula or wooden spoon to do this.

Step 2: Prepare the Baking Soda and Vinegar Mixture

Create a paste by mixing baking soda and vinegar in a 1:1 ratio. You will need about 1/4 cup of each ingredient. You can adjust the amount based on the size of your pan.

Step 3: Apply the Paste to the Pan

Sprinkle the baking soda over the dirty pan, and then pour the vinegar over it. You will see the ingredients start to react and fizz. Spread the paste evenly across the surface of the pan.

Step 4: Soak the Pan

Fill your sink with hot, clean water. Submerge the pan in the water and let it soak for 30 to 60 minutes. The longer soak time will help to loosen stubborn stains and burnt-on food.

Step 5: Scrub the Pan

After soaking, remove the pan from the water. Use a non-abrasive sponge or microfiber cloth to wipe away the dirt and grime. For heavily soiled areas, you may need to use a scrub brush or scouring pad. Be gentle to avoid scratching the pan.

Step 6: Rinse and Wash

Rinse the pan thoroughly with clean water. Then, wash it with dish soap and warm water to remove any remaining residue. Dry the pan completely before storing or using it again.

Tips:

• This method is particularly effective for removing burnt-on food and tough stains from metal baking pans.
• Always test a new cleaning method on a small, inconspicuous area of your pan first to ensure it does not damage the surface.
• For a more heavy-duty cleaning solution, you can add white vinegar to the baking soda. This will create a fizzing reaction that helps to loosen burnt-on food.

Ammonia

Step 1: Prepare the Necessary Materials

Before you begin, make sure you have the following:

• A durable plastic bag, such as a garbage bag
• Ammonia (enough to fill about half a cup)
• Protective gear, including gloves, eyewear, and a mask

Step 2: Place the Baking Pan in the Bag

Open the plastic bag and carefully place your metal baking pan inside. It's important to ensure that the bag is sturdy and won't easily tear or puncture.

Step 3: Add Ammonia to the Bag

Once your pan is securely inside the bag, add about half a cup of ammonia. Be cautious when handling ammonia, and avoid inhaling the fumes.

Step 4: Seal the Bag and Let it Sit in the Sun

Seal the bag shut to trap the ammonia fumes inside. Place the bag with the pan and ammonia in a sunny spot and let it sit for a full day. The ammonia fumes will help soften and react with the grease and food particles on your pan.

Step 5: Open the Bag and Remove the Pan

After 24 hours, open the bag, being careful not to breathe in the ammonia fumes. Remove the pan from the bag and dispose of the bag and ammonia safely.

Step 6: Scrub the Pan

Using steel wool or a scouring pad, scrub the pan to remove any remaining grease or food particles. This step will help eliminate any stubborn residue.

Step 7: Wash the Pan Thoroughly

Finally, wash the pan with warm, soapy water to remove any remaining ammonia, grease, or food particles. Ensure that you rinse the pan well and dry it thoroughly before using it again.

Aluminium foil

Step 1: Soak the metal baking pan in water for an extended period. This helps to loosen any burnt-on food or grease.

Step 2: Bunch or crumple a sheet of aluminium foil into a ball. The foil will be used as a scrubber to remove the burnt spots and stuck-on food from the pan. Ensure that the foil is bunched up in a way that keeps any food stuck to the foil on the inside of the ball, so you don't end up spreading more gunk onto the pan.

Step 3: Scrub the pan with the aluminium foil ball. Apply some pressure and use circular motions to effectively remove the burnt-on debris.

Step 4: Rinse the pan with water to remove any remaining food particles or residue.

Step 5: Wash the pan with soap and water to thoroughly clean it.

It is important to note that while aluminium foil can be an effective tool for cleaning metal baking pans, it may not be suitable for all types of pans. For non-stick or aluminium pans, it is recommended to use a gentler cleaning method, such as a non-abrasive scrubbing pad or a non-scratch all-purpose cloth.

Cream of tartar

The Paste Method:

• Make a cream of tartar cleaning mixture: Combine equal parts cream of tartar and vinegar to make a paste. Adjust the consistency to your liking, but ensure it's not too runny.
• Apply the mixture to the affected areas of the pan using a rag. Let it sit for at least an hour, or overnight for best results. The cream of tartar and vinegar will loosen the food stuck on the pan's surface while the mild bleaching properties of the cream of tartar will remove baked-on stains.
• Scrub and clean the pan: Use the same piece of cloth to scrub the pan gently. You may need to put in some elbow grease, but avoid using very hard or abrasive materials.
• Repeat the process if needed: If you're not satisfied with the initial cleaning, repeat the steps a few times until you achieve the desired results. Finally, wash the pan thoroughly with soap and cold water before using it again for cooking.

The Boil Method:

• Make the cleaning solution: Combine 2 cups of vinegar and 2 tablespoons of cream of tartar in your metal baking pan. Mix them thoroughly with a spoon.
• Place the pan on the stove and turn on the heat: Ensure that the solution covers the affected area of the pan completely. Bring the solution to a boil and let it simmer for at least 10 minutes.
• Let it cool and clean: Allow the solution to cool down in the pan. The scorched food will loosen, making it easier to scrub. Once cooled, discard the solution carefully and use a cloth or sponge to scrub the affected areas. The burnt food should come off easily.
• Repeat the process if necessary: For thick and stubborn buildup, you may need to let the solution boil for a few extra minutes. Keep a close eye on it at all times. Once you've removed all the burnt food, wash the pan thoroughly with soap and water. Your metal baking pan will look as good as new!

Additional Tips:

• If you don't have cream of tartar, you can use baking soda as a substitute. Simply make a paste with water and baking soda and follow the same steps as the vinegar and cream of tartar paste method.
• To make your metal baking pans extra shiny, boil apple peels in them. Fill the pan with water, add a handful of apple peels, and bring it to a boil. Then, reduce the heat and let it simmer for about 30 minutes. Afterward, scrub the pan to remove scorched food and stains.
• To prevent discolouration, avoid washing your metal pans in the dishwasher or soaking them in soapy water for extended periods.
• Use a steel-wool soap pad to remove food and make scrubbing easier.
• You can also use cream of tartar to remove interior discolouration. Fill your pan with water and add 1 tablespoon each of cream of tartar and lemon juice. Bring it to a boil, then reduce the heat and let it simmer for a few minutes. Finish by scouring the pan. Repeat the process if necessary.

Frequently asked questions