Best Techniques To Clean Grease Off Pans

Cleaning baked-on grease off pans can be a frustrating task. The good news is that there are several easy solutions available right in your kitchen pantry. For example, a simple paste made of baking soda and vinegar can be applied to the pan and left to sit for 15 minutes or more, depending on the severity of the stains. This will lift and soften the burnt grease, making it easier to clean. For non-stick pans, a mixture of baking soda, dish soap, and hydrogen peroxide can be used to create a paste that can be applied to the pan and left to sit for a few hours. This method requires minimal scrubbing and is therefore ideal for non-stick surfaces.

How to Clean Baked Grease Off Pans

Use a mixture of baking soda, vinegar, and dish soap

To clean baked grease off your pans, you can use a mixture of baking soda, vinegar, and dish soap. This method is effective at removing burnt-on grease from pans. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to do it:

First, plug up your sink and fill it with hot water. Add 1/2 cup of baking soda and 1/2 cup of white vinegar to the water. Baking soda and vinegar cause a chemical reaction when mixed, which will help to break down the grease. Submerge your dirty baking sheet in the sink and let it soak for 30 to 60 minutes.

After the pan has soaked, use a scouring pad, the rough side of a scrubby sponge, or steel wool to scrub off the grime. Steel wool will likely leave scratches on your pan, but if you scrub in even, circular motions, the marks will be less noticeable. Scrub until the entire surface is buffed and all the residue is loosened, which should take a few minutes.

Once you have removed the baked-on grease, wash the pan with dish soap and warm water, then dry it thoroughly. Not only will your pan be clean, but the combination of baking soda and vinegar will also help clean your sink drain!

Alternatively, you can create a paste by sprinkling baking soda directly onto your pan and then spraying it with vinegar. If you let this mixture sit for two hours, you can then wipe it away with a sponge or scrape it off with a plastic or bamboo scraper. However, for best results, it is recommended to leave the mixture overnight, which will make scrubbing unnecessary.

Boil water and dish detergent in the pan

Boiling water and dish detergent is an effective way to clean baked grease off pans. This method is simple and requires minimal effort.

First, fill the pan with enough water to cover the burnt-on grease. Add a few drops of dish soap and place the pan on the burner. Turn the burner on and let the water come to a simmer. Once the water is simmering, reduce the heat to low and let it sit. The simmering water will soften and lift the burnt-on grease, while the dish soap dissolves the oils.

For particularly stubborn grease, you can let the water and dish soap mixture sit overnight. After simmering and/or soaking, remove the pan from the heat and let it cool until it is just warm. You can then proceed to wipe away the grease with a sponge or cleaning cloth. If any grease remains, a gentle scrub with a sponge or soft brush will do the trick.

This method is not only effective but also cost-efficient, as it only requires water and a small amount of dish detergent. It is also a time-saver, as it does not require the elbow grease associated with scrubbing.

Soak the pan in straight vinegar

Soaking your pans in straight vinegar is an effective way to remove baked grease. The acid in the vinegar helps to break down the grease, making it easier to clean. This method is particularly useful for removing light brown grease stains from frying pans.

To soak your pans in vinegar, start by pouring straight vinegar into the bottom of your sink. Ensure you pour enough vinegar to completely submerge the bottom of the pan.

Next, place the pan in the sink, fully submerging it in the vinegar. Let the pan soak for about an hour. The vinegar will start to soften the baked grease during this time.

After the pan has soaked, use a scrubbing pad, toothbrush, or sponge to remove the softened grease. Add a few drops of dish soap, such as Blue Dawn, and some water to help with the process.

If you are dealing with caked-on grease, you can pre-soak the pan in vinegar for half an hour before applying a baking soda paste for further cleaning.

While vinegar is an effective cleaner, it may not be the best option for all types of pans. For example, cast iron pans should not be soaked in vinegar as it can cause rust and damage the pan's seasoning. Additionally, when cleaning the outside of your pans, vinegar may leave behind smeary droplets that will need to be wiped away with a dry cloth.

The scent of vinegar is also something to consider. The smell can be strong and linger for a while, so if you are sensitive to odours, you may want to use vinegar sparingly or try a different cleaning method.

Use a commercial cleaner like oven cleaner or Bar Keeper's Friend

If you're looking for a heavy-duty solution to removing baked grease from your pans, you can use a commercial cleaner like an oven cleaner or Bar Keepers Friend. Oven cleaner is a common way to remove seasoning from cast iron pans and can be effective at removing baked-on grease from carbon steel pans. However, it's important to note that you will need to reseason the pan after using oven cleaner. Wear gloves when handling oven cleaner and consider using the yellow cap variety, which contains lye. To use oven cleaner, spray it on the affected area and leave it for about a minute before wiping it off with a paper towel and rinsing. For more stubborn stains, you may need to leave the oven cleaner on for longer or reapply it.

Bar Keepers Friend is another effective product for removing baked grease from pans. It is a bleach-free, oxalic-acid-based powdered cleaning product that is ideal for stainless steel items but can also be used on other surfaces like enameled cast iron. It can easily remove rust, tarnish, mineral deposits, and tough stains. To use Bar Keepers Friend, wet the surface of the pan and then scrub with a soft wet cloth. For tougher stains, make a paste with water, let it sit for a minute, then wash, rinse, and dry. For very greasy or tarnished pans, you may want to start scrubbing with steel wool before switching to a soft sponge or rag. Always rinse well after cleaning and wear kitchen gloves to protect your skin as the product is abrasive.

Use a grease trap to prevent grease from entering your kitchen's drainage

To clean baked grease off pans, you can use a combination of baking soda, vinegar, salt, and ketchup, or a commercial cleaner. However, to prevent grease from entering your kitchen's drainage in the first place, it is essential to use a grease trap.

A grease trap is a plumbing device designed to intercept grease, fats, oils, and solids before they enter your kitchen's drainage system. It is an essential component of any commercial kitchen and is required by local municipalities to prevent grease from passing into the sewer system. Here are some detailed instructions on how to use a grease trap to prevent grease from clogging your kitchen's drainage:

• Understand the purpose and functionality of a grease trap: Grease traps capture fats, oils, and grease (FOG) and prevent them from entering your drainage pipes. The FOG rises to the top, while the water remains at the bottom, allowing grease-free water to exit into the sewer lines.
• Check local regulations: Before installing a grease trap, consult your local government or plumbing professional to ensure you comply with any specific regulations or requirements.
• Choose the right type of grease trap: There are different types of grease traps available, such as gravity grease traps, hydromechanical grease traps, automatic grease traps, and passive grease traps. Select the one that best suits your kitchen setup and meets the local regulations.
• Plan the installation: Determine a suitable location for the grease trap, typically under the kitchen sink or food preparation area. Measure the space and select a grease trap that fits the dimensions and your drain size.
• Install the grease trap: Attach the inlet and outlet pipes of the grease trap to the drain pipe using plumbing connectors. Ensure all wastewater flows through the trap by connecting it to the plumbing system.
• Test the grease trap: Run water through the sink to ensure it flows through the grease trap before exiting through the drain pipe.
• Maintain the grease trap: Regularly clean and maintain the grease trap to avoid clogs and backups. Depending on the usage and size of the trap, schedule professional cleaning services to drain and clean the trap.
• Comply with regulations: Ensure that your grease trap meets the local regulations and guidelines for grease retention capacity and compliance standards.
• Be mindful of what goes down the drain: Even with a grease trap, it is essential to be cautious. Avoid pouring large amounts of grease or oil down the drain, and always scrape food scraps into the garbage before washing dishes.

By following these steps and maintaining your grease trap properly, you can effectively prevent grease from entering your kitchen's drainage and causing clogs or other plumbing issues.

Frequently asked questions