Effective Ways To Clean Your Baked-On Broiler Pan

Broiler pans are a great addition to your kitchen, but they can be a hassle to clean. The high heat used to cook food often bakes on grease and food residue, making the pan look grimy and challenging to clean. However, with the right techniques, you can effectively clean your broiler pan while keeping the scrubbing to a minimum. Here are some methods to help you tackle those stubborn grease stains and baked-on food residue.

Soak the pan with a dryer sheet

If your broiler pan is looking a little worse for wear, don't worry—it can be cleaned! Here is a detailed, step-by-step guide on how to do it:

Firstly, fill the broiler pan with hot water. If your broiler pan has sides, simply fill it with water. If it is flat with no edges, place it in a sink or large plastic tub and fill that with water. Make sure the whole surface of the pan is covered.

Next, add some dish soap. Any basic dishwashing detergent will do, but if you have some, use a grease-fighting formula. Squirt it in a zigzag across the surface of the water.

Now, it's time to add a dryer sheet. Lay a dryer sheet flat in the water, making sure it is completely submerged. If your pan has a lot of burnt-on food residue, use two dryer sheets. Biodegradable dryer sheets are a great, eco-friendly option.

Leave the pan to soak for at least one hour. If the food residue is particularly stubborn, leave it for a few hours or even overnight. The dryer sheet will work its magic, loosening the food residue.

After the pan has soaked, dump the water and rinse the pan. Use a sponge or scrubber to wipe away any remaining residue. Finish with a quick clean using dish soap and water.

And there you have it—a clean broiler pan!

Use baking soda

Cleaning a broiler pan with baking soda is an effective and simple method. Here is a step-by-step guide:

Step 1: Sprinkle Baking Soda Over the Broiler Pan

First, ensure that your broiler pan has cooled down. Then, sprinkle a thick layer of baking soda all over the surface of the pan. You don't need to cover every inch of the pan, but make sure most of it is covered.

Step 2: Spray Water onto the Baking Soda

Once you have a thick layer of baking soda, 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 add water to the baking soda and mix it to form a paste.

Step 3: Cover the Baking Soda with Wet Paper Towels

Place wet paper towels on top of the baking soda. Make sure the paper towels are dripping wet, and cover the entire surface of the pan. This will keep the baking soda moist for a longer period, helping to loosen and remove baked-on grease and food residue. If the paper towels start drying out, simply dampen them again with water.

Step 4: Let the Pan Sit

Allow the pan to sit for at least 30 minutes. The longer you let it sit, the more effective it will be. You can leave it for 2-3 hours or even overnight if the food residue is particularly stubborn.

Step 5: Scrape Off the Baking Soda

After the allotted time, use a spatula to gently scrape the dried baking soda into the trash. Avoid scraping it into the sink, as it can clog your drain.

Step 6: Rinse and Scrub the Pan

Finally, take your broiler pan to the sink and rinse off any leftover baking soda. Use a washcloth, sponge, or scrubbing sponge to gently wipe away any remaining food residue or stains.

Scour with Bar Keepers Friend

If your broiler pan has baked-on stains, Bar Keepers Friend can help. This non-abrasive scouring powder is safe for food contact surfaces and is available in powder or spray form.

First, place your broiler pan in the sink or on a table or countertop. If your pan has sides, add enough water to thinly cover the bottom of the pan. If your pan does not have sides, lay it in the sink and cover it with warm water.

Next, sprinkle Bar Keepers Friend powder over the entire surface of the pan, ensuring that the worst spots are covered. You don't need to heap the product on, but make sure the powder covers every inch of the pan.

Allow the pan to sit for a few minutes. For pans with significant caked-on grime, let the powder sit for up to ten minutes. The cleaner will break up the burnt gunk and food residue.

Now, it's time to scrub. Use an old rag, sponge, or scrubbing pad to gently scour the entire surface of the pan. Since Bar Keepers Friend is stronger than dishwashing detergent, it's best to use a sponge that you don't use for your other dishes. If you only have one sponge, be sure to rinse it thoroughly afterward.

Finally, rinse the pan completely. Once you've scrubbed the entire surface and are confident that the gunk has been removed, give the pan a thorough rinse to ensure all the Bar Keepers Friend is removed. You can also wipe the pan down with a clean, wet rag to remove any remaining cleaner.

And that's it! Your broiler pan is now clean and ready to use.

Use oven cleaner

Using an oven cleaner is one of the ways to clean a broiler pan. Here is a detailed, step-by-step guide on how to do it:

Firstly, fill your broiler pan with hot water. Place the pan on the counter and ensure the whole surface is covered with water. If your broiler pan does not have sides, put it in the sink or a large basin to soak.

Next, squirt some dish soap into the water. A basic dishwashing detergent will do, but if you have access to it, use a grease-fighting formula. This step is optional, but it will help boost the cleaning power.

Now, it's time to use the oven cleaner. Spray the oven cleaner generously onto the broiler pan, making sure to cover all the areas with baked-on stains. Follow the instructions on the oven cleaner carefully, including any safety precautions.

Let the oven cleaner sit for the recommended amount of time. This will allow the chemicals in the cleaner to break down the burnt-on food and grease. The length of time required may vary depending on the severity of the stains, so be prepared to let it sit for a while if necessary.

After the cleaner has had sufficient time to work, begin scrubbing the broiler pan. Use a sponge or scrubber pad, and apply some elbow grease to remove the stubborn stains. Be careful not to use an abrasive scrubber that could damage the surface of the pan.

Finally, rinse the broiler pan thoroughly with clean water to remove any remaining oven cleaner and loosened debris. If needed, repeat the process for any particularly stubborn areas.

While using an oven cleaner can be an effective way to clean a broiler pan, it is important to note that it can be messy and may produce strong fumes. Therefore, it is recommended to ensure proper ventilation during the cleaning process and to keep children and pets away from the area.

Soak in hot, soapy water

If your broiler pan is covered in baked-on grease and food residue, a heavy soaking in hot, soapy water may be all you need to get it clean again.

If your sink is big enough to fully submerge your broiler pan, fill it with hot water and add a couple of squirts of dish soap. If your sink is too small, use a large plastic tub or even the bathtub. If you want to speed up the process, add a capful or two of ammonia to the water. Do not mix bleach or other cleaning products with ammonia, as this will produce a harmful gas.

Soak the broiler pan for at least 30 minutes, or until the cooked-on food comes off easily with light scrubbing. Avoid heavy scrubbing with an abrasive brush or cleaner, as this can damage the finish on the broiler pan. If the grease and food residue are particularly stubborn, you may need to leave the pan to soak overnight.

Once you've removed the bulk of the mess, give the broiler pan a final wash in a sink full of hot, soapy water. Use a mildly abrasive sponge or plastic scraper to remove any remaining debris, then rinse the pan thoroughly in clear water and dry it before storing.

Frequently asked questions