Get Rid Of Burned Grease: Clean Your Pan Effectively

Burnt grease on pans can be a pain to remove. While it may be tempting to throw the pan away, there are several methods to clean it. The best method depends on the type of pan, as certain substances and cleaning tools can ruin the pan if the wrong cleaning method is used. Non-stick pans, for example, should not be cleaned with steel wool. Here are some methods to clean burnt grease from pans:

- Baking soda and vinegar

- Lemon juice or vinegar

- Oven cleaner

- Bar Keepers Friend

- Dishwasher tablet

- Ammonia

- Dryer sheets

- Lye-based soap

Baking soda and vinegar

To clean a burned grease pan with baking soda and vinegar, you will need baking soda, white vinegar, a scouring pad, and a scraper, such as a wooden spatula.

First, remove as much burnt food and debris from the pan as possible. Then, add enough vinegar to cover the bottom of the pan with at least half an inch of liquid. Boil the vinegar in the pan and let it simmer for a few minutes. Remove the pan from the heat and add the baking soda—you should get a fizzing reaction. It is recommended to do this over the sink as the reaction can be explosive.

Set the pot aside and wait until the fizzing and bubbling stop. Then, discard the liquid and scrub the pan with a nylon scrub brush or scouring pad, adding more baking soda if necessary. Finally, rinse and dry the pan.

An alternative method is to fill the pan with equal parts water and vinegar and bring the mixture to a boil. Turn off the heat and add two tablespoons of baking soda. Discard the liquid and wash the pot with a scouring pad. If there are still stuck-on pieces, add more baking soda and water to make a paste and let it sit for a few minutes before washing again with a scouring pad and dish soap.

Lemon juice or vinegar

To use lemon juice to clean your pan, you can try the following:

• Slice two to three lemons and place them in your dirty pan.
• Fill the pan with water, just enough to cover the lemons.
• Place the pan on medium-high heat and bring the lemon water to a boil for five to eight minutes.
• Remove the pan from the heat and discard the lemons.
• Rinse the pan with hot water and use a scrub brush or scouring pad to remove any remaining bits.

Alternatively, you can use vinegar to clean your burnt grease pan. Here is a step-by-step guide:

• Remove as much burnt food and debris from the pan as possible.
• Add enough vinegar to cover the bottom of the pan with at least half an inch of liquid.
• Boil the vinegar in the pan and let it simmer for a few minutes.
• Remove the pan from the heat and add one cup of baking soda. This will create a fizzing reaction, so it is best to do this in the sink.
• Set the pan aside and wait for the fizzing and bubbling to stop.
• Discard the liquid and scrub the pan with a nylon scrub brush or scouring sponge, adding more baking soda if necessary.
• Rinse and dry the pan.

Lemon juice and vinegar can also be used in combination with other methods for added cleaning power. For example, you can soak your pan in lemon juice or vinegar for about an hour, and then clean it with a scrub brush and dish soap. This method works best for pans with light stains.

You can also try sprinkling the bottom of the pan with baking soda and then spraying it with vinegar. Let the mixture sit for a few minutes before scrubbing.

Lemon juice and vinegar are great natural alternatives to harsh chemicals when cleaning burnt grease pans. With a little elbow grease, your pans will be looking brand new!

Oven cleaner

• Spread oven cleaner on the bottom of the pan.
• Leave it for a few hours; leaving it overnight is recommended for the best results.
• Scrub the bottom of the pan with a scrubbing pad.
• Wash the pan with hot soapy water to get rid of any oven cleaner residue.

While oven cleaner is an effective method, it is not safe for consumption. Therefore, it is crucial to thoroughly wash the pan with soap and water after cleaning.

If you don't have oven cleaner at home, don't worry! There are several other methods you can try to remove that stubborn, burnt grease from your pan. These include using baking soda, vinegar, salt, and even dryer sheets!

Bar Keepers Friend

To use Bar Keepers Friend to clean a burnt grease pan, first, wet the area to be cleaned. Then, sprinkle the powder onto the surface and rub it in with a soft, wet cloth. For tougher stains, make a paste with water and let it sit for a minute before washing, rinsing, and drying.

For very greasy or burnt pans, you may want to start scrubbing with steel wool before switching to a soft sponge or cloth. It is recommended to wear kitchen gloves to protect your skin as the product is abrasive.

Ammonia

This method is also perfect for stove grates or drip pans. It is a tried and true recipe for getting any deep-set stains out of metal. It is also super cost-effective! A bottle of ammonia typically costs less than a dollar.

However, do not use this method on Teflon pans! One user tried this and the Teflon peeled off, and they had to throw the pans out.

If you are worried about the handles of your pans, you could try using a smaller bag that covers the pan, but tie it tightly around the handle where it joins the pan. That way, only the metal pan is exposed to the fumes, and the handle remains outside of the bag.

Frequently asked questions