Cleaning Burner Pans And Casserole Dishes: Easy And Quick!

Cleaning baked-on casseroledishes and burner pans can be a challenging task. The process often involves tackling stubborn stains and burnt-on food residue. However, with the right tools and techniques, it is possible to restore these dishes and pans to their former glory. A variety of cleaning methods can be employed, ranging from the use of household items such as baking soda, vinegar, and dish soap to commercial cleaning products like oven cleaner and Bar Keepers Friend. The key to success lies in soaking, loosening the baked-on food, and employing some elbow grease for a sparkling finish.

How to Clean Burner Pans and Baked-on Casserole Dishes

Baking soda and dish soap

Step 1: Scrape Off Food Residue

Use a plastic spatula to remove as much of the caked-on food as possible. This prevents scratching the dish.

Step 2: Rinse the Dish

Rinse the dish with water to remove any remaining loose food particles.

Step 3: Add Baking Soda

Sprinkle a liberal amount of baking soda along the bottom of the dish. Baking soda is a mild abrasive that reacts with mild acids like vinegar to create a foaming cleaner, enhancing its cleaning power.

Step 4: Add Dish Soap

Add a couple of squirts of liquid dish soap. Dawn is a good option for greasy messes. If possible, use a clear soap free of dyes.

Step 5: Fill the Dish with Hot Water

Fill the dish with hot water and let it sit for at least 15 minutes. For stubborn stains, you can let it soak overnight. The hot water helps to loosen the food residue.

Step 6: Scrape and Rinse

Use the spatula again to scrape off any softened food, with the baking soda mixture still in the dish. Then, rinse out the dish with water.

Step 7: Spot Treat Stubborn Stains

For any remaining stubborn stains, sprinkle more baking soda, focusing on those areas. Add a small amount of liquid dish soap to a sponge and scrub the spots. Repeat as needed.

Step 8: Let Dry

Let the dish dry completely before putting it away.

Ammonia

To clean burner pans and baked-on casserole dishes with ammonia, follow these steps:

Step 1: Prepare the pans/dishes

Ensure the pans are at room temperature before you start. If you've just finished cooking, wait for them to cool down. Remove any loose crumbs and rinse the pans thoroughly in the sink with hot water.

Step 2: Bag the pans/dishes

Place each pan or dish inside its own large plastic bag, such as a 1-gallon ziplock bag. Alternatively, you can use a heavy-duty black lawn and leaf bag.

Step 3: Add ammonia

Add 1/4 to 1 cup of household ammonia to each bag. You don't need to coat the pans/dishes completely with ammonia; the fumes will loosen the burnt-on food splatter.

Step 4: Seal and soak

Seal the tops of the bags and leave them in a well-ventilated area, such as your kitchen sink, overnight or for at least 12 hours.

Step 5: Remove and dispose

Open the bags in a well-ventilated location, as the ammonia fumes will be strong. Remove the pans/dishes and seal and dispose of the used bags. Dilute the ammonia with cold water and pour it down the sink drain. If you have a septic system, neutralize the ammonia before disposal.

Step 6: Rinse and scrub

Rinse the pans/dishes with hot water and wipe away any remaining dirty spots with a sponge and liquid dish soap. For stubborn spots, use a scrub brush or a sponge freshly dipped in baking soda.

Step 7: Dry and replace

Dry the pans/dishes with a towel and return them to your stovetop or cupboard.

Vinegar and water

Firstly, remove as much food and debris from the pan as possible. Next, add enough vinegar to cover the bottom of the pan with at least 1/2 inch of liquid. Boil the vinegar in the pan and let it simmer for a few minutes. Remove the pan from the heat and pour in 1 cup of water. You can also use a mixture of 1/2 water and 1/2 vinegar. As the liquid simmers, use a spatula or scraper to deglaze the bottom of the pan, loosening bits of burnt food. Pour the liquid into the sink and do not dry or wipe the pan.

For casserole dishes, preheat the oven to 350°F, then fill the dish with equal parts white vinegar and water. Place the dish in the oven and bake for 45 minutes. Once the dish is cool, use dish soap and water to wipe up the remaining grime.

This method requires some elbow grease and time, but it is an effective way to clean burnt pans and dishes without the use of harsh chemicals.

Dryer sheets

Cleaning Burner Pans and Casserole Dishes with Dryer Sheets

Steps:

• Fill the dish with warm water. A shallow amount of water is enough, just enough to cover the bottom of the dish.
• Place a dryer sheet on the surface of the water. Ensure that the dryer sheet is fresh and unused.
• Let the dryer sheet sit for 10-15 minutes. For heavily soiled dishes, you can let it sit for longer or even overnight. The dryer sheet will help to loosen and soften the baked-on food and grease.
• Remove the dryer sheet and scrub the dish with a sponge or scrub brush. The stains and grease should come off more easily.
• Wash the dish with liquid dish soap and warm water to remove any leftover chemicals from the dryer sheet.

Tips:

• For heavily soiled dishes, you may need to repeat the process or use additional cleaning methods.
• If you don't have a dryer sheet, you can also try using dish soap and hot water. Let the dish soak while you work on other dishes.
• Always use a plastic spatula to remove caked-on food from the dish before beginning the cleaning process to avoid scratching the dish.
• For extra stubborn stains, you can spot treat with baking soda or a cleaning product like Bar Keepers Friend before scrubbing with a sponge.

Bar Keepers Friend

To use Bar Keepers Friend on a casserole dish, first, rinse the dish with water. Then, sprinkle the powder lightly across the bottom of the dish and let it sit for around 30 seconds. Next, scrub the dish with a damp sponge and rinse. Repeat the process if necessary.

For tougher stains, make a paste with the powder and water, and let it sit for a minute before washing, rinsing, and drying. It is recommended to wear kitchen gloves when using this product, as it can be abrasive on the skin.

Frequently asked questions