Effective Ways To Clean A Burnt Broiler Pan Easily

Broiler pans are a pain to clean, but it doesn't have to be that way. The secret is to use the right cleaning techniques to loosen up the gunk and get rid of stubborn spots. Here are some methods to clean your broiler pan without the scrubbing:

Soak the pan with a dryer sheet

So, your broiler pan is looking pretty sad and grimy, huh? Don't worry, it can be rescued! Here's a simple hack for cleaning your broiler pan:

• Set your broiler pan on the counter. If your broiler pan has sides that allow it to hold water, fill it with hot water. If the broiler pan is flat with no edges, put it to soak in the sink or a plastic tub or basin that's large enough to hold it. Make sure the whole surface with cooked-on food is covered with water.
• Squirt a bit of dish soap into the water. Use a basic dishwashing detergent and squeeze a zigzag across the surface of the pan. A dish soap that is specially formulated to fight grease is most helpful. If you don't have dish soap, this method will still work.
• Place a dryer sheet in the water. Lay a dryer sheet flat in the water, making sure that it goes under the water and is covered. For pans with especially caked or burnt-on food residue, use two dryer sheets in the pan. If you use biodegradable dryer sheets, this can be an especially eco-friendly cleaning solution.
• Let the pan sit for at least one hour. Leave the pan to soak with the water, soap, and dryer sheet for about one hour. If the pan has badly stuck-on food, leave it for a few hours or even overnight. The dryer sheet will loosen the food residue while it soaks.
• Rinse and wipe away any remaining food. After the pan has soaked, dump the water out of it. Depending on how bad the residue is, wipe the pan with a sponge or scrubber to remove any residue that is still stuck on. You can also give the pan a quick, regular cleaning with dish soap and water.

And there you have it! Your broiler pan should now be sparkling clean.

Use baking soda

To clean a burnt broiler pan top with baking soda, follow these steps:

Firstly, ensure your broiler pan has cooled down completely. Then, sprinkle a liberal amount of baking soda over the broiler pan top, making sure to cover the entire surface. The layer of baking soda should be thick for the most effective cleaning.

Next, use a spray bottle filled with water to dampen the baking soda. Don't be afraid to use too much water, as a lot of it will soak into the baking soda. If you don't have a spray bottle, you can gently pour water onto the baking soda and mix it slightly to form a paste.

Now, cover the broiler pan top with wet paper towels. This will keep the baking soda damp for longer, helping to loosen and remove baked-on grease and food residue. If your paper towels start to dry out, simply spray or sprinkle some more water on them. Leave the broiler pan to sit for at least 30 minutes, but for the best results, leave it for 2-3 hours or even overnight if the burnt-on grease is particularly tough.

Finally, scrape the spent baking soda into the trash. Use a spatula to do this, and be careful not to scrape it into the sink as it can clog your drain. Rinse the broiler pan top and gently scrub away any remaining food residue or baking soda with a washcloth or sponge.

Scour with Bar Keepers Friend

If your broiler pan has burnt gunk and food residue stuck to it, Bar Keepers Friend can help! This non-abrasive scouring powder is safe to use on food contact surfaces and is available as both a powder and a spray.

To use Bar Keepers Friend to clean your broiler pan, first, place the 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 or has slats, fill the sink with enough warm water to just barely cover the top of the pan.

Next, sprinkle Bar Keepers Friend cleaning powder over the entire surface of the pan, making sure to cover the worst spots. There is no need to use a large amount, but ensure that the powder covers every inch of the pan.

Allow the pan to sit for a few minutes while the cleaner breaks up the burnt gunk and food residue. For pans with significant build-up, let the powder sit for up to ten minutes.

After the cleaner has had time to work, use a sponge or scrubber pad to gently scour the entire surface of the pan. Since Bar Keeper's Friend is stronger than dishwashing detergent, it is recommended 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 after cleaning the broiler pan.

Once you have scrubbed the entire surface and removed the gunk, thoroughly rinse the pan to remove all traces of the Bar Keeper's Friend. It is a good idea to wipe the pan down with a clean, wet rag to ensure no cleaner is stuck on the pan.

Your broiler pan should now be clean and ready to use!

Use a lemon and water mixture

If your broiler pan has been in use for a long time, it may have developed spots. If you don’t do anything about these stains, they may become permanent. Lemon is an excellent tool for removing these blemishes.

Firstly, place your broiler pan in a big tub or basin and fill it with water and lemon juice. Make sure the entire pan is submerged in the mixture. Leave the pan to soak overnight. If the spots are deeper, you may need to soak them for longer.

After soaking for enough time, wash the pan thoroughly with soap and water, using a sponge or scrubbing pan to remove any remaining dirt or food residue.

It’s important to remember that each pan is unique, depending on the extent of the damage. For pans that are really dirty and discoloured, you’ll need to use a more efficient cleaning method and soak them for a longer period to release all the muck and stains.

Prevent spots with foil or oil

To prevent spots, wrap the bottom of the broiler pan with foil paper to avoid grease from getting baked on. You can also cover the grill and the pan with oil, butter, or any other liquid that won't get mixed with water. This should help prevent food from sticking to the pan and becoming a stubborn stain.

If you want to use foil, you can either cover the entire broiler pan or just the "basin" part of it, leaving the grate part exposed. This will allow the juices and fats to drip down through the holes in the grate. You can also buy "BBQ" foil that already has holes in it.

Frequently asked questions