Cleaning Cookie Pans: Easy And Effective Methods

Cookie pans are versatile tools in the kitchen, but they can be a pain to clean. Burnt-on messes, greasy splatters, and sticky sugars can leave unsightly and stubborn residue. While it may be tempting to throw out old cookie pans, there are several effective methods to clean them without resorting to harsh chemicals. The most popular methods typically involve common household items such as baking soda, vinegar, and hydrogen peroxide. These ingredients can be combined in various ways to create pastes or soaking solutions that break down tough, burnt-on food residue. Additionally, tools like steel wool, scouring pads, and even aluminium foil can be used for scrubbing away the grime. While some scratching may occur during the cleaning process, these methods will leave your cookie pans looking almost as good as new.

Baking soda and vinegar

To clean your cookie pans with baking soda and vinegar, start by filling your sink with hot water. Plug the sink and fill it with hot water. Then, add in 1/2 cup of baking soda and 1/2 cup of vinegar. Baking soda is alkaline, and vinegar is a mild acid, so when you mix them, they will react and bubble up.

Next, submerge your dirty cookie pan in the sink and let it soak. You should let the pan soak for 30-60 minutes. During this time, the chemical reaction between the baking soda and vinegar will loosen the grime on your pan.

After the pan has soaked, scrub off the grime with a scouring pad, the rough side of a scrubby sponge, or steel wool. Be aware that steel wool may leave scratches on your pan. If this is a concern, use circular motions when scrubbing to make any marks less noticeable.

Finally, wash the baking pan with dish soap and warm water, then dry it. Your cookie pan is now clean!

Hydrogen peroxide and baking soda

To clean your cookie pans with hydrogen peroxide and baking soda, follow these steps:

• Place the dirty cookie sheet flat in the sink, a washtub, or on a large towel on your kitchen counter.
• Mix about 1/4 cup of baking soda and 2 to 3 tablespoons of hydrogen peroxide in a bowl. Stir the mixture slowly until it forms a thick paste. If you add too much liquid, thicken the mixture with some baking soda.
• Generously spoon the paste onto the cookie sheet, covering it completely.
• Let the paste-covered pan sit for about 2 hours. For dirtier pans, you may need to let them soak for longer to loosen the grime.
• Dampen a household sponge with warm water and gently scrub the pan. Rinse with warm water.
• Dry the pan thoroughly. This is important to prevent rust or corrosion.
• If the back of the cookie sheet is also stained, repeat the process.

Always set a timer when baking and consider using parchment paper or a silicone baking mat instead of a thin coat of cooking spray or grease. Parchment paper won't leave behind any sticky, burnt-on residue.

Ammonia

Step 1: Prepare the Cookie Sheets

Place your cookie sheets inside a durable plastic bag, such as a garbage bag. This method is not suitable for non-stick or aluminium pans, so be sure to check the material of your pans before proceeding.

Step 2: Add Ammonia

Add 1/2 cup of ammonia to the bag. Seal the bag shut.

Step 3: Let it Sit

Leave the bag in the sun for a full day (24 hours). This gives the ammonia enough time to soften and react with the grease and food particles on the pan.

Step 4: Open the Bag

When opening the bag, be sure to hold your breath and do it outside, as the fumes are powerful.

Step 5: Remove the Pans

Take the pans out of the bag and scrub them with steel wool or a scrubber of your choice.

Step 6: Rinse and Dry

Wash the sheets thoroughly with soap and water to remove any ammonia residue. Dry the pans completely.

Tips and Precautions:

• Always wear protective clothing, including gloves, eyewear, and a mask, when working with ammonia.
• Do not use this method for non-stick or aluminium pans as it may cause damage.
• Be cautious when using ammonia around plastic handles. Testing on a small, hidden area first is recommended.
• Avoid using ammonia on Teflon pans as it may cause the Teflon to peel off.
• Ammonia takes the most time to complete out of the different cleaning methods, so plan accordingly.

Aluminium foil

To clean your cookie sheets with aluminium foil, first, soak the sheet pans in water for an extended period. Next, bunch the foil into a ball and scrub the burned spots and stuck-on food. Finally, wash and rinse the pan with soap and water.

This method may be better for removing hunks of food stuck on the pan, rather than flat, baked-on stains. It is also a good way to reuse clean pieces of foil that would otherwise be thrown away.

Cream of tartar and vinegar

Cream of tartar is a by-product of the winemaking process. When mixed with an acid like vinegar, it becomes an effective cleaning agent for breaking down dirt and grime. Here is a step-by-step guide to cleaning your cookie pans with cream of tartar and vinegar:

Step 1: Prepare the Cookie Pan

Before applying the cream of tartar and vinegar solution, ensure that you know the material of your cookie pan. This cleaning method is suitable for all types of cookie pans, including aluminium, aluminised steel, and non-stick pans. However, avoid using this method on insulated cookie sheets as they have an air chamber that can be affected by soaking in water.

Step 2: Apply the Cream of Tartar and Vinegar Solution

Sprinkle cream of tartar evenly across the surface of the cookie pan. Then, spray or pour white vinegar onto the cream of tartar, ensuring that the entire surface is saturated.

Step 3: Let the Solution Work Its Magic

Allow the cream of tartar and vinegar mixture to dry on the cookie pan. For best results, let it sit for at least eight hours or overnight. The longer it sits, the more effective it will be in breaking down the dirt and grime.

Step 4: Scrub and Rinse the Pan

After the waiting period, use a scrubber sponge or brush, and warm water to remove any excess residue from the pan. You can also use a bit of dish soap for this step if needed. Once you've scrubbed away the dirt, rinse the pan with warm water to ensure that all the solution is removed.

Step 5: Dry the Pan

After rinsing, dry the pan thoroughly with a clean cloth or towel. This step is important to prevent any water spots or rust from forming on the pan.

Additional Tips:

• For tougher stains, you can repeat the process or let the solution sit for a longer period before scrubbing.
• Always wear gloves when handling cream of tartar and vinegar to protect your skin.
• For an extra boost of cleaning power, you can also mix in a small amount of dish soap with the cream of tartar and vinegar solution.

Frequently asked questions