Simple Drip Pan Cleaning Hacks For A Sparkling Home

Drip pans are a pain to clean, but it's got to be done. They catch all the overflowing water, spilled sauces, and food debris, so it's no wonder they get nasty and black far too quickly. There are several methods to try, from the traditional baking soda and vinegar to the more unusual acetone and ammonia. Some of these hacks will have your stove burners shining like new in no time, with minimal scrubbing and elbow grease.

Soak in vinegar and hot water

So, you want to try a hack to clean your stove's drip pans? You've come to the right place. Here's a detailed, step-by-step guide to doing it with vinegar and hot water:

First, fill your sink with very hot water. Make sure there's enough to completely cover all the drip pans you plan to wash. Add a few drops of dishwashing liquid to the water to help cut through the grease. Place the drip pans in the sink and let them soak for at least 10 minutes. If your drip pans are very dirty, you may want to let them soak for longer.

Next, drain the hot soapy water and cover the drip pans with vinegar. You can use white vinegar or plain vinegar, depending on what you have available. Ensure that the drip pans are completely submerged in the vinegar. Let them soak for about 30 minutes.

Finally, remove the drip pans from the vinegar and rinse them with warm water. If there is still some crustiness on the drip pans, sprinkle some baking soda on these areas and rub it in. Rinse the drip pans again and dry them with a paper towel or a microfiber cloth.

And that's it! Your drip pans should now be free of grime and gunk. This method is not only effective, but it's also a great way to clean your drip pans without using harsh, toxic chemicals.

Use a paste of baking soda and dish soap

How to Clean Drip Pans: Baking Soda and Dish Soap Hack

Step 1: Prepare the Pans

Before you start cleaning, make sure to follow safety precautions. Turn off the stove burners and allow the drip pans to cool completely. Once they are cool, remove the drip pans from under the burners and discard any crumbs or loose particles into the trash. Rinse the pans with hot water from your sink faucet.

Step 2: Make the Baking Soda and Dish Soap Paste

In a small bowl, mix equal parts of baking soda and liquid dish soap to form a paste. You can adjust the amounts of each ingredient depending on the size of your drip pans and the extent of the mess. The paste should be thick and frothy.

Step 3: Apply the Paste

Using a soft cleaning rag or a pastry brush, generously apply the paste to the entire surface of the drip pans. Make sure to cover all the stained and greasy areas. Once the pans are coated, let them sit in the sink for about an hour. The paste will start to loosen the built-up grease and grime.

Step 4: Rinse and Scrub

After the paste has done its work, rinse the drip pans under hot running water to remove the majority of the paste. Use a soft cloth or a non-abrasive scrubbing brush, such as a toothbrush, to gently scrub away any remaining residue. If necessary, you can reapply the paste and repeat the process for heavily soiled areas.

Additional Tips:

• For extremely burnt-on food or stubborn stains, you can try using vinegar in addition to the baking soda and dish soap paste. Soak the pans in vinegar for 30 minutes, then sprinkle baking soda on top and scrub.
• Always exercise caution when handling dirty drip pans as they can harbour bacteria. It is recommended to use a new or disinfected sponge or cleaning rag to avoid spreading bacteria.
• While baking soda is safe for most surfaces, avoid using it on aluminum, precious antique silverware, gold or silver-trimmed dinnerware, and marble surfaces as it may cause discolouration or scratching.

Try ammonia

Ammonia is a very strong chemical with a potent smell, so it's not everyone's favourite cleaning method. However, it can save you time and energy when it comes to cleaning your stove drip pans. Here's how to do it:

Step 1: Prepare the drip pans

Wait for your stove to cool down before removing the drip pans. Rinse them in hot water and place each one inside a separate 1-gallon ziplock plastic bag.

Step 2: Add ammonia

Pour 1/4 cup of household ammonia into each bag. Don't worry about coating the entire surface of the drip pans; the fumes from the ammonia will loosen the burnt-on food.

Step 3: Soak the drip pans

Seal the bags and leave them to soak overnight (for at least 12 hours). The fumes from the ammonia will cut through the grease and grime.

Step 4: Remove the drip pans from the solution

Open the bags in a well-ventilated area, as the fumes will be strong. Remove the drip pans and seal the bags before disposing of them. Dilute the ammonia with cold water and pour it down the sink. If you have a septic system, neutralise the ammonia before disposal.

Step 5: Rinse and scrub the drip pans

Wipe away any remaining dirty spots with a sponge and dish soap. It shouldn't require a lot of scrubbing. Rinse the drip pans thoroughly with hot water.

Step 6: Dry and replace the drip pans

Dry the drip pans with a towel and return them to your stove.

Bar Keepers Friend

To use Bar Keepers Friend to clean your drip pans, first, ensure the pans are cool. Then, wet the surface of the pan. Next, make a paste by sprinkling Bar Keepers Friend powder onto the wet surface. You can add a small amount of water to the powder if you need to hydrate it further. Use a soft cloth or sponge to rub the paste in a circular motion from the center outward. Finally, wash the pan in hot soapy water and rinse. Repeat the process as needed.

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

Boil in hot water with dishwashing detergent

Boiling drip pans in hot water with dishwashing detergent is an effective way to clean them. Here is a step-by-step guide:

• Start by boiling some water in a large pot. Ensure the pot is big enough to completely submerge the drip pans.
• Add a cup of dishwashing detergent to the boiling water and stir until it is completely dissolved.
• Place the drip pans in the pot, ensuring they are fully covered by the water.
• Turn off the heat and cover the pot.
• Let the drip pans soak overnight. The hot water and detergent will help loosen and remove the built-up grease, food debris, and stains.
• In the morning, remove the drip pans from the pot and give them a quick rinse. Most of the dirt and grime should come off easily.

This method is a simple and effective way to clean drip pans without the need for excessive scrubbing. It is important to note that you should always exercise caution when handling hot water and avoid breathing in any vapors. Additionally, make sure to follow the safety instructions for your particular stove type when cleaning.

Frequently asked questions