Tillie Doyle
Drip pans are a godsend when it comes to catching the mess from boil-overs and spills, but they can be a challenge to clean. Before you throw away your dirty drip pans, try this natural, homemade cleaning method using vinegar and baking soda to remove tough, burnt-on food.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Working Time | 15-45 minutes |
| Total Time | 30 minutes - 1 hour |
| Skill Level | Beginner |
| Items Needed | Drip pans, sink, hot water, dishwashing liquid, distilled white vinegar, resealable plastic bags, rubber gloves, paper towels, sponge, microfiber cloth |
| Step 1 | Remove the drip pans and components from the stove top and let them cool down |
| Step 2 | Shake the drip pans over a trash can, scraping them with a dry paper towel to remove loose or burnt food particles |
| Step 3 | Soak the drip pans in hot, soapy water for 15 minutes |
| Step 4 | Drain the hot soapy water and add enough distilled white vinegar to cover the drip pans; let them soak for 30 minutes |
| Step 5 | Sprinkle the solution with a generous amount of baking soda and let it sit for at least 15 minutes |
| Step 6 | If necessary, use a plastic scrubber to scour the pans, sprinkling additional baking soda onto areas with hard-to-remove stains |
| Step 7 | Rinse the drip pans with hot water and dry them with a microfiber cloth |
| Step 8 | Reinstall the drip pans under the burners, ensuring they are fitted smoothly |
What You'll Learn
Soak the drip pans in hot water
Soaking the drip pans in hot water is an important first step in the cleaning process. It helps to loosen any baked-on food or grease and makes it easier to remove the residue. The hot water also helps to soften any burnt-on stains, making them easier to scrub away.
To start, fill your sink with very hot water and place the drip pans in the sink, ensuring they are fully submerged. Let the pans soak for at least 10 minutes. If the pans are extremely dirty or have a lot of burnt-on residue, you can let them soak for a longer period, up to 15 minutes.
While the pans are soaking, the hot water will work to loosen and soften any caked-on food, grease, or stains. This step is especially important if you are planning to use a natural cleaning solution like vinegar and baking soda, as it prepares the surface for the next steps in the cleaning process.
After the pans have soaked, drain the hot water from the sink. You may need to wipe down the sink to ensure that any loose food particles or grease are removed. This will ensure that your cleaning solution can work effectively on the remaining stains and residue.
Once the hot water soak is complete, your drip pans are ready for the next steps in the cleaning process, which may include using vinegar, baking soda, or other natural cleaning solutions to remove any remaining stains and leave your drip pans sparkling clean!
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Soak in vinegar
To clean your drip pans with baking soda and vinegar, start by removing the pans from the stovetop and shaking off any loose crumbs into the garbage. Next, fill your sink with very hot water and let the pans soak for about 10 minutes.
After the initial soak, drain the water and pour in enough distilled white vinegar to cover the pans. Let them sit in the vinegar for 30 minutes.
Once the vinegar soak is complete, sprinkle baking soda generously over the pans, rubbing it into the crustiest areas. Allow the baking soda and vinegar to work on the stains for at least 15 minutes. You should see the burnt residue start to flake away.
Finally, rinse the pans with hot water and apply more baking soda, working it into any remaining stains. Rinse again and towel dry. Your drip pans should now be free of burnt-on crust, but if there are still areas that didn't come clean, it may be time to buy new ones.
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Sprinkle baking soda on top of vinegar
To clean your drip pans with baking soda and vinegar, start by removing the drip pans from the stovetop and shaking off loose crumbs into the garbage can. Then, fill a sink or bucket with enough hot water and a few drops of dishwashing liquid to completely submerge the drip pans. Allow them to soak for at least 15 minutes. Drain the hot soapy water and add enough distilled white vinegar to completely cover the drip pans. Let them soak for another 30 minutes.
Now, for the baking soda and vinegar reaction: sprinkle the solution with a generous amount of baking soda. The vinegar and baking soda will react to create a powerful fizzing reaction. The acid in the vinegar breaks down the baking soda, releasing carbon dioxide gas that helps lift dirt from the surfaces being cleaned. Let the mixture sit for at least an additional 15 minutes. If necessary, use a plastic scrubber to scour the pans, sprinkling additional baking soda onto areas with hard-to-remove stains.
Finally, rinse the drip pans with hot water and dry them with a microfiber cloth before replacing them on the stovetop.
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Rinse and scrub
Once you've soaked your drip pans in vinegar and sprinkled them with baking soda, it's time to rinse and scrub them. Use hot water to rinse the pans, then apply more baking soda and work it into the remaining stains. Rinse the pans again and dry them with a towel. If there are still areas that didn't come clean, it might be time to buy new drip pans.
The vinegar and baking soda solution should remove burnt-on crust completely. However, if there are any stubborn stains remaining, you can try scrubbing the area with a plastic scrubber or a sponge, sprinkling additional baking soda on the affected area as you scrub. You can also try using a Mr. Clean Eraser to lightly scrub away any tough spots.
If your drip pans are made of chrome or porcelain, they are generally dishwasher-safe. So, if you want to avoid hand-scrubbing the pans, you can put them on the top rack of your dishwasher, which offers a more gentle wash.
Alternatively, you can try using oven cleaner to make your drip pans shine. Simply spray oven cleaner on the pans, let them soak in the sink for 30 minutes, scrub them with an abrasive sponge, and then rinse them clean.
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Dry and replace
Once you have rinsed the drip pans with hot water, it's time to dry them. Use a microfiber cloth to dry the drip pans thoroughly. Make sure that you dry all components of the drip pans, including any separate decorative rings.
After the drip pans are completely dry, it's time to replace them. If you have an electric stove, line up the openings in the burner bowl with the coil element receptacle. Hold the coil element as level as possible, and slowly push the coil element terminal into the receptacle as far as it will go. Then, push the edge of the coil element opposite the receptacle down and into place.
If you have a gas stove, simply place the caps and grates back on top of the burner bases, ensuring that all components are fully dry before reassembling the stovetop.
Now your drip pans are clean, dry, and back in place!
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Frequently asked questions
First, soak the drip pans in very hot water for about 10 minutes. Drain the water and pour in enough distilled white vinegar to cover the stains. Let the pans sit in the vinegar for 30 minutes. Next, sprinkle baking soda on top of the vinegar and use your fingers to rub it into the burnt-on crust. Allow the mixture to work on the stains for at least 15 minutes. Finally, rinse the drip pans with hot water and dry them with a microfiber cloth.
You will need one jug of white vinegar and about three tablespoons of baking soda.
Yes, there are several other methods you can use to clean your drip pans. These include dishwashing liquid, ammonia, hydrogen peroxide, and oven cleaner.
Ideally, you should clean your drip pans after each time you use your stovetop. However, if you cook daily, a more realistic goal is to clean them once a week or as needed when you see stains.
