Clean Drip Pans With Wd-40: A Quick Guide

Drip pans are an important part of the stove as they catch any food or liquid that falls from the cooking surface. Cleaning them regularly is important to prevent the build-up of grease and food particles. While there are several ways to clean stove drip pans, one of the most effective ways is to use WD-40. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to clean drip pans with WD-40.

Remove the drip pans from the stove

To remove the drip pans from the stove, you'll need to first remove the coils or grates sitting on top of them. If you have an electric stove, start by lifting one side of the burner coil slightly. You will then see the socket that the burner coil plugs into on the other side of the hole in your drip pan. Gently tug the burner coil straight out of the socket to remove it, and set it aside. Now you can lift out the drip pan.

For gas stoves, the process is slightly different. Most gas stoves have metal grates that simply lift off, giving you easy access to the drip pan underneath.

It's important to ensure that your stove and its burners are turned off and completely cooled down before attempting to remove the drip pans. This will prevent the risk of any burn injuries.

Spray WD-40 onto the pans

Once you have removed the drip pans from the stove, place them in the sink and spray each one with a generous amount of WD-40. The entire affected region should be covered with the liquid for effective cleaning. The liquid will loosen the burnt grime within a few minutes, making it easier to clean your pans.

After spraying the liquid, wait for a few minutes until the WD-40 works its magic on the burnt grime and loosens it. The liquid will not break the adhesive bonds, but it will make it easier for you to clean your pans.

While you wait, it is recommended that you leave the room so that you don't inhale the fumes. You can use this time to do other chores or activities and forget about the drip pans for a while. Just make sure you don't forget about them completely and turn on your stove before cleaning the WD-40 off!

Once the waiting period is over, it's time to scrub. Take your scouring pad, scrub brush, or sponge and scrub the burnt portions of your pans. You will be amazed at how easily the grime comes off, leaving a clean surface behind. WD-40 gets the job done in a few minutes and requires minimal effort.

Leave the product to sit

After spraying the drip pans with WD-40, it's important to let the product sit for a few minutes. This allows the WD-40 to work its magic and loosen the burnt-on grime. The length of time you should leave the product to sit will vary depending on the severity of the burnt-on grime. For minor messes, a few minutes should be sufficient. However, for more heavily soiled drip pans, you may need to let the WD-40 sit for longer—up to 30 minutes or even an hour.

While you're waiting, you can work on cleaning the rest of your stovetop. This is a great opportunity to give your stove a thorough cleaning. Use a damp sponge dipped in baking soda to scrub away any built-up grease and grime. You can also use this time to catch up on other household chores or simply relax.

It's important to note that WD-40 is a powerful product and should be used with caution. Make sure to leave the room after spraying the drip pans to avoid inhaling the fumes. Open a window or turn on a fan to ventilate the area. If you have sensitive skin, you may want to wear gloves when handling the drip pans after applying WD-40.

Once the product has had enough time to work, you'll be ready for the next step in the cleaning process—scrubbing. The WD-40 will have loosened the burnt-on grime, making it easier to scrub away. However, it's important to note that you may still need to put in some elbow grease, especially for heavily soiled areas. Be sure to scrub all surfaces of the drip pans thoroughly and rinse them with hot water to remove any residual WD-40.

By following these steps and allowing the WD-40 to sit for the appropriate amount of time, you'll be well on your way to having clean and shiny drip pans.

Scrub the pans

To clean your drip pans with WD-40, you'll first need to remove the pans from the stove. This involves removing the burners by lifting and pulling them out sideways to unplug them.

Once the pans are removed, spray each one generously with WD-40. Then, leave the room so that you don't inhale the fumes. After a few minutes, the WD-40 will have loosened the burnt-on grime, making it easier to scrub off.

Now it's time to scrub the pans vigorously. Use a scouring pad, steel wool, or a plastic scrubber to remove the loosened grime. Make sure you scrub off all the WD-40 along with the grime, as it is flammable and should not be rinsed down your sink.

After scrubbing, wash the pans with a grease-cutting detergent and dry them with a microfiber cloth or paper towels. Finally, put the clean drip pans back on the stove and plug the burners back in.

Scrubbing Tips:

• If your pans are only lightly soiled, you can place them on the top rack of a dishwasher instead of scrubbing by hand.
• For heavily burnt-on food, try using a Mr. Clean Eraser or a melamine sponge to scrub away the food.
• For extra scrubbing power, make a paste or mixture of baking soda and dish soap, and apply it to the pans before scrubbing. Let the mixture sit for about an hour, then scrub with a sponge or scrubber.
• If your pans are made of chrome or porcelain, you can soak them in a mixture of hot water and dish soap, and then scrub them with a plastic scrubber or melamine sponge.
• For rust spots or heavy grease, try using a mixture of white vinegar and cream of tartar. Apply it to the pans and let it sit for 10-20 minutes before scrubbing.
• For an even more intensive cleaning method, fill a roasting pan with hot water, baking soda, and dish detergent, and place the drip pans inside. Bring the water to a boil and let the pans "cook" for 20-30 minutes. Then remove them and scrub away the grease.

Rinse and dry the pans

Rinse the drip pans thoroughly with hot water to remove the soap mixture. If you're using WD-40, make sure to get all of the product off so that you don't explode when you replace the drip pans and turn on your stove. You can also use cold water to dilute the ammonia before disposing of it down the sink drain.

After rinsing, tackle any remaining dirty spots with a scrub brush or a sponge freshly dipped in baking soda. If stains or burnt-on food persist, scrub the drip pans with more baking soda and rinse completely. Completely dry the pans with a kitchen or dish towel and position them back onto your stove top. Return the burners and enjoy cooking on your clean stove!

Frequently asked questions