Cleaning Rusted Enamel Roasting Pans: Tips And Tricks

Roasting pans are a kitchen staple, especially during the holiday season. However, they can be stubborn to clean and often accumulate grease and residue. One of the most common issues with roasting pans is the formation of rust. Rust not only affects the appearance of the pan but also poses a safety hazard if consumed. In this article, we will discuss effective methods to clean and remove rust from your enamel roasting pan, ensuring it looks as good as new.

Use baking soda and water

To clean an enamel roasting pan with baking soda and water, start by rinsing the pan with water. Next, cover the pan with baking soda, ensuring that the baking soda reaches all rusty spots. Leave the baking soda on the pan for at least 30 minutes. You can also add a little vinegar to the baking soda for extra cleaning power. After the baking soda has had time to work, use a scouring pad, sponge, or toothbrush to scrub the pan in a circular motion. If you are dealing with a lot of rust, you may need to apply more pressure during this step.

Once you have finished scrubbing, wash the pan with soap and warm water, and dry it off with a towel. If there are still spots of rust, repeat the process until the pan is rust-free. Finally, always make sure to dry your pan completely after rinsing to prevent future rust.

Try a potato and baking soda

To clean an enamel roasting pan with rust stains, try a potato and baking soda. This method is gentle and effective, and it will help you remove those stubborn rust stains without damaging the enamel surface. Here's a step-by-step guide:

Step 1: Prepare the Potato and Baking Soda

• Start by peeling a potato and slicing it in half. The flat surface of the potato will be perfect for scrubbing the pan.
• Gather some baking soda, which is a mild abrasive powder. You can also use salt or a gentle scrubbing cleanser as an alternative.

Step 2: Apply the Baking Soda to the Potato

Dip the flat surface of the potato into the baking soda. Make sure it's well-coated, as this will help with the scrubbing action.

Step 3: Scrub the Rust Stains

Now, take your potato and firmly rub it over the rust stains on the enamel roasting pan. You might need to apply a bit of pressure and scrub in a circular motion to ensure you're targeting the stains effectively.

Step 4: Rinse and Dry the Pan

• Once you've removed the rust stains, it's important to rinse the pan with warm, soapy water to remove any residue. Use a gentle dishwashing soap and a soft sponge or cloth to avoid scratching the enamel.
• After rinsing, dry the pan thoroughly with a towel. This step is crucial to prevent new rust from forming.

Additional Tips:

• If there are tough food stains in your enamel roasting pan, you can fill the pan with 1 quart of water and 3 tablespoons of baking soda. Heat this mixture gently on the stove to help loosen and remove the stains.
• For particularly stubborn stains, such as coffee or tea, create a solution of 2 tablespoons of chlorine bleach and 1 quart of water. Soak the pan in this solution for about 20 minutes, and then rinse it thoroughly.
• Always remember to dry your enamel roasting pan well after cleaning to prevent rust from forming.

Soak in vinegar and water

To clean an enamel roasting pan with rust, one method is to soak it in vinegar and water. This method can also be used to remove rust from other metals.

First, make a vinegar solution by adding one gallon of vinegar and one cup of table salt to a large plastic container. Mix the solution well. The salt increases the acidity of the mixture, helping to eliminate rust more quickly.

Next, submerge the roasting pan in the vinegar and salt mixture. Allow the pan to soak for a minimum of 12 hours and up to three days. The longer the pan soaks, the easier it will be to remove the rust.

After soaking, use an abrasive pad or brass-bristle brush to scrub off the rust. If the rust is particularly difficult to remove, a brass-bristle brush may work better.

Once the rust has been removed, neutralize the acid by rinsing the container and adding one gallon of clean, warm water. Submerge the roasting pan in the water and add one cup of baking soda. Let the pan soak for around 10 minutes to neutralize the acetic acid.

Finally, remove the pan from the baking soda mixture and scrub it with fine steel wool to bring out its shine. Wipe the pan with a cleaning cloth soaked in denatured alcohol to remove any remaining moisture.

This method of soaking in vinegar and water can effectively remove rust from an enamel roasting pan.

Sprinkle with coarse salt

To clean an enamel roasting pan with rust, you can try using salt as an abrasive to scrub away the rust. Here's a step-by-step guide:

Step 1: Prepare the Enamel Roasting Pan

Before you start, make sure your enamel roasting pan is ready for cleaning. Allow the pan to cool down to room temperature if it's hot. Do not shock a hot pan with cold water as it can damage the pan.

Step 2: Gather Your Materials

You will need coarse salt, a peeled potato, and a mild scrubbing cleanser or liquid dish soap. You may also use baking soda as an alternative to salt.

Step 3: Cut and Dip the Potato

Cut the potato in half and dip the flat surface of the potato into the coarse salt or baking soda. The potato should be firmly coated in the salt or baking soda, creating a mildly abrasive surface.

Step 4: Scrub the Rusted Areas

Using the salted potato, firmly scrub the rusted areas of the enamel roasting pan. Apply pressure and scrub in a circular motion until the rust stains are removed. You can also use a plastic scrubbing pad if needed.

Step 5: Rinse and Dry

Once the rust is removed, rinse the pan with warm water and a gentle, non-abrasive sponge. Dry the pan thoroughly with a towel before storing it away. Hand washing with mild dish soap and warm water is recommended for enamelware.

Tips:

• Always dry your enamelware thoroughly after washing to prevent rust.
• Avoid using harsh abrasive cleansers, steel wool, or scouring pads on enamelware as they can cause permanent scratches.
• For tough food stains, fill the pan with a mixture of water and baking soda, gently heat the mixture on the stove, then scrub and rinse.
• For extremely stubborn stains, a mild solution of chlorine bleach and water can be used, followed by thorough rinsing.

Clean with Bar Keeper's Friend

Bar Keepers Friend is an effective cleaner for removing rust and stains from enamel roasting pans. It is a gently abrasive cleaner that has been used since 1882 and can be used on a variety of surfaces, including enamel. Here is a step-by-step guide to cleaning an enamel roasting pan with Bar Keepers Friend:

• Rinse the pan with water and leave it wet. This will help the Bar Keepers Friend to form a paste and adhere to the surface of the pan.
• Sprinkle a tablespoon of Bar Keepers Friend powder onto the bottom of the pan. You can adjust the amount depending on the size and severity of the stains on your pan.
• Using a soft, damp sponge or cloth, scrub small areas of the pan in a circular motion. Be sure to avoid using any abrasive materials, such as steel wool or metal scrubbers, as these can damage the enamel coating.
• Dry the pan with a soft cloth or paper towel.
• Repeat the above steps on the sides of the pan, scrubbing small areas at a time.
• For the inside of the pan, follow the same procedure. Bar Keepers Friend is safe to use on the inside of enameled cast iron pans.
• If you have particularly stubborn stains, you can create a paste by mixing Bar Keepers Friend powder with a small amount of water. Apply this paste to the stains and let it sit for a few minutes before scrubbing with a gentle brush. Rinse and repeat if necessary.

It is important to note that Bar Keepers Friend should only be used on enameled or lacquered cast iron cookware. Regular cast iron should not be cleaned with Bar Keepers Friend. Always test a small area of your pan before proceeding with the full cleaning.

Frequently asked questions