The Best Way To Clean Greasy Pans At Home

Grease stains on pans are a common problem with various solutions. Some of the most popular methods include using baking soda, vinegar, salt, and lemon juice. Other methods include using dryer sheets, ammonia, oven cleaner, and Bar Keepers Friend. While some people opt for commercial cleaners, others prefer natural alternatives such as lemon and baking soda. The choice of cleaning method depends on the type of pan and the severity of the grease stains. For example, non-stick and ceramic pans require gentler methods to avoid damaging the coating, while burnt grease on stainless steel pans may necessitate stronger solutions. Ultimately, the best approach is the one that effectively removes the grease stains and suits the user's preferences.

How to Clean Grease Stain on Pans

Baking soda and vinegar

Step 1: Prepare the Pan

Firstly, if you are dealing with caked-on grease, pre-soak your pan in vinegar for about 30 minutes. Distilled white vinegar is a good choice for this. After soaking, rinse the pan with water.

Step 2: Make a Baking Soda Paste

Cover the bottom of the pan with a layer of water. Then, sprinkle baking soda liberally over the water to create a thin paste. You can also add a few drops of dish soap to the paste.

Step 3: Let it Sit

Let the paste sit for several hours. If you are short on time, you can leave it for around 20 minutes. For more stubborn stains, you may need to leave it overnight.

Step 4: Scrub the Pan

Use a non-abrasive sponge, scrubbing pad, or scrub brush to scrub the pan and remove the burnt-on grease. For non-stick pans, use a non-stick-safe nylon scrubbing brush. If the grease is not coming off, try adding a bit of dish soap to your scrubbing tool and scrub again.

Step 5: Rinse and Dry

Rinse the pan thoroughly with warm water to ensure no grease or residue is left. Dry the pan and, if it is cast iron, rub the entire surface with oil and place on a low heat for an hour.

Tips:

• For extra scrubbing power, add natural cleaning agents like vinegar, lemon juice, or salt to the baking soda.
• Avoid using steel wool, scouring pads, oven cleaners, bleach, or strong abrasive cleaners, as these can scratch your cookware.
• Baking soda is alkaline, so it can neutralise the acid in grease, making it easier to wipe off.
• For pans with persistent or years-long residue, create a baking soda paste with water and let it sit for 30 minutes before scrubbing.
• If you are cleaning a roasting pan, you can combine 1 cup of hot water and 1/3 cup of vinegar, pour this solution into the pan, and let it soak for a few hours before scrubbing.

Ammonia and time

Ammonia is a great way to clean grease off pans without much effort. It is also cost-effective, as a bottle of ammonia usually costs less than a dollar.

To use this method, put your pan in a plastic bag, such as a garbage bag, and add a small amount of ammonia. Leave the pan overnight so that the fumes can do the work for you. In the morning, the grease should have magically melted off.

This method is perfect for stove grates and drip pans, and it is the best way to get rid of any deep-set stains from metal.

However, it is important to note that ammonia should not be used on Teflon pans, as it can cause the Teflon to peel off.

Additionally, ammonia fumes can be harmful to breathe, so it is recommended to rinse the pan off outside or in a well-ventilated area.

Lemon and baking soda

Step 1: Remove Burnt Food and Debris

Start by scraping off as much burnt food and debris from the pan as possible. Use a wooden spatula or a similar tool to remove the debris without scratching the pan's surface.

Step 2: Prepare the Pan

Keep a thin layer of water in the pan. You can also fill the pan with enough water to cover the burnt portion of the pan.

Step 3: Apply Baking Soda

Sprinkle the bottom of the pan liberally with baking soda. Make sure the baking soda comes into contact with the water, creating a paste. You can also make a paste by mixing baking soda and water separately and then applying it to the pan. Ensure the paste is thick enough to fully coat the burnt areas.

Step 4: Cut and Squeeze Lemon

Cut a lemon in half and squeeze the juice onto the baking soda. The lemon juice will react with the baking soda, creating a fizzing reaction. This reaction helps to loosen burnt food and grease.

Step 5: Let it Sit

Allow the mixture to sit for a few minutes. The longer you let it sit, the more effective it will be. You can leave it for a few hours or even overnight for best results, especially if dealing with tough stains.

Step 6: Scrub the Pan

After the solution has had time to work, use a scouring pad, sponge, or nylon brush to scrub the pan vigorously. For non-stick and ceramic pans, be careful not to scrub too hard as it may damage the coating.

Step 7: Rinse and Dry

Once you've removed the burnt food and stains, rinse the pan thoroughly with warm water and dry it with a clean cloth or towel.

Tips:

• For extra tough stains, you can let the baking soda paste sit overnight before scrubbing. Just ensure there is enough water in the paste to prevent it from drying out too quickly.
• For a stronger cleaning solution, add a few drops of dish soap to the baking soda paste to help cut through the grease.
• Always be cautious when combining cleaning products, as some chemicals may react and create irritating fumes.
• If you don't want to wait for the solution to sit, you can place the pan on the stove and heat it up. However, be careful not to let it burn again.

By following these steps, you can effectively remove grease stains and restore your pans using the power of lemon and baking soda.

Oven cleaner

To use oven cleaner to clean your pans, simply coat the bottom of the pan with the product. Leave it to sit for a few hours—overnight is best for tough scorch marks. Then, use a scrubbing pad to scrub the bottom of the pan. Finally, wash the pan thoroughly with hot, soapy water to remove any oven cleaner residue. This method works best on ceramic and non-stick pans.

Salt and vinegar

Using Vinegar to Clean Grease Stains from Pans

Firstly, fill your sink with enough distilled white vinegar to fully submerge the bottom of your pan. Allow the pan to soak for about an hour. Then, use a scrubbing pad, toothbrush, and some dish soap to remove the softened grease.

Using Salt and Vinegar to Clean Grease Stains from Pans

If your pan has tough, burnt-on grease, you can create a homemade vinegar mix by adding salt to the equation. This method is more abrasive and will help to scrub off the grease.

First, fill your sink with enough white vinegar to fully submerge the bottom of your pan. Allow the pan to soak for about an hour. Then, pour salt onto the bottom of the pan and add a small amount of dish soap to a scrubbing pad. Scrub the bottom of the pan vigorously, adding more salt and dish soap as needed. Finally, rinse the pan with warm water.

Using Salt, Vinegar, and Baking Soda to Clean Grease Stains from Pans

For deep grease removal, you can combine vinegar, salt, and baking soda. This mixture is powerful enough to remove grease quickly.

Sprinkle a generous amount of baking soda and sea salt onto the bottom of your pan, focusing on the stained areas. Spray or spritz the baking soda with straight vinegar. Allow the mixture to sit for about 5 minutes, then use a scouring pad or scrubbing sponge to scrub away the grease. Finally, rinse the pan and dry it before storing.

Precautions

Salt is considered an abrasive because of its coarse texture, so it may scratch the finish on some pans. Be sure to avoid using salt when cleaning non-stick and ceramic pans, as it can damage the coating.

Frequently asked questions