Cleaning Pans On Stove: Easy And Effective Methods

Cleaning stove drip pans can be a challenge, especially when food is burnt on. The best way to keep on top of it is to clean your drip pans every time you cook, or at least once a week. When the burner is cool, remove the drip pan from the stovetop. If the mess is light, washing the drip pan with hot water and dish soap should be enough. For more stubborn stains, there are several methods you can try. One is to use vinegar and baking soda. First, soak the pan in hot water, then in vinegar, and finally scrub with baking soda. Another method is to soak the pan in ammonia overnight. This should be done outside or in a well-ventilated area, and gloves should be worn when handling the ammonia.

How to Clean Pans on Stove

Soak in hot water, then vinegar, then baking soda

So, you've decided to tackle the messiest job in the kitchen: cleaning the pans. Don't worry, it's not as hard as it seems, and you can do it with a few household items. Here's a detailed guide on how to clean your pans on the stove using hot water, vinegar, and baking soda.

First, fill your sink with very hot water and place your dirty pans inside. Let them soak for about 10 minutes. This will help loosen any food residue and make it easier to clean. After 10 minutes, drain the sink and pour in enough distilled white vinegar to cover the bottom of the pans. Let the pans soak in the vinegar for about 30 minutes.

Now, here comes the magic: sprinkle baking soda on top of the vinegar. Use your fingers to rub the baking soda into the pans, focusing on any burnt-on or stubborn stains. The chemical reaction between the vinegar and baking soda will create a fizzing action that helps lift the gunk off your pans. Let this mixture work its magic for at least 15 minutes. You'll be amazed as you see the burnt residue start to flake away.

After 15 minutes, rinse the pans with hot water and apply more baking soda. Really work the baking soda into any remaining stains with a sponge or scrubber. If necessary, you can add a little water to the baking soda to create a paste for extra scrubbing power. Then, rinse the pans again and towel-dry them.

Your pans should now be sparkling clean and ready to use! If there are still some stubborn stains, you can repeat the process or try using a non-stick-safe nylon scrubbing brush. Remember to always exercise caution when handling hot water and vinegar, and wear protective gloves if needed. Happy cleaning!

Use acetone

Using acetone to clean stove pans is a method suggested in Yankee Home Hints. It is important to note that full-strength acetone is recommended.

If you don't have pure acetone, you can try using acetone-based nail polish remover, but this may not be as effective. To use this method, splash the acetone around the pan and scrub with a tool of your choice.

Tara Bellucci of Apartment Therapy tried this method and found that it did not work very well. She suggests that it may be better to save this method for self-care rather than serious cleaning.

Clean with dishwashing liquid

Cleaning your stove's drip pans with dishwashing liquid is a straightforward process. First, make sure the stove is turned off and allow the drip pans to cool down to room temperature. Next, remove the coils, grates, or burners sitting on top of the drip pans. For electric stoves, gently lift the burner coil to remove it from its socket, being careful not to touch the hot surface. For gas stoves, simply lift off the metal grates.

Once the drip pans are accessible, shake off any loose crumbs and rinse them thoroughly in the sink with hot water. If there is caked-on food or grease, you can use a scrubber or sponge to loosen it. Create a cleaning solution by filling your sink with hot water and adding a few drops of dishwashing liquid with a grease-cutting ingredient. You can also add a degreaser to the solution if needed.

Place the drip pans in the soapy water and let them soak for at least 10 minutes, or longer if the grime is severe. After soaking, use a sponge or dishcloth to wipe down the pans. For stubborn spots, use a melamine sponge or a plastic scouring pad to lightly scrub away the food residue. Rinse the drip pans with hot water and dry them thoroughly with a microfiber or lint-free cloth.

Finally, reinstall the drip pans under the burners, ensuring they are fitted smoothly in place. Regular maintenance of your stove drip pans will make the cleaning process more manageable. It is recommended to clean your drip pans each time you use your stovetop or, at a minimum, perform a thorough cleaning once a week.

Soak in ammonia overnight

Cleaning stove drip pans can be a challenge, especially when it comes to removing burnt-on food. However, there is a simple solution that works wonders. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to soak your stove drip pans in ammonia overnight for a hassle-free cleaning experience:

Step 1: Allow the drip pans to cool down completely. It is important to ensure that the drip pans are not hot before proceeding with the cleaning process.

Step 2: Prepare a well-ventilated workspace. Ammonia is a strong-smelling chemical, so it is recommended to work in a space with adequate ventilation to avoid any discomfort. Open windows or set up a fan to promote air circulation.

Step 3: Gather the necessary materials. You will need household ammonia, rubber gloves for protection, and one-gallon resealable plastic bags. It is advisable to wear rubber gloves when handling ammonia to protect your skin.

Step 4: Place each drip pan in a separate plastic bag. The bags should be large enough to accommodate the drip pans comfortably. If your drip pans are too large for the bags, you can use a trash bag or a plastic storage container as an alternative.

Step 5: Pour ammonia into each bag. For effective cleaning, use approximately 1/4 cup of ammonia for each drip pan. You don't need to completely cover the drip pans with ammonia, as it is the fumes that will do the cleaning.

Step 6: Seal the bags tightly and let them sit overnight. The ammonia fumes will cut through the grease and grime, making it easier to remove burnt-on food and stains. Leave the bags undisturbed for at least 12 hours to allow the ammonia sufficient time to work.

Step 7: Open the bags with caution. When you are ready to remove the drip pans from the bags, make sure to open the bags away from your face due to the strong ammonia fumes. Dispose of the ammonia safely by pouring it down the drain with cold running water to dilute it. Do not dispose of the plastic bags with ammonia in the trash, as the fumes can create a dangerous reaction.

Step 8: Wash the drip pans with hot soapy water. Fill your sink with hot water and add a few drops of dishwashing liquid. Use a sponge to wash the drip pans, scrubbing away any remaining residue. You can use a plastic scrubber or a melamine sponge for stubborn spots.

Step 9: Rinse, dry, and replace the drip pans. Once the drip pans are thoroughly cleaned, rinse them with hot water to remove any soap residue. Dry each drip pan with a microfiber towel and return them to your stovetop, ensuring they are fitted smoothly in place.

Soaking your stove drip pans in ammonia overnight is an effective way to loosen burnt-on food and grease without the need for vigorous scrubbing. Remember to always use ammonia in a well-ventilated area and handle it with care. With this method, you can easily transform your stove drip pans from grimy to gleaming!

Use hydrogen peroxide and baking soda

To clean pans on a stove using hydrogen peroxide and baking soda, start by sprinkling a generous amount of baking soda over the pan. Then, cover the baking soda with hydrogen peroxide. You can either let the mixture sit for up to two hours, or for more baked-on residue, sprinkle another layer of baking soda on top and let the pan sit for up to overnight. Finally, put on dishwashing gloves and wipe the pan off with a sponge, paper towel, or rag. If there are still some stains, repeat the process.

This method can also be used to clean other kitchen tools, such as spatulas, as well as faucets and doorknobs.

You can also make a paste out of the two ingredients and spread it over the stained areas of the pan. The baking soda will help hold the hydrogen peroxide in place over the stains. Let the paste sit for about 20-30 minutes, and then scrub with a sponge, rag, or paper towel. For more stubborn stains, use a copper or metal scrubber. If there are still areas of staining, reapply the paste and let it sit again before scrubbing.

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