Cleaning Porcelain Burner Drip Pans: Easy And Effective Methods

Drip pans are the small metal bowls that sit underneath your stove's burners to catch drips and liquids. They can be cleaned in a few different ways, depending on the level of grime and the type of drip pan. Here are some methods to clean porcelain burner drip pans and restore them to their original state.

Soak in a mixture of water, vinegar, and baking soda

To clean porcelain burner drip pans, you can soak them in a mixture of water, vinegar, and baking soda. Here is a step-by-step guide:

• Start by turning off the range or cooktop and removing the drip pans. Allow the stovetop components to cool completely before removing the pans.
• Remove any components situated above the drip pans, such as electric coils, burners, or grates. For electric coils, gently lift and remove the coil element from the socket. For burners, simply remove the grates and lift off the caps.
• Once the drip pans are removed, shake them over a trash can to remove any loose or burned food particles. You can also scrape them with a dry paper towel.
• Fill a sink or bucket with hot water and add a few drops of dishwashing liquid. Completely submerge the drip pans in the water and let them soak for about 15 minutes.
• Drain the hot soapy water and replace it with distilled white vinegar. Ensure the vinegar completely covers the drip pans. Allow them to soak for 30 minutes.
• Sprinkle a generous amount of baking soda into the vinegar solution. Let the mixture sit for at least 15 minutes. If necessary, use a plastic scrubber to scour the pans, adding more baking soda to areas with stubborn stains.
• 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 fit smoothly in place.

This method combines the cleaning power of vinegar and baking soda to effectively remove burnt-on food and tough stains from the drip pans. The vinegar helps to loosen and dissolve the grime, while the baking soda acts as a mild abrasive to scrub away the remaining residue.

Use a paste of dish soap and baking soda

To clean porcelain burner drip pans, a paste made of dish soap and baking soda can be used. Here is a step-by-step guide:

Step 1: Remove the drip pans from the stovetop

Ensure the drip pans are completely cooled before removing them from the stovetop. Shake off loose crumbs into a garbage can and rinse the pans thoroughly in the sink with the hottest water possible.

Step 2: Prepare and mix the cleaning solution

In a small bowl, mix equal parts liquid dish soap and baking soda. A half-cup of each is a good starting point, but you can adjust the amount based on the size of your drip pans and the severity of the grime. The goal is to create a paste with a spreadable consistency.

Step 3: Apply the mixture to the stove drip pans

Use your fingers or a pastry brush to liberally coat each drip pan with the soap and baking soda mixture, scrubbing it into the pans. The stuck-on gunk should start to loosen. If it doesn't, don't worry and proceed to the next step.

Step 4: Let the soapy drip pans sit

Stack the soapy drip pans in your sink and let them sit for about an hour. This allows the cleaning mixture to work on breaking down the built-up grease and grime.

Step 5: Rinse and scrub the drip pans

After soaking, rinse the drip pans thoroughly with hot water to remove the soap mixture. For any remaining stubborn spots, use a scrub brush or a sponge dipped in baking soda to scrub them away.

Step 6: Dry and replace the drip pans

Use a dish towel to dry the drip pans thoroughly. Once they are completely dry, return them to your stovetop and replace the burners.

This method is super-speedy and effective, especially for fresh spills and splatters. It is also gentle on porcelain drip pans. For heavily soiled or burnt-on food, you may need to repeat the process or try a stronger cleaning agent like ammonia.

Soak in ammonia

To clean porcelain burner drip pans with ammonia, you will need the following:

• 1-gallon ziplock bags
• Household ammonia
• Liquid dish soap
• Rubber gloves
• A Scotch-Brite sponge with a non-stick pad on the back (optional)

First, wait for your drip pans to cool down to room temperature. Then, remove them from the stove and rinse them in hot water. Place each drip pan inside its own 1-gallon ziplock bag. Add 1/4 cup of ammonia to each bag—the fumes will loosen the burnt-on food splatter. Seal the bags and let them sit for at least 12 hours or overnight.

When you open the bags, do so in a well-ventilated area as the fumes will be strong. Remove the drip pans from the bags and dispose of the bags responsibly. Dilute the ammonia with cold water and pour it down the sink drain. Do not dispose of the plastic bags in the trash as the fumes could create a dangerous reaction.

If there are any remaining dirty spots on the drip pans, use a sponge and dish soap to wipe them away. Rinse the drip pans thoroughly with hot water. Finally, dry the drip pans with a towel before returning them to your stovetop.

Soak in hydrogen peroxide and baking soda

To clean porcelain burner drip pans with hydrogen peroxide and baking soda, follow these steps:

Sprinkle Baking Soda

Liberally coat your drip pans with baking soda. Place them in a sink to avoid any spills or messes.

Pour Hydrogen Peroxide

Add undiluted hydrogen peroxide over the baking soda-covered drip pans. The combination of these two household products will cause a fizzing reaction, similar to that of vinegar and baking soda. This fizzing action will help to lift and remove the gunk and burnt-on mess from the drip pans.

Soak the Drip Pans

Let the drip pans soak in the baking soda and hydrogen peroxide solution for about 30 minutes. During this time, the fizzing action will continue to work on breaking down and loosening the stuck-on food and grime.

Rinse and Scrub the Drip Pans

After soaking, rinse the drip pans under cool water. Use a sponge or scrubber to remove any remaining baking soda residue. If necessary, repeat the process for any stubborn stains or heavily soiled areas.

Dry and Replace the Drip Pans

Once the drip pans are thoroughly rinsed and cleaned, dry them with a dish towel or microfiber cloth. Ensure that they are completely dry before placing them back on your stovetop. Return the burners or coils above the drip pans, and your stovetop will be good as new!

Remember, always exercise caution when handling cleaning products, and be sure to read the instructions on the labels.

Put them in the dishwasher

If your porcelain burner drip pans are in need of a good clean, one option is to put them in the dishwasher. This method is best for lightly soiled pans.

First, make sure your stove is turned off and allow the drip pans to cool completely. Then, remove any components above the drip pans, such as electric coils, burners, or grates. If you have an electric stove, you can remove the burner coil by gently tugging it straight out of the socket. For gas stoves, simply lift off the metal grates.

Once you have access to the drip pans, remove them from the stove. Give them a quick shake over a trash can to get rid of any loose crumbs or food particles.

Now, your drip pans are ready for the dishwasher. Place them on the top rack of your dishwasher, which is further away from the heating element and provides a more gentle wash. Run your dishwasher as usual, using your preferred detergent and settings.

After the cycle is complete, take the drip pans out and dry them thoroughly with a soft, lint-free cloth. Once they are completely dry, you can put them back in place under your stove burners.

And that's it! Your drip pans should now be clean and ready for your next cooking adventure.

Frequently asked questions