Cleaning Rusty Stove Drip Pans: Easy And Effective Methods

Cleaning stove drip pans can be a tedious task, but it's important to do so regularly to prevent fire hazards and maintain a clean kitchen. The best way to clean stove drip pans depends on the type of material they are made of and how dirty they are. Here are some common methods to clean stove drip pans:

- Vinegar and Baking Soda: Soak the pans in hot soapy water for 15 minutes, cover them with vinegar and let them soak for 30 minutes, then sprinkle baking soda and scrub the pans.

- Hydrogen Peroxide and Baking Soda: Soak the pans in a mixture of hydrogen peroxide, baking soda and water, then scrub with a toothbrush and rinse.

- Ammonia: Place the drip pans in plastic bags, pour ammonia into each bag, seal the bags and let them sit for at least 12 hours, then remove the pans, soak in hot soapy water and scrub with a sponge.

- Dishwasher Detergent: Place the pans in a large pot with water and dishwasher detergent, bring to a boil and let them simmer for 30 minutes, then scrub with dish soap and a brush.

- Oven Cleaner: Soak the pans in hot soapy water for an hour, spray with oven cleaner, let them soak for another hour, then scrub and rinse.

- Bleach: Soak the pans in a mixture of water and bleach, then scrub with a scouring pad or brush.

- WD-40: Spray the pans with WD-40, let it sit for a few minutes, then scrub with a sponge or brush and rinse.

Soak in vinegar and baking soda

To clean rusty stove drip pans with vinegar and baking soda, follow these steps:

Step 1: Soak the Pans in Hot Soapy Water

Firstly, fill your sink with hot water and add a few drops of dish soap. Place the drip pans in the sink and let them soak for about 15 minutes. This will help to loosen any caked-on food or grease.

Step 2: Soak the Pans in Vinegar

After 15 minutes, drain the sink and cover the drip pans with vinegar. Let them soak for another 30 minutes. The vinegar will help to break down any remaining grease and grime.

Step 3: Apply Baking Soda

Once the 30 minutes are up, do not drain or rinse the drip pans. Instead, sprinkle baking soda over the pans and the vinegar. The baking soda will react with the vinegar, creating a fizzing action that helps to lift the gunk off the pans. Use a brush to scrub the pans with baking soda, paying extra attention to any tough areas.

Step 4: Let the Mixture Sit

Let the mixture of vinegar and baking soda sit for an additional 15 minutes. This will give the cleaning agents time to work and loosen any remaining burnt-on food or stains. You may notice the burnt residue starting to flake away.

Step 5: Rinse and Dry

After the 15 minutes are up, rinse the drip pans with hot water and dry them with a microfiber cloth. Your drip pans should now be clean and free of rust! If there are still areas that didn't come clean, you may need to repeat the process or consider purchasing new drip pans.

Use ammonia

To clean rusty stove drip pans using ammonia, you will need:

• Ammonia
• Gloves
• Cups
• Sponges
• Zipper plastic bags

Step 1: Prepare the Area

Ensure there are no children nearby, as you will be handling chemicals. If you are a minor, make sure you understand the instructions or seek help from an adult. If you have an electric stove, unplug it before removing the drip pans to avoid electric shock.

Step 2: Pour Ammonia into Cups

Put on gloves and pour a quarter cup of ammonia into each cup. Be cautious, as ammonia can cause poisoning. Do not use cups that are usually used for food or beverages.

Step 3: Seal the Drip Pans in Plastic Bags with Ammonia

Place the drip pans inside the zipper-lock plastic bags. Pour the ammonia into the bags, ensuring that the drip pans are completely covered. Remove excess air from the bags before sealing them. Leave the bags in a well-ventilated area for a few hours. Ammonia fumes are powerful and will help loosen burnt-on food splatter.

Step 4: Remove the Drip Pans from the Bags

After a few hours, open the plastic bags in a well-ventilated area, away from your face. Remove the drip pans and dispose of the gloves, cups, sponges, cloths, and plastic bags used in this process. Do not recycle these items.

Step 5: Wipe Off Remaining Dirt

Use sponges or old clothes to wipe off any remaining dirt from the drip pans.

Step 6: Rinse and Reinstall the Drip Pans

Rinse the drip pans with hot water and reinstall them on your stove.

Hydrogen peroxide and baking soda

Cleaning stove drip pans with hydrogen peroxide and baking soda is an effective method that can pack a punch and get your stove plates clean. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to do it:

Step 1: Prepare the Stove Drip Pans

Remove the stove drip pans from the stove. If you have an electric stove, remove the burner coil by lifting one side and gently tugging it out of the socket. For a gas stove, simply lift off the metal grates. Place the drip pans in the sink.

Step 2: Apply Baking Soda

Liberally coat the drip pans with baking soda. Make sure to cover all the surfaces, especially the worst areas that are stained or have burnt-on food.

Step 3: Pour Hydrogen Peroxide

Drizzle or pour hydrogen peroxide carefully over the drip pans. Cover them thoroughly with the hydrogen peroxide solution. You will notice a fizzing action as the baking soda and hydrogen peroxide react, lifting the gunk off the pans.

Step 4: Soak the Drip Pans

Let the drip pans soak in the solution for about 30 minutes. The longer they soak, the easier it will be to remove the burnt-on food and stains.

Step 5: Rinse and Scrub

After soaking, rinse the drip pans under cool or warm water. Use a sponge or scrubber to scrub away any remaining residue. For stubborn stains, you may need to repeat the process or do some extra scrubbing.

Step 6: Dry and Reinstall

Once the drip pans are clean, dry them with a microfiber cloth or towel. Finally, reinstall the drip pans under the burners, making sure they fit smoothly in place.

By following these steps, you can effectively clean your stove drip pans using hydrogen peroxide and baking soda. This method is not only powerful but also safe, as it does not involve harsh chemicals.

Dishwasher detergent

To clean rusty stove drip pans with dishwasher detergent, you will need a large pot, water, and dishwasher detergent. Here is a step-by-step guide:

• Place the drip pans in a large pot and cover them with water.
• Add 1/2 cup of dishwasher detergent to the pot.
• Bring the water to a boil, then reduce the temperature to low and let the pans simmer for 30 minutes.
• Allow the pans to cool before scrubbing them with dish soap and a brush.
• Rinse the pans and dry them with a clean cloth.
• Once the drip pans are completely dry, you can return them to the stove.

This method is an effective way to remove grease, food drippings, and batter from your stove drip pans, helping to prevent kitchen fires. Remember to always exercise caution when handling stove drip pans, as they can become very hot.

Oven cleaner

To clean stove drip pans with oven cleaner, first, soak the pans in a sink full of hot soapy water for at least an hour. Then, drain the water and rinse the pans. Leave the pans in the sink and spray a good coat of oven cleaner over them. Allow the oven cleaner to work for about 30 minutes. After that, scrub the pans with a sponge or scouring pad. If necessary, repeat the process. Finally, rinse and dry the pans before returning them to the stove.

Although oven cleaner is a powerful cleaning agent, it is important to note that it is a harsh chemical. Therefore, it is recommended to exercise caution and follow the instructions on the product carefully. Additionally, always make sure to rinse the pans thoroughly after cleaning with oven cleaner.

Frequently asked questions