Effective Sheet Pan Soaking And Cleaning Techniques

Sheet pans are one of the most frequently used items in a kitchen, and they almost always have the patina to prove it. You can bake cookies, roast vegetables, or make one-pan meals with them. But how do you clean them? A simple soap and hot water wash will often do the trick for less serious messes, like residual oil. For more stubborn residue, let the pan soak in hot water for up to 30 minutes and then scrub with a scouring pad. For burnt-on food and sticky residue, you can use natural cleaning agents like baking soda and vinegar. Plug your sink, set the sheet pan inside, then mix ½ cup each of baking soda and vinegar on the pan’s surface. Add enough water to fully submerge the pan, then let it soak for 30 minutes to an hour. Once it’s fully soaked, drain the sink and use soap and a scrubbing sponge or brush to finish cleaning the pan. Rinse well and dry before storing.

How to Clean Sheet Pan Soak Characteristics and Values Table

Baking soda and vinegar

To clean your sheet pan with baking soda and vinegar, start by filling your sink with hot water. Add equal parts of baking soda and white vinegar (about half a cup of each). Submerge your pan in this mixture and let it soak for 30 to 60 minutes.

After soaking, use the coarse side of a sponge to scrub the pan vigorously. Scrub in a circular motion to avoid noticeable scratching, although some scratching may still occur. Once you're satisfied, wash the pan with soap and water to remove the vinegar smell, and dry it immediately to prevent rust.

This method works because baking soda is a great lifter, and vinegar is a natural acid. The chemical reaction between them will help to loosen the residue and keep your pans clean.

Hydrogen peroxide and baking soda

Cleaning a sheet pan with hydrogen peroxide and baking soda is an effective way to remove grime and stains. Here is a detailed guide:

Step 1: Prepare the Sheet Pan

Start by sprinkling a liberal amount of baking soda over the entire surface of the sheet pan. Make sure the baking soda covers all the stained and grimy areas.

Step 2: Apply Hydrogen Peroxide

The next step is to spray or pour hydrogen peroxide over the baking soda. Ensure all the baking soda is wet and covered with hydrogen peroxide. The combination of these two ingredients creates a powerful grime-fighting formula.

Step 3: Let it Sit

Now, let the mixture sit for at least 2 hours. For tougher messes and deeper stains, it is recommended to let it sit for up to 8 hours or even overnight. During this time, the paste will loosen the gunk and stains, making them easier to remove.

Step 4: Scrape and Wipe

After the solution has had time to work, use a plastic scraper to remove the dried paste. Scrape it into a pile and then discard it into the trash. Next, use a sponge or paper towel to wipe away any remaining paste. There should be no need for harsh scrubbing at this point.

Step 5: Wash the Pan

Finally, wash the sheet pan with warm, soapy water using a scrubby sponge. This will remove any remaining residue and leave your pan looking brand new.

Tips:

• This method is ideal for removing set-in stains and requires minimal scrubbing effort.
• For lighter stains or non-stick pans, a shorter soaking time may be sufficient.
• Always test a small, inconspicuous area of your sheet pan first to ensure it does not damage the surface.
• Remember to wear rubber gloves when handling hydrogen peroxide and avoid using this method on non-stick pans.

Ammonia

• Place your cookie sheets inside a durable plastic bag, such as a garbage bag.
• Add 1/2 cup of ammonia to the bag.
• Seal the bag shut and let it sit out in the sun for a day. This allows enough time for the ammonia to soften and react with the grease and food particles.
• Open the bag without breathing in the ammonia. (Do this step outside as the fumes are powerful!)
• Take out the pan.
• Scrub the pan with steel wool or a non-scratch scouring pad.
• Wash the sheets thoroughly with soap and water to remove any ammonia residue.

Aluminium foil

To clean a baking sheet with aluminium foil, start by sprinkling the sheet pan with baking soda and adding enough water to form a paste. Wad up a sheet of aluminium foil and use it like a scrubber sponge, working in circles all around the surface of the pan. Occasionally reposition the foil in your hand if it becomes too flat, and continue rubbing it all over the pan until it comes clean. Finally, rinse and wash the pan with warm soapy water.

This method requires time and elbow grease, but it can be a good way to remove large pieces of stuck-on food from a baking sheet.

Washing soda and cream of tartar

To clean a baking sheet with washing soda and cream of tartar, start by sprinkling washing soda and cream of tartar onto the cookie sheet. Be sure to wear gloves when handling washing soda as it can cause skin irritation. Next, pour a small amount of hot water on top of the sheet. Mix the ingredients into a paste and spread the paste evenly across the pan. Let the paste sit for 15 minutes. After, scrub the stains with a non-abrasive scrubbing pad and wash the paste and dirt off the pan with water and soap.

Cream of tartar is an acidic byproduct of the wine-making process. Its chemical properties can help in cleaning. For example, cream of tartar can be used to clean stainless steel surfaces, copper pots, brass candlesticks, plates, stained kitchen linens, and rusty kitchen tools.

Frequently asked questions