Stove Eye Pans: Cleaning And Maintenance Tips

Stove-top drip pans can be a pain to clean, with grease and grime building up over time. The good news is that there are several effective methods to get your stove-top burner pans looking as good as new. From natural methods using baking soda and vinegar to more heavy-duty approaches with ammonia or oven cleaner, you can decide which approach suits you best. The key is to be generous with your chosen cleaning agent, let it soak, and then scrub away the residue. With a bit of elbow grease, you'll have clean stove-eye pans in no time!

How to Clean Stove Eye Pans

Using baking soda and vinegar

Cleaning stove eye pans with baking soda and vinegar is an effective way to remove burnt-on food and tough stains. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to do it:

Step 1: Remove Burnt-on Food

Start by scraping off as much burnt-on food and debris from the stove eye pans as possible. This will make the cleaning process easier and more effective.

Step 2: Boil Vinegar and Water

In the stove eye pan, combine a 50/50 solution of vinegar and water. The amount needed depends on the size of the pan; start with half a cup of each. Place the pan on the stove and heat the solution until it boils. Continue boiling for about 60 seconds.

Step 3: Apply Baking Soda

After boiling, turn off the stove and remove the pan from the heat. Pour out the vinegar and water solution and sprinkle a thin layer of baking soda on the bottom of the pan. Use one to two tablespoons, depending on the size of the pan. The baking soda will react with the residual vinegar, creating a fizzing reaction that helps loosen burnt-on food.

Step 4: Scrub and Rinse

Use a scouring pad or a nylon scrubbing brush to scrub away the scorch marks and burnt-on residue. Scrub in circular motions to effectively remove the stains. Once the pan is free of stains, rinse it thoroughly with warm water. Ensure that all the baking soda residue is removed.

Step 5: Dry the Pan

After rinsing, dry the pan with a clean towel or cloth. Ensure that the pan is completely dry before putting it away or using it again.

Additional Tips:

• For more stubborn stains, create a baking soda paste by mixing baking soda with a small amount of water. Apply this paste to the stained areas and let it sit for a few hours or overnight. Then, scrub the paste with a wet scouring pad or brush and rinse the pan.
• Always use non-stick-safe nylon scrubbing brushes or sponges to avoid damaging the coating of the stove eye pans.
• If there are any copper bottoms on the pans, turn the pan upside down and sprinkle baking soda over the copper bottom. Pour vinegar over it and use a lemon to scrub the bottom for a shiny finish.

Ammonia and a Ziploc bag

Step 1: Prepare the Stove Burners and Grates

Before you begin, ensure the stove is unplugged if it's electric. Then, let the stove burners and grates cool down. Place each burner and grate inside its own separate 1-gallon Ziploc bag.

Step 2: Add Ammonia

Pour 1/4 cup of household ammonia into each bag. You don't need to worry about coating the stove burners and grates completely with ammonia; the fumes will loosen the burnt-on food and grease.

Step 3: Soak the Stove Burners and Grates

Seal the Ziploc bags and leave them in a well-ventilated area for at least 12 hours or overnight. The fumes from the ammonia will cut through the grease and grime.

Step 4: Remove the Stove Burners and Grates from the Ammonia Solution

Open the bags in a well-ventilated area, as the ammonia fumes will be strong. Remove the stove burners and grates from the bags, then seal and dispose of the used bags. Dilute the remaining ammonia with cold water and pour it down the sink drain.

Step 5: Rinse and Scrub the Stove Burners and Grates

If any dirty spots remain, wipe them away with a sponge and liquid dish soap. It shouldn't take much effort. Finally, rinse the stove burners and grates thoroughly with hot water and dry them with a towel before returning them to the stovetop.

Bar Keepers Friend

To use Bar Keepers Friend on stove eye pans, follow these steps:

• Wet the surface of the pan with water.
• Sprinkle Bar Keepers Friend powder onto the wet surface.
• Use a soft, wet cloth to rub the powder into the surface in a circular motion. For tougher stains, make a paste by adding a small amount of water to the powder first.
• Rinse the pan with clean water.
• For copper bottom and steel top pans, Bar Keepers Friend can be used on both surfaces.

It is important to note that Bar Keepers Friend is a powerful cleanser, so it should not be left on the surface for longer than one minute to avoid discolouration and scratches. Always wear gloves when using this product, and avoid mixing it with other cleaning products, especially bleach or ammonia, as it can create toxic fumes. Bar Keepers Friend should not be used on non-stick surfaces, cast iron, granite, marble, wood, fabric, leather, or painted surfaces.

WD-40

Step 1: Remove the stove eye pans

First, turn off the stove and let it cool down. Then, remove the stove eye pans by lifting the coil of the electric burner and gently pulling it away from the socket. Place the burner rings down and remove the pan by gripping its edge and lifting it.

Step 2: Prepare the stove eye pans

Before applying WD-40, remove any loose dirt and debris from the stove eye pans. Hold them over a trash can and shake out any loose crumbs. You can also use a dry cloth or paper towel to wipe away any remaining crumbs and prevent scratches when applying the WD-40.

Step 3: Apply WD-40

Spray a generous amount of WD-40 onto the stove eye pans, making sure that the entire affected area is covered. Be conservative with the application to avoid excessive residue.

Step 4: Let it sit

Allow the WD-40 to sit on the stove eye pans for a few minutes. This will give the product time to penetrate and loosen the baked-on residues, making them easier to remove.

Step 5: Scrub the pans

Using a scouring pad, scrub the stove eye pans to remove the loosened dirt and grime. You will be surprised at how easily the grime comes off, leaving a clean surface behind. Make sure to scrub the entire affected area until it is completely clean.

Step 6: Rinse and dry

Once you have finished scrubbing, rinse the stove eye pans with hot water to remove any remaining WD-40 residue. Then, dry the pans with a clean cloth or let them air dry before placing them back on your stove.

Important things to keep in mind:

• Always make sure the stove is turned off and cooled down before applying WD-40 to prevent burns.
• WD-40 is extremely flammable, so avoid any open flames or sparks during its application and for at least 30 minutes after.
• Do not use WD-40 on surfaces that come into direct contact with food, as it is not food-grade and may pose a toxicity risk.
• Use WD-40 sparingly and avoid harsh or abrasive scrubbers to prevent stripping away the seasoning layer of the pan.

Soapy water and oven cleaner

Cleaning stove eye pans with soapy water and oven cleaner is a straightforward process. Here's a detailed guide to help you get started:

Step 1: Remove the Stove Eye Pans

First, ensure that your stove is turned off and cooled down. Then, carefully remove the stove eye pans from your stovetop. If your stove has coils, you can unplug and lift them out. Shake any loose debris or crumbs into the trash before setting the pans aside.

Step 2: Prepare the Soapy Water

Fill your sink or a large bucket with hot water. Add a few drops of dishwashing liquid or liquid dish soap that includes a grease-cutting ingredient. You can also add a degreaser to help break down stubborn grease and grime. Stir the water gently to create a soapy solution.

Step 3: Soak the Pans

Place the stove eye pans in the soapy water and let them soak. The soaking time will depend on how dirty the pans are. For light to moderate soil, 10 to 15 minutes of soaking should be sufficient. For heavily soiled pans, you may need to soak them for 20 minutes or longer.

Step 4: Scrub and Rinse the Pans

After soaking, use a sponge, scrub brush, or a scrubby sponge to scrub away any remaining grease or burnt-on food. For tough, burnt-on stains, you can use a plastic scrubber or even a toothbrush. Rinse the pans thoroughly with hot water to remove all the soap.

Step 5: Dry and Reinstall the Pans

Once the pans are clean and rinsed, use a microfiber cloth or a soft dish towel to dry them thoroughly. Ensure that there is no water left on the pans before reinstalling them on your stovetop.

Additional Tips:

• If your stove eye pans are extremely greasy or burnt-on food is difficult to remove, you can use oven cleaner to help break down the grease. Spray the oven cleaner directly onto the pans and let them soak in the sink for about 30 minutes. Then, scrub them with an abrasive sponge and rinse thoroughly before drying.
• For a more intensive cleaning, you can also use a combination of baking soda and dish soap. Mix equal parts of baking soda and liquid dish soap to form a paste. Apply this paste generously to the stove eye pans and let it sit for about 30 minutes. Then, scrub and rinse the pans before drying.
• Always exercise caution when using oven cleaners or other chemicals, and ensure proper ventilation during the cleaning process.

Frequently asked questions