Cleaning Extremely Dirty Drip Pans: A Step-By-Step Guide

Drip pans are a pain to clean, but it's got to be done. Whether you're dealing with a stove or fridge, drip pans are there to catch drips and spills, but they can quickly become caked with food and grease. Luckily, there are plenty of household products that can help you tackle the job. From dish soap and baking soda to vinegar and ammonia, there are plenty of ways to cut through the grease and grime. So, if you're ready to roll up your sleeves and get stuck in, read on for some top tips on how to clean even the dirtiest of drip pans.

Using baking soda and dish soap

To clean stove drip pans using baking soda and dish soap, start by removing the pans from the stovetop. Shake off loose crumbs into a garbage can and rinse the pans thoroughly in the sink with the hottest water possible.

Next, prepare the cleaning solution by mixing liquid dish soap and baking soda in a 1:1 ratio in a small bowl. A half-cup of each is a good starting point, but you can add more if needed.

Use your fingers or a pastry brush to liberally coat each drip pan with the soap/baking soda mixture, scrubbing it into the pans. Let the pans sit for about an hour.

Afterward, rinse the pans thoroughly with hot water to remove the soap mixture. For any remaining dirty spots, use a scrub brush or a sponge freshly dipped in baking soda.

Finally, dry the drip pans with a dish towel and return them to your stovetop.

This method is super-speedy and ideal for when you're in a hurry to clean your stove drip pans. Most of the time involved is for soaking rather than scrubbing.

Cleaning with vinegar and baking soda

Cleaning stove drip pans with vinegar and baking soda is an effective way to remove burnt-on food and grease. This method uses common household items and requires minimal scrubbing.

First, remove the drip pans from the stovetop and allow them to cool down to room temperature. Shake off any loose crumbs and food particles into a garbage can. Then, fill your sink with very hot water and place the drip pans in the water to soak for about 10 minutes.

After soaking, drain the water and pour in enough distilled white vinegar to cover the burnt-on food and grease. Let the vinegar sit for 30 minutes. Without draining the vinegar, sprinkle a generous amount of baking soda on top and use your fingers to rub it into the burnt crust. The vinegar and baking soda will react and start to lift the gunk off the pans.

Let the mixture sit for at least 15 minutes. You will notice the burnt residue starting to flake away. If necessary, use a plastic scrubber to scour the pans, sprinkling additional baking soda onto stubborn stains.

Finally, rinse the drip pans with hot water and dry them with a microfiber or dish cloth. Your drip pans should now be clean and ready to be replaced on the stovetop.

This cleaning method can also be done by first soaking the drip pans in hot, soapy water for 15 minutes, followed by a 30-minute soak in vinegar, and then sprinkling with baking soda. However, this method may require more scrubbing and involves additional steps.

Soaking in ammonia

So, you want to know how to clean your stove's drip pans, huh? Well, you've come to the right place. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to do it using ammonia:

Step 1: Prepare the drip pans for cleaning

Remove the drip pans from the stove and wait for them to cool down. Once they're cool, rinse them in hot water to remove any loose crumbs or burnt-on food particles. Place each drip pan inside its own one-gallon ziplock plastic bag.

Step 2: Add the ammonia

Add 1/4 cup of household ammonia to each bag. Don't worry about coating the drip pans completely—the strong ammonia fumes will do the hard work of loosening that burnt-on gunk.

Step 3: Seal and soak

Seal the tops of the plastic bags and leave them stacked in your kitchen sink overnight, or for at least 12 hours. The longer you leave them, the more time the fumes have to work their magic.

Step 4: Remove the drip pans from the ammonia

After the drip pans have had their ammonia bath, open the bags in a well-ventilated area, as the fumes will be strong. Remove the drip pans from the bags, then seal and dispose of the bags. Remember to dilute the ammonia with cold water before pouring it down the sink drain.

Step 5: Rinse and scrub

If there are any remaining dirty spots on the drip pans, wipe them away with a sponge and some liquid dish soap. It shouldn't take much effort at all! Rinse the drip pans thoroughly with hot water to remove any remaining soap.

Step 6: Dry and replace

Dry those squeaky-clean drip pans with a towel and return them to your stovetop. Ta-da! Your stove is now sparkling like new, and ready for your next culinary adventure.

Tips for the future

To save yourself some time and effort in the future, try to wipe down the stovetop and drip pans after each use. This will prevent spills and splatters from hardening into a concrete-like coating. Aim for a more thorough cleaning at least once a month, or more often if you're a frequent cook.

Using hydrogen peroxide and baking soda

To clean your drip pans with hydrogen peroxide and baking soda, start by rinsing your cooktop drip pans to get rid of any loose gunk or debris. Next, sprinkle baking soda liberally over the drip pans, making sure to coat the worst areas thoroughly. Then, carefully drizzle hydrogen peroxide over the baking soda. You will be able to see the baking soda fizz and work away at the gunk on your drip pans. Leave them like this for about 30 minutes, then rinse everything away with cool water. If this process does not remove anything, extra scrubbing or repeats may be necessary.

Alternatively, you can make a paste out of the two ingredients and spread it over the stained areas. The baking soda will help hold the hydrogen peroxide in place over the stains. Let the paste sit for about 20-30 minutes, then scrub with a sponge, rag, or paper towel to remove stains. A copper or metal scrubber can be used for more stubborn stains. If some areas of staining persist, reapply the paste and let it sit again before scrubbing it away.

Cleaning with acetone

Drip pans are small metal bowls that sit under your stove's burners to catch spills and splatters. They can get covered in all kinds of gunk, from spaghetti sauce to cooking oil and scrambled eggs.

Acetone is a powerful chemical solvent that can be used to clean and degrease a variety of surfaces. It is often used to remove grease from mechanical equipment and to clean tools in laboratories. It is also a common ingredient in household products like nail polish remover, paint remover, and multi-surface cleaning goods.

• Prepare the drip pans: Allow the drip pans to cool down to room temperature before removing them from the stove. Shake off any loose crumbs into a garbage can and rinse the pans with hot water.
• Apply acetone: Put on gloves, a mask, and protective eyewear. Soak a cotton ball or a clean cloth in acetone, wring out the excess, and dab or rub it onto the stained areas of the drip pans. Acetone is strong-smelling and volatile, so ensure you have good ventilation in the area.
• Scrub and rinse: The acetone will start to break down the grease and grime. Continue applying acetone and use a scrub brush or sponge to tackle any remaining dirty spots. Rinse the drip pans thoroughly with hot water to remove the acetone and any loosened dirt.
• Dry and replace: Dry the drip pans with a microfiber cloth or a dish towel. Once they are completely dry, return the drip pans to your stovetop.

Note: Acetone is a strong chemical that can irritate the skin and lungs. Always test acetone on a small, inconspicuous area first to ensure it does not damage the surface. Do not use acetone on delicate fabrics or plastics that are similar in chemical makeup to acetone (e.g., acrylic, polycarbonate, PVC).

Frequently asked questions