Cleaning Stove Burner Pans: A Step-By-Step Guide To Sparkling Results

Stove burner pans can be a pain to clean, especially when food residue gets cooked onto the surface. While covering the pans with aluminium foil can help, spills can still get underneath. Here's how to clean even the nastiest stove burner pans.

Soak in hot water

Soaking stove burner pans in hot water is an effective way to remove burnt-on food and grease. Here is a step-by-step guide:

First, remove the stove burner pans from the stovetop. Allow them to cool down completely before handling. Once cooled, shake off any loose crumbs into a garbage can.

Next, fill your sink with very hot water. You can also add a few drops of dishwashing liquid with a grease-cutting ingredient to the water. Place the burner pans in the hot water and let them soak for at least 10 minutes. The duration of the soak will depend on the severity of the grime. For heavily soiled pans, you may need to soak them for longer.

After soaking, use a sponge or dishcloth to wipe down the burner pans. For stubborn spots, you can use a plastic scouring pad or a Mr. Clean Eraser to gently scrub away the food residue.

Rinse the burner pans with hot water to remove any remaining soap or residue. Finally, dry the pans with a microfiber cloth or a dish towel before placing them back on the stovetop.

This method is particularly effective for fresh spills and splatters that have not yet caked on or dried. For more stubborn grime, you may need to use additional cleaning agents such as vinegar, baking soda, or ammonia. However, for mild to moderate cases, soaking in hot water should be sufficient to restore your stove burner pans to their former glory!

Use vinegar and baking soda

To clean stove burner pans with vinegar and baking soda, you'll need to gather a few household items and follow a few simple steps. This method is ideal for removing burnt-on food and tough, caked-on grease.

First, ensure your stove is switched off and completely cool. Then, remove the burner pans and any separate components, such as grates or burner caps. Shake the pans over a trash can to remove any loose food particles, and then rinse them thoroughly in the sink with hot water.

Next, prepare a cleaning solution by filling your sink with hot water and adding a few cups of distilled white vinegar. Place the burner pans in the sink and let them soak for at least 15 minutes. The vinegar will help break down the grease and loosen burnt-on food.

After soaking, drain the vinegar and generously sprinkle baking soda over the burner pans. The baking soda will act as a mild scrubbing agent and help remove the remaining residue. Let the baking soda sit for at least 15 minutes. If necessary, use a plastic scrubber or sponge to scour the pans, sprinkling additional baking soda on stubborn stains.

Finally, rinse the burner pans with hot water and dry them thoroughly with a microfiber cloth or towel before placing them back on your stovetop.

This method can also be used to clean the grates, burner caps, and other components of your stove. Simply follow the same steps, adjusting the amounts of vinegar and baking soda as needed. For smaller components, such as burner caps, you can also try the ammonia method described by Jill Nystul of the blog One Good Thing. Place each part in a separate ziplock bag, add a splash of ammonia, and leave the bags overnight. In the morning, remove the parts from the bags and wipe away the grease and grime with a soapy sponge. Remember to work in a well-ventilated area when using ammonia.

Try ammonia for tough stains

If you are dealing with tough stains on your stove burner pans, ammonia is a great option. Ammonia is a strong, yet common household cleaner that can be used to cut through grease and grime. Here is a step-by-step guide to cleaning your stove burner pans with ammonia:

Step 1: Prepare the Stove Burner Pans and Ammonia Solution

Before you begin, ensure that your stove burner pans are at room temperature. If you have just finished cooking, wait for the burner pans to cool down to avoid burning your hands. Remove the burner pans from the stove and give them a quick rinse with hot water. Place each burner pan inside its own plastic bag, preferably a 1-gallon ziplock bag.

Step 2: Add Ammonia to the Bags

Add about 1/4 cup of household ammonia to each bag. You don't need to completely coat the burner pans with ammonia; the fumes from the ammonia will do the hard work of loosening burnt-on food and grease.

Step 3: Seal the Bags and Let Them Sit

Seal the tops of the plastic bags tightly and let them sit for at least 12 hours or overnight. It is best to keep the bags in a well-ventilated area or even outdoors, as the ammonia fumes can be strong.

Step 4: Remove the Burner Pans from the Bags and Rinse

Open the bags in a well-ventilated area and remove the burner pans. Be cautious of the strong ammonia fumes. Dispose of the used plastic bags and dilute the remaining ammonia with cold water before pouring it down the sink drain. Rinse the burner pans thoroughly with hot water to remove any remaining ammonia.

Step 5: Scrub and Dry the Burner Pans (If Necessary)

If there are any remaining stubborn spots or residue on the burner pans, use a sponge or scrub brush with a small amount of liquid dish soap to wipe them away. Rinse the burner pans again with hot water to remove any soap residue. Finally, dry the burner pans with a clean towel and return them to your stovetop.

Tips and Precautions:

• Always wear rubber gloves and safety glasses when working with ammonia to protect your skin and eyes.
• Do not mix ammonia with any other cleaners, as this can create toxic fumes.
• Dispose of ammonia properly by diluting it with cold water and pouring it down the sink drain.
• If you have a septic system, neutralize the ammonia before disposing of it.
• Ensure the area is well-ventilated when working with ammonia.

Liquid detergent for chrome drip pans

If you're looking to clean your stove's drip pans, there are a few methods you can try. It's important to clean your drip pans regularly to avoid a caked-on, burnt-on mess that is harder to remove. Here is a guide on how to clean chrome drip pans using liquid detergent.

Step 1: Remove the Drip Pans

First, turn off the range or cooktop and let it cool down. Then, remove any components above the drip pans, such as coils, burners, or grates. For electric stoves, gently lift the burner coil to remove it from the socket, then take out the drip pan. For gas stoves, simply lift off the metal grates to access the drip pan.

Step 2: Clean the Drip Pans

Fill your sink with hot water and add a few drops of liquid dish detergent with a grease-cutting ingredient. Place the drip pans in the soapy water and let them soak for at least 10 minutes, or longer if they are very greasy or burnt-on. You can also use a plastic scrubber to gently scrub away any stubborn spots.

Step 3: Rinse and Dry

Rinse the drip pans with hot water to remove any remaining soap. Dry them with a soft, lint-free cloth or a microfiber cloth. Ensure they are completely dry before moving on to the next step.

Step 4: Reinstall the Drip Pans

Once the drip pans are clean and dry, carefully place them back under the burners, making sure they are fitted smoothly in place. Now your stove's drip pans are clean and ready for your next cooking adventure!

Other Methods

If you find that liquid detergent is not strong enough to remove the burnt-on food or grease, there are other methods you can try. One method is to use a mixture of baking soda and vinegar. Soak the drip pans in hot water, then cover them with vinegar and baking soda, letting the mixture work to break down the stains. You can also try using ammonia, which is a strong cleaner that will cut through grease. Place the drip pans in a sealed bag with ammonia for at least 12 hours, then rinse and scrub away any remaining residue. Always use caution and wear rubber gloves when working with strong chemicals like ammonia.

All-purpose cleaner for porcelain drip pans

Drip pans are small, removable, metal, shallow bowls that sit underneath your stove's burners to catch drips and liquids. They can be cleaned or replaced.

Porcelain drip pans can be cleaned in a dishwasher or by hand. To clean porcelain drip pans by hand, follow these steps:

• Turn off the range or cooktop and allow the stovetop components to cool completely.
• Remove the drip pans from the stovetop by first removing any components above the drip pans, such as electric coils, burners, or grates.
• Wash the drip pans with hot soapy water using liquid detergent or an all-purpose cleaner.
• Rinse the drip pans with clean water.
• Dry the drip pans with a soft, lint-free cloth.
• Place the drip pans back on the stovetop.

Other methods to clean stove drip pans:

• Soak the drip pans in hot soapy water, then scrub them with a stainless steel wool pad.
• Soak the drip pans in a solution of water and ammonia, then scrub with a mildly abrasive cleanser and a wet scouring pad.
• Soak the drip pans in hot soapy water, then soak them in vinegar, and scrub with baking soda.
• Soak the drip pans in a plastic bag with ammonia, then wash them in hot soapy water.
• Make a paste of equal parts dish soap and baking soda, apply it to the drip pans, and scrub.
• Soak the drip pans in hot water, then scrub them with oven cleaner.
• Soak the drip pans in hot soapy water, then soak them in hydrogen peroxide, and scrub with baking soda.

Frequently asked questions