Hard Grease: Clean Your Pans

Grease build-up on pans is a common problem with various solutions. The internet offers a plethora of tips and tricks to tackle this issue, ranging from using baking soda and vinegar to more unconventional methods like ketchup. The key is to loosen the grease and scrub it away without damaging the pan's surface. While some methods require elbow grease and a lot of scrubbing, others involve creating a paste with household items and letting it sit for a while before wiping away the grease.

Baking soda and vinegar

First, cover the entire surface of the pan with baking soda. Make sure every spot is covered to ensure that every bit of grease is removed.

Next, fill a spray bottle with vinegar and spray it all over the baking soda. Cover the entire surface to ensure maximum cleaning. Don't be scared if bubbling and fizzing occur—this is a normal chemical reaction.

Let the solution sit overnight. This allows it to thoroughly sink in and work its magic on the pan. By the time you wake up in the morning, the baking soda and vinegar would have removed the grease, allowing it to be washed away when you rinse the pan.

The next day, grab your scrubbing pad and start scrubbing in vigorous circular motions within specific areas. Be sure to scrub all the places where the baking soda and vinegar solution was applied. The friction will help loosen up any remaining bits of stubborn grease that refuse to budge. Scrub every last inch to make it squeaky clean.

Finally, rinse the pan thoroughly and check for any bits of grease that you may have missed. If necessary, repeat the cleaning process.

Dish soap and dryer sheets

If you're looking for a way to clean hard grease buildup on your pans without resorting to harsh scrubbing, a combination of dish soap and dryer sheets can be an effective solution. This method is especially useful for removing caked-on gunk from sheet pans or baking sheets. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to use dish soap and dryer sheets to tackle that stubborn grease:

Step 1: Prepare the Pan

Place your greasy pan on a flat surface, such as the kitchen counter or sink. Make sure the pan is dry before proceeding to the next step.

Step 2: Add Dryer Sheets and Dish Soap

Take one or two dryer sheets and place them inside the pan. The number of dryer sheets you use may vary depending on the size of your pan and the extent of the grease buildup. Add a few drops of dish soap to the dryer sheets. Any standard dish soap will do, but it's essential to choose one that is good at cutting through grease. For example, you can opt for an unscented variety like Seventh Generation Free & Clear Dish Soap.

Step 3: Fill the Pan with Warm Water

Pour warm water into the pan until it covers the dryer sheets and the soapy water reaches the greasy areas. The warmth of the water will help loosen the grease, making it easier to remove.

Step 4: Let It Soak

Allow the pan to soak for a minimum of two hours or even overnight for best results. During this time, the dryer sheets and dish soap will work together to break down the hard grease buildup. The exact soaking time will depend on the severity of the grease problem. For lighter grease, two hours might be sufficient, while heavily caked-on grease may require a longer soak.

Step 5: Remove the Dryer Sheets and Dump the Water

After the soaking period, remove the soggy dryer sheets from the pan and discard them. Then, carefully pour out the soapy water. You may want to wear gloves during this step to protect your hands from the warm water and grease.

Step 6: Wash with Soap and Water

Now it's time to give your pan a good wash. Use a sponge or dish brush along with some warm, soapy water to scrub away any remaining grease. Dish soap is designed to attach to grease and fat molecules, helping to wash them away. With a bit of elbow grease and the power of dish soap, you should be able to remove most, if not all, of the grease.

Step 7: Rinse and Dry

Finally, give your pan a thorough rinse with clean water to remove any soap residue. Dry the pan immediately with a towel or place it in a drying rack. Ensuring that your pan is thoroughly dried will help prevent rust and keep it in good condition for future use.

By following these steps, you can effectively remove hard grease buildup from your pans using dish soap and dryer sheets. This method may require some time and patience, but it offers a chemical-free approach to tackling stubborn grease without resorting to harsh scrubbing.

Oven cleaner

Here's how to do it:

• Coat the bottom of the pan with a store-bought oven cleaner.
• Let the cleaner sit for a few hours. Leaving it overnight will yield the best results.
• Use a scrubbing pad to scrub the bottom of the pan.
• Wash the pan with hot soapy water to remove any oven cleaner residue.

If you don't have any oven cleaner to hand, you can try using baking soda, hydrogen peroxide, and dish soap. This method also works well on stubborn grease stains.

Salt and vinegar

Using Salt and Vinegar to Clean Grease Build-Up on Pans:

• Prepare the Pan: Start by filling your sink with hot water. The water should be hot but not burning, as you will need to handle the pan with your hands. The hot water will help loosen the grease.
• Make a Cleaning Solution: Pour distilled white vinegar into the sink, creating a 1-to-1 solution with the hot water. Ensure there is enough liquid to fully submerge the bottom of the pan. You can also add lemon juice to amplify the vinegar's cleaning power.
• Soak the Pan: Submerge the pan in the vinegar and hot water solution and let it soak for about an hour. This will help soften and loosen the caked-on grease.
• Apply Salt and Dish Soap: After soaking, remove the pan from the solution and sprinkle sea salt generously on the bottom of the pan, focusing on the stained areas. You can also add a small amount of dish soap (such as Dawn) to a scrubbing pad or sponge.
• Scrub the Pan: Vigorously scrub the bottom of the pan with the scrubbing pad or sponge, applying more salt and dish soap as needed. Make sure to scrub in a circular motion to cover all areas. The salt acts as an abrasive, helping to remove stubborn grease.
• Rinse and Dry: Once the grease is removed, rinse the pan with warm water and dry it thoroughly before storing.

It is important to note that salt has a coarse texture and may scratch the finish on some pans. Therefore, it is recommended to test this method on a small area first. Additionally, always wear gloves when handling hot water and use caution when working with abrasive substances like salt.

Steel wool

To use steel wool to clean a pan, first, create a paste with a few spoonfuls of baking soda and enough water to cover the burnt areas. Add a few drops of dish soap, such as Blue Dawn, and mix well. Apply the paste to the pan, ensuring that it completely covers the grease build-up. Let the paste sit for at least 30 minutes.

After the paste has had time to work, use a steel wool pad to scrub away the grease. The combination of the wool with the paste should remove the grease in just a few scrubs. However, be aware that steel wool may leave small scratch marks on your pans, so use it with caution.

Once the grease is removed, be sure to wash the pan again with hot soapy water to remove any residue.

Frequently asked questions