Deep Cleaning Your Sheet Pan: Tips For Sparkling Results

Keeping your sheet pans clean can be a challenge, especially when food and oil build up over time. While it may seem tempting to throw them away and start fresh, there are several methods you can use to deep clean your sheet pans and make them look brand new.

Baking soda and vinegar

If your sheet pans are looking a little worse for wear, it's time for a deep clean with baking soda and vinegar. This method is effective and uses ingredients you likely already have in your kitchen.

First, fill your sink with hot water. Add equal parts baking soda and white vinegar—about half a cup of each. Plug the sink if necessary. The baking soda and vinegar will react, creating a bubbling, science-project-like mixture. This reaction is what will help lift the residue from your pans.

Next, submerge your sheet pans in the mixture and let them soak. Depending on how built-up the residue is, you should leave the pans to soak for anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour.

Once the pans have soaked, it's time to scrub. Use the coarse side of a sponge and scrub in a circular motion to avoid noticeable scratching. You can also use a scouring pad, steel wool, or a rolled-up sheet of aluminum foil. Keep in mind that steel wool or aluminum foil may leave some scratches on your pans.

After scrubbing, wash the pans with soap and water to remove the vinegar smell, and dry them immediately to prevent rust.

And that's it! Your sheet pans should now be sparkling clean. For tough stains, you may need to repeat the process.

Dryer sheets

Step 1: Prepare the Sheet Pan

Remove any large pieces of food or baked-on gunk from the pan. You can do this by washing the pan with warm water and dish soap.

Step 2: Soak the Pan

Fill the sheet pan with warm water. Add a few drops of dish soap to the water. You can also add a teaspoon of dish soap directly to the pan as you fill it with water. Make sure the water is not scalding hot, but pretty hot.

Step 3: Add the Dryer Sheet

Place one or two dryer sheets on the surface of the water. You can also submerge the dryer sheet completely underneath the water. Make sure the dryer sheet is fully saturated.

Step 4: Let It Sit

Let the pan sit for at least an hour. For extremely baked-in messes, you can let it sit for two to three hours or even overnight. The longer it sits, the more effective it will be at loosening the grime.

Step 5: Wipe the Pan

After letting the pan soak, wipe it with a wet sponge or scrub with a non-scratch scouring pad. Any caked-on grease and food should easily lift off with minimal effort.

Step 6: Rinse and Repeat

Rinse the pan with soap and water to remove any residue from the dryer sheet. If there are still some stubborn stains, you can repeat the process or use a scrub sponge to clean the remaining bits.

This method is a great alternative to harsh scrubbing and will leave your sheet pans looking as good as new.

Oven's self-clean cycle

If you're looking for a heavy-duty clean for your sheet pans, you can use your oven's self-cleaning cycle. This method uses high temperatures to incinerate grime and residue, turning them into ash that can be easily wiped away. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to use your oven's self-clean cycle:

Step 1: Prepare the Oven

First, remove everything from the oven, including racks, bakeware, cookware, and any aluminium foil. It is important to note that the oven will reach extremely high temperatures, so removing these items is crucial to prevent damage. Additionally, wipe away any visible debris or spills prior to starting the cleaning cycle. This will help reduce smoke during the cycle.

Step 2: Ventilate the Kitchen

Before starting the self-clean cycle, increase ventilation in the kitchen to remove excess heat and fumes. Turn on the range hood, open windows, and turn on overhead fans if possible. This will help keep the kitchen well-ventilated and reduce any unpleasant odours.

Step 3: Run the Self-Clean Cycle

Now, you can start the self-clean cycle. Select the self-clean option on the control panel, making sure the door is completely closed. The oven will lock automatically during the cycle, and the cycle time may vary depending on the level of soil and the model of your oven. Traditional self-cleaning cycles can range from 800°F to 900°F and last between 2 to 6 hours.

Step 4: Wait for the Cycle to Complete

During the self-clean cycle, it is important to stay close by and avoid leaving the oven unattended. The oven will reach extremely high temperatures, and you may notice some smoke and odours, which is a normal part of the process. Keep children and pets away from the kitchen during this time, especially birds, as they are sensitive to the fumes.

Step 5: Wipe Down the Oven

Once the cycle is complete and the oven has cooled down, it's time to wipe away the residue. Use a damp cloth to remove the ashy residue from the sides and bottom of the oven. The special enamel coating on self-cleaning ovens should make this process easy. If any scrubbing is required, use only mild, non-abrasive cleaners like dish soap and water or vinegar diluted in water.

Important Considerations:

• It is recommended to run the self-clean cycle before soil levels become too heavy. Excessive soil can lead to increased smoke and fumes during the cycle.
• Do not use commercial oven cleaners or oven liner protective coatings as they can damage the oven's interior.
• Always consult your oven's care guide for specific instructions and safety precautions.

Bar Keepers Friend and aluminium foil

If your sheet pans are looking a little worse for wear, Bar Keepers Friend and aluminium foil could be your new best friends. This cleaning hack is a great way to remove burnt-on remnants that just won't budge.

Bar Keepers Friend is a mild abrasive, bleach-free, oxalic-acid-based powdered cleaning product. It's ideal for stainless steel but can be used on many other surfaces, including aluminium. It's great for removing burnt-on sugar and oils, rust, tarnish, mineral deposits, and tough stains. It also protects your pans, helping to prevent tarnishing and rusting in the future.

To use Bar Keepers Friend to clean your aluminium sheet pans, start by wetting the pan. Then, shake on a little of the powdered cleanser, sprinkling on a little more water to make a paste that covers any stains. Using a soft rag or cloth, rub the paste firmly until the stain is removed. Rinse the pan clean and rub away any remaining stains. It's important to note that you shouldn't use abrasive scrubbers, scouring pads, or steel wool as these can scratch your pan.

Once your pan is clean, you can keep it that way by lining it with aluminium foil, parchment paper, or a nonstick silicone mat when in use. Regular cleaning with dish soap will also help to keep serious stains at bay.

Baking soda and peroxide

To deep clean a sheet pan with baking soda and peroxide, start by sprinkling a generous amount of baking soda over the sheet pan. Then, cover the baking soda with hydrogen peroxide. You can also sprinkle another layer of baking soda on top. Leave the pan to sit for up to two hours—or even overnight—to let the mixture work its magic. The longer you let it sit, the more baked-on residue will come off.

Once the waiting period is over, put on some dishwashing gloves and wipe the pan off with a sponge. You should now have a clean pan that looks as good as new, with minimal scrubbing required. If some stains remain, simply repeat the process.

Frequently asked questions