Best Ways To Clean Your Greasy Broiler Pan

Broiler pans are a great kitchen tool, but they can be a pain to clean. Grease and food droppings can quickly build up, leaving your pan grimy and covered in baked-on stains. So, what's the best way to get your broiler pan looking clean again?

Soak the pan with a dryer sheet

Soaking a broiler pan with a dryer sheet is an effective way to remove baked-on grease and food residue. Here's a step-by-step guide to doing it:

Step 1: Fill the Broiler Pan with Hot Water

If your broiler pan has sides that can hold water, fill it with hot water. If your broiler pan is flat or has slats, place it in a sink, a plastic tub, or a basin large enough to hold it, and fill it with hot water. Ensure the entire surface with cooked-on food is submerged. Warm or cool water may work, but hot water is more effective in loosening the baked-on grease.

Step 2: Add Dish Soap

Add a basic dishwashing detergent to the water. Squirt a small amount of dish soap into the water, creating a zigzag pattern across the surface of the pan. A dish soap specially formulated to fight grease will be most helpful. However, if you don't have dish soap, you can still proceed with the next steps.

Step 3: Place a Dryer Sheet in the Water

Lay a dryer sheet flat in the water, ensuring it is completely submerged. For pans with extremely caked or burnt-on food residue, use two dryer sheets for better results. Using biodegradable dryer sheets is an environmentally friendly option.

Step 4: Let the Pan Soak

Let the pan sit and soak for at least one hour. If the baked-on grease is particularly stubborn, leave the pan to soak for a few hours or even overnight. The dryer sheet, combined with the hot water and dish soap, will work to loosen the food residue during this time.

Step 5: Rinse and Wipe the Pan

After the pan has soaked, dump out the water and rinse the pan. Use a sponge or scrubber to remove any remaining residue that may still be stuck to the pan. You can also give the pan a quick regular cleaning with dish soap and water to ensure it is thoroughly cleaned.

Soaking a broiler pan with a dryer sheet is a simple and effective method to remove baked-on grease. By following these steps, you can easily clean your broiler pan without the need for heavy scrubbing or harsh chemicals.

Use baking soda

If your broiler pan is riddled with baked-on grease, fear not! Here's how to use baking soda to get it looking like new again.

First, make sure your broiler pan has cooled down completely. Then, sprinkle a thick layer of baking soda all over the surface of the pan. Don't worry about covering every inch of the pan, but make sure most of it is coated. Next, use a spray bottle filled with water to dampen the baking soda. If you don't have a spray bottle, you can gently pour or mix water into the baking soda to form a paste.

Now, get some paper towels and cover the baking soda with them. This will help to keep the baking soda wet for longer, allowing it to loosen and remove the baked-on grease. If your paper towels start drying out, simply spray or sprinkle some more water on them. Let the broiler pan sit for at least 30 minutes, or even a few hours or overnight if the grease is particularly stubborn.

Once the baking soda has dried, gently scrape it off into the trash. Then, bring your broiler pan to the sink and rinse off any leftover baking soda, as well as any remaining food residue. If necessary, use a washcloth or sponge to gently wipe away any stubborn bits of food or grease.

And that's it! Your broiler pan should now be sparkling clean.

Scour with Bar Keepers Friend

Bar Keepers Friend is a popular product for cleaning broiler pans and removing baked-on grease. It is a bleach-free, oxalic-acid-based powdered cleaning product that can be used on stainless steel items and other surfaces like copper, steel, glass, and ceramic.

To use Bar Keepers Friend to clean your broiler pan, follow these steps:

Step 1: Wet the Broiler Pan

Place the broiler pan in the sink or on a table or countertop. If the pan has sides, put enough water to thinly cover the bottom of the pan. If the pan does not have sides or has slats, put enough water in the sink to just barely cover the top of the pan. Warm water is preferable as it will be more effective in removing grease and grime.

Step 2: Sprinkle on Bar Keepers Friend Powder

Lightly sprinkle Bar Keepers Friend cleaning powder over the entire surface of the pan, ensuring that at least the worst spots are covered. There is no need to heap the cleaner on, but make sure the pan is entirely covered in powder. Bar Keepers Friend also offers a spray that can be used instead of the powder.

Step 3: Let it Sit

Let the Bar Keepers Friend cleaner sit on the pan for a few minutes to allow it to work on breaking up the burnt gunk and food residue. For pans with significant caked-on grime, let the powder sit for up to ten minutes.

Step 4: Scrub the Pan

Use a sponge, scrubber pad, or soft wet cloth to gently scour the entire surface of the pan. Since Bar Keepers Friend is stronger than dishwashing detergent, it is recommended to use a sponge that is not used for washing dishes. Rinse the sponge thoroughly after cleaning if you only have one.

Step 5: Rinse the Pan

Once you have scrubbed the entire surface and removed the gunk, thoroughly rinse the pan to remove all traces of Bar Keepers Friend. You can also wipe the pan down with a clean, wet rag to ensure no cleaner residue remains.

Tips:

• For very greasy or tarnished pans, you can start scrubbing with steel wool before switching to a soft sponge or rag.
• Always wear kitchen gloves when using Bar Keepers Friend, as the product is abrasive and can be harsh on sensitive skin.
• Do not let Bar Keepers Friend sit on the surface for longer than a minute, but you can scrub for longer than that.
• For tougher stains, make a paste of the cleanser with water, let it sit for a minute, then wash, rinse, and dry.

Bar Keepers Friend is a powerful solution for removing baked-on grease from broiler pans, so always be sure to follow the instructions and take the necessary precautions to protect your skin and surfaces.

Use a Magic Eraser

If you're looking to remove baked-on grease from your broiler pan, a Magic Eraser can be a great solution. Here's a detailed guide on how to use a Magic Eraser to tackle that stubborn grease:

• Prepare a Cleaning Solution: Before using the Magic Eraser, you can create a cleaning paste to help loosen the baked-on grease. In a small bowl, mix together 1/2 cup of baking soda, 1/4 cup of dish soap, and 1/4 cup of hydrogen peroxide. This paste will help break down the grease, making it easier to wipe away.
• Apply the Paste: Take your broiler pan and generously apply the paste you prepared in the previous step. Make sure to completely cover all the areas with baked-on grease.
• Let the Paste Sit: Once you've applied the paste, let it sit for a while. The longer you let it sit, the more effective it will be at breaking down the grease. You can leave it for a few hours or even overnight for best results.
• Wipe with Magic Eraser: After the paste has had sufficient time to work its magic, it's time to break out the Mr. Clean Magic Eraser. Wet the Magic Eraser and gently wipe away the paste from the broiler pan. You'll be amazed at how easily the grease comes off!
• Rinse and Repeat: Rinse the broiler pan with water to remove any remaining paste and residue. If there are any stubborn spots left, don't be afraid to apply more paste and repeat the process.

The Magic Eraser is a versatile tool that can be used for a variety of cleaning tasks, and it really shines when it comes to removing baked-on grease from broiler pans. With this method, you'll be able to transform your grimy broiler pan into a shiny, like-new state without the need for harsh scrubbing.

Soak with dishwasher detergent

To soak a broiler pan with dishwasher detergent, start by filling the broiler pan with hot water. If your broiler pan has sides, place it on the counter and fill it with water. If it is flat with no edges, put it to soak in the sink or a large plastic tub or basin. Make sure the whole surface is covered with water.

Next, squirt a bit of dish soap into the water. Use a basic dishwashing detergent and squeeze it in a zigzag motion across the surface of the pan. A dish soap that is specially formulated to fight grease is most helpful.

Then, place a dryer sheet in the water. Lay a dryer sheet flat in the water, ensuring that it is completely covered. For pans with especially caked or burnt-on food residue, use two dryer sheets. Biodegradable dryer sheets are ideal for an eco-friendly cleaning solution.

Finally, let the pan sit for at least one hour. Leave the pan to soak with the water, soap, and dryer sheet for about one hour. For pans with badly stuck-on food, leave it for a few hours or even overnight. The dryer sheet will help to loosen the food residue while it soaks.

After soaking, dump the water out of the pan. Depending on how dirty the pan is, wipe it with a sponge or scrubber to remove any residue that is still stuck on. You can also give the pan a quick, regular cleaning with dish soap and water.

• Warm or cool water may work, but hot water is more effective.
• If you are out of dish soap, this method may still work without it.
• If you don't have a dryer sheet, you can try using a degreasing agent or an oven cleaner.

Frequently asked questions