Cleaning Stove Drip Pans: Removing Stubborn, Burnt-On Food

Burnt-on food residue on stove drip pans can be a challenge to remove, but it's not impossible. The best method for you will depend on the type of stove and drip pan you have, as well as the extent of the burnt-on food. Here are some of the most common methods to get your stove drip pans looking like new again.

Soak in hot water

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

First, make sure your stove drip pans are at room temperature. If you've just finished cooking, wait for them to cool down before handling. Once cool, remove the drip pans from the stovetop. Shake off any loose crumbs into a garbage can and rinse the pans thoroughly in the sink with the hottest water possible.

Next, fill your sink with very hot water. You want the water to be hot enough to help loosen the burnt-on food and grease. Completely submerge the drip pans in the hot water and let them soak. The length of time required for soaking can vary depending on the severity of the burnt-on food. For lighter stains, 10 minutes may be sufficient. For more heavily soiled pans, you may need to soak them for up to 15 minutes or even longer.

While the pans are soaking, you can start cleaning the rest of your stovetop. Use a damp sponge or cloth dipped in baking soda to scrub away any dirt and grime. Wipe the baking soda off with a clean, damp rag, and then dry the stove with a soft dishcloth.

After the drip pans have soaked, use a sponge or dishcloth to wipe them down. For any remaining stuck-on food or tough stains, use a non-abrasive scrubber to gently scrub away the residue. Rinse the drip pans in hot water to remove any remaining soap or residue.

Finally, dry the drip pans thoroughly with a microfiber cloth or towel. Once they are completely dry, you can reinstall them under the burners, ensuring they are fitted smoothly in place.

Remember, regular cleaning of your drip pans will make the task easier. It is recommended to clean your drip pans after each use or, at a minimum, give them a good cleaning weekly or as needed when you see stains.

Use vinegar and baking soda

To remove burnt food from stove drip pans using vinegar and baking soda, follow these steps:

Firstly, remove the drip pans from the stove when the stovetop is cool. Shake the pans over a trash can, scraping them with a dry paper towel to remove any loose or burnt food particles.

Next, fill a sink or bucket with enough hot water and a few drops of dishwashing liquid to completely cover the drip pans. Allow them to soak for 15 minutes. Drain the hot soapy water and refill the sink with enough distilled white vinegar to cover the pans. Let them soak for 30 minutes.

Now, sprinkle the pans with a generous amount of baking soda. Let the mixture sit for at least another 15 minutes. If there are areas with hard-to-remove stains, use a plastic scrubber to scour the pans, sprinkling additional baking soda as needed.

Finally, rinse the drip pans with hot water and dry them with a microfiber cloth before replacing them on the stovetop.

This method combines the use of vinegar and baking soda, which react to create a fizzing action that helps loosen burnt food, making it easier to remove.

Ammonia for heavily burnt-on food

Ammonia is a powerful cleaner that can be used to remove heavily burnt-on food from stove drip pans. It is a toxic gas or liquid that can cause corrosive injury if it comes into contact with moist tissues such as the eyes, throat, and lungs. Therefore, it should always be used in a well-ventilated area while wearing rubber gloves. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to use ammonia to clean your stove drip pans:

Step 1: Prepare the drip pans

Allow the drip pans to cool down completely before handling them. Remove the coils or grates sitting on top of the drip pans. For an electric stove, gently tug on the burner coil to remove it and set it aside. For a gas stove, simply lift off the metal grates. Shake off any loose crumbs and rinse the pans with hot water.

Step 2: Place the drip pans in bags

Place each drip pan in a separate one-gallon resealable plastic bag. Make sure the bags are zipped or sealed tightly to prevent leakage.

Step 3: Add ammonia to the bags

Pour 1/4 cup of household ammonia into each bag. The fumes from the ammonia will loosen the burnt-on food, so it is not necessary to completely cover the drip pans with the liquid.

Step 4: Soak the drip pans in ammonia

Seal the bags and let them sit for at least 12 hours. The longer you allow them to soak, the more effective the ammonia will be. It is best to leave them overnight so that they can soak for a sufficient amount of time.

Step 5: Remove the drip pans from the bags

After the soaking period, open the bags in a well-ventilated area as the fumes will be strong. Be sure to open the bags away from your face to avoid inhaling the fumes. Remove the drip pans from the bags and dispose of the bags and ammonia solution carefully. Do not throw the bags in the trash as the fumes can create a dangerous reaction. Instead, pour the ammonia down the drain while running cold water to dilute it.

Step 6: Rinse and scrub the drip pans

Rinse the drip pans with hot water and scrub them with a sponge and dish soap to remove any remaining burnt-on food. You can also use a plastic scrubber or melamine sponge for more stubborn spots.

Step 7: Dry and replace the drip pans

Dry the drip pans thoroughly with a microfiber towel or cloth. Once they are completely dry, you can return them to the stovetop.

By following these steps, you can effectively remove heavily burnt-on food from your stove drip pans using ammonia. Just remember to always take the necessary precautions when working with ammonia and to dispose of it properly.

Hydrogen peroxide and baking soda

To clean stove drip pans with hydrogen peroxide and baking soda, follow these steps:

Place the drip pans in the sink and coat them liberally with baking soda. Pour undiluted hydrogen peroxide over the baking soda. You will begin to see a fizzing action that helps to lift the gunk off the pans. Let the pans soak for about 30 minutes. After soaking, rinse the drip pans under cool water. Use a sponge to scrub away any remaining baking soda residue. Repeat the process if necessary.

You can also make a paste with 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 the stains. For more stubborn stains, a copper or metal scrubber can be used, but this will require a bit of elbow grease. If some areas of staining persist, reapply the paste and let it sit again before scrubbing it away.

Dishwasher detergent

If you're looking to remove burnt food from your stove's drip pans, there are several methods that utilise dishwasher detergent.

One method involves creating a paste with equal parts dishwasher detergent and baking soda. Glop the paste onto the drip pan and let it sit for an hour. Then, scrub the paste into the pan with a sponge or brush. Rinse the pan with hot water and dry it with a microfiber cloth.

Another method is to fill the sink with hot water and add a few drops of dishwasher detergent. Soak the drip pans in the sink for at least 10 minutes, or longer depending on how burnt the food is. Then, wipe the pans down with a sponge or dishcloth. Rinse the pans with hot water and dry them with a microfiber cloth.

A third method is to fill the sink with hot water and add a few drops of dishwasher detergent. Soak the drip pans in the sink for 15 minutes. Then, drain the sink and fill it with enough distilled white vinegar to cover the drip pans. Allow the pans to soak for 30 minutes. Drain the vinegar and sprinkle the pans with baking soda. Let the mixture sit for at least 15 minutes. Rinse the pans with hot water and dry them with a microfiber cloth.

A fourth method is to fill the pan with enough water to cover the burnt area and add six Alka-Seltzer tablets. Allow the tablets to fizz and break down the burnt-on food. Set the pan aside for an hour. Then, pour out the solution and add hot water and a few drops of dishwasher detergent. Scrub the pan with a brush or sponge and rinse it with hot water.

Dishwasher

Finally, if you have chrome or porcelain drip pans, you can simply place them in the dishwasher. Put the drip pans on the top rack of the dishwasher, which is further away from the heating element and offers a more gentle wash.

Frequently asked questions