Cleaning Cooker Schef Pans: Removing Caked-On Grime

Cooking spray residue is a sticky, brown gunk that can be a nightmare to remove from your pans. It is the result of the chemical reaction between the heat and the cooking spray, which contains lecithin, an emulsifier. The best way to remove the residue depends on the type of pan. For non-stick pans, it is recommended to wash the pan with mild dish soap and water, then apply a paste of baking soda and water to the affected areas, scrubbing gently with a non-abrasive sponge. For glass or stone pans, which are harder to clean, it is suggested to first wash the pan with mild detergent and water, then soak the pan in a mixture of vinegar and water before scrubbing.

Removing cooking spray from non-stick pans

Cooking spray residue is the remaining yellow-red substance that your food did not soak up. It is the remnants of the chemicals and oils that are cooked into your utensils. The gummy texture and odour can be off-putting.

Removing Cooking Spray from Nonstick/Teflon Pans

On nonstick surfaces, cooking spray can become stubbornly adherent. The non-stick surface is designed to heat up and cool down quickly, which means the cooking spray will definitely leave a ton of residue.

After your pan has cooled down, remove any food remnants using a soft washcloth or paper towel, then wash using a mild dish-washing soap. Next, you’re going to remove the grease.

Mix equal parts of baking soda and water to make a paste and apply it to your pan, especially concentrating on areas where the cooking spray residue has settled.

Scrub the paste gently onto the pan’s surface, using a soft sponge, non-scratch dish brush, or clean washcloth.

Rinse the pan under lukewarm water and follow with another round of mild dish-washing soap if needed.

Dry your non-stick pan with a soft towel.

Removing cooking spray from glass or stone pans

Glass and stone pans are the hardest utensils to clean cooking spray residue from. The spray tends to be more adherent on these surfaces, so cleaning them can take some time and be a bit frustrating. Here is a step-by-step guide to help you remove the cooking spray residue from your glass or stone pans:

Step 1: Let the cookware cool down

Before you start cleaning, it is important to let your cookware cool properly. Do not try to handle hot pans as you might burn yourself.

Step 2: Remove food particles

Once the pan is cool, remove any food particles that may be left in the pan. Use a soft washcloth or paper towel to gently wipe away any remaining food.

Step 3: Wash with mild detergent

After removing the food particles, gently wash the pan with a mild detergent. Use a soft sponge or washcloth to clean the pan. Avoid using abrasive materials as they may scratch the surface of the pan.

Step 4: Mix vinegar and water

To remove the greasy residue, you will need to mix equal parts vinegar and water. White vinegar or apple cider vinegar works best to cut through the grease.

Step 5: Soak the pan

Soak your pan in the vinegar and water solution for 10-15 minutes. This will help to loosen the cooking spray residue, making it easier to remove.

Step 6: Scrub the pan

While the pan is soaking, use a soft dish brush or sponge to scrub the surface thoroughly. Gently scrub the pan to avoid scratching the surface.

Step 7: Rinse and wash again

After scrubbing, rinse the pan thoroughly to remove any remaining vinegar and residue. Then, wash the pan with a mild detergent to get rid of the vinegar smell.

Step 8: Dry the cookware

Finally, dry the cookware with a soft towel. Make sure the pan is completely dry before putting it away or using it again.

By following these steps, you can effectively remove cooking spray residue from your glass or stone pans. It may take some time and effort, but it will be worth it to have clean and gleaming pans again.

Removing cooking spray from stainless steel pans

To remove cooking spray from stainless steel pans, it is important to act fast. First, scrape out excess oil with a spatula or wipe it out with a paper towel. Then, deglaze the pan by adding some hot water. Cleaning a hot pan is easier, and adding hot water won't damage it. But always let your pan cool down before fully submerging it in cool water to avoid thermal shock, which can cause warping.

You can loosen any fond (the browned bits of food) with a long-handled dish brush. Then, grab a green Scotch-Brite scouring pad or sponge, along with some dish soap, and scrub the inside and outside of the pan, using a continuous circular motion. A Scotch-Brite pad will lightly scratch the surface of the pan, but as long as you avoid harsh pads like steel wool, scrubbing won't affect your cookware's performance or lifespan. A softer sponge will require more elbow grease and won't save your pan from getting marked by metal utensils.

Rinse and then dry with a clean, absorbent towel.

If your pan still has tough stains, you can try using a baking soda slurry or Bar Keepers Friend. These powdered cleaners can scrub off stains without damaging pans. For lighter stains, baking soda is likely to be effective enough. For tougher stains, Bar Keepers Friend will be more effective, but it should not be left on the pan for longer than a minute.

If you are dealing with bigger, tougher stains that climb up the sides of the pan, you can try Geri Porter's method. Add a small mound of baking soda to the centre of the pan, cover with about 1/4 cup of water, and bring to a boil. As the water boils and evaporates, it will leave a film of baking soda that you can scrub off. When most of the water has boiled off, turn off the heat, and use a long-handled brush or scouring pad to scrub off the mess.

For very tough stains, you can try submerging the whole pan in a pot of boiling water and baking soda. Choose a vessel that will fit your pan, such as a large stock pot for small skillets or a roasting pan for larger ones. Then, fill it with enough water to submerge (or mostly submerge) your pan and bring it to a boil. Add about 1/4 or 1/2 a cup of baking soda, and carefully place your pan in the water. Let the pan cook for about 15 to 30 minutes, flipping or rotating it if necessary. You should see brown residue flaking off. Using tongs and silicone oven mitts, remove the pan carefully. Then, to create an abrasive slurry, add more baking soda and water to the pan and scrub while the pan is hot.

Removing cooking spray from cast iron pans

Cooking sprays are convenient and can help prevent food from sticking to your cast iron pans. However, with regular use, emulsifiers in the spray may cause a sticky residue to form on the pan. If you find yourself battling gunky cooking spray residue on your cast iron pans, follow these three steps to restore your skillet to good condition.

Step 1: Wash the pan thoroughly

After cooking with non-stick spray, rinse and scrub your skillet with warm water and a sponge or dish brush. Soap is not needed, although occasionally using gentle dish soap on cast iron is fine. This will help remove cooking spray residue and prevent it from building up on the iron.

Once the pan is clean, make sure to dry it well. Wipe away excess water with a towel, then place it on a stovetop burner or in the oven on low-medium heat for three to five minutes. This will evaporate any remaining moisture.

Step 2: Remove stubborn residue

With repeated use, your pan might form a sticky layer of buildup that isn't easily removed by washing alone. If this is the case, try one of these methods to remove it:

• Salt scrub: Pour about a cup of coarse-grain salt into the pan while it is still warm. Scrub the pan with a sponge or folded dishcloth until the residue is removed. Then, wipe the salt out and rinse the pan well, making sure not to leave any salt grains behind.
• Chainmail scrubber: Wet the pan with warm water. Scour the surface using circular motions until the residue is removed.
• Baking soda and vinegar: Pour a small amount of white vinegar into the pan, then sprinkle baking soda on top. Use a dish sponge (non-metal) or a stiff-bristled, nylon dish brush to scrub the surface. Be sure to rinse the pan very well afterward to neutralize and remove the vinegar.

Step 3: Re-season your pan

After cleaning and drying the pan, it's time to re-season it:

• Apply a very light coat of oil (such as grapeseed or canola oil) to both the inside and outside of the pan. Rub about a tablespoon of oil all over the pan with a lint-free cloth.
• Preheat your oven to 450 degrees Fahrenheit. Place your oiled pan upside down on the middle oven rack and heat it for an hour. When the hour is up, turn off the oven but don’t take the cast iron out right away. Crack the oven door open a few inches and let the pan gradually cool off until it is safe to handle.
• Repeat the seasoning process two to three times in a row (oil, heat, cool in the oven) to build up a really strong, easy-release finish.

Removing cooking spray from silicone baking pans

Silicone baking pans are super soft and great for baking, but sometimes they need a bit of help with cooking spray. When used in baking, cooking spray gets baked into the pans and can become quite a nuisance. Here are some tips to help you remove cooking spray residue from your silicone baking pans:

• After your silicone baking pan has cooled, remove the food and wipe the pan with a soft paper towel to clean off any remaining food particles.
• Wash the pan with lukewarm water and mild detergent.
• Make a paste using baking soda and water until it forms a semi-thick paste. Rub a thick coat of it over your silicone pan.
• Wait for the baking soda to dry – this could take a few hours.
• When the baking soda has dried, gently scrub the paste off using a damp sponge and lukewarm water.
• If there is still an oily film, make a thick paste with baking soda and water and apply it to the sticky spots. Leave the paste to dry, then wash it away with more hot water and dish soap.
• If you have bits of food stuck to your pan, put the silicone pan in the oven at 350°F for about 10 minutes, then soak it in really hot water. This should loosen things enough that you can get the bits and pieces off.
• For cleaning, use hot water and grease-cutting dish soap, like Dawn or Palmolive. This is one of those situations where an all-natural product might not be strong enough. You need something that will really tackle that oil.
• If you have a dishwasher, silicone bakeware is usually dishwasher-safe. Just be sure to check before you toss it in, and when in doubt, put it on the top rack.
• Avoid using abrasives. Don't be tempted to tackle that pan with a scrubby sponge. Not only will it not help you clean the pan, but you might also damage it in the process. You can end up causing pieces of the silicone to flake off and remove the non-stick properties of the pan.
• To prevent greasy buildup in the future, skip the cooking sprays. You don't really need them because the pan is non-stick already, and it will just make for a sticky mess later.

Frequently asked questions