The Best Ways To Remove Grease From Pans

Cleaning greasy pans can be a frustrating and time-consuming task. However, there are several effective methods to remove grease and burnt-on grease from pans. This can be done using a variety of household products, such as baking soda, vinegar, salt, dish soap, and commercial cleaners. The process typically involves creating a paste or mixture, applying it to the pan, allowing it to soak, and then scrubbing the pan to remove the grease.

Use baking soda, vinegar, and a scrubber

To remove grease from a pan using baking soda, vinegar, and a scrubber, start by sprinkling baking soda into the pan. You can also make a baking soda paste by mixing three parts baking soda with one part boiling water. Spread the paste onto the burnt areas of the pan. Leave the baking soda or paste in the pan for at least 10 minutes. Next, add a small amount of vinegar to the pan. The acid in the vinegar will help to dissolve and soften the grease, making it easier to scrub away. After a few minutes, use a scrubber or sponge to scrub the grease away. For non-stick pans or pans with fragile coatings, avoid using a scrubber, scouring pad, SOS pad, or steel wool, as these can damage the surface. If grease remains, repeat the process.

Try salt and vinegar

If you're struggling with grease on your pans, salt and vinegar can be a great solution. Here's how to do it:

First, prepare some white vinegar and some salt. You can pour the vinegar directly into the pan and let it soak for about an hour. Alternatively, you can pour the vinegar into your sink, ensuring it's enough to submerge the bottom of the pan fully. For the salt, you can either sprinkle it on the pan or put some directly onto a scrubbing pad.

After letting the pan soak in vinegar, it's time to scrub. Take your scrubbing pad with salt and vigorously scrub the pan's bottom, applying more salt and dish soap as needed. You can use a scrubbing pad, a toothbrush, or even steel wool for this step. Be cautious when using steel wool, as it can leave scratches on some pan finishes.

If you're dealing with caked-on grease, you can pre-soak the pan in vinegar for half an hour before applying the salt and scrubbing. This two-step process can effectively remove even the most stubborn grease stains.

For an extra boost of cleaning power, you can also add baking soda to the mix. Simply sprinkle baking soda and sea salt on the bottom of the pan, focusing on the stained areas. Then, spritz some vinegar onto the baking soda and let the mixture rest for about 5 minutes before scrubbing.

With these simple steps, you can easily remove grease from your pans using the power of salt and vinegar.

Apply oven cleaner

Oven cleaner is a great way to get rid of burnt-on grease from the bottom of your pans. It is a tried-and-tested method that works best on ceramic and non-stick pans.

Step 1: Prepare the Pan

Before applying the oven cleaner, ensure that the pan is cool to the touch. If you have just finished cooking, let the pan cool down before proceeding.

Step 2: Apply the Oven Cleaner

Spray a generous layer of oven cleaner on the bottom of the pan, focusing on the areas with burnt-on grease. Make sure to follow the instructions on the specific oven cleaner product you are using.

Step 3: Let it Sit

Leave the oven cleaner on the pan for a few hours. For best results, it is recommended to let it sit overnight or for at least 30 minutes. This gives the cleaner enough time to break down the grease and make it easier to remove.

Step 4: Scrub the Pan

After the oven cleaner has had sufficient time to work, use a scrubbing pad to scrub the bottom of the pan. You may need to apply some elbow grease, but the burnt-on grease should come off with some scrubbing.

Step 5: Rinse and Wash

Once you have removed the grease, thoroughly rinse the pan with hot soapy water to remove any residue from the oven cleaner. Wash the pan as you normally would, ensuring that all traces of the oven cleaner are gone.

Important Considerations:

• Always use gloves when working with oven cleaner, and ensure proper ventilation to reduce exposure to potentially harmful chemicals.
• Oven cleaner can be quite harsh, and prolonged use may void your pan's warranty. Therefore, it is recommended to use this method sparingly and only when other gentler methods have failed.
• Make sure to wash your pan with soap and water after cleaning it with oven cleaner to ensure that all chemical residues are removed before using the pan for cooking again.

By following these steps, you can effectively use oven cleaner to remove burnt-on grease from your pans and restore them to their former glory.

Soak in hot soapy water

Soaking your pans in hot soapy water is an effective way to loosen and remove grease. This method is particularly useful for burnt grease on stainless-steel pans.

Firstly, fill your sink with hot water. The water should be hot but still comfortable to touch. Next, add a generous amount of dish soap. Blue Dawn is a popular choice for removing grease.

Before soaking your pans, you can wipe away any excess grease with kitchen roll or scrape off the grease once it has hardened. Soaking your pans in hot soapy water for a couple of hours or even overnight will help to loosen the grease, making it easier to scrub away.

After soaking, use a scrubbing pad, sponge, or toothbrush to scrub away any remaining grease. For burnt-on grease, you can also use a combination of baking soda, vinegar, and salt to create a paste. Apply this paste to the pan and scrub with a pad or toothbrush.

Remember to wash your pans thoroughly after removing grease to ensure no residue is left behind.

Use Bar Keepers Friend

Bar Keepers Friend is a bleach-free, oxalic-acid-based powdered cleaning product that can be used to remove grease from pans. It is ideal for stainless steel items but can also be used on other surfaces like copper, glass, ceramic, and enamel-coated cast iron.

• Wet the surface of the pan.
• Sprinkle Bar Keepers Friend powder onto the wet surface.
• Using a soft, wet cloth or sponge, rub the powder into the surface to create a paste. You can also use steel wool for very greasy or burnt-on stains.
• For tough stains, make a thicker paste with water and let it sit on the surface for about a minute before scrubbing.
• Scrub the pan in a circular motion, using a sponge or soft cloth.
• Rinse the pan thoroughly with clean water.
• Wash the pan with hot, soapy water to remove any remaining residue.

It is important to note that Bar Keepers Friend is a powerful cleanser, so always wear gloves and ensure the area is well-ventilated when using it. Do not leave the product on the surface for too long, as it may cause discolouration or scratches. Rinse the product off after one minute and avoid mixing it with other cleaning products, especially bleach or ammonia, as this can create toxic fumes.

Frequently asked questions