The Best Ways To Remove Grease From Your Pans

Grease is a pain to get off pans, and it can be tempting to throw them away. However, there are several methods to clean burnt grease off your pans. The most popular methods include using baking soda, vinegar, salt, and dish soap. Oven cleaner and Bar Keeper's Friend are also effective.

Characteristics of Grease Removal from Pans

Baking soda and vinegar

Step 1: Prepare the Pan

If you have caked-on grease, pre-soak your pan in vinegar for 30 minutes to an hour. This initial step will help to soften the grease, making it easier to remove.

Step 2: Create a Baking Soda Paste

In a small bowl, mix baking soda and water until it forms a thick paste. The ratio of baking soda to water is typically three parts baking soda to one part water. You can also add a few drops of liquid dish soap to the mixture. Blue Dawn is a recommended brand for this purpose.

Step 3: Apply the Paste

Using a scrubbing pad or sponge, apply the paste to the bottom of the pan in a circular motion. Make sure to cover all the greasy areas generously.

Step 4: Let it Sit

Let the paste sit on the pan for at least 10 minutes. This will allow the baking soda to react with the vinegar and start lifting the grease away.

Step 5: Scrub and Rinse

After the paste has had time to work its magic, use a scrubbing pad, toothbrush, or sponge to scrub the grease away. Rinse the pan with warm water to remove any residue.

Additional Tips:

• For extra stubborn grease, you can add hydrogen peroxide to the baking soda paste instead of water.
• If you don't have baking soda on hand, you can also use vinegar on its own by soaking the pan in vinegar for an hour and then scrubbing with a pad, toothbrush, and dish soap.
• For stainless steel pans, a mixture of vinegar, baking soda, and salt can be particularly effective at removing deep grease stains. Sprinkle the bottom of the pan with baking soda and salt, spritz with vinegar, let it sit for a few minutes, and then scrub.

By following these steps, you can effectively remove grease from your pans using the power of baking soda and vinegar.

Salt and vinegar

If you're looking to remove grease from your pans, salt and vinegar can be a great combination. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to do it:

Step 1: Prepare the Vinegar Soak

Start by preparing distilled white vinegar in a sink or container large enough to submerge the greasy pan completely. Ensure you have enough vinegar to fully cover the bottom of the pan, which is typically the greasiest part.

Step 2: Soak the Pan

Submerge the pan in the vinegar and let it soak for about an hour. The vinegar's acidity will help break down the grease, making it easier to clean. This method is particularly effective for pans with light stains or browning.

Step 3: Apply Salt and Dish Soap

After the pan has soaked, remove it from the vinegar and pour salt onto the bottom of the pan. You can use regular table salt or sea salt, but avoid using salt on non-stick or ceramic pans as it can be too abrasive and scratch the coating.

Add a small amount of dish soap, such as Dawn, to a scrubbing pad or sponge. You can also use other mild dish soaps if you don't have Dawn.

Step 4: Scrub the Pan

Now, it's time to scrub! Scrub the bottom of the pan vigorously with the salt and dish soap. The salt acts as a mild abrasive, helping to remove the grease without being too harsh on the pan's surface. Add more salt and dish soap as needed while scrubbing.

Step 5: Rinse and Dry

Once you're satisfied that the grease has been removed, rinse the pan thoroughly with warm water to remove any remaining vinegar, salt, and dish soap. Dry the pan completely before storing it away.

Using salt and vinegar is a natural and effective way to remove burnt grease from your pans without resorting to harsh chemicals. It may take a little elbow grease and some time, but the results will be rewarding!

Oven cleaner

Step 1: Spread Oven Cleaner on the Bottom of the Pan

Apply a generous amount of oven cleaner to the bottom of the pan, making sure to cover all the greasy areas. You can use a commercial oven cleaner like Cif, which creates a foamy lather that's great for eliminating tough grease.

Step 2: Let it Sit Overnight

For best results, leave the oven cleaner on the pan for a few hours, or preferably overnight. This will give the cleaner enough time to penetrate and loosen the burnt-on grease, making it easier to remove.

Step 3: Scrub the Bottom of the Pan

After the oven cleaner has had sufficient time to work, use a scrubbing pad or a non-scratch sponge to scrub the bottom of the pan. You may need to apply some elbow grease, but the oven cleaner will have done most of the work for you.

Step 4: Rinse and Wash in Hot Soapy Water

Finally, rinse the pan with clean water and wash it in hot soapy water to remove any residual oven cleaner. Make sure to clean all the oven cleaner residue, as it can be harsh and may void your pan's warranty.

While oven cleaner is an effective method, it is important to note that it can be quite harsh on your pans. Always read the instructions and take the necessary safety precautions before using any commercial oven cleaner. Additionally, there are several alternative methods you can try to remove burnt-on grease, such as using baking soda, vinegar, or Bar Keeper's Friend. These methods may be more gentle on your pans while still delivering effective results.

Bar Keepers Friend

Step 1: Wet the Pan

Firstly, wet the surface of the pan. This provides the moisture needed to turn the Bar Keepers Friend powder into a paste.

Step 2: Apply Bar Keepers Friend

Sprinkle Bar Keepers Friend powder onto the pan. For very greasy pans, you can make a paste by mixing the powder with water before applying it to the pan.

Step 3: Let it Sit

Allow the powder or paste to sit on the pan for about a minute. Do not leave it on for too long as this could cause discolouration and scratches.

Step 4: Scrub the Pan

Use a soft cloth or sponge to scrub the powder/paste in a circular motion from the centre of the pan outwards. For very greasy or burnt pans, you may want to start scrubbing with steel wool before switching to a softer sponge.

Step 5: Rinse and Repeat

Rinse the pan with clean water. If necessary, repeat the process until the grease is removed.

Tips:

• Wear gloves when using Bar Keepers Friend to protect your skin.
• Do not mix Bar Keepers Friend with other cleaning products, especially bleach or ammonia, as this can create toxic fumes.
• Do not use Bar Keepers Friend on non-stick or cast iron pans as it can scratch off the coating.
• Do not leave Bar Keepers Friend powder or paste on the pan for longer than a minute to avoid discolouration.
• For tougher stains, make a paste with water and let it sit on the pan for a minute before scrubbing and rinsing.

Dish soap and hot water

To remove grease from a pan using dish soap and hot water, follow these steps:

• First, scrape out excess grease with a spatula or wipe it out with a paper towel.
• Deglaze the pan by adding some hot water.
• Loosen any remaining grease with a long-handled dish brush.
• 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.
• Rinse and then dry with a clean, absorbent towel.

For tougher stains, you can use a baking soda slurry or a commercial cleaner like Bar Keepers Friend. To make a baking soda slurry, follow these steps:

• Make a thick paste with baking soda and water.
• Apply a few drops of dish soap.
• Use a scrubbing pad to apply the paste to the bottom of the pan using circular motions.
• Allow the paste to dry on the pan for 30 minutes to an hour.
• Scrub the pan with the scrubbing pad and a toothbrush.
• Rinse with warm water.

For caked-on grease, pre-soak the pan in vinegar for 30 minutes, rinse, and then apply the baking soda paste.

Frequently asked questions