Cleaning Metal Baking Pans: Tips For Sparkling Results

Metal baking pans are a kitchen staple, but they can quickly become covered in tough, baked-on grease and grime. To restore them to their former glory, you'll need to know which cleaning methods and products are most effective. The best approach depends on the type of pan you have, so it's important to identify whether your pan is made from aluminium, aluminized steel, or a non-stick material. Once you know that, you can choose from a range of cleaning techniques, from soaking pans in a mixture of boiling water and baking soda to using more unconventional methods like a cut potato dipped in baking soda.

Characteristics of Cleaning Metal Baking Pans

Baking soda and hydrogen peroxide

To clean your metal baking pans with baking soda and hydrogen peroxide, follow these steps:

• Create a paste by mixing baking soda and hydrogen peroxide in a 1:1 ratio.
• Spread the paste evenly over the surface of the baking pan.
• Let the paste sit for at least 2 hours or up to 8 hours, depending on the severity of the mess.
• Wipe away the paste from the pan using a paper towel and water.
• Scrub any remaining residue with a nylon pad, sponge, or brush.
• Wash the pan with dish soap and hot water to thoroughly clean it.

This method is effective for removing grime and set-in stains from your metal baking pans. However, it requires a longer soaking time compared to some other methods.

Ammonia

Step 1: Prepare the Ammonia Solution

Place your metal baking pan inside a durable plastic bag, such as a garbage bag. Make sure the bag is large enough to accommodate the pan comfortably. Pour about half a cup of ammonia into the bag. Seal the bag tightly to prevent any leaks.

Step 2: Soak the Pan

Place the sealed bag with the pan and ammonia in a sunny location outdoors. Leave it there for at least a full day (24 hours). The ammonia fumes will loosen the greasy buildup and stubborn stains on your pan. The longer you leave it, the better the results will be.

Step 3: Open the Bag and Remove the Pan

After at least 24 hours, carefully open the plastic bag. Do not place your face near the bag when opening it, as the ammonia fumes can be harmful. Remove the pan from the bag and set it aside.

Step 4: Scrub the Pan

Using a ball of steel wool or a stainless-steel scrubbing pad, scrub the pan to remove the loosened grease and grime. The ammonia will have done most of the work, so this step should not require too much elbow grease. However, if there are any remaining stubborn spots, you may need to apply some pressure.

Step 5: Rinse and Wash the Pan

Once you have finished scrubbing, rinse the pan thoroughly with water to remove any residual ammonia and grease. Then, wash the pan with hot, soapy water and a gentle sponge or cloth. Make sure to wear rubber gloves during this process to protect your hands.

Step 6: Dry the Pan

After washing, dry the pan immediately with a clean towel or let it air dry. This will help prevent the formation of rust and ensure your pan is ready for its next use.

Some additional tips to keep in mind when using ammonia to clean your metal baking pans:

• Always wear protective gear, such as gloves, eyewear, and even a mask when handling ammonia.
• Keep ammonia out of the reach of children and pets.
• Avoid breathing in the ammonia fumes during the process.
• Do not use this method on non-stick or aluminum pans, as it can damage the coating.

Aluminium foil

To clean a baking pan with aluminium foil, first soak the pan in water for an extended period. Next, bunch the aluminium foil into a ball and scrub the burned spots and stuck-on food. Finally, wash and rinse the pan with soap and water.

While this method can be effective, it may require some elbow grease. It may be better suited for removing hunks of food stuck on the pan, rather than flat, burnt-on stains.

Cream of tartar

The Paste Method:

To remove baked-on food and stains, make a cleaning mixture by mixing cream of tartar with vinegar in equal parts to form a paste. Apply this paste to the affected areas of the pan using a piece of rag and let it sit for at least an hour. For best results, it is recommended to let the paste sit overnight. The cream of tartar and vinegar will work together to loosen the food stuck to the surface of the pan. After letting the paste sit, scrub the pan clean. It is best to use the same piece of cloth used to apply the paste. For more stubborn stains, some elbow grease may be required.

The Boil Method:

To remove burnt food from the bottom of the pan, make a cleaning solution by combining vinegar and cream of tartar. Pour around 2 cups of vinegar into the pan and add 2 tablespoons of cream of tartar. Mix the solution thoroughly with a spoon. Place the pan on the stove and turn on the heat. Bring the solution to a boil and let it sit for at least 10 minutes before taking it off the heat. Allow the solution to cool in the pan. The scorched food will loosen, making it easier to scrub away. Once the solution has cooled, discard it carefully and use a cloth or sponge to scrub the affected areas.

Additional Tips:

• If you are unsatisfied with the cleaning after the first attempt, repeat the process a few times until you achieve the desired results.
• Always wash the pan thoroughly with soap and cold water before using it for cooking again.
• If you are out of cream of tartar, baking soda can be used as a substitute.
• To make aluminum pans extra shiny, boil apple peels in them.
• To prevent discolouration, avoid washing aluminum pans in the dishwasher or soaking them in soapy water for extended periods.
• When cleaning, use a steel-wool soap pad to remove food and make scrubbing easier.
• Cream of tartar can also be used to clean stainless steel, copper, and brass surfaces, as well as stained kitchen linens and rusty kitchen tools.

Baking soda and water

To clean your metal baking pans with baking soda and water, start by removing as much food and debris from the pan as possible. Then, create a paste by mixing baking soda with water. The paste should be thick enough to fully coat the burnt portion of the pan. For a full pot bottom, try mixing 1 cup of baking soda with 1/3 cup of water.

Liberally apply the paste to the burnt pan. Alternatively, cover the bottom of the pan with a thin layer of warm water, and then add enough baking soda to create a paste. Let the paste sit for several hours or overnight. Then, scrub the pan with a nylon brush or scouring sponge, adding more baking soda as necessary. Finally, rinse and dry the pan.

For tougher stains, you can try boiling the pan with baking soda and water. Add a small mound of baking soda to the centre of the pan and cover with about 1/4 cup of water (adjust the amount of water if you're using a larger pan). Bring the mixture to a boil and let it simmer. As the water evaporates, it will leave a film of baking soda around the walls of the pan that you can scrub off. When most of the water has boiled off, turn off the heat and scrub the pan with a long-handled brush or scouring pad.

Frequently asked questions