Removing Oil From Pans: A Step-By-Step Guide

Burnt oil can be a pain to clean off your pans, and it may seem easier to just throw them away and buy new ones. However, there are several methods you can use to clean your pans and save money, especially if you're running a restaurant. The best method for you will depend on the type of pan you have. For example, if your pan is stainless steel, you can use a polish like Barkeeper's Friend, or oven cleaner. If your pan is cast iron, you may need to remove the seasoning and start again. Unfortunately, if you've burnt oil into non-stick cookware, it may be ruined.

Using baking soda, vinegar and dish soap

To get oil out of a pan using baking soda, vinegar, and dish soap, you can follow these steps:

First, rinse the pan with hot water to remove any loose gunk or grime and expose the burnt layer underneath. If there is only a thin layer of food residue, hot water may be enough to dissolve the oils.

Next, apply a paste made from baking soda and vinegar, or use a vinegar-based method, depending on the amount of staining. For small stain spots, create a cleaning paste by mixing baking soda with vinegar or warm water, and apply it directly to the burnt food bits. For heavily-stained pots and pans, fill a large container with vinegar and water, and dissolve some baking soda in the solution. Submerge the pan in the mixture, ensuring that every part is covered.

Let the mixture sit. The baking soda slurry will dissolve and lift away any traces of burnt oil, food, and other stains. The vinegar will also help to degrease the pan and soften hardened food bits.

Afterward, scrub the stains away. Use a soft brush for non-stick pans and a scouring or scrubbing pad for stainless steel cookware. If using the vinegar method, adding more baking soda will aid in removing the gunk as it is a gentle yet abrasive scrubber.

Finally, wash the pan with dish soap and let it dry. This will remove any remaining oil and baking soda residue. You can place the pan on an open stove to quickly evaporate the moisture. Allow the pan to cool before storing it.

You can also try an alternative method by filling the pan with water, adding baking soda, vinegar, and mild dish soap, and boiling the mixture for about 10 minutes on medium heat. Use a wooden spatula to scrub the oil stains, boil for an additional 5 minutes, drain, and gently scrub the pan with a sponge and mild dish soap.

Oven cleaner

To use oven cleaner, follow these steps:

• Apply the oven cleaner to the affected areas of the pan.
• Let it sit for a few minutes.
• Scrub the pan with a sponge or a brush.
• Rinse the pan thoroughly with water.

It may take a couple of applications to completely remove the burnt-on oil. Be sure to wear gloves and work in a well-ventilated area when using oven cleaner, as the fumes can be strong.

If you are concerned about using harsh chemicals, there are some alternative methods you can try:

• Soaking the pan in hot, soapy water
• Using a paste of baking soda and water
• Soaking the pan in vinegar or a vinegar and water solution
• Using a dryer sheet: fill the pan with water and drop in a dryer sheet, letting it soak for about an hour

Barkeeper's Friend

If you're looking to get oil out of a pan, Barkeeper's Friend can be a great solution, but it's important to use it correctly and be aware of some potential pitfalls.

Firstly, Barkeeper's Friend is a bleach-free, oxalic-acid-based powdered cleaning product. It is ideal for stainless steel items, but it can also be used on several other materials. It is effective at removing tough grease and oil stains, rust, tarnish, mineral deposits, and other tough stains from most surfaces. It can also help protect your pans from future tarnishing and rusting.

To use Barkeeper's Friend, start by wetting the surface of your pan. Then, sprinkle on the powder and scrub with a sponge or cloth. Unlike dish soap, it won't work up a lather, so scrub with the faucet off, using just the moisture on the pan to turn the powder into a paste. You may need to add a little extra water. For very greasy or burnt-on oil, you can start scrubbing with steel wool before switching to a soft sponge or cloth.

It's important to note that Barkeeper's Friend is abrasive, so always wear gloves when using it, and be sure to rinse the product off thoroughly after scrubbing. Do not leave it on the surface for longer than a minute, as it can cause discolouration and scratches. Also, be sure not to mix it with other cleaning products, especially bleach or ammonia, as this can create toxic fumes.

While Barkeeper's Friend can be a great solution for removing oil from pans, it is not suitable for all surfaces. Do not use it on non-stick pans, cast iron, granite, marble, wood, fabric, leather, or painted surfaces.

Hydrogen peroxide and baking soda

To get oil out of a pan using hydrogen peroxide and baking soda, follow these steps:

Firstly, sprinkle a generous amount of baking soda over the sheet pan. Then, cover the baking soda with hydrogen peroxide. You can leave the pan to sit for up to two hours—the longer it soaks, the more baked-on residue will come off. For even tougher messes, you can let the pan soak overnight.

After the solution has had time to soak, put on some dishwashing gloves and wipe the pan off with a sponge. You should now have a clean pan that looks as good as new, with no heavy scrubbing required. If some stains remain, simply repeat the process.

This method is ideal for big messes that require extra time to lift set-in stains. It is also a good option if you want the hard work done for you while you sleep.

Salt and vinegar

Step 1:

Sprinkle salt onto the burnt areas of the pot or pan. The amount of salt required will depend on the size of the burnt area, but generally, 2-3 tablespoons should be enough.

Step 2:

Add vinegar to the pan until it covers the bottom. You can use white vinegar or distilled vinegar, depending on what you have available.

Step 3:

Place the pan on the stove and turn on the heat. Bring the mixture to a boil.

Step 4:

Once the mixture is boiling, turn the heat down to low.

Step 5:

Add baking soda to the mixture. You can add 2-4 tablespoons, depending on the size of your pan. The baking soda will react with the vinegar and start to fizz.

Step 6:

Remove the pan from the heat as soon as the liquid starts to evaporate. Be careful not to burn yourself with the steam.

Step 7:

Wash the pan with water. If necessary, repeat the whole procedure.

This method is effective for cleaning burnt pots and pans because the vinegar is a natural solvent and degreaser, while the salt acts as an abrasive to help scrub away the burnt residue. The baking soda reacts with the vinegar, further enhancing its cleaning power.

Frequently asked questions