Cleaning Drip Pans: Removing Coils The Right Way

Drip pans are an essential part of any stovetop, catching spills and splatters to keep your kitchen clean. However, they can be a challenge to maintain, especially with burnt-on food and grease. This is a step-by-step guide on how to remove coils and clean your drip pans effectively. First, ensure your stove is turned off and allow the coils and drip pans to cool down completely. Then, remove the coils by lifting one side slightly to expose the socket. Gently tug the coil straight out and set it aside. Now, you can lift out the drip pan. Next, soak the drip pan in hot water to loosen any caked-on food. You can also use a mixture of vinegar and baking soda or ammonia to cut through the grease. For extremely burnt-on food, you may need to scrub with a sponge or plastic scrubber. Finally, rinse and dry the drip pan before placing it back under the burner. With regular maintenance and cleaning, your drip pans will last longer and keep your stovetop looking tidy.

Removing electric coils from above drip pans

Before cleaning your stove's drip pans, it is important to remove the coils or grates sitting on top of them. If your stove is electric, turn off the range or cooktop and allow the stovetop to cool down before removing the coils and drip pans.

Some electric coil models can be removed by pushing the edge of the coil element in toward the receptacle and lifting the edge up enough to clear the burner bowl. Then, pull the coil element toward you and away from the receptacle before removing the drip pan.

If you have an electric burner coil, lift one side of the coil slightly to reveal the socket that the burner coil plugs into. Gently tug the burner coil straight out of the socket to remove it and set it aside.

Once the coils and drip pans have been removed, you can begin cleaning the drip pans using the methods outlined below. Remember to always consult the owner's manual or user guide for product-specific care information.

Removing gas stove grates

To remove gas stove grates, follow these steps:

Firstly, make sure the grates are cool before attempting to remove them. Then, simply lift them off the stove. Some burners have a marker on the underside of the grate that indicates which burner they belong to. If you are removing the grates to clean them, scrub them gently with a non-abrasive scrubbing pad or cloth and a mildly abrasive cleaner or soap. Don't worry about using water and cleaners on cast iron grates; they are mainly for heat conduction and durability, so they don't need to be treated like cast-iron pans.

If your grates are particularly dirty, you can create a paste by mixing three parts baking soda to one part water. Coat the grates in this mixture and set them aside for 20 minutes. Then, rinse them and wipe them down with a soft cloth.

If your gas stove has a standing pilot light, make sure to turn off the gas valve before removing any parts.

Cleaning with baking soda and dish soap

To clean your drip pans with baking soda and dish soap, start by removing the pans from the stovetop. Ensure they are completely cooled, then shake off loose crumbs and rinse the pans with hot water. Next, prepare your cleaning solution by mixing liquid dish soap and baking soda in a 1:1 ratio. You can start with half a cup of each and adjust as needed. Apply the mixture to the drip pans, scrubbing it in with your fingers or a pastry brush. Let the mixture sit for about an hour, then rinse the pans with hot water. If there are any remaining dirty spots, tackle them with a scrub brush or a sponge dipped in baking soda. Finally, dry the drip pans with a dish towel and return them to your stovetop.

You can also use a similar method to clean other kitchen surfaces, such as stainless steel sinks, countertops, glassware, and the inside of your fridge. Baking soda and dish soap can help remove built-up grease and grime, brighten surfaces, and remove stains. However, avoid using this cleaning combination on aluminum, precious antique silverware, gold or silver-trimmed dinnerware, and marble surfaces, as it may cause scratches or discolouration.

Cleaning with vinegar and baking soda

To clean your stove's drip pans with vinegar and baking soda, follow these steps:

Remove the drip pans and coils

First, make sure your stove is cool. Then, remove the drip pans and any separate decorative rings. If you have an electric stove, remove the burner coil by lifting one side slightly and gently tugging the burner coil straight out of the socket. For gas stoves, simply lift off the metal grates.

Shake and scrape the drip pans

Shake the drip pans over a trash can, scraping them with a dry paper towel to remove any loose or burnt food particles.

Soak in hot, soapy water

Fill a sink or bucket with enough hot water and a few drops of dishwashing liquid to completely cover the drip pans. Allow them to soak for 15 minutes.

Soak in vinegar

Drain the hot soapy water and add enough distilled white vinegar to completely cover the drip pans. Let them soak for 30 minutes.

Scrub with baking soda

Sprinkle the solution with a generous amount of baking soda. Let the mixture sit for at least another 15 minutes. If necessary, use a plastic scrubber to scour the pans, sprinkling additional baking soda onto areas with hard-to-remove stains.

Rinse, dry, and replace

Rinse the drip pans with hot water and dry them with a microfiber cloth. Then, replace all the components on the stovetop.

Note: Vinegar should not be used on marble or granite surfaces.

Cleaning with ammonia

To clean your drip pans with ammonia, you will need:

• 1-gallon ziplock bags
• Household ammonia
• Liquid dish soap
• Rubber gloves
• A well-ventilated space

Step 1: Prepare the drip pans

Ensure your stove drip pans are at room temperature before you begin. If you have just finished cooking, wait for the drip pans to cool down. Remove the coils or grates sitting on top of them. For an electric stove, remove the burner coil by lifting one side slightly and gently tugging the burner coil straight out of the socket. Set it aside, then lift out the drip pan. For a gas stove, simply lift off the metal grates to access the drip pan underneath.

Step 2: Prepare the cleaning solution

Put on rubber gloves and work in a well-ventilated area to protect yourself from the ammonia fumes. Place each drip pan inside its own 1-gallon ziplock plastic bag.

Step 3: Add the ammonia

Add 1/4 cup of household ammonia to each bag. The fumes from the ammonia will loosen the burnt-on food splatter, so you don't need to worry about coating the drip pans completely.

Step 4: Soak the drip pans

Seal the tops of the plastic bags and let the ammonia work its magic. Leave the bags stacked in your kitchen sink overnight or for at least 12 hours.

Step 5: Rinse and scrub the drip pans

Open the bags in a well-ventilated location, as the ammonia fumes will be strong. Remove the drip pans and seal and dispose of the used bags. Dilute the ammonia with cold water and pour it down the sink drain. If you have a septic system, neutralize the ammonia before disposal. If any dirty spots remain on the drip pans, wipe them away with a sponge and liquid dish soap. Rinse the drip pans thoroughly with hot water.

Step 6: Dry and replace the drip pans

Dry the drip pans with a towel and return them to your stovetop.

Tips and Precautions:

• Always read the instructions on the bottle carefully and use ammonia safely.
• Dilute ammonia correctly and learn how to handle an ammonia accident.
• Use gloves when cleaning with ammonia to protect your skin.
• Never mix ammonia with bleach, as this can generate a poisonous gas.
• Keep ammonia out of the reach of children.
• Avoid using ammonia as an oven cleaner for gas ovens, as the combination of ammonia gas and a live flame may pose a hazard.

Frequently asked questions