Cleaning Oven Burner Drip Pans: Easy Steps To Shine

Drip pans are a handy feature of your stove, catching any drips or spills that occur while cooking. However, they can quickly become caked with burnt-on food and grease, which can be a challenge to remove. This guide will take you through the process of removing and cleaning your oven burner drip pans, leaving them sparkling clean and ensuring your kitchen is a pleasant place to cook and experiment with recipes.

Removing the drip pans

To remove the drip pans, start by turning off your stove and allowing it to cool down completely. This is important, as you don't want to risk burning yourself during the cleaning process. Once the stove is cool, you can start by removing any components that are situated above the drip pans. If you have an electric stove, this will involve removing the burner coil by gently tugging it straight out of the socket. For a gas stove, simply lift off the metal grates that cover the drip pans.

With the components above the drip pans removed, you can now lift out the drip pans themselves. Place them in the sink or a large plastic tub, as they will need to be soaked for effective cleaning.

If your drip pans are only lightly soiled, you can place them on the top rack of your dishwasher. Alternatively, you can seal them in a plastic bag with ammonia and let them soak overnight.

Soaking in hot water

To clean your oven burner drip pans, start by removing them from the stovetop and letting them cool down. Next, shake off any loose crumbs into a garbage can and rinse the pans thoroughly in a sink with hot water.

Now you're ready to soak the pans. Fill your sink with hot water and add a few drops of dishwashing detergent that includes a grease-cutting ingredient. Place the pans in the soapy water and let them soak for at least 10 minutes, or longer if they are very greasy.

After soaking, wipe down the pans with a sponge or dishcloth. For tough, stuck-on food, use a sponge or melamine sponge to lightly scrub away the grime. Rinse the pans in hot water and dry them with a microfiber cloth or towel before replacing them on your stovetop.

If your drip pans are extremely dirty, you may need to try a stronger cleaning method, such as using vinegar, baking soda, or ammonia.

Using vinegar and baking soda

To clean your oven burner drip pans with vinegar and baking soda, you'll first want to remove the pans from the stovetop. Make sure the stovetop is cool, then remove the pans and shake them over a trash can to remove any loose or burnt food particles. You can also scrape them with a dry paper towel.

Next, fill your sink with hot water and add a few drops of dishwashing liquid. Place the drip pans in the sink and let them soak for 15 minutes. After they've soaked, drain the hot soapy water and fill the sink with enough distilled white vinegar to completely cover the drip pans. Let them soak for another 30 minutes.

Now it's time to add the baking soda. Sprinkle a generous amount of baking soda over the vinegar and let the mixture sit for at least 15 minutes. If there are areas with hard-to-remove stains, you can use a plastic scrubber to scour the pans, sprinkling additional baking soda as needed.

Finally, rinse the drip pans with hot water and dry them with a microfiber cloth before replacing them on the stovetop.

This method is perfect for tackling food build-up that won't come off with soapy water alone. The combination of vinegar and baking soda will cut through the grime and leave your drip pans sparkling clean!

Ammonia for heavy-duty cleaning

To remove oven burner drip pans for cleaning, first make sure the stove is switched off and the drip pans are cool. Then, remove the coils or grates sitting on top of the drip pans. For an electric stove, do this by gently lifting one side of the burner coil and tugging it straight out of the socket. For a gas stove, simply lift off the metal grates. Now, lift out the drip pans.

To clean the drip pans using ammonia, follow these steps:

• Place each drip pan in a separate one-gallon resealable plastic bag.
• Pour 1/4 cup of household ammonia into each bag. The fumes will cut through the grease and grime, so you don't need to worry about coating the pans completely.
• Seal the bags and let the ammonia work for at least 12 hours.
• Open the bags in a well-ventilated area, as the fumes will be strong. Remove the drip pans.
• Dispose of the ammonia by pouring it down the drain while running cold water. Do not dispose of the plastic bags in the trash as the fumes could create a dangerous reaction.
• Wash the drip pans in hot soapy water using a sponge. Use a plastic scrubber or melamine sponge for any stubborn spots.
• Rinse the drip pans in hot water and dry with a microfiber cloth before returning them to the stovetop.

Notes:

• Always wear rubber gloves when handling ammonia and use it in a well-ventilated space.
• The ease of cleaning will depend on the condition of the drip pans. If they have been previously cleaned with steel wool, the surface may be damaged, making it harder to remove the grime.
• The more frequently you clean your drip pans, the easier it will be.
• Avoid using metal scourers as they can leave grooves in the metal, making subsequent cleaning less effective.
• If the drip pans are extremely dirty and stained beyond your cleaning capabilities, it may be best to replace them.

Rinsing, drying, and replacing

Next, create a cleaning solution by mixing half a cup of ammonia with one gallon of water, or by using liquid dish soap and baking soda in a 1:1 ratio. You can also use vinegar and baking soda, or a commercial oven cleaner. Apply or soak the pans in the solution, allowing them to sit for about an hour. For stubborn stains, you can use a plastic scrubber, a sponge, or a Mr. Clean Eraser.

After soaking and scrubbing, thoroughly rinse the drip pans with hot water. Dry them with a microfiber or lint-free cloth, ensuring they are completely dry. Finally, replace the drip pans under the burners, making sure they fit smoothly in place.

Frequently asked questions