Ella Walter
Greasing the bottom of a pan is a great way to prevent food from sticking to it. However, it can be tricky to remove the grease from the pan's bottom once it has burnt. Here are some methods to clean burnt grease from the bottom of a pan:
- Using baking soda and warm water: Make a paste with baking soda and warm water, spread it on the bottom of the pan, scrub with a sponge or scouring pad, and then rinse and dry.
- Soaking in lemon juice or vinegar: Soak the pan in lemon juice or vinegar for about an hour, and then clean with a scrub brush or pad and dish soap.
- Oven cleaner: Coat the bottom of the pan with oven cleaner, let it sit for a few hours or overnight, and then scrub.
- Bar Keepers Friend: Make a paste with Bar Keepers Friend and water, apply it to the bottom of the pan, let it sit for about 10 minutes, and then wipe it off with a scrubbing pad.
- Dryer sheets: Fill the pan with very hot water, add two or three dryer sheets and a dash of dish soap, let it sit for at least an hour, and then scrub.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cleaning products | Ammonia, Baking soda, Lemon juice, Vinegar, Oven cleaner, Bar Keepers Friend, Dryer sheets, Hydrogen peroxide, Salt, Ketchup |
| Pan types | Non-stick, Stainless steel, Ceramic, Cast iron |
What You'll Learn
Baking soda and warm water
Baking soda is a versatile ingredient that can be used for cleaning, deodorizing, and even health purposes. Here are some ways you can use baking soda and warm water:
As a Pan Cleaner
As a Drain Cleaner and Deodorizer
As a Multipurpose Surface Cleaner
As a Laundry Booster
Adding ½ cup of baking soda to your regular amount of laundry detergent can boost the cleaning and whitening power of your wash. Baking soda helps to remove dirt and stains from laundry and also softens the water, reducing the amount of detergent needed. This method is safe for most fabrics but should not be used on delicate or dry-clean-only items.
As a Personal Care Product
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Lemon juice or vinegar
Lemon juice and vinegar are both excellent natural cleaning agents that can be used to clean burnt grease from the bottom of pans. Lemon juice is acidic and contains citric acid, which helps break down grease and fats, turning them into fatty acids. Vinegar, on the other hand, contains acetic acid, which dissolves grease elements and cooking dirt.
To use lemon juice to clean your pan, fill the pan with boiled water and add two tablespoons to half a cup of lemon juice, depending on the size of the pan. Leave the solution in the pan for 25 to 35 minutes. The grease will float to the top, and the fats will break down into fatty acids. Use a wooden or silicone spatula to gently rub the base of the pan. Wash the pan with regular water and scrub the inside, outside, and handles with dish soap and a soft scrubber.
For vinegar, fill your pan with hot water and add two cups of vinegar. Soak the pan in this solution overnight. In the morning, scrub the pan with a nylon scrubber. For maximum effect, use liquid soap and scrub the pan again.
Lemon juice and vinegar can also be combined with other cleaning methods for added cleaning power. For example, you can sprinkle baking soda at the bottom of the pan, spray it with vinegar, and let it sit for a few minutes before scrubbing. You can also add salt to the lemon juice or vinegar solution and use it to scrub the pan after soaking. However, avoid using salt on non-stick and ceramic pans as it can be too abrasive.
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Oven cleaner
If you want to try a different method, you can use baking soda, which is a mild abrasive. Make a paste with baking soda and warm water, spread it on the bottom of the frying pan, and scrub with a sponge, scouring pad, or rag. For really tough stains, you can leave the paste on overnight. You can also mix in some dish soap to help cut through the grease.
Another option is to use lemon juice or vinegar, which are both powerful cleaning agents that help break down grease. Soak your pan in lemon juice or vinegar for about an hour, then clean with a scrub brush or scrubbing pad and dish soap. This method works best for pans with light stains. You can also combine lemon juice or vinegar with baking soda by sprinkling the bottom of the pan with baking soda, spraying it with vinegar, and letting it sit for a few minutes before scrubbing.
If you're looking for a more natural method, you can try using cream of tartar and vinegar. Sprinkle cream of tartar on your baking sheet and activate it by spritzing it with vinegar. Let the mixture dry for at least eight hours, then scrub with a scrubby sponge and warm water. This method may require some downtime, but it will make scrubbing a lot easier.
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Bar Keepers Friend
Many people swear by Bar Keepers Friend, claiming that it is a miracle worker and a must-have for any household. It is especially useful for cleaning burnt grease and food off pans, leaving them looking brand new.
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Dryer sheets
In addition to their intended use, dryer sheets have a variety of alternative applications. For example, they can be placed in suitcases to keep clothes smelling fresh while travelling, or used to remove static electricity from television screens and other surfaces. They can also be placed in vacuum bags to help maintain a fresh scent.
When using dryer sheets, it is important to follow the manufacturer's instructions. Typically, one sheet is placed on top of the clothes at the start of the drying cycle and discarded after each use. It is also recommended to use a low heat setting for synthetic fabrics to avoid any potential issues.
Overall, dryer sheets are a versatile and useful product that can enhance your laundry routine and have a variety of applications beyond the laundry room.
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Frequently asked questions
The traditional way to grease a pan is with shortening or butter and flour. You can use a paper towel to wipe the butter or shortening over the pan, add a tablespoon or two of flour, and rotate and tap the pan until the greased surfaces are covered.
There are several ways to clean burnt grease from the bottom of a pan. One method is to make a paste with baking soda and warm water, spread it on the bottom of the pan, and scrub with a sponge or scouring pad. Another method is to soak the pan in lemon juice or vinegar for about an hour, and then clean with a scrub brush and dish soap.
Yes, you can use oil to grease a pan for brownies or bars. You can also use non-stick cooking spray or line the pan with foil or parchment paper.
