Best Grease-Busting Cleaners For Your Pans

There are several methods to remove grease from pans, including non-stick, stainless steel, ceramic, and cast iron pans. Here are some of the most popular methods:

- Baking soda: Make a paste with baking soda and warm water, spread it on the bottom of the pan, and scrub. For tough stains, leave the paste overnight.

- Lemon juice or vinegar: Soak the pan in lemon juice or vinegar for an hour, then clean with a scrub brush and dish soap.

- Oven cleaner: Coat the bottom of the pan with oven cleaner and scrub. For tough scorch marks, let it sit for a while before scrubbing.

- Bar Keepers Friend: Make a paste with water and apply it to the bottom of the pan. Let it sit for about 10 minutes, then scrub.

- Ammonia: Put the pan in a garbage bag with ammonia and let it sit overnight. The fumes will loosen the grease.

- Dryer sheets: Fill the pan with hot water, add two or three dryer sheets and a dash of dish soap, and let it sit for an hour. Then scrub.

Baking soda, hydrogen peroxide and dish soap

Removing Grease from Pans with Baking Soda, Hydrogen Peroxide, and Dish Soap

Removing grease from pans can be a frustrating task, but a combination of baking soda, hydrogen peroxide, and dish soap can effectively tackle even the most stubborn grease stains. Here's a detailed guide on how to use these ingredients to achieve a sparkling clean:

Step 1: Prepare the Cleaning Mixture

Create a thick paste by mixing baking soda and hydrogen peroxide. The paste should be thick enough to adhere to the pan's surface. Add a few drops of your chosen dish soap, such as Dawn, to enhance the cleaning power of the mixture.

Step 2: Apply the Mixture to the Pan

Using a scrubbing pad, apply the paste to the bottom of the pan using circular motions. Ensure you cover all the greasy areas thoroughly.

Step 3: Let the Mixture Sit

Allow the paste to dry on the pan for at least 30 minutes, but no more than an hour. During this time, the mixture will work its magic, breaking down the grease and making it easier to remove.

Step 4: Scrub and Rinse

After the waiting period, it's time to scrub! Use a scrubbing pad or a toothbrush to vigorously scrub the paste and grease away. Rinse the pan with warm water to remove any remaining residue.

Tips for Caked-on Grease:

For extremely caked-on grease, it is recommended to pre-soak the pan in vinegar for about 30 minutes before rinsing and then applying the baking soda paste. This extra step will help soften the grease, making it easier to remove.

Benefits of the Method:

This cleaning method is not only effective but also safe and natural. Baking soda and hydrogen peroxide are non-toxic products that can be used on various surfaces without causing harm. Additionally, this combination is especially useful for removing grease and baked-on grime from cooking utensils, pots, pans, and baking sheets.

Precautions:

While this cleaning method is powerful, it's important to note that hydrogen peroxide can irritate the eyes and skin, so always wear protective gloves when handling it. Additionally, never mix and store baking soda and hydrogen peroxide in a closed container, as the buildup of carbon dioxide can cause the container to leak or even explode. Instead, mix them right before you start cleaning.

Vinegar

To remove grease from metal surfaces with vinegar, create a 1-to-1 solution of distilled white vinegar and hot water. You can also add the juice of one lemon per cup of vinegar to amplify the cleaning power of the solution. Dip a sponge or soft cloth into the solution and wipe away the grease. Rinse the area with a clean cloth and plain water, then dry the metal with a microfiber cloth.

For tough, caked-on grease stains, spray or pour white vinegar directly onto the stain and let it soak for about five minutes. The acid in the vinegar will help dissolve and soften the grease, making it easier to scrub away with a sponge. For best results, apply the vinegar when the surface is hot.

For light grease stains on pans, soak the pan in vinegar for about an hour, then clean with a scrub brush or scrubbing pad and dish soap.

Additionally, vinegar can be combined with other products to enhance its cleaning power. For example, after soaking, use salt to scrub the pan. Alternatively, sprinkle the bottom of the pan with baking soda, spray it with vinegar, and let it sit for a few minutes before scrubbing.

Ammonia

To use ammonia to remove grease from a pan, follow these steps:

• Place the pan in a plastic bag, such as a garbage bag or a Ziploc bag.
• Add a small amount of ammonia to the bag. You only need enough to create fumes, not enough to soak the pan.
• Seal the bag tightly, leaving as little air space as possible.
• Let the bag sit for several hours or overnight. The fumes from the ammonia will loosen the grease.
• Open the bag in a well-ventilated area and pour out the ammonia.
• Rinse the pan with water to remove any remaining ammonia.
• Scrub the pan with a non-scratch sponge or scouring pad to remove the grease.

In addition to ammonia, there are several other methods you can use to remove grease from pans, including baking soda, lemon juice or vinegar, oven cleaner, Bar Keepers Friend, and dryer sheets. However, ammonia is a particularly effective and inexpensive option.

Oven cleaner

Step 1: Choose a suitable oven cleaner. Commercial oven cleaners, such as Cif Oven Cleaner, Easy-Off Fume Free Oven Cleaner, or Zep Oven & Grill Cleaner, are designed to work effectively on tough grease. These products contain powerful ingredients that can cut through the grease and return your pans to their former glory.

Step 2: Spread the oven cleaner on the bottom of the pan. Make sure to cover all the greasy areas generously with the product.

Step 3: Let the oven cleaner sit for a few hours. For best results, it is recommended to leave it overnight. This will give the cleaner enough time to penetrate and loosen the burnt-on grease.

Step 4: Start scrubbing. After the cleaner has had sufficient time to work, use a scrubbing pad or a soft-bristled brush to scrub the pan's bottom. You may need to put in some elbow grease to remove all the grease completely.

Step 5: Rinse and wash the pan. Once you have finished scrubbing, rinse the pan with hot soapy water to remove any residue from the oven cleaner. Make sure to wash the pan thoroughly to ensure no cleaner or grease remains.

Additional Tips:

• Always follow the safety precautions and directions on the oven cleaner's label.
• Ensure proper ventilation in the kitchen when using oven cleaners, as some products may have strong fumes.
• Wear gloves to protect your hands and cover surrounding surfaces to avoid any damage from overspray.
• If you are concerned about using harsh chemicals, consider a natural alternative like baking soda and vinegar, which can also be effective in removing grease.

Bar Keepers Friend

To use Bar Keepers Friend, start by wetting the surface of the pan. Then, sprinkle a small amount of the powder on the damp surface and scrub with a sponge or cloth. For very greasy pans, you may want to start scrubbing with steel wool, then switch to a soft sponge or rag once most of the grease has been removed. Be sure to rinse the pan well after scrubbing.

Frequently asked questions