Greasing Pan Bottoms: Why And How?

Greasing only the bottom of a pan is a common practice in baking. It is done to prevent cakes, brownies, and other baked goods from sticking to the pan, making it easier to remove them once they are cooked. Greasing the pan also helps to create a non-stick surface, which is essential for recipes like cookies, where the dough needs to be able to slide off the pan easily during the baking process.

There are several ways to grease a pan, including using butter or shortening, non-stick cooking spray, or a combination of both. Some recipes also call for flouring the pan after greasing it, which helps the batter cling to the sides of the pan and prevents the cake from collapsing. However, flouring the pan can leave a residue on the finished cake, so it is not always recommended.

When greasing a pan, it is important to apply the grease generously and evenly to the entire surface. This ensures that there are no spots missed, which could cause the cake to stick. Greasing only the bottom of the pan can be effective in preventing sticking, as it creates a barrier between the cake and the pan, making it easier to remove the cake once it is cooked.

Ammonia and time

Ammonia is a colourless gas with a pungent smell. It is highly soluble in water and is toxic to humans. Ammonia is produced biologically in a process called nitrogen fixation, but even more is generated industrially by the Haber-Bosch process.

Ammonia is a common nitrogenous waste and is used in the production of fertilisers. It is also used as a refrigerant, in household glass cleaners, and as fuel.

Ammonia is a great way to clean the grease off the bottom of a pan. Place the pan in a plastic bag with a dash of ammonia and leave it overnight. The fumes will loosen the grease, and in the morning, it will have melted off. This method is also perfect for cleaning stove grates and drip pans. It is super cost-effective, too, as a bottle of ammonia typically costs less than a dollar.

Bar Keepers Friend

To use Bar Keepers Friend on a pan, make a paste with three parts BKF and one part water. Apply this paste to the bottom of the pan and let it sit for about 10 minutes. Then, take a non-scratch sponge or scouring pad and scrub the pan. The stains should come off easily, without requiring a lot of elbow grease.

Oven cleaner

To use oven cleaner, coat the bottom of the pan and let it sit for a few hours or overnight. Then, scrub the bottom of the pan with a non-scratch sponge or scouring pad. Finally, wash the pan with hot soapy water to remove any oven cleaner residue.

While oven cleaner is a convenient option, it is important to note that it may not be suitable for all types of pans, especially non-stick coatings, and there are alternative methods available that use more gentle, natural ingredients like baking soda, vinegar, and lemon juice.

Lemon juice or vinegar

Lemon juice and vinegar are both excellent natural cleaning agents, and can be used to clean pans. Lemon juice is around 5 to 8% citric acid, while vinegar contains 5 to 20% acetic acid. Both are very effective at breaking down grease, and can be used in a few different ways to clean pans.

Lemon juice and vinegar are also great for polishing stainless steel pans, making them super shiny. Lemon juice can be rubbed around the bottom and sides of stainless steel pans for extra shine, and vinegar can be used to remove any residual odours.

Baking soda

To clean a pan with baking soda, create a paste with baking soda and warm water. Spread the paste on the bottom of the pan and let it sit for several hours, or even overnight. Then, scrub the paste off with a sponge, scouring pad, or rag. For tough stains, you can add dish soap to the paste to help cut through the grease.

For non-stick and ceramic pans, be careful not to scrub too hard, as this can damage the coating. Instead, use a non-scratch sponge or cloth.

If you're looking for an even more powerful cleaning solution, you can combine baking soda with hydrogen peroxide to create a thick paste. Apply this paste to the burnt-on areas of your pan and let it sit for at least ten minutes before scrubbing it off.

With these tips, your pans will be looking brand new in no time!

Frequently asked questions