The fat and juices of the food being cooked accumulate on the bottom of the baking trays and this is why they tend to always be rather greasy and encrusted. After using them once or dozens of times, you can use one of the following methods to loosen the dirt and have less trouble cleaning them. If you have baking soda or antistatic dryer sheets at home, you won't need to buy any other particular products. Alternatively, you can take advantage of the cleaning and abrasive power of an all-purpose powder detergent formulated to clean hard surfaces.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Use Antistatic Tumble Dryer Sheets
Step 1. Fill the dirty pan with hot water
If the sides are high enough to hold a liquid, place the pan on the kitchen worktop and fill it with boiling water. If, on the other hand, it is shallow or it is a grill, soak it in the sink or in a plastic basin that is large enough to accommodate it easily. Make sure the entire dirty surface is covered with water.
You can also use cold or lukewarm water, but hot or boiling water is more effective
Step 2. Add some dish soap to the water
Pour it into the pan in a zigzag manner. You can use any dishwashing detergent, but one formulated to effectively remove grease and scale is more suitable. This method can be effective even without using dish soap, so don't worry if you don't have it handy.
Step 3. Dip an anti-static dryer sheet in the soapy water
Place it horizontally in the center of the pan, making sure it stays completely submerged. If the pan is particularly encrusted or there are burnt food residues, it is better to use two antistatic sheets.
There are biodegradable antistatic sheets, they are an excellent solution to effectively eliminate dirt while safeguarding the environment
Step 4. Let the dirt soften in the water for at least an hour
After putting the water, dish soap and antistatic foil into the pan, let the three elements sit for about an hour. If the fat and food encrustations are substantial, it is better to wait a few more hours or until the next day. During this time the antistatic sheet will loosen the encrusted food residues.
Step 5. Rinse the pan and remove any dirt still present with a sponge
After letting the encrustations soften in the water for at least an hour, empty the pan into the sink. Depending on the level of the encrustations, you may need to use a sponge or dish brush to remove the last residues of food and condiments from the metal. In any case, even if it looks clean, washing it as you normally do with water and dish soap will not hurt.
Method 2 of 3: Use Baking Soda
Step 1. Spread it freely in the pan
Place the pan in the sink or place it on your kitchen counter, then sprinkle a generous amount of baking soda on the bottom and walls. The powder will need to form a thick uniform layer to ensure effective cleansing.
To save on baking soda, you can avoid covering the entire surface of the pan, but try to sprinkle a good part of it
Step 2. Moisten the baking soda with water using a spray bottle
Fill it and spray the water on the pan without fear of overdoing it because most of it will be absorbed by the baking soda.
If you don't have a bottle with a spray dispenser available, slowly pour the water over the baking soda and stir briefly to make a paste with a pasty consistency
Step 3. Place damp paper towels on top of the baking soda
Tear enough sheets off the roll to line the inside of the pan. Soak them with water and then arrange them neatly on the baking sheet. The purpose of the paper is to keep the baking soda wet while it works by dissolving the food encrustations on the pan.
If the paper dries out after a while, wet it again
Step 4. Let the baking soda sit for an hour or more
Do not touch the pan for at least half an hour while the baking soda does its job. You will get a better result by letting it act for two or three hours or, in the case of significant deposits, even until the next day.
If you leave it until the next day, most of the water will evaporate, but the outcome will not be affected
Step 5. Scrape the used baking soda off the pan and throw it away
Bring the pan to the waste bin and scrape it with a spatula to remove dust and dirt from the metal. It's better to throw the baking soda straight into the trash rather than drop it down the sink as it could clog the drain.
Step 6. Rinse the pan and scrub it again if necessary
Go back to the sink and rinse it with water to get rid of the baking soda and any remaining dirt. If necessary, scrub or scrape it with a regular or lightly abrasive sponge to gently remove anything that is still attached to the metal.
Method 3 of 3: Use an Abrasive Powder Cleaner
Step 1. Moisten the pan with hot water
Place it in the sink or kitchen counter. If it is a pan with high enough sides, add an adequate amount of water to completely coat the bottom. If it is shallow or it is a grate, run the water directly into the sink until it is submerged.
The water does not need to be boiling, but certainly hot water is more suitable than cold water to remove encrustations of food and condiments from your baking sheet
Step 2. Sprinkle the powdered abrasive cleanser into the pan
Pour it over the metal gradually until it is completely coated in a layer of fine powder. If you are concerned about overdoing the quantities, be sure to at least cover the encrusted areas. If, on the other hand, you prefer to sprinkle the detergent all over the place, remember that it is enough to create a thin film.
- You can also use a spray degreaser formulated to clean solid kitchen and bathroom surfaces.
- You will surely find a product suitable for degreasing and removing encrustations in the department dedicated to home hygiene in the supermarket.
Step 3. Let the cleaner work for a few minutes
Do something else for about five minutes while the powder loosens the dirt and food encrustations on the pan. If there is a lot of food and condiments residues, it is best to let the cleaner work for ten minutes.
Step 4. Gently scrub the pan with a sponge or dish brush
You can also use a rag to clean by rubbing the entire surface of the pan. Since you have used a stronger detergent than the one you normally use to wash dishes, it is best to use a sponge that is not meant to clean the dishes as well.
If you only have one sponge available, don't worry, but remember to rinse it thoroughly when you're done scrubbing the pan
Step 5. Rinse the pan thoroughly
After scrubbing the entire surface, check that it is perfectly clean and, if you are satisfied with the result, rinse it carefully to make sure you get rid of every last residue of detergent. To be sure, it is best to rub it again with a sponge or a clean cloth under water as some specks of detergent may be stuck to the metal.
