HOW TO CLEAN BAKING PANS PROPERLY

Over time, your baking sheets may have acquired a layer of baked-on grease. Cleaning baking pans does take some effort, but it doesn't have to be the chore you ignore. To restore them to their former shiny glory, use a mild abrasive, like Comet or baking soda mixed with water, or with a steel wool soap pad. With some scrubbing, they should look like new.

Several layers of grease may require more than this. Try spraying your baking sheets with oven cleaner and then letting them stand in a well-ventilated area (outside is best) before scrubbing them clean.

In the case of nonstick baking sheets, baked on grease is a more serious problem. The packaging on nonstick baking sheets usually warns against using any kind of grease on the nonstick surface, including nonstick cooking spray, oil, and butter. During baking, fat bonds with the nonstick coating, and it’s virtually impossible to separate the two.

If you are determined to save the baking sheet from the dumpster, you’ll need to seek out a special cleaner. Heavy-duty grease pre-treaters can cut through grease if left on baking sheets overnight. A product like Goo-Gone, the cleaner originally developed to remove sticky, gummy residue from all types of surfaces, will also lift the grease from the sheet. Just be sure to wash your sheets well with warm, soapy water after using this type of product, to remove it completely from the baking surface.

Clean Your Baking Pans In 3 Easy Steps

We all have them – those cookie sheets, broiler pans, muffin tins and baking pans that have seen better days. The old way of soaking and letting sheets sit overnight and hope for the best are gone. And, good riddance too, since that method rarely worked. All it really takes for clean cookware is a little persistence, effort and the appropriate products.

1) First off, assess the damage. Some stains, grime and crusted on gunk are more difficult to get off than others. If it’s a recent stain/burn, a thin layer of vinegar warmed to the bubbling stage may be enough to dislodge the debris so you can scrape it off. However, this option won’t work for cookie sheets and older, set-in stains. If vinegar doesn't work, it’s time to bring out the big guns – namely a little known secret cleaning weapon called Bar Keepers Friend. This item has been a kitchen cleaning staple since the late 1800's. It’s bleach free and non-abrasive, so you can use it on stainless steel, porcelain and ceramic. Stuck-on food, discoloration and stains disappear in minutes. It now comes in an easy to apply liquid formula too. For really stubborn stains, use Stainless Steel Sponges to apply it, and you’re well on your way to clean cookie sheets! **Warning – do NOT use this method for non-stick cookware **

2) Another popular method involves using your oven’s self cleaning feature to do the dirty work.  Just place the pan/sheet inside, set on the self clean cycle and, when cool, dry with a damp cloth. Again, do NOT use this method for non-stick cookware.

3) If you really want to ensure your baking sheets and pans stay clean and stain free, consider investing in non-stick cookware. Prices have dropped drastically in the past few years. Non-stick cookware is easier to clean, maintain and allows for healthier cooking since you do not have to oil or grease the pan.

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