In this no-nonsense cleaning experiment, we tackle the daunting task of cleaning grimy, baked-on sheet pans. These pans have seen years of use and abuse, and we’re determined to find a solution to restore them to their former glory. While there’s no magic bullet, we’ll explore various cleaning methods to see which one works best.
Materials Needed:
- Grimy sheet pans
- Baking soda
- Hydrogen peroxide
- Lemon juice
- Easy-Off oven cleaner (fume-free version)
- Brillo pads
- Quad zero steel wool pads (optional)
- Towels
- Patience
Cleaning Methods:
- Baking Soda and Lemon Juice:
- Apply a generous amount of baking soda mixed with lemon juice to the sheet pans.
- Let it sit for two hours.
- Hydrogen Peroxide and Baking Soda:
- Create a paste using hydrogen peroxide and baking soda and apply it to the sheet pans.
- Allow it to sit for two hours.
- Easy-Off Oven Cleaner (Fume-Free):
- Spray the pans with Easy-Off oven cleaner and let it sit for about 45 minutes.
- Ensure proper ventilation when using this method.
- Abrasive Scrubbing:
- Use a Brillo pad to scrub the sheet pans vigorously.
- For stubborn stains, consider using quad zero steel wool pads.
Cleaning Process:
- Apply the cleaning method of your choice to the grimy sheet pans.
- Scrub the pans with a Brillo pad or steel wool if necessary.
- Rinse and scrub until the desired results are achieved.
Results:
- The experiment revealed that cleaning heavily grimy sheet pans requires substantial effort.
- The Easy-Off oven cleaner showed the most promising results, but it still required extensive scrubbing.
- For pans in this condition, it might be more practical to consider buying new ones to save time and effort.
Conclusion: While these cleaning methods can be effective for less severely stained sheet pans, extremely grimy pans may require an impractical amount of effort to fully restore. Prevention is key—avoid letting your pans reach this level of grime. Consider investing in new pans to save yourself from the arduous task of deep cleaning. Remember, keeping your cookware in good condition from the start is the best way to maintain a clean and efficient kitchen.