Many people swear by the combination of water and a natural soaking agent, such as vinegar or baking soda. Others claim specialty products are the way to go. These agents do help to break down the food, making it easier to remove. However, I found an even better product: dishwasher detergent.
Goo Gone Kitchen Degreaser was our favorite product for cleaning burned-on food off of pans. With just one spritz of this easy-to-use spray (plus a Scotch-Brite sponge and a normal amount of elbow grease), we were able to clean the dirtiest pans in about 40 seconds.
Expert-Verified Answer. The best cleaning agent for removing baked-on food is oven cleaner because it is specifically designed for that purpose and contains powerful chemical agents.
Start with baking soda. This natural scrubbing powder is also mildly base, like a soap. The base baking soda breaks down acids, which helps to scrub away food residue. At the same time, the sharp soda particles make an excellent scrubbing powder to simply scrape away your burnt-on food.
Final answer: An Abrasive cleaner is ideal for removing baked-on food in pots and pans thanks to its mixture of surfactants and abrasive powders. Alkaline cleaners can also effectively dissolve tough residues but must be used with care due to their caustic nature.
Here's how you do it: Cover the baking pan with 2 tsp. baking soda and 1 cup vinegar and let the mixture sit for 30 minutes. Gently scrub then wash the pan with mild dish soap.
Baking soda is effective for oven cleaning and helps eliminate odours. The acidity of vinegar also helps break down baked-on grease and debris. To remove baked-on grime, mix two parts baking soda to one part water. The mixture should form a spreadable paste that you can spread over the interior of the oven.
The Baking Soda & Water Method
Make a paste of 3 parts baking soda to 1 part water. Make enough to cover the scorched portion of the pan. For a full pot bottom, try 1 cup baking soda and 1/3 cup water. Liberally apply the paste to the burnt pan.
Chlorine and quaternary ammonium (quat) are commonly used as chemical sanitizer solutions in food service operations, but other suitable sanitizers are detailed in 4-501.114 of OAR 333-150 (the Oregon food code). **Note: Ensure that your bleach is safe to use for food contact surfaces.
You can make your own mix of equal parts of baking soda and water, or opt for a commercial cleaning product such as a degreaser spray. For stubborn stains, you can also use a mixture of vinegar and baking soda to create a paste and apply it to the affected area.
Abrasives are cleaners containing small mineral particles, which create a scouring effect that removes dirt firmly attached to a surface. According to AISE (2014) and EPHECT (2012), abrasive powders are still used, but abrasives are nowadays mostly on the market as (creamy) liquids and ready-to-use scouring pads.
Next time you're faced with a pot or pan covered in baked-on food, don't immediately reach for the scrub brush. Instead, try soaking with dishwasher detergent for an easy and effective way to remove the food without any elbow grease.
Goo Gone Kitchen Degreaser is a foaming cleaner that excels on both vertical and horizontal surfaces. It's formulated for tackling tough grease and grime in the kitchen. It works by coating and lifting greasy messes, and it's safe to use on pots and pans as well as countertops, microwaves, stovetops and more.
Mixing vinegar and baking soda causes an immediate chemical reaction. This reaction forms water, sodium acetate (a salt) and carbon dioxide – the fizzy part. The amount of carbon dioxide gas that is produced from baking soda is remarkable – one tablespoon (around 18 grams) can release over five litres of gas!
Baking soda is non-toxic, inexpensive, easy-to-use, and remarkably effective on cleaning oven grease. Baking soda is alkaline, and oven grease made of food particles is typically acidic. Baking soda neutralizes acids and breaks down the grease, allowing you to wipe it up without a lot of elbow grease.
Safe and Sound
It's a safer alternative to general oven cleaners, as Goo Gone Oven & Grill Cleaner is surface safe for all metals and plastics.
How it works: Fill your dirty pan with equal parts water and vinegar. Bring the mixture to a boil, then add 2 tablespoons of baking soda. Remove from heat and let soak for up to 15 minutes. Discard the liquid down your drain, then use a sponge or scouring pad to scrub away any remaining burnt-on bits.
Dish Soap and Baking Soda
While dish soap easily removes grease, stains are another story. For a stronger solution, sprinkle a layer of baking soda onto your Pyrex pan then add a squirt of dish soap. Fill the pan with hot water and let it soak for 10 minutes.
Tools for Cleaning Pans
Abrasive tools are scrub pads, coarse brushes, steel wool, and anything that will remove food and oil with scrubbing. Non-abrasive tools are cloths, sponges, and soft brushes that will remove food and oil without much force.
Baking Soda and Vinegar (For Stubborn Stains)
Baking soda and vinegar work great for removing mineral deposits from a steam table: the chemical reaction between the two loosens tough mineral deposits.