Why are my baking sheets rusting?

Author: Ms. Carolanne Wuckert  |  Last update: Tuesday, December 23, 2025

You may be most familiar with rust developing on a cast-iron skillet, but there's plenty of metal cookware that can take on a layer of orange. Bakeware in particular is a common culprit—and the cause is typically a combination of improper maintenance and general wear and tear.

Is it safe to use rusty baking trays?

Using a rusty baking sheet is not recommended, as rust can transfer to your food and may pose health risks. If the rust is minimal, you might be able to clean it. Here's how: Clean the Rust: Use steel wool or a scouring pad to scrub off the rust.

How to stop baking sheets from rusting?

Ensure the pans are completely dry before storing them to ensure that no moisture remains. Drying the pans properly is the best way of preventing them from rusting. Store the baking pans and sheets in a cool, dry, and dark place. The heat and humidity encourage the buildup of rust.

When to throw out baking sheets?

Do You Need a New Sheet Pan? If it's constantly warping, yes, that's a bad thing and you might just need to buy a new, sturdier pan. But if your pan's getting dull or dark, it's actually a good thing because you'll be able to get even more delicious browning.

Why did my baking sheet turn brown?

Seasoning accumulates when you bake things long and hot or when you put your pan in the oven with a little residual oil on it from last time you used it (this is why the sides, corners, and underside of your sheet pan may get darker than the surface, since those are the areas that get neglected in washing).

How To Clean Sheet Pans

When should I replace my baking sheets?

If your cookie sheets are bent or cracked, they need to be replaced. Bent or cracked cookie sheets will cause your baked goods to bake unevenly. Even a dent in a cookie sheet can cause problems. If your nonstick cookie sheets are peeling or chipping, it's time for new ones.

What baking sheets won't rust?

Aluminum baking sheets are classics in the kitchen. While some are cheap and flimsy, these are commercial grade, so they're a heavier weight and much more sturdy. For even better performance, they have rolled, encapsulated steel rims so they won't bend or warp in normal use, and they'll never rust or corrode.

Why are my pans rusting?

Even a well-seasoned pan can rust if it's left in the sink to soak, put in the dishwasher, allowed to air dry, or stored in a moisture-prone environment. There's no need to throw away a cast iron skillet that's a little (or a lot) rusty.

How to prevent rust in the oven?

If you are leaving the oven unused for a period of time it could be prone to rusting. Clean the oven so that it can hold less moisture on dirty surfaces. Place a moisture absorbent material like silica gel (e.g cat litter) in a dish in the oven, this can be placed in a sock covered with another sock.

Does aluminum baking sheets rust?

The first rule of aluminum is, “Don't put it in the dishwasher.” Dishwashers will discolor and dull aluminum pans, and over time, putting your aluminum baking sheets and pans in the dishwasher, or leaving them to soak in soapy water for too long, can cause oxidation and rust.

What causes rust stains on sheets?

The most common reason rust stains keep showing up on your linens is because of metallic minerals in your water supply. Typically, the term “hard water” is used to describe this issue.

How to prevent rust on cookie sheets?

Wash cooled sheets by hand with water and a gentle grease-busting dish soap. Dry your cookie sheets immediately with a cloth or paper towel to prevent rusting. Take care to dry the underside of the rim where water gets trapped.

What is the best baking sheet?

The best sheet pans
  • Best sheet pan overall: Nordic Ware Natural Aluminum Half-Sheet, $30/2pack at Amazon → Read more.
  • Best nonstick sheet pan: Oxo Nonstick Pro Half-Sheet Pan, $26 at Amazon → Read more.
  • Another great nonstick sheet pan: Caraway Large Baking Sheet, $55 at Caraway → Read more.

How do you fix a rusty tray?

All you need is a fine steel wool pad, or wet sandpaper, the kind used under water, with a grit of about 800 or 1000. Take your rusty tray and your nice damp fine steel wool pad, and scrub vigorously until you remove all the rust, leaving not even the tiniest bit behind.

Is it okay to use rusted baking pans?

Rust is not a food-safe material and shouldn't be ingested, but you may not be exposed to it depending on what you're baking. If the rust is minimal and you're using parchment paper or baking cups to line your baked goods, you can theoretically use the pan without exposing yourself to rust.

Does baking soda prevent rust?

Baking soda is doubly effective at removing rust. Firstly, it's gritty and slightly abrasive, which gives it scrubbing power to clean away rust. Secondly, it reacts with acids like vinegar to form bubbles. These bubbles help to lift rust off metal surfaces gently.

Which baking trays do not rust?

Designed for high temperatures and adventurous cooking, Hard Anodised guarantees superior performance, for a lifetime. Built to last with an incredibly strong hard anodised surface, Hard Anodised bakeware will never peel, flake, scratch, buckle, warp or rust.

Do baking sheets go bad?

Just because your sheets pans may look a little aged, that doesn't mean it's time to toss them and buy the newest model. Vintage is in! America's Test Kitchen shares that those baking sheets that have turned dark can actually help brown your foods more efficiently.

What is the difference between a cookie sheet and a baking sheet?

Baking sheets rolled edges with a lip around the entire pan, whereas cookie sheets do not. That makes them suitable for roasting and other savory preparations. The edges prevent any liquids that accumulate from running off the pan and into your oven.

Why do you cover baking sheets with foil?

It protects your food from drying out or burning and helps keep in the heat and moisture, ensuring a perfectly cooked meal. Loosely covering your dish with foil can prevent uneven browning while baking. However, tightly sealing your bakeware with foil is the way to go for more steam.

How do you restore baking sheets?

This simple method requires nothing more than baking soda, boiling water, and dish soap.
  1. Mix Boiling Water with Baking Soda. Pour boiling water onto the pan, then sprinkle on a few tablespoons of baking soda.
  2. Wipe and Wash. ...
  3. If Needed, Soak the Pan.

Is parchment paper a baking sheet?

Baking paper – also known as bakery paper or parchment paper, as it is often called especially in the US – is greaseproof paper that is used for baking and cooking. Baking paper is the multi-purpose kitchen helper that can be used for several different applications.

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