Baked-on non-stick sprays, butter and shortening can all take their toll on a baking pan. Over time, even the cleanest cook is left with a pan that is covered with brown spots that stubbornly stay put no matter how many times they are cleaned.
While the spots are harmless, they make pans and baking dishes look unsightly. Fortunately, there are a few ways that, when combined with a little hard work, will get your pans looking clean and shiny.
For the first method, you will need an old toothbrush, aluminum foil, baking soda, dish soap and water. Combine the baking soda with a small amount of dish soap and water to make a thick paste. Next, apply it liberally to the pan using the toothbrush. Allow the mixture to sit on the pan for 20 to 30 minutes. Ball up a square of aluminum foil and use it to scrub the baking soda mixture into the pan, removing the spots and stains as you work. Rinse clean afterward and dry as usual.
The next method uses baking soda, hydrogen peroxide and a sturdy scrubbing pad. First, spread the baking soda onto the pan until the entire sheet is covered. Next, drizzle hydrogen peroxide all over the baking soda, followed by an additional sprinkling of baking soda. Allow the mixture to sit for two hours on your baking sheet and then rinse away. For this method, no scrubbing is necessary to remove the stubborn stains.
Stained cooking pots can also be cleaned to remove any build-up and stains. To clean the pots, simply boil equal parts of water and vinegar. Allow the mixture to cool. Next, use a scouring pad to scrub the pan until it’s clean.
Copper pans can get stained after repeated use but require a more delicate method in order to not scratch their surface. To clean copper pans, sprinkle table salt liberally into each pan. Pour vinegar onto the salt and gently scrub with a washcloth. The salt is abrasive enough to remove build-up from food but gentle enough to not damage the surface of the pan.
The next time you are cooking for company, don’t be embarrassed about the state of your pots and pans. Try these simple tips to get your kitchen bakeware and cookware looking like new once more.