Similar to any other kitchenware in your kitchen cabinet, your baking sheets should be kept spotless. This helps to prolong their life span while at the same time making them easier to bake with.
But the question is, how often to clean baking sheets? Cleaning should be done all the time after use and can be done in two significant ways. The first way and the most preferable is hand-washing. It has the advantage of sparing your pans from wearing out too early. The second option is placing them in a dishwasher. Although this method cleans faster, it is not recommended for aluminum baking sheets because it can cause them to fade or discolor too soon.
Whatever the cleaning method you choose, we recommend that you dry your metal sheet before storing it. That way, you will prevent them from rusting and prolong their lifespan.
Why you should stop using hydrogen peroxide for cleaning baking sheets
Are you still using hydrogen peroxide to clean your baking sheets? Although most homeowners consider it an effective method, we urge you to try other cleaning alternatives to spare your sheets.
You will be surprised to discover that what you consider an effective sheet cleaning solution is far from being one. It is a chemical that slowly erodes your pans, reducing their life span, which is the main reason to avoid using it.
But now, what else can you use if you avoid hydrogen peroxide? Don’t stress; there are many answers to clean baking sheets without hydrogen peroxide.
Some of the most prominent are discussed in this post, so keep reading.
Before you begin
Before cleaning your baking tray, remember that baking sheets are designed differently. There are those designed with raised, rolled edges to help prevent juice spillage (thus keeping your oven clean) while simultaneously making it possible to hold more food. Others don’t have these edges, for example, cookie sheets.
Other than the design, pans also differ in the material used to make them. Some will be made from varying weights of steel or aluminum materials. No matter the material, experts prefer those made from heavy-weight materials as they tend to be durable and resistant to warping.
Lastly, some pans have air pockets sandwiched between two materials layers and non-stick surfaces.
Regardless of these differences in design and make, any cleaning method (hand-wash or dish-wash) will be safe. However, extra caution will need to be taken when dealing with pans covered with non-stick surfaces to avoid scratching.
What you’ll need
Although most people often use hydrogen peroxide for cleaning their baking sheets, there are instances where you will have little or none by your side.
When this is the case, you can always turn to other cleaning alternatives discussed below.
1. Baking Soda and Aluminum foil
Materials and equipment
- Spatula
- Warm water
- Baking soda
- Aluminum foil
- Soapy water
Instructions
- Put on your cleaning gloves
- Scoop baking soda using a spatula and sprinkle it on your tray. Add sufficient water so that it forms a paste.
- Take a sheet of aluminum foil and wad it up. Then use it as a scrubbing sponge to clean the entire surface of the baking sheet.
- Continue rubbing until you are satisfied that the sheet is clean.
- Rinse off the sheet and wash with enough warm soapy water.
- Dry the sheet and store and store in a cool, dry place.
Does this method work?
According to most cooks, this method works wonders when dealing with baking pans with chunks of food stuck on. However, if you are dealing with flat-baked-on stains, you may have to try the following method.
2. Baking soda and vinegar
Materials and equipment
- Vinegar
- Baking soda
- Scrubbing sponge
- Soapy water or liquid dish soap
Instructions
- Make a paste of White vinegar and baking soda.
- Spread the paste you have just made on the surface of the sheet you are cleaning.
- Allow it to sit on the surface for at least 30 minutes.
- After the time lapses, scrub the entire surface using a damp sponge
- Rinse and wash keenly with warm soapy water.
Does this method work?
This method is said to be effective in removing any grime; however, it consumes a lot of time and can tire you since it involves a lot of scrubbing.
3. Cream of vinegar and tartar
Materials and equipment
- Cream of tartar
- Vinegar
- Soapy water
- Scrubbing sponge
Instructions
- Sprinkle enough cream of tartar on the surface of the sheet pan you are about to clean
- Add enough vinegar to activate the cream of tartar you just sprinkled
- Leave the mixture of the two to dry for, say, 8 hours
- Grab a scrubbing sponge and warm water and scrub away the surface
- Rinse with enough soapy water
- Dry and store your clean baking pan
Does this method work?
Some users have reported that this is one of the most effective sheets cleaning techniques. Unlike some techniques, this one requires effortless scrubbing since the mixture of vinegar and tartar breaks down any grime making it easy to get rid of. The only significant issue is that you may have to wait for hours before cleaning begins.
4. Easy off and Brillo pads
Materials and equipment
- Easy-Off oven cleaner
- Warm water
- Sizeable sink
- Soapy water
- Brillo pads
Instructions
- Grab your Easy Off and spray just a sufficient amount on the pan’s surface.
- Set your pan outside for at least 20 minutes. Alternatively, you can place it in an oven for the said minutes.
- Next, put your sheet on a sink and run warm water.
- Scrub gently using your Brillo pads. This will remove any remaining grime.
- Rinse well with enough warm soapy water
Does this method work?
This method removes all the grimes, including the tough old ones. It is effective because it does not take much time and requires minimal scratching. You will, however, notice that Easy Off is a bit fume-y.
5. Baking soda and water
Materials and equipment
- Baking soda
- Warm water
- Spatula
- Liquid dish soap
- Scrubbing sponge
- Scoop enough baking soda and add an equal amount of water
- Mix thoroughly until the two ingredients make a paste
Instructions
- Using a spatula, spread the resultant paste evenly on the sheet surface (if there are large stains/chunks, make sure that they are completely covered)
- Leave the paste to sit for at least 30 minutes.
- Take a scrubbing sponge and scrub away any visible stain
- Wash with liquid dish soap and rinse with warm water
- Wipe with a paper towel
- Allow enough time for the pan to dry
Does this method work?
The method is surprisingly effective for removing any greasy or burnt-on food stains. Additionally, it makes your pan clean and shining within no time.
Tips to Keep Baking Sheets Clean Longer
Cleaning your baking sheet too often can have some negative impacts, especially when using scrubbing materials. To avoid this, you can do several things to minimize the need for frequent cleaning. These include;
- Use silicone mat, aluminum foil, or parchment paper to line your baking sheet before using. This will prevent foods that would stick from coming into contact with the pan surface.
- Hand washing your pan instead of dish washing. This is because your dishwasher may not clean the edges and corners effectively.
- Avoid the use of baking sprays as much as possible. This is because they tend to land on the edges, which are somewhat uneasy to clean.
- Avoid abrasive tools that might create deep scratches on the surface of your pan. Such scratches are usually hard to clean.
Wrapping Up
Now that you have learned the various ways on how to clean baking sheets without hydrogen peroxide, the ball rolls on your side. Examine all the cleaning techniques we’ve shared and find the one you think will work best for you.
