Do your baking sheets look like they’ve been through a battle? After scrubbing and scrubbing have you given up on ever seeing that shiny silver finish they had when brand new? I have discovered a way to clean them with absolutely no scrubbing. Be prepared to be amazed!
Have you tried everything to try to get your baking sheets to look like they did when you purchased them? Mine get a lot of use and they look “well loved” to say the least. I’ve tried the baking soda and peroxide route and it doesn’t even put a dent in the grime that has baked into them over the years.
They still work perfectly and I had gotten used to the grime but I have to admit they look disgusting.
Why should you clean your baking trays
The patina that forms on a baking sheet after many uses doesn’t affect the cooking but the built up grease can smoke causing an unpleasant odor. If you have a sensitive smoke detector, like mine, it will go off every time you open the oven door. I’ve kind of gotten used to it, but it drives my husband, and my dog crazy.
So he had me try this method and OMG I was stunned. I had never heard of this and since trying it, I’ve asked all my friends and no one had heard of it either. I just had to share it with you.
How to clean baking sheets with no effort
This is so simple. All you have to do is put your disgusting baking sheets in the oven and set it to the self cleaning mode. When the oven has run through it’s cycle and is clean, just take your pans out and they will look brand new.
Self-cleaning ovens were introduced in 1963 and now it’s a standard feature on most ovens. I am always making cobblers that spill over the pan causing a mess in my oven, so it’s a feature that I use pretty regularly. Now I just throw in a baking pan and clean them at the same time!
Is it safe to use the self-cleaning mode on your oven
Some people are nervous about using the self-cleaning mode on their oven. I have used mine for years without giving it a 2nd thought. If you have concerns, I found this great article from Consumer Reports where they conclude that it is perfectly safe to use the self-cleaning mode on your oven.
How to keep baking sheets clean
Once you have a beautifully clean baking pan, the best way to keep it that way is to cover it with parchment paper when making buttermilk biscuits or a batch of your favorite chocolate chip cookies. Or you can cover them with aluminum foil when cooking something like a chicken sheet pan dinner or broiling ribs.
Other ways to clean a baking sheet
If you don’t have a self-cleaning oven or maybe your baking sheets are not quite as “seasoned” as mine, there are other methods to clean them using different products such as: baking soda, vinegar, hydrogen peroxide and cream of tartar.
- Vinegar and baking soda – Bon Appetit recommends a water bath filled with ½ cup of vinegar and ½ cup of baking soda. Soak for 30-60 minutes then scrub.
- The Kitchen suggests to use baking soda and peroxide and soak it all night, then scrub off the residue.
If you don’t have a self-cleaning oven, try one of these methods. For me, I’ll be tossing mine in the oven.
If you’re in the market for new baking sheets, here are the ones I use regularly
- Cookie sheets – I like that they have a ridge on one side that helps with getting them in and out of the oven.
- Rimmed baking sheets – perfect for food that could drip
- Heavy duty baking tray – for making sheet pan meals
Recipes that use a baking sheet or sheet pan
Now that you know how to clean your baking trays let’s put them to use. Here are some absolute favorite recipes that require a baking sheet.
Shrimp and Asparagus
Baked Ranch Chicken
Baked Chicken and Sweet Potatoes
Sour Cream Biscuits
Non Greasy Sausage Ball Recipe
Apple and Pear Galette
Browned Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies
How to clean baking sheets
Instructions
- Wash with dishwashing soap to remove any food substances or grease from the pan.
- Place the pans on the cooking rack in the oven and turn on the self cleaning cycle.
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This is really very easy except I take my oven racks out or else they tarnish badly with the self-cleaning mode. I take a large black plastic garbage bag and put in the oven racks and toaster oven racks too. I buy the blue can of easy-off oven cleaner spray it all over the racks in the bag, Seal it up outside, and leave them for 2-3 days. Take them out and hose them off. They are like brand new. Temperature outside should be at least 65 degrees unless you have a warm cellar or shed. Very easy.
I have used the easy off on the baking trays doing the same method but for only a half hour, double wash them before use.
That’s another great idea, thanks for sharing it.
You’re very welcome. Just keep the great recipes coming. Then we have a good reason to clean those pans. lol