Cleaning the baking sheet: These are the best cleaning tips

burned-in
Cleaning the baking tray: How to remove stubborn incrustations

Over time, sticky food residue builds up on the baking sheet

© Mac99 / Getty Images

Burnt-on fat and food residues turn every baking tray into an unappetizing and unhygienic commodity that cannot be cleaned in the dishwasher. There are various ways to remove stubborn incrustations.

Classic baking paper or reusable permanent baking foil protect a baking sheet from the worst – but do not protect it from liquids (like hot oil or melted cheese) that can run over the edge of the baking pan and spread in the oven when heated. If there is more smoke than usual in the oven, it’s a sure sign of burnt-on fat or food residue that’s charring. Then at the latest it is time to clean the baking sheet. How does this work best? We’ll tell you.

Chemical cleaning agents: oven cleaners & Co.

The oven cleaner is an extremely effective remedy for stubborn incrustations and burnt-in deposits in the oven and on the baking sheet. This is due to its chemical composition, which is effective but bad for the environment. In addition, the ingredients cause allergic reactions that can irritate your eyes as well as your skin. For this reason, you should always wear protective gloves during the application, ventilate the room well – and not use the chemical cleaning agent too often. How to use an oven cleaner correctly is clearly explained on the packaging.

As an alternative to the oven cleaner, you can use dishwasher tabs to clean the baking tray – without a dishwasher. All you have to do is boil some water, place a tab in the middle of the tray and pour hot water over it. Ideally so that the entire surface is completely covered, but not overflowing. Wait for the tab to dissolve and then whisk gently with the water. It is best to leave the mixture to work overnight before rinsing the baking sheet with clear water and using a dish brush or a cleaning sponge wipe clean.

Clean the baking sheet: These home remedies are suitable

Natural home remedies that are also suitable for cleaning a baking tray are significantly more environmentally friendly than chemical cleaning agents:

Commercial salt
A popular household remedy has proven itself to remove stubborn incrustations and burnt-in residue from the baking sheet: salt. Spread this generously on the tray, preferably so that all affected areas are covered. The tray then goes into the 50-degree oven and stays there for 30 to a maximum of 60 minutes, depending on how dirty it is. If the salt turns brown, the tray is taken out of the oven and the salt and incrustations removed. Then clean the baking tray with an ordinary sponge, some washing-up liquid and clean, warm water.

baking powder or baking soda
An equally proven home remedy for cleaning the baking tray is ordinary baking powder. Take one packet (or 15 grams of loose powder) and mix with warm water. Put the paste on the tray and leave it on for 30 minutes. You can then remove the residue with clear water and wipe the sheet clean with a dish brush or sponge. If the encrustations are particularly stubborn, you can leave the mixture to act overnight. And another tip: If you don’t have baking powder at home, this works just as well baking soda powder.

vinegar or citric acid
Alternative to salt and baking soda can Vinegar be used as a natural cleaning agent – or also citric acid. To do this, cover the entire surface with the household remedy of your choice and place the tray in the 200 degree oven for a maximum of 20 minutes. Then, in the last step, the baking tray must be rinsed with clean water and wiped with a sponge or cloth. And another tip: the strong smell of vinegar can sting your nose and burn your eyes, so you should ventilate the kitchen well while cleaning.

Avoid stubborn incrustations: this is how it works

As mentioned at the beginning, burned-in cannot be avoided entirely – not even by using baking paper or permanent baking foil. However, you can influence how difficult it is to remove the incrustations afterwards. Because the fact is: the longer you wait and the less often you clean the baking tray, the more difficult it is to remove burnt-in residue. It is therefore advisable to soak the sheet immediately after use: preferably with warm water and a dash of washing-up liquid.

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