Table of Contents
- Can you use oven cleaner on frying pan?
- What kind of pan to use
- How to use oven cleaner on frying pans or other utensils
- What you will need to clean your frying pan with oven cleaner
- What oven cleaner does
- What are the pros and cons of using oven cleaner on a frying pan
- Other ways you might solve this problem
- Using oven cleaners on nonstick cooking ware
- Other ways you might solve this problem
- Conclusion
Can you use oven cleaner on frying pan?
Cleaning an oven is never pleasant, but it’s not as difficult today as it was in the past. Cleaning products for ovens have better formulations, are easier to use, and include less hazardous chemicals, making oven cleaning much safer than it used to be.
As oven cleaners are so easy to use, most people often question whether or not they can be used on frying pans? While not a natural method, oven cleaner works well to remove burnt-on grease from the bottom of various types of pans. Even though you might feel concerned about putting oven cleaner on your cookware, rest assured that it is perfectly safe.
Here in this article, we’ll discuss some common questions that many people as regarding the use of oven cleaner on a frying pan.
What kind of pan to use
The first consideration when deciding whether or not to use oven cleaner on your frying pans is the type of material that it’s made from. Most modern cookware, including skillets, is dishwasher safe and easily cleaned with soap and water.
However, cast iron skillets may be more challenging to clean if they’ve been neglected for some time. The best way to remove caked-on grease and grime, in this case, is by using oven cleaner on them.
You should avoid using an oven cleaner with phosphorous trichloride, though, as these products would damage the seasoning on your cast iron skillet if they come into contact.
Phosphorous trichloride is found in oven cleaners to remove built-up grease and burnt food particles from pans. If spilled onto your cast iron skillet, it would damage the seasoning on the pan.
If you have a nonstick or aluminum frying pan, you don’t need to use an oven cleaner when washing it. Instead, use soapy water with a sponge when cleaning these pans.
Read more: How hot does a skillet get?
How to use oven cleaner on frying pans or other utensils
If you have decided that an oven cleaner is your best choice for removing caked-on grease and burnt food particles from your cast iron skillets, then follow this step by step guide:
- Cover the outside edges of the skillet with foil to protect them
- Shake up your oven cleaner well, but don’t shake it so much that it foams excessively, making the process harder than expected.
- Spray enough oven cleaner onto the bottom of the skillet to cover all areas evenly. Let it stay for 5 minutes to give it sufficient time to break down any grease and food particles.
- Wipe away immediately with a damp cloth and dry it to avoid any damage or corrosion on the skillet.
- Remove all food products from the pan. If you have a gas stove, you might want to turn off the burner on that stove until you’ve cleaned it with oven cleaner.
- Pour about 1/4 cup of oven cleaner into your pan or pot and allow it to sit for about 10-15 minutes. Just enough time has passed for the cleaning product to break down some of the burnt-on food residues; too much is unnecessary; any longer than 15 minutes may eat away at the nonstick coating of your pan.
- While wearing rubber gloves, wash out the oven cleaner using hot water and paper towels (do not use dishcloths). Once most are removed, wipe over with baking soda to neutralize any remaining odors or residues.
- Cleaning the inside of your oven is easy with an oven cleaner. Place a layer of aluminum foil on the floor or bottom of your oven to protect it from spills. Pour 1/2 cup into the bottom of the oven and place crumpled-up foil above it to create a steam effect. Set the self-cleaning setting for 15 minutes, then close the door until it cools down completely. After you remove any easily removable pieces, spray or douse the remaining areas with more oven cleaner and scrub them away with a sponge before rinsing again.
- Note: do not mix oven cleaner with any other household cleaning products.
What you will need to clean your frying pan with oven cleaner
- Oven Cleaner (liquid)
- Gloves
- Rubber Spatula
- Paper towels
- baking soda for scrubbing later
What oven cleaner does
Oven Cleaner is a mixture of chemicals that break down the organic material in dirt and grime. It also leaves behind a water-soluble residue, making it easier to rinse off. There are many different types of oven cleaners, but they all work in much the same way. They do not pose any risk to your health when used correctly.
What are the pros and cons of using oven cleaner on a frying pan
Oven cleaner should be used with caution around painted areas, mainly if you haven’t tested it first. The chemicals can affect paint’s adhesion to the surface.
Oven cleaners are flammable, so never use them near an open flame or other heat source and make sure you read all warnings before dousing your stovetop. Also, oven cleaner is perfectly safe for cleaning your frying pan.
It is not a good idea to regularly put off pan scrubbing until you have time to use oven cleaner, knowing how it will come in handy when something burns onto the bottom of a pot or pan and needs immediate removal.
Other ways you might solve this problem
Use baking soda and water mixture or baking soda paste. Use a traditional nonstick pan instead, as those pans do not typically need to be scrubbed clean. If you have a ceramic nonstick frying pan, soak the pan overnight in warm soapy water to loosen burnt-on food residue. The cleaning does not depend on whether your frying pan is flat.
Suppose you do not have an oven cleaner, substitute with a paste mixture of baking soda and water. Mix the ingredients into a thick paste to cling to the pan but thin enough that it can still be rubbed against the grime.
Leave this paste on for about 15 minutes before scrubbing away with a sponge. Rinse thoroughly after with clean water, spray some nonstick cooking oil onto your frying pan, wipe with paper towels, and allow the oil to soak in.
Repeat if necessary with additional baking soda, or try using commercial degreaser products containing lye (such as Bar Keepers Friend ) if they are available in your area!
Using oven cleaners on nonstick cooking ware
Nonstick cooking ware is coated with a Teflon material, which is not healthy for the environment and is not safe to heat at high temperatures. Always use non-electric appliances like a gas top stove if you love your devices.
Oven cleaner is highly flammable, so make sure that you read all warnings before dousing your stovetop. An oven cleaner is perfectly safe for cleaning your frying pan if it’s not a non-stick one.
Oven cleaners with lye (e.g., Bar Keepers Friend ) may be used on nearly any solid surface without fear of damaging the surface. The product label should indicate this property by showing an “over” sign next to the list of surfaces approved for the product.
Other ways you might solve this problem
If you have a ceramic nonstick frying pan, soak the pan overnight in warm soapy water to loosen burnt-on food residue. Use baking soda and water mixture or baking soda paste.
Use a traditional nonstick pan instead, as those pans do not typically need to be scrubbed clean. If none of these work, try using commercial degreaser products containing lye (such as Bar Keepers Friend ) if available in your area!
Conclusion
Oven cleaner is a good choice for removing burnt-on grime from your cast iron skillets as its formulation has been developed to work well in this type of situation. It’s safe enough to use on nonstick pans if care is taken when applying it and can be used through a dishwasher without causing harm or damage to aluminum or Teflon-coated cookware.
Finally, When using an oven cleaner, always make sure it is safe to use on a particular surface and read all directions and warnings before applying the product to a pan!
