How To Clean Burnt Oven Trays [Quick & Easy Cleaning Guide]

Cleaning burnt oven trays can feel like a daunting task, especially when stubborn grime and burnt-on food cling to the surface, refusing to budge. However, with the right approach and materials, you can restore your oven cleaning baking trays back to their former glory without causing damage. Whether you’re dealing with non stick baking trays, enamel trays, or stainless steel trays, there are effective methods tailored for each type.

At Cleaners Bristol, we offer expert oven cleaning services for both domestic and commercial clients across Bristol and the surrounding areas.

If you are looking for domestic or commercial oven cleaning in Bristol or the surrounding areas, call us on 0117 251 0184.

Understanding the Material of Your Oven Trays

Before diving into oven cleaning techniques, it’s important to understand the material of your oven trays. Non stick baking trays require a different approach than enamel trays or stainless steel trays. Non stick trays have a coating that can be easily damaged by abrasive tools or harsh chemicals. Enamel trays, on the other hand, can withstand more rigorous scrubbing, but you should still avoid anything that could scratch the surface. Stainless steel trays are the most durable and can handle tougher cleaning methods.

Preparation: Gather Your Materials

To effectively clean your burnt oven trays, you’ll need the following materials:

– Baking soda

– White vinegar

– Dish soap

– Hot water

– Paper towel and towels

– Rubber gloves

– Scouring pad or soft sponge

– Oven cleaner (optional)

– Biological washing powder (optional)

– Soda crystals (optional)

– Dishwasher tablet (optional)

– Clean microfibre cloth

Step 1: Remove Loose Debris

Before you begin the deep cleaning process, start by removing any loose dirt or food debris from your oven trays. You can do this by gently scraping the surface with a spatula or brush. If your tray has a non stick coating, be careful not to use anything too sharp that could cause scratches.

Step 2: Soak the Trays in Hot Soapy Water

For the next step, fill your sink or a large basin with hot soapy water. Add a few drops of regular dish soap or dishwashing liquid and submerge the trays completely. Allow them to soak for at least an hour. This will help to loosen the burnt on food and make the subsequent cleaning easier. If you’re dealing with non stick pans, this step is crucial as it softens the grime without damaging the surface.

Step 3: Apply Baking Soda and Vinegar

After soaking, drain the water and sprinkle baking soda generously over the tray. Then, pour white vinegar over the baking soda. The combination will cause a fizzing reaction that helps to break down the tough stains and burnt on food. Let this mixture sit on the dirty oven trays again for a few minutes to work its magic. If you’re tackling a particularly stubborn burnt oven tray, you can mix half a cup of baking soda with a few drops of water to create a paste, then spread it over the affected areas.

Step 4: Scrub with a Scouring Pad or Soft Sponge

Put on your rubber gloves and grab a scouring pad or soft sponge. Begin scrubbing the tray in a circular motion to lift the grime. Pay special attention to all the corners of the tray where debris can accumulate. If you’re working with non stick baking trays, use a soft sponge to avoid scratching the surface. For other other oven baking trays, a scouring pad can help remove stubborn grime. If you’re dealing with non stick pans, opt for a soft cloth instead of a scouring pad.

Step 5: Rinse and Repeat if Necessary

Rinse the tray under warm soapy water straight after to remove the cleaning solution and any remaining grime. If the tray isn’t completely clean, you may need to repeat the process. For particularly stubborn stains, you can soak the tray again in hot soapy water before applying another round of baking soda and vinegar.

Alternative Cleaning Methods

If the baking soda and vinegar method doesn’t fully clean your tray, there are other methods you can try:

Oven Cleaner: For metal trays without a non stick coating, oven cleaner can be effective. Spray the cleaner on the tray, let it sit for the recommended time, then scrub and rinse. Be sure to use this in a well-ventilated area and wear rubber gloves.
Biological Washing Powder: Dissolve biological washing powder in boiling water and soak the tray with a paper for a few hours. This method is particularly good at breaking down burnt on stains.
Dishwasher Tablet: Place a dishwasher tablet on the tray and add hot water. Let it dissolve and scrub the tray with the solution. This method works well clean baking trays except for oven trays with baking residue that’s tough to remove.
Soda Crystals: Dissolve soda crystals in hot water and soak the baking tray afterwards. This is another powerful method for breaking down tough stains on baking trays.

Maintaining Your Oven Trays

Once your trays are clean, it’s important to maintain them to avoid a buildup of grime in the future:

– Line Your Trays: Use baking paper or lining paper to cover your trays when cooking. This will catch any spills and make cleaning oven trays easier.

– Clean Immediately: Try to clean your empty oven racks and trays as soon as possible after use. This prevents food from hardening and makes the cleaning process quicker.

– Avoid Harsh Chemicals: When cleaning non stick baking trays, avoid using harsh chemicals that can damage your non stick baking tray and pans. Stick to milder solutions like baking soda and vinegar.

Conclusion

Knowing how to clean burnt oven trays is an essential skill for any home cook. By understanding the material of your oven trays and using the appropriate cleaning methods, you can keep them in great condition. Whether you’re dealing with non stick baking trays, enamel trays, or stainless steel trays, the right approach can make all the difference. Remember to maintain your clean oven trays regularly to prevent buildup and make future cleaning easier.

Looking for Oven Cleaning In Bristol?

Here at Cleaners Bristol, we are proud to offer a range of cleaning services across Bristol. Our professional and friendly team will go above and beyond to ensure your domestic property or commercial property is spotless. We offer cleaning services such as carpet cleaning, deep cleaning, end-of-tenancy cleaning, oven cleaning and window cleaning.

If you are looking for a reliable and affordable cleaning service in Bristol, give us a call on 0117 251 0184, email us at contact@cleanersbristol.co.uk or complete the quick contact form here.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How often should I clean my oven trays?

A: Ideally, you should clean your trays after each use, especially if there’s a lot of elbow grease, or burnt food. Regular cleaning prevents the buildup of excess grease and grime, making it easier to keep the trays clean.

Q: Can I use a dishwasher to clean non stick trays?

A: While some non stick trays are dishwasher-safe, it’s often better to clean them by hand. The high heat and harsh detergents in dishwashers can damage non stick pans over time.

Q: What should I do if the baking soda and vinegar method doesn’t work?

A: If the baking soda and vinegar method doesn’t fully clean your tray, you can try using oven cleaner, the trays with baking soda crystals, or soaking the tray with biological washing powder. Sometimes, it takes a combination of methods to fully clean a burnt oven tray.

Q: Is it safe to use oven cleaner on non stick baking trays?

A: Generally, it’s not recommended to use oven cleaner on non stick baking trays as the harsh chemicals can erode the coating. Stick to gentler methods like baking soda and dish soap.