Classic baking paper or reusable permanent baking foil protect a baking sheet from the worst – but do not protect it from liquids (such as hot oil or melted cheese) that run over the edge of the baking tin when heated and can spread in the oven. 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.
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 tray with clear water and wiping it clean with a dish brush or cleaning sponge.
Natural home remedies that are also suitable for cleaning a baking tray are significantly more environmentally friendly than chemical cleaning agents:
Commercially available saltA 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 sodaAn 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, baking soda powder works just as well.
Vinegar or citric acid As an alternative to salt and baking soda, vinegar can be used as a natural cleaning agent – or 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.
As mentioned at the beginning, burnt-in cannot be completely avoided – 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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