Cleaning Accessories - baskets and drip pans

TN_Sister_State · January 2015

Anyone have any secret tips or tricks on cleaning grill baskets like the one attached? I have a basket and a drip pan that Im trying to get pretty close to perfectly clean. So any home remedies for safely removing all that grease and burned on black junk?

hapster · January 2015

I just the fire and heat from the next cook to "clean" them a bit before the newer food goes on... Figure all that gunk is just good seasoning

RRP · January 2015

Since that goop was baked on try an oven cleaner - unless the pans are made of aluminum. Also use it outside as those flames will knock your socks off!

Jeepster47 · January 2015

Another alternative is to place it in a tub of warm soapy water. Throw in a fabric softener sheet like you use in the dryer. Let it soak overnight and then do your normal scrubbing. Laugh all you want, but it really helps get the gunk off.

fishlessman · January 2015

i probably take an opposite approach than everyone else. i season them with heat and oil like castiron or a wok first so they are nice and black and shiny. watch triple d and see if you see any shiny pans, baskets, or drip pans

theyolksonyou · January 2015

I'm with Hap on the basket but on the drip pan I always line with foil.

hapster · January 2015

theyolksonyou said:

I'm with Hap on the basket but on the drip pan I always line with foil.

Drip pans I use foil pans and toss them

TN_Sister_State · January 2015

Thanks everyone. Ill pick up a can of oven cleaner today. And in regards to the wife's nice dish towels, she has assigned me a basket of "grilling rags" for these purposes.

theyolksonyou · January 2015

@hapster I was doing the same till I found a deep dish pizza pan in the cabinet that hadn't seen daylight in a while. It's a perfect fit so it is now repurposed.

Legume · January 2015

Bar Keepers Friend or Kleen King in powder are both great. BKF works on everything. KK is better IMO at stubborn stuff but they have different formulations for stainless vs aluminum so you have to buy the specific one you want.

Jeepster47 · January 2015

I bought a duo set (14" & 16" diameter) of stainless steel drip pans from CGS for about $21 right before Christmas. Only trouble with them is they look too good to use as drip pans ... only used them as baking pans so far.

A couple of weeks ago I looked in the "to Goodwill" box my wife keeps and noticed a 14" diameter stainless steel serving plate with ugly handles that we received as a gift years ago. Took it to the basement, drilled out the rivets holding the handles on, and it's now a perfect drip pan for a large egg. So, like @theyolksonyou related, the perfect drip pan might be right in your own cupboards.

RRP · January 2015

Another source I have heard about are outlet stores for baking companies that sell used cake pans. I was told that after I ruined this heirloom pan that was my wife's grandmother's pan and I "had to" replace it and it cost me like $20 for a name brand cake pan. I have never been able to get this any cleaner than this.

Brisket_Fanatic · January 2015

Have you tried a Magic Eraser @RRP?

fishlessman · January 2015

theres my shiny black drip pan, i cook with it too, notice the bright red handles. ron that pans not even broken in yet

RRP · January 2015

Brisket_Fanatic said:

Have you tried a Magic Eraser @RRP?

yes. I forget now what I was cooking that day, but that was back in the time I would pour wine and juices and spices and I recall it all boiled down to a hardened mess. Nowadays I just wrap it with one sheet of wide HD foil and forget the ugliness underneath!

Jeepster47 · January 2015

Brisket_Fanatic said:

Have you tried a Magic Eraser @RRP?

You have to understand that @RRP cooks with Royal Oak ... even a Magic Eraser won't help clean up after using it!!!

RRP · January 2015

Jeepster47 said:

Brisket_Fanatic said:

Have you tried a Magic Eraser @RRP?

You have to understand that @RRP cooks with Royal Oak ... even a Magic Eraser won't help clean up after using it!!!

LOL - actually back then I was probably using lump called Chicago Charcoal or Weekend Warrior.

henapple · January 2015

A little gunk isn't going to hurt. I guit deep cleaning a long time ago. Set it on the egg after the cook...it'll kill anything that might hurt you. I'd rather drink than clean.