How to clean baked on grease from aluminum cookie sheet

Welcome to Coming Clean, a monthly column where writer Lauren Viera finds the best products for the toughest-to-clean parts of the kitchen. Along the way, she just might convince you (and herself) to actually enjoy this whole cleaning thing.

Do you own a baking sheet? Is its caked-on grease causing the pan to look more brown (or, in my case, black) than silver? Have you ever been motivated to clean it only to discover that, after years of literally baking layers upon layers of grease, cleaning is nearly impossible, so you shrug and give up?

If you answered “Yes” to at least one of those questions, then you’ve come to the right place. Today you're going to learn how to (finally) clean your cookie sheet. As beautiful as the patina of a well-seasoned sheet pan can be, there’s something unsettling about the fact that it never really looks clean. We repeat the grease, bake, patina cycle until, well, decades later we eventually bequest our cookie sheet, grease layers and all, to a grandchild. (I’m speaking from personal experience here: I’m pretty sure my favorite baking sheet came from my grandma. It’s that old—and that grimy.)

As sentimental as it may be to imagine Grandma’s ghost grease working its way into every batch of baked cookies or roasted vegetables, the state of my cookie sheet recently hit peak disgustingness. (I blame COOK90, during which I used it nearly every day.) So, I began researching ways to clean it. If you’ve been down this road, you’ve likely seen the array of methods demonstrated via YouTube—from layering dryer sheets overnight on pools of grease, to smearing a coat of ketchup on the sheet pan and scrubbing with a Brillo pad.

Reader, I tried them all (including the ketchup, which was so, so gross). And what worked for me, better than anything else, was a combination of the following staples that you probably have on hand, but should stock up on for this exact purpose: baking soda, hydrogen peroxide, and steel wool. (You’re also going to need a heck of a lot of elbow grease.) Here’s why.

If you do any baking (or fridge de-odorizing), you’re already familiar with baking soda, the common name for Sodium Bicarbonate. Thanks to its natural alkaline base, it’s great at breaking down acidic stuff, including decades worth of baking grease. Simply combining it with water dilutes it more than enhances it, so you’ll need to combine it with something a little stronger—which brings us to the next ingredient.

Arm & Hammer Baking Soda

Hydrogen peroxide is incredibly strong as an oxidizer, i.e., breaking up matter like long-baked grease. I also tried combining the baking soda with distilled white vinegar, but hydrogen peroxide works better because it isn’t acidic, meaning it works with—not against—baking soda. (Vinegar, for the record, is so acidic that it essentially neutralizes baking soda, rendering this combo into salt water. Not very effective.)

Hydrogen Peroxide

But, even with that powerful combo, your cookie sheet isn’t going to scrub itself. So if, like mine, yours has so many layers of grease they’re opaque, a tough scrubber like steel wool is your best bet for chipping away at the grime. If your pan is just mildly greasy, SOS or Scotch Brite pads should work; my job called for something sturdier.

Steel Wool

The application method is up to you. You can create a paste using a few tablespoons of baking soda mixed with a few glugs of peroxide, but I lazily poured both directly into the pan and started scrubbing from there. Just don’t forget to rinse with soap and water when you’re done, lest you risk rust spots.

Embarrassed by your grimy baking sheets? You can clean 'em up. To help, we put four popular cleaning methods to the test!

“Put your back into it!”

This is a phrase that should only be heard if you’re in the midst of training for an upcoming Strongman Competition. But if a family member is yelling this at you while you’re cleaning baking sheets, well, then you’re working too hard. Don’t feel bad, though. Like us, you may have forgotten the original color of your well-used baking sheets. What was once shiny and bright is now a mottled blend of black and brown that you have accepted as your pan’s new look.

But there are ways to breathe scrub new life into your baking sheets! We put four of the most popular cleaning techniques to the test on some dirty baking sheets to see which method was truly up to the challenge.

Keep reading as we explain how each method works, along with our results.

How We Tested Each Cleaning Method

In cleaning baking sheets, we wanted to have some semblance of a scientific method. Therefore, we not only tested each cleaning method on an individual baking sheet but also divided a single pan into fourths to test the techniques side-by-side. This allowed us to test each method on a pan from a single brand, made out of the same material/coating and with a common mess cooked into the surface. For testing purposes, we also limited scrubbing time to 15 minutes for each method.

Results were then rated on a scale of one to five. Ratings were awarded based on how long each technique took, how much extra elbow grease was required and the overall ease or difficulty of the cleaning process.

Warning: Before cleaning your pans with any one of these methods, test it on a small, inconspicuous portion of your baking pans to ensure they don’t damage the surface of your pans.

Cleaning Baking Sheets with Baking Soda + Water

Time: 30 minutes of soaking and 15 minutes of scrubbing

Rating: 3/5

Process: In a small bowl, make a paste out of baking soda and a few tablespoons of clean water. Spread the paste onto the pan and let it sit on the surface of the baking sheet for 30 minutes. Then, scrub away using a nylon pad, sponge or brush until clean. Give the pan a final wash using dish soap and warm water.

Results: This method took the least amount of time to see results but also required the most elbow grease. This is probably because baking soda alone is not as caustic as a solution paired with an acid like vinegar or hydrogen peroxide. After 15 minutes of scrubbing, there was a visible improvement on the baking sheets we tested but deep, set-in stains were still present. This method may be best for pans with lighter staining or nonstick pans since more abrasive solutions may damage the coating.

Cleaning Baking Sheets with Baking Soda + White Vinegar

Time: 60 minutes of soaking and 15+ minutes of scrubbing

Rating: 4/5

Process: Measure out a 1:1 ratio of baking soda to white vinegar, about 1/4 cup of each. Then, sprinkle the baking soda over the dirty pan and pour the vinegar over the surface. Let the two products begin to react. Meanwhile, fill a sink with hot, clean water. Submerge the pan in the hot water and let it soak for 30-60 minutes. After soaking, use a nylon pad or steel wool to scrub away the grime. Wash again using dish soap and warm water, rinse and dry.

Results: This method really worked well. After a 60-minute soak in hot water and 15 minutes of scrubbing, nearly all the stains and grime were removed. The only reason we docked a point is we did need to use considerable scrubbing power to get the heaviest stains to lift. With that being said, we do think another 3-5 minutes of scrubbing would have probably lifted the remaining stains completely.

Cleaning Baking Sheets with Hydrogen Peroxide

Time: 6 hours of soaking and 15 minutes of scrubbing

Rating: 2/5

Process: While wearing rubber gloves, soak a damp paper towel or dishcloth with hydrogen peroxide. Rub the cloth gently over the surface of the baking pan to saturate the surface, then lay the cloth flat over the pan to cover it. If you’re working on a large pan, you may need to use multiple paper towels or dishcloths to cover the entire surface. Let the pan sit for at least 2 hours or up to 8 hours for really tough messes. Then, remove the cloth and scrub the pan in hot water using a scouring pad to lift remaining stains. Wash thoroughly with dish soap and rinse in clean water.

Results: Similar to baking soda alone, hydrogen peroxide on its own doesn’t quite have the punch it needs to lift heavy food stains. This method lost points because it not only lacks potency but also took a lot of time to soak. We will say that light stains lifted easier with this method than those involving baking soda solutions. However, once those light stains were gone it didn’t have much impact on the deeper stains.

Cleaning Baking Sheets with Baking Soda + Hydrogen Peroxide

Time: 6 hours of soaking and 15 minutes of scrubbing

Rating: 4/5

Process: Using a 1:1 ratio of baking soda and hydrogen peroxide, form a paste by mixing the two together in a small bowl. Spread the paste evenly over the surface of the baking sheet. Let the paste sit on the pan for at least 2 hours or up to 8 hours for bigger messes. After time has elapsed, wipe away the mixture from the baking pans using a paper towel and water. Scrub any remaining residue away using a nylon pad, sponge or brush and then give the pan a final wash with dish soap and hot water to thoroughly clean.

Results: This method was just about as effective as the baking soda and vinegar solution. While the vinegar-based solution lost a point because it required heavier scrubbing, this method loses a point because of how much time it requires. Stains lifted easily with this method, requiring only a light hand to scrub. However, those results were only possible due to the longer soaking time, which may not always be convenient.

Final Thoughts

Overall, all four methods were effective at lifting grime and giving new life to the baking sheets. While none of the methods received a perfect score, we still think each method has its merits depending on how much time you’re willing to invest. Ultimately, it comes down to investing either time or effort.

Personally, we’ll stick with a baking soda and vinegar solution to deep-clean our baking sheets if we’re short on time, and reserve a baking soda and hydrogen peroxide solution for big messes that require extra time to lift set-in stains.

Warning: If, after reading this, you’re wondering why we also didn’t try a solution combining baking soda, vinegar AND hydrogen peroxide, it’s because that combination is dangerous. When mixed together, vinegar and hydrogen peroxide create what’s called peracetic acid, which is potentially toxic and can irritate the skin, eyes and respiratory system. 

Now that your baking pans are clean as a whistle, there’s only one thing to do: make ’em dirty again. Use your clean pans to roast these tasty sheet pan dinners!

Hoisin Sriracha Sheet-Pan Chicken

As far as easy sheet pan dinners go, this one's a family favorite. The convenience and simplicity of this recipe make it extra awesome. Feel free to change the veggies throughout the year—the sticky-spicy-sweet sauce is tasty on everything!! —Julie Peterson, Crofton, Maryland Go to Recipe

Baked Chicken Chimichangas

I developed this quick and easy recipe through trial and error. I used to garnish it with sour cream, too, but I eliminated it in order to lighten the recipe. My friends all love it when I cook these chimichangas, and they're much healthier than deep-fried. —Rickey Madden, Clinton, South Carolina

Sheet-Pan Pork Supper

I created this pork tenderloin sheet-pan dinner to suit our family's needs. It's so quick and easy to clean up since you use one pan for everything! Use any variety of small potatoes—fingerlings or other colored potatoes are a fun and delicious option. —Debbie Johnson, Centertown, Missouri

Potato and Pepper Sausage Bake

When my family smells this dish baking in the oven, they know they are in for a treat! If you like spice, add a pinch of red pepper flakes or switch the mild Italian sausage to hot Italian sausage. —Ashli Claytor, Chesapeake, Virginia

Portobello and Chickpea Sheet-Pan Supper

This is a fantastic meatless dinner or an amazing side dish. It works well with a variety of sheet-pan-roasted vegetables. We enjoy using zucchini or squash in the summer, and you can also change up the herbs in the dressing. —Elisabeth Larsen, Pleasant Grove, Utah

Crunchy Chili Lime Shrimp

Easy, quick and family friendly, this chili lime shrimp recipe is dairy free and comes together in about 30 minutes. The secret is the bright flavor-packed sauce. Serve over greens, store-bought slaw or cauliflower rice. —Julie Peterson, Crofton, Maryland

Smoked Gouda Spinach Pizza

My daughter actually created this savory gouda and spinach pizza recipe as an appetizer. There's never a crumb left! —Marie Hattrup, Sparks, Nevada

Sheet-Pan Chicken Curry Dinner

This sheet-pan chicken curry is a quick way to get a meal on the table without fuss. Everyone loves it, and it's healthy to boot! Serve it with a side of jasmine rice. —Trisha Kruse, Eagle, Idaho

Caesar Sheet-Pan Chicken

In our area we have an abundance of fresh lemons year-round. When I had a few extra on hand, I put together this quick sheet-pan chicken. I baked it so I could add carrots and potatoes, but you can grill the chicken if you'd like. —Kallee Krong-McCreery, Escondido, California

Roasted Kielbasa & Vegetables

I like this dish featuring kielbasa and veggies for two reasons: It's so hearty, and it’s a one-pan meal. That’s a win-win dinner! —Marietta Slater, Justin, Texas

Mediterranean Tilapia

I recently became a fan of tilapia. The mild taste makes it easy to top with our favorite ingredients. And it’s low in calories and fat. What’s not to love? —Robin Brenneman, Hilliard, Ohio

Santa Fe Chicken Pizza Pie

Give your pie a Southwest twist when you slather on the taco sauce and top with black beans, green chilies and kicked-up chicken strips. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Sliced Ham with Roasted Vegetables

To prepare this colorful, zesty oven meal, I "shop" in my backyard for the fresh garden vegetables and oranges (we have our own tree!) that spark the ham's hearty flavor. It's my family's favorite main dish. —Margaret Pache, Mesa, Arizona

Chicken Veggie Fajitas

Our family loves the spicy flavor of these fajitas. I also appreciate the fact that they’re fast to fix. —Eleanor Martens, Rosenort, Manitoba

Shrimp-Stuffed Poblano Peppers

I created this dish for my mother when she moved back to our hometown. Since she really enjoys shrimp and slightly spicy food, I decided to create a shrimp-stuffed poblanos to surprise her. She was delighted.—Tina Garcia-Ortiz, Tampa, Florida

Turkey Lattice Pie

With its pretty lattice crust, this cheesy baked dish looks as good as it tastes. It's easy to make, too, since it uses ready-to-go crescent roll dough. —Lorraine Naig, Emmetsburg, Iowa

Sheet-Pan Tandoori Chicken

This tandoori chicken recipe is easy for weeknights since it bakes in one pan, but it is also special enough for guests. The best part? There isn’t much to clean up when dinner is over! —Anwar Khan, Iriving, Texas

Rosemary Salmon and Veggies

My husband and I eat a lot of salmon. One night, while in a rush to get dinner on the table, I created this rosemary salmon meal. It's a keeper! You can also include sliced zucchini, small cauliflower florets or fresh green beans. —Elizabeth Bramkamp, Gig Harbor, Washington

Pork and Asparagus Sheet-Pan Dinner

When time is of the essence, it's nice to have a quick and easy meal idea in your back pocket. Not only is it delicious, but you can clean it up in a flash. —Joan Hallford, North Richland Hills, Texas

Chili-Stuffed Poblano Peppers

While exploring Mexican restaurants, I tasted chiles rellenos and wanted to make them at home. My husband and I teamed up to create this stuffed poblano peppers recipe, which is one of our favorites. —Lorrie Grabczynski, Commerce Township, Michigan

Sheet-Pan Pineapple Chicken Fajitas

For our fajitas, I combine chicken and pineapple for a different flavor. These fajitas are more on the sweet side, but my family loves them! —Nancy Heishman, Las Vegas, Nevada

Sheet-Pan Tilapia and Vegetable Medley

Unlike some one-pan dinners that require precooking in a skillet or pot, this one uses just the sheet pan, period. —Judy Batson, Tampa, Florida

Prosciutto Pesto Pizza

I developed this prosciutto pesto pizza for my young grandson who hasn't acquired a taste for veggies yet. He scarfs it up and doesn't even notice the edamame. It's also a hit with my other grandkids and nieces—not to mention all of their parents! —Don Manzagol, Campbell, California

Sheet-Pan Honey Mustard Chicken

This sheet-pan chicken is an easy gluten-free, low-carb meal ideal for busy weekdays. The chicken is tender, juicy and so delicious! It's now on the list of our favorite meals. You can substitute any low-carb vegetable for green beans. —Denise Browning, San Antonio, Texas

Fish and Fries

"Tuck in" as if you're in a traditional British pub. These oven-baked, moist fish fillets have a fuss-free coating that's healthy but just as crunchy and golden as the deep-fried kind. Simply seasoned and also baked, the crispy fries are perfect on the side. —Janice Mitchell, Aurora, Colorado

Sheet-Pan Lemon Garlic Chicken

Everyone needs an easy meal. Try this sheet-pan chicken with roasted potatoes for a simple and tasty meal guaranteed to please the whole family. If you use fresh lemon juice, garnish each serving with a little lemon zest for bright flavor. —Andrea Potischman, Menlo Park, California

Sheet-Pan Chipotle-Lime Shrimp Bake

I like to make this seafood dinner for company because it tastes amazing, but takes very little effort to throw together. Use asparagus, Broccolini or a mix of the two. It’s all about what's available for a decent price. —Colleen Delawder, Herndon, Virginia

Lemon-Dijon Pork Sheet-Pan Supper

Most nights I need something that I can get on the table with minimal effort and delicious results. This sheet-pan supper has become an all-time favorite, not only because of its bright flavors but also because of its speedy cleanup time. —Elisabeth Larsen, Pleasant Grove, Utah

Cod and Asparagus Bake

The lemon pulls this flavorful and healthy dish together. You can use grated Parmesan cheese instead of Romano if you'd like. —Thomas Faglon, Somerset, New Jersey

Spicy Roasted Sausage, Potatoes and Peppers

I love to share my cooking, and this hearty sheet-pan dinner has built a reputation for being tasty. People have actually approached me in public to ask for the recipe. —Laurie Sledge, Brandon, Mississippi

Pepperoni Pan Pizza

I've spent years trying to come up with the perfect pizza crust and sauce, and they're paired up in this recipe. I fix this crispy, savory pizza for my family often, and it really satisfies my husband and sons. —Susan Lindahl, Alford, Florida

Puff Pastry Chicken Bundles

Inside these golden puff pastry "packages", chicken breasts rolled with spinach, herbed cream cheese and walnuts are a savory surprise. I like to serve this elegant entree when we have guests or are celebrating a holiday or special occasion. -Brad Moritz, Limerick, Pennsylvania

Chicken & Wild Rice Strudels

I wanted the buttery crunch of layered pastry without the sweet filling of strudel. Using rotisserie chicken from the store, I found my savory answer. —Johnna Johnson, Scottsdale, Arizona

Buffalo Chicken Pizza

Fans of spicy chicken wings will love this rendition that turns it into pizza. Serve it up with blue cheese dressing and crisp celery, just like the tasty original. —Shari DiGirolamo, Newton, Pennsylvania

Horseradish-Crusted Turkey Tenderloins

Looking for a low-carb entree ideal for company? Consider this specialty. It won a local recipe contest and was featured on a restaurant's menu. The creamy sauce adds a flavor punch. —Ellen Cross, Hubbardsville, New York

Breadstick Pizza

Not only do refrigerated breadsticks lend a fun twist to pizza, but they make this dish a weeknight staple at my house. Feeding kids? Slice pieces into small strips and let the kids dip each strip into marinara sauce. They’ll love it! —Mary Hankins, Kansas City, Missouri

Avocado Crab Boats

These boats are wonderful with tortilla chips, beans or rice. You can also cover them, pack them on ice, and take them to a picnic or potluck. Straight from the oven or cold, they're always delicious. —Frances Benthin, Scio, Oregon

Buffalo Chicken Stuffed Poblano Peppers

Since I do not like green bell peppers, I decided to create a filling that would go well with my favorite pepper, a poblano. After a few taste tests with my family, this stuffed poblano peppers recipe is now one of our favorites. I have also added black beans, used Cubanelle peppers and served with cilantro lime rice. —Lorri Stout, Gaithersburg, Maryland

Sweet & Tangy Salmon with Green Beans

I'm always up for new ways to cook salmon. In this dish, a sweet sauce gives the fish and green beans some down-home barbecue tang. Even our kids love it. —Aliesha Caldwell, Robersonville, North Carolina

Sausage and Pepper Sheet-Pan Sandwiches

Sausage with peppers was always on the table when I was growing up. Here's how to do it the easy way: Just grab a sheet pan and the ingredients, then let the oven do the work. —Debbie Glasscock, Conway, Arkansas

Parmesan Chicken with Artichoke Hearts

I've liked the chicken and artichoke combo for a long time. Here's my own lemony twist. With all the praise it gets, this dinner is so much fun to serve. —Carly Giles, Hoquiam, Washington

Pan-Roasted Chicken and Vegetables

This one-dish roast chicken with vegetables tastes as if it took hours of hands-on time to put together, but the simple ingredients can be prepped in mere minutes. The rosemary gives it a rich flavor, and the meat juices cook the veggies to perfection. It’s unbelievably easy! —Sherri Melotik, Oak Creek, Wisconsin

Shrimp Puff Pastry Triangles

Shrimp de Jonghe was invented in Chicago. It is usually baked and served in a casserole dish, but my shrimp puff pastry version is a handheld. The shrimp filling is perfect with crunchy pastry dough. —Arlene Erlbach, Morton Grove, Illinois

Pan-Roasted Pork Chops & Potatoes

An easy marinade gives these chops lots of flavor, the crumb coating packs on crunch and Brussels sprouts add nutrition! —Char Ouellette, Colton, Oregon

Salmon with Horseradish Pistachio Crust

Impress everyone at your table with this elegant but easy salmon that's delicious and nutritious. You can substitute scallions for shallots if you like. —Linda Press Wolfe, Cross River, New York

Sheet-Pan Chicken Parmesan

Saucy chicken, melty mozzarella and crisp-tender broccoli—all in one pan. What could be better? —Becky Hardin, St. Peters, Missouri

Crispy Dill Tilapia

Every week I try to serve a new healthy fish. With its fresh dill and delicious panko bread crumb herb crust, this dish with mild tilapia is a winner. —Tamara Huron, New Market, Alabama

Tex-Mex Chicken Strips

I was looking for a way to amp up the flavor of regular chicken strips so I crushed up some leftover corn chips to create a crispy, flavorful coating. —Cynthia Gerken, Naples, Florida

Sheet-Pan Jambalaya with Cauliflower Rice

Sheet-pan dinners are a busy cook's dream with quick prep and easy cleanup. This sheet-pan jambalaya is a healthy twist on a classic that uses cauliflower rice for a lower-carb supper. —Julie Peterson, Crofton, Maryland

Bacon, Lettuce and Tomato Pizza

I combine two all-time favorites in this recipe: pizza and BLT sandwiches. I brought this fun mashup to a ladies lunch and was met with lots of oohs and aahs. —Bonnie Hawkins, Elkhorn, Wisconsin

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