How to Clean a Grill Pan

If you don’t want to fire up your outdoor grill, you might reach for your grill pan. If you use your grill pan a lot, it might be getting a little greasy and grimy. Thankfully, there are a few foolproof methods you can use to clean your grill pan and keep it in tip top shape. Try to clean your grill pan every time you use it so it stays in your kitchen for years to come.

[Edit]Steps

[Edit]How do you get burnt grease off a grill pan?

1. Bake your grill pan in a oven. This will help loosen the grease and melt anything that’s really stuck on. Keep your pan in the oven for 2 to 3 hours, then take it out and let it cool down to room temperature.^[1]
   
2. Soak the pan in hot, soapy water overnight. Do this after you bake your grill pan. Put your grill pan in the sink and fill it up with hot water. Add a few drops of dish soap and mix the water until you see it sudsing up, then leave the grill pan there for about 8 hours.^[2]
   
3. Scrub the grill pan with a nylon brush. It will take some elbow grease to get off the tough grime, but you can do it! Use more warm water and dish soap if you need to, then rinse your pan with warm water.^[3]
   

[Edit]How do you clean a cast iron grill pan?

1. Mix hot water and salt to use as a cleaner. To clean off the gunk, add a bit of hot water to a small handful of salt in the pan. Kosher salt works well because of the big flakes. Spread it out across the pan using a scrubber brush.^[4]
   
2. Scrub the pan with a nylon brush. The salt mixture should take off any big clumps of grease or food debris. You may need to apply more salt if your pan is especially dirty or rinse out the salt and start again.^[5]
   
3. Rub olive oil on the pan and put it on low heat to reseason it. Leave the pan on low heat for about 30 minutes, then let it cool down before you store it again.^[6]
   

[Edit]How do you clean a nonstick grill pan?

1. Pour off the grease to make cleaning easier. Throw it in the trash or another container (to throw away later). Don’t pour grease down the drain, because it can cause clogs.^[7]
   
2. Scrub the pan with baking powder and hot water. Sprinkle a little bit of baking powder over the surface of your pan, then wet it down with water. Use a nylon brush to scrub the mildly abrasive powder into your grill pan to remove grease and grime.^[8]
   
3. Rub olive oil onto the pan to restore the surface. Use a soft cloth or a rag to gently wipe the oil all over, then wipe the excess off with a paper towel. Let your pan dry completely before you store it to prevent rust.^[9]
   

[Edit]How do you clean a stainless steel grill pan?

1. Mix a mild dish detergent with warm water. When you’re working with stainless steel, it’s important to use mild cleaners that won’t scratch the surface. Grab your trusty dish soap and mix it with warm water until it suds.^[10]
   
2. Scrub the pan with a microfiber cloth. Get it nice and soapy before you start scrubbing. Go in the direction of the grill grates to avoid scratching the surface of your pan.^[11]
   
3. Rinse with water and dry your pan off. Make sure you get all the soap off before you start drying to avoid any streaks. Use a clean microfiber towel to wipe down your grill pan before you store it to prevent rust.^[12]
   

[Edit]How can I prolong the life of my grill pan?

1. Skip the dishwasher and stick to handwashing. Most grill pans are not dishwasher friendly. The high heat of the dishwasher can wear them down more quickly, and being in water for that long can cause them to rust. When in doubt, wash by hand.^[13]
   
2. Use nylon scrubbers instead of steel brushes. When washing your grill pan, you may be tempted to reach for steel wool to clean the pan more thoroughly. However, like metal utensils, steel wool can damage the coating on your grill pan. Stick to nylon scrubbers.^[14]
   

[Edit]Video

[Edit]References

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[Edit]Quick Summary

1. ↑ https://www.cooksillustrated.com/how_tos/5774-removing-burnt-on-oil
2. ↑ https://www.cooksillustrated.com/how_tos/5774-removing-burnt-on-oil
3. ↑ https://www.cooksillustrated.com/how_tos/5774-removing-burnt-on-oil
4. ↑ http://www.thekitchn.com/whats-the-best-way-to-clean-a-cast-iron-grill-pan-223269
5. ↑ https://www.thekitchn.com/how-to-clean-a-cast-iron-grill-58236
6. ↑ https://www.thekitchn.com/how-to-clean-a-cast-iron-grill-58236
7. ↑ https://www.nytimes.com/2010/12/18/your-money/18shortcuts.html
8. ↑ https://www.nytimes.com/2010/12/18/your-money/18shortcuts.html
9. ↑ https://www.thekitchn.com/tips-for-taking-better-care-of-your-nonstick-cookware-198670
10. ↑ https://www.consumerreports.org/gas-grills/how-to-clean-a-stainless-steel-grill/
11. ↑ https://www.consumerreports.org/gas-grills/how-to-clean-a-stainless-steel-grill/
12. ↑ https://www.consumerreports.org/gas-grills/how-to-clean-a-stainless-steel-grill/
13. ↑ http://www.thekitchn.com/5-common-mistakes-to-avoid-when-using-nonstick-cookware-tips-from-the-kitchn-211177
14. ↑ http://www.thekitchn.com/5-common-mistakes-to-avoid-when-using-nonstick-cookware-tips-from-the-kitchn-211177