How to Get a Stain Off of a Nonstick Cookie Sheet

Cleaning baking sheets is a necessary part of making cookies, but there are ways to make the job easier. The first one is to keep an eye on the oven; otherwise, the cookies and pan can burn. Most bakers have had this problem due to something they did wrong, an uncooperative oven or damaged baking sheets. Cleaning cookie sheets doesn't have to be a significant project as long as you know how to do it right.

You should not clean regular and nonstick cookie sheets in the same way. You should only clean a nonstick baking sheet with baking soda or washing soda combined with cream of tartar, and you can also clean aluminum pans with these or a mixture of baking soda and vinegar. Aluminized steel stands up to all of these plus baking soda/hydrogen peroxide or ammonia.

For aluminized steel pans, combine baking soda and hydrogen peroxide to create a paste, spread it on top of the pan and let it sit for two to three hours. Wipe this off with paper towels and wash as usual with dish soap and water. For aluminum and aluminized steel pans, mix 1/4 cup each of baking soda and vinegar, spread it on the pan and once it bubbles, submerge it in hot water and soak for an hour. Before washing, wipe the grime off the pan with a microfiber cloth or a nonabrasive sponge. Ammonia also works, but it takes longer and has a harsh smell.

Burnt-on grease is tough, sticky and hard to remove with typical cleaning methods. If you have a burnt aluminized steel pan, put it on a range top burner and add water and a few drops of dish detergent. Turn the range on high and let the water boil for five minutes. Shut it off, let the pan cool and scrub with a stainless steel scrub pad.

Clean burnt aluminum pans in the same way but use a nonabrasive cleaning tool instead; test it on the back of the sheet first. It's also a good idea to test the other cleaners on the back of your pans first. For example, hydrogen peroxide is not a food-grade product and can have a bleaching effect. You might also not know what material a pan is made of; if you can't figure this out, always err on the side of caution by testing cleaners and tools first.

To clean burnt grease from a nonstick baking sheet, place it in a sink and sprinkle baking soda all over the top. Then, pour vinegar into the pan, watch for it to fizz and let the pan rest undisturbed for half an hour. Scrub at the stains with a nonabrasive scrubber; nylon works the best. Rinse well and then clean it with mild dish soap and water. If the stains are newer and minor, another option is to cover your cookie sheet with wet paper towels and leave it for an hour before cleaning with soap.

As a last resort, you can put a burnt baking sheet in a self-cleaning oven and follow the manufacturer's instructions for the cleaning cycle. Wait until this finishes, take out the sheets and let them cool down. Wash them with soap and water and check the results. You may have to throw them out if the stains are too old or too stubborn, if the nonstick coating is peeling or otherwise damaged or if the pan is warped or scratched.