Discussions

I have researched and tried several ways to clean an aluminum cookie sheet that has been used for baking and has baked on residue that I can't remove. I have tried baking soda , vinegar, sos pads , stainless steel scrubber,etc. but can't get it clean..when I watch cooking shows, all their aluminum cookie sheets are very clean. does anyone have a solution? thanks ....the cookie sheets were not cheap when I bought them from delucas in wpg....

Are you trying to remove the patina that cookie sheets naturally develop over time? I find the natural patina actually helps them work better, less prone to scorching, etc.  
 
I wouldn't go by what's on TV. That is TV after all. Who wants to watch a professional cook on television if they're pans look dull?

I have high quality aluminum pans too and have tried all you have. Never fails, as careful as you are stuff always gets on them and once it is baked on......grrrr. You invest in the good ones from supply stores and they still get messed up.  
 
I have tried even soaking them in oven cleaner and that doesn't seem to get it off.  
 
I honestly wonder if the cooking shows just use them once or twice and replace!  
 
I was about to research throwing them in the oven while running a self cleaning cycle. Anyone try this? Guess I could sacrifice one to try....

Household solutions maybe try her website  
 
householdsolutions@mts.net  
 
204)320-2757

Use lint fabric sheets and place them on the cookie sheets withdish soap and water over nite this will clean the pans

Agree with Abbysmom.  
 
My cookie sheets are 30 years old and visually look awful. BUT I personal prefer them over any new fancy looking cookie sheets. The patina that has formed on them work so much better to bake with, than any new pans. Same goes for my Grandma's ancient muffin tins.  
 
On a cooking show it would not be visually appealing to show a real/used baking sheet and I am sure they use a new one each time!

foxtrot11 said "I have high quality aluminum pans too and have tried all you have. Never fails, as careful as you are stuff always gets on them and once it is baked on......grrrr. You invest in the good ones from supply stores and they still get messed up.     I have tried even soaking them in oven cleaner and that doesn't seem to get it off.     I honestly wonder if the cooking shows just use them once or twice and replace!     I was about to research throwing them in the oven while running a self cleaning cycle. Anyone try this? Guess I could sacrifice one to try.... "

"I honestly wonder if the cooking shows just use them once or twice and replace!"  
 
Likely yes. For the same reason "food" in photographs are rarely edible. It has to look good.  
 
Odds are that the end product on that cooking show was done ahead of time in a well-worn, well-patina'd pan.

NancyWolf said "Use lint fabric sheets and place them on the cookie sheets withdish soap and water over nite this will clean the pans "

 
 
Edited by TJ1284, 2016-11-01 15:43:30

I don't mind the used look but if your wanting them to stay cleaner for longer...use parchment paper when cooking

Nunya said "I don't mind the used look but if your wanting them to stay cleaner for longer...use parchment paper when cooking "

I use parchment paper or tin foil.....helps keep them nice looking but is also handy for cleanup!

make a paste and apply to the sheets and leave it sit for a while. It will get them looking new again  
 
http://lifehacker.com/baking-soda-and-peroxide-get-the-grime-off-of-cookware-514065732  
 
Edited by jcg, 2016-11-01 20:30:40

Along time ago one of my Daughters give me a secret about how to keep your cookie sheets clean.. She told me to line the sheets with tin foil before putting the cookie dough on them. You don't have to grease them, just throw away the tin foil when they are done... Works great for me....

Does this work on the really old pans ?  
 
Edited by braid, 2016-11-02 07:26:38

Nope it didn't work on mine. Neither did the peroxide and baking soda, or also read vinegar and baking soda.  
 
I decided just to leave the patina on my pans and enjoy that they are well used and well loved!  
 
I do cover with tinfoil for hard to clean things I bake but otherwise it seems wasteful.

Was hoping it would work..lol...thanks for the reply. Ya,I use tinfoil on mine too.

Parchment paper can be reused a lot for baking. I just leave the sheets on and stack them under the oven.

Sounds like there is not much to be done.  
 
It would not be an issue for me if it was consistent over the whole sheet, but this is all around the edges and it creates two different baking results if I cover the whole pan - cookies touching the patina bake much differently than on the clear aluminum. It seems fine for things like pizzas, junk food, etc, just not delicate baking items - especially not when I make a batch of cream puffs.  
 
Guess I buy new ones specifically for baking and be religious with the parchment paper Man I love that stuff - I hated using silpat or silicone sheets because I find them so irritating to wash - parchment is one environmentally unfriendly luxury I allow myself.

use an xl zip lock bag that the cookie sheet fits in. Pour 1/2 cup ammonia in the bag, don't breath the fumes, seal the bag up. Let sit for about 24 hours. The fumes will soften up the grease and you can scrub them with stainless steel wool, and soapy water.

makes the surface not stick and easy to clean. I have tried everything to clean mine, I gave up and use silpat or parchment now.

A product I found is called "Bar Keepers Friend". Fabulous job on pots & pans, and good for many types of surfaces. I got it to remove old stains on my 40 year old set of Farberware cookware. Works like a charm. It comes in a tin like Comet & is available at most hardware stores or where kitchen ware is sold. Around $5. but the reviews on Google are great. Caution: don't leave it soaking as it's an acid & can eat through some metals. Also good to use gloves.