This Unexpected Hack Blasts Grime Off Of Ovens & Cookware (But Only Certain Types)

Burnt-on food and grease that's completely stuck to your pans or splattered all over your oven can sometimes seem impossible to remove. Luckily, Peter Hansen, co-owner and managing member of Sparrow Estate Management (a luxury home maintenance company), gave House Digest some exclusive tips on how you really should be cleaning your grime-coated oven and cookware. While some may believe that scouring pads are too rough to be used for kitchen cleaning, it turns out that certain kinds of cookware and ovens can benefit from being scrubbed with these abrasive pads.

Though Hansen explains that scouring pads can be extremely helpful, you will need to be careful where and how you use them. "Scouring pads can be effective in removing baked-on grime from certain types of cookware, but they should be used with caution because they are tough enough to tackle stubborn messes but they can also be too abrasive for some surfaces," he said. "It's important to choose the right tools and methods for the job, and sometimes a scouring pad is just too harsh. Always start with a gentler approach. A little patience and the right technique can save your cookware from unnecessary wear and tear." When using scouring pads, remember the importance of being gentle while scrubbing and ensure you're not using one on a material that could be harmed. 

While ovens are strong enough to be scrubbed with a scouring pad without worry, some types of cookware can be damaged by the abrasiveness of these cleaning tools. Peter Hansen told House Digest exclusively that he prefers to use scouring pads on ovens and equipment like fry baskets, though certain types of pots and pans can be cleaned with one when you're out of options. "If you have to use [a scouring pad], I would suggest to only use it on cookware made from stainless steel or cast iron, where durability is a key feature, but they should be avoided on non-stick pans, enameled cookware, or anything with a delicate coating," Hansen said.

While a scouring pad can be used on cast iron and stainless steel pots and pans as a last resort, using these scrubbers on your non-stick pan is a mistake. Hansen explained that when coated cookware is cleaned with a harsher abrasive, like a scouring pad, it will scratch the coating. Once the pan has been scratched, food will likely start getting stuck to the surface and the pan won't last as long. Scouring pads can definitely blast grime off your oven, stainless steel, and cast iron if you're struggling, but always keep it away from your non-stick pans.

Before using a scouring pad on your stainless steel or cast iron cookware, Peter Hansen exclusively recommended to House Digest a few tricks to try: "For baked-on grime, soaking the cookware in hot, soapy water is often the first and best step. If that's not enough, a paste of baking soda and water can be very effective," he said. "For particularly stubborn grime, letting the paste sit for a few minutes before scrubbing can help loosen the residue." This is a great option for pans that can't be scrubbed with a scouring pad, and should be the first line of attack when it comes to cast iron and stainless steel, as it's best to start with a gentler option.

When you're ready to clean your oven, or if your cookware still needs help after soaking and washing, Hansen has the perfect method for making your scouring pad both effective and safe: "Start by soaking the cookware in hot water with a bit of dish soap to soften the grime. Then, sprinkle some baking soda onto the pad or directly onto the cookware, and scrub gently in circular motions," he said. A similar method can be used inside your oven as well, though you won't be able to soak it. Hansen also stressed the importance of scrubbing with the grain of the cookware's material. To help your burnt pots and pans shine again and make your oven sparkle, a scouring pad may be the answer.