How to Clean a Baking Tray: Remove Baked-On Grease with Bicarbonate of Soda and Vinegar (Non-Stick Care)

A baking tray collects fat, sugar and sauces that go through repeated heating cycles, creating dark, stubborn marks. You will get the best results by softening the baked-on layer before scrubbing and matching the cleaning method to the tray’s finish.

Why does grease get so encrusted on a baking tray?

As fat runs off food, it loses water, oxidises and hardens when it is reheated over and over. Around the edges and in the corners-where heat tends to concentrate-these deposits build into an adhesive layer that won’t shift with a quick wash using ordinary washing-up liquid.

Scraping a dry tray with a knife, wire wool or a rough scourer can scratch the metal and ruin coatings. Soaking for longer lets the grime take on moisture, meaning you need less force and you protect the surface while cleaning.

Key checks before you start are:

• Temperature: wait until the tray is just warm before washing.
• Sponge: always use the soft side to prevent scratches.
• Bicarbonate of soda: use sparingly, and only on compatible materials.
• Manual: check the guidance for coated trays.
• Abrasives: avoid wire wool, knives and metal scrapers.

Why does oven heat make residue harder to remove?

An oven is an enclosed appliance that holds high heat, which cooks food but also bakes splashes on to the baking tray. The more often grease is reheated, the darker and more resistant it generally becomes.

Before using any mixture, work out whether the tray is aluminium, stainless steel, glass, enamel, or has a non-stick coating. Different materials react differently, so the manufacturer’s manual should guide which products to use, how long they can stay in contact, and how much scrubbing is appropriate.

How do you remove burnt-on grease with bicarbonate of soda and vinegar?

For uncoated metal trays, make a paste from bicarbonate of soda with a small amount of water, spread it over the cold areas, and leave it to work for a few hours. After that, a little vinegar can be added to help lift the loosened residue.

Let the paste work before adding vinegar

Mixing everything in advance reduces the effect. The bicarbonate of soda needs to sit on the grease for a few hours to soften the crust. Add a small amount of vinegar only at the end, scrub gently, and rinse thoroughly so nothing is left behind.

Because bicarbonate of soda and vinegar react with each other, combining them too early means you lose some of the cleaning action. Leave the paste to do its job first, use vinegar only in the final step, scrub with a soft sponge, and rinse the tray completely.

Clean in this order:

• remove loose leftovers with kitchen roll or a silicone spatula;
• combine bicarbonate of soda with a little water until it forms a paste;
• spread it over the grease and leave it for a few hours;
• add a small amount of vinegar only in the final stage;
• scrub with a soft sponge, rinse and dry completely.

How do you clean non-stick baking trays without damaging the coating?

Non-stick baking trays need a gentler approach: warm water, mild washing-up liquid and the soft side of a sponge. Strong bicarbonate of soda, wire wool, abrasive powders and scrapers can cause scratches, reduce non-stick performance and lead to the coating peeling.

Wash the tray while it is warm, not hot enough to burn you or cause thermal shock. At that point the grease has not fully hardened, so it usually comes away with less effort, helping to protect corners, rims and the finish.

To keep a non-stick tray in good condition:

• soak it in warm water with mild washing-up liquid;
• use only a soft sponge or a microfibre cloth;
• repeat the soak instead of scraping stuck-on residue;
• do not use wire wool, knives or abrasive powders;
• replace the tray if the coating is peeling.

How can you stop grease building up again?

If you already know ways to remove built-up grease on a hob using bicarbonate of soda, remember that a baking tray may have a different finish. Before trying any home remedy, always confirm compatibility and do a small, discreet test before treating the whole tray.

Baking parchment helps prevent direct contact between batters, cheese and sauces and the tray. Aluminium foil can also be used when the recipe and the manufacturer allow it, but very acidic or salty foods need care; after baking, wash the tray promptly.