How can I get the caked on tar-like stains out from under my cooking pans?

Question

I have various of pots and pans that I inherited from my grandmother and most of them have ...what i could call "baked on grease"., though everything I cook in them taste great. I don't feel comfortable bringing them out when company visit. I know everyone is going to say "just throw them out"..i can't cause they make me such a great cook and there is too much sentimental reasons behind them. I tried a soap tablet called "Bullet", but that sucked, I've tried oven cleaner but to no avail. Can someone really give me a cleaning solution as to how to get rid of caked on grease on a cooking pan?..Thank you.

Answer 1

If they're cast iron, you shouldn't remove the cooked on stuff from them. I they're not, use a silver polish on the outside not the inside of the pans. That should make them more presentable. Otherwise, just tell everyone to stay out of the kitchen, for you are cooking secret recipes and don't want them involved. This way, they don't see the pans.

Answer 2

They are cast iron, right? That is NOT "caked on grease" it is the seasoning you grandmother spent years deliberately building up on the cookware. Do not try to remove it and do not wash the pans in the dishwasher or in soapy water. It should be a source of pride, not embarassment that you inherited a set of cookware that had been used with so much loving care for so long.

Bert

Answer 3

You can have them sandblasted, inside and out, but I would only have it done lightly on the inside. This works ell, but you must re-cure the pans afterward. Heat them, one at a time, on the stove, and add a few drops of cooking oil. Using a clean cloth, carefully swab the oil all over the bottom of the warming pans. Remove from heat and allow to cool, then wipe out any excess oil. This works for cast iron pans especially well, and to a great extent on cast aluminum. Best of all, it's non-toxic.

Answer 4

Since you've tried everything else, try a de-greaser (those orange concentrate liquids. Make a strong solution and soak the bottom of the pan in a larger pan to fit. Let it soak A LONG TIME, and I'm talking days. Then use a putty knife to gently scrape off the softened crud.

Answer 5

I had that on a few of my pots until I came up with this great idea that made them look brand new. I put the oven on about 350 degrees, put the entire pot in the oven and left in it for about 5 minutes, just enough till they became warm. Then took them out ( with pot holders ), then sprayed oven cleaner on them, waited a few minutes then wiped them. I swear they cane out like brand new. Make sure you get the oven cleaner that says the surface has to be warm to use first. Let me know how you made out OK?