To clean baking trays with baked-on grease, spread a paste of bicarbonate of soda and a little hydrogen peroxide over the tray, leave it for 20 minutes to a few hours, then scrub with a non-scratch sponge and rinse. For everyday grime, a hot soak with washing-up liquid is usually enough. The one thing to get right is the material: go gentle on non-stick, and keep a close eye on bare aluminium, which can discolour.
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The best way to clean baking trays
For the brown, sticky, baked-on layer that a normal wash just slides over, the winning method is a bicarbonate of soda paste. On its own it is a gentle abrasive; combined with hydrogen peroxide it also fizzes, and the oxygen bubbles physically loosen the carbonised grease. It is cheap, low-fume and does most of the work while you leave it to soak.
The bicarb and hydrogen peroxide method (baked-on grease)
- Make a paste of about 3 parts bicarbonate of soda to 1 part hydrogen peroxide (roughly half a cup of bicarb to 2 to 3 tablespoons of peroxide), to a toothpaste consistency.
- Spread it evenly over the greasy areas of the tray.
- Leave it to work: about 20 minutes for light grime, or 2 to 8 hours for heavy, years-old build-up.
- Scrub with a non-scratch sponge. On stainless steel, work back and forth along the grain, not in circles.
- Rinse thoroughly with warm water and dry. Repeat once for very stubborn trays.
No hydrogen peroxide? A paste of bicarb and white vinegar works on a similar principle, or bicarb with a splash of water for lighter jobs.
Other methods that work
- Hot soak: for everyday grease, fill the tray with very hot water and a squirt of washing-up liquid, leave 30 to 60 minutes, then wipe clean.
- Bar Keepers Friend: a sprinkle of Bar Keepers Friend on a damp stainless or enamel tray lifts heat marks and stains fast. Not for non-stick.
- Dishwasher tablet scrub: a wet dishwasher tablet rubbed over a damp tray cuts through grease, the same trick that works on oven racks.
- Cream of tartar: the safer choice for bare aluminium, mix with a little water and rub on to brighten without harsh discolouring.
Cleaning trays by material
The method that restores a stainless tray can ruin a non-stick one. Match it to what you have.
| Tray type | Best method | Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Stainless steel | Bicarb + peroxide paste, or Bar Keepers Friend | Circular scrubbing (leaves swirls) |
| Bare aluminium | Cream of tartar, or a short bicarb soak | Long soaks in bicarb or peroxide, which discolour it |
| Non-stick coated | Hot soak and bicarb paste, soft sponge only | Metal, scourers and abrasive powders |
| Enamel and steel | Bicarb + peroxide paste | Harsh scourers on the enamel |
| Glass and ceramic | Bicarb paste, soak | Sudden temperature changes |
⚠️ Warning: Never use metal scourers, wire wool or abrasive powders on non-stick trays, they scratch the coating, which then flakes and stops food releasing. And do not leave a strong bicarb or peroxide paste on bare aluminium for hours, as it can leave dark discolouration.
How to stop trays getting baked-on grime
- Line trays with baking parchment or reusable liners so grease never touches the metal.
- Wash trays after each use, before the grease has a chance to bake on next time.
- Do not stack trays away damp, which can cause spotting on aluminium and rust on cheaper steel.
- Wipe up spills and drips as soon as the tray is cool enough to handle.
The same idea keeps the rest of the oven cleaner too, see our guides to cleaning an oven and cleaning a burnt pan.
Two cupboard staples handle most trays, with a stainless steel cleaner and liners to finish the job.
Myths vs facts
| Claim | The reality |
|---|---|
| You need hours of scrubbing | No. Let a bicarb paste soak and it does the work; you just wipe and rinse. |
| Any method is fine on any tray | No. Non-stick and bare aluminium need gentle care; abrasives ruin them. |
| A dark, seasoned tray is dirty | Not always. A stable dark patina on bare metal is normal; it is loose, sticky grease you need to remove. |
| Dishwashers clean baked-on trays well | Often not. A dishwasher struggles with thick baked-on grease, and can dull aluminium. A soak and paste works better. |
Frequently asked questions
How do you clean baking trays with baked-on grease?
Spread a paste of bicarbonate of soda and a little hydrogen peroxide (about 3 to 1) over the greasy areas, leave it 20 minutes for light grime or up to a few hours for heavy build-up, then scrub with a non-scratch sponge and rinse. Repeat once for very stubborn trays.
How do you clean baking trays with baking soda?
Make a paste of bicarbonate of soda with a little water, or with hydrogen peroxide or white vinegar for extra lift, and spread it over the tray. Leave it to soak, then scrub gently and rinse. Bicarb is a mild abrasive, so it lifts grease without harsh chemicals.
Can you use baking soda on non-stick trays?
Yes, a soft bicarb paste and a hot soak are fine on non-stick, but never use it with a scourer, wire wool or an abrasive powder. Use only a soft sponge, because scratching the coating makes it flake and lose its non-stick quality.
Why do my aluminium trays go dark or discoloured?
Bare aluminium reacts with strong alkalis, so leaving a bicarb or peroxide paste on it for a long time can leave dark marks. Clean aluminium quickly, or use cream of tartar mixed with water instead, which brightens it without discolouring.
Does the dishwasher clean baking trays?
Not very well for baked-on grease. Dishwashers struggle with thick carbonised layers and can dull aluminium trays. A hot soak followed by a bicarb paste, or Bar Keepers Friend on stainless, gets far better results.
How do you get burnt grease off a baking tray without scrubbing?
Let it soak. Spread a bicarb and peroxide paste over the tray and leave it for a few hours (or overnight for the worst trays). The paste softens the grease so it wipes off with a sponge, with very little scrubbing.
What is the black stuff on my baking tray?
It is carbonised grease and oil that has baked on over time. A stable, smooth dark patina on bare metal is harmless, but any sticky, flaking or patchy black residue is old grease you can remove with a bicarb paste soak.
How do I stop grease baking onto my trays?
Line them with baking parchment or reusable liners so grease never touches the metal, and wash the tray after each use before the grease bakes on. Avoid stacking trays away while damp, which causes spotting.
