You could get your casserole dishes looking as good as new with this affordable cleaning trick.
If you like to spend time in your kitchen cooking dinner, you’ll know how frustrating it can be to try and keep your cookware clean. Saucepans might be easy to wash, particularly if they’re non-stick or you give them a quick rinse as soon as you’re finished, but other dishes can be a nightmare.
Containers that go in the oven, such as casserole dishes, roasting tins, and baking trays, can quickly become covered in black burn marks that won’t budge no matter how many times you put them through the dishwasher or scrub at them by hand.
The occasional black mark is usually nothing to worry about, but you don’t want the stains to get out of control – particularly if your cookware was expensive.
Worry not, though, as cleaning fans have shared a savvy way you can restore your casserole dishes to their former glory. All you need is a common kitchen item that costs just 65p.
In a post on Reddit, a cooking fan asked for help removing a “thin black crust” from the bottom of their Le Creuset casserole dish. The brand is known for being quite pricey, with casserole dishes setting you back at least £200 – so it’s no wonder the poster wanted to keep theirs spotless.
Thankfully, cleaning fans were quick to respond with their advice. One of the most popular cleaning recommendations involved using baking soda to loosen the stains.
Most of us will have baking soda in our kitchen cupboards already as it’s a common ingredient used in baking. But if you need to buy some, it’ll set you back around 65p from most supermarkets.
One person said: “Fill halfway with water, put it on the stove, and simmer with a tablespoon of baking soda. This should help loosen the crud. While still warm, scrub at it.”
Another added: “Put some water in it, vinegar and baking soda, put it on the stove on low heat to heat up and let it simmer for a little while; that should soften the crusty stuff.”
Other suggestions included using washing up liquid, branded products like Barkeeper’s Friend and Pink Stuff paste, and even Coca-Cola, which one user swore by for lifting stains from baking trays and pans.
How to clean a casserole dish
Try basic cleaning first. Do this by first rinsing the dish with warm water immediately after use to loosen food particles. Add a drop of washing up liquid and scrub with a non-scratch sponge or dishcloth, then rinse thoroughly with warm water.
If this doesn’t work, try these steps to loosen stubborn stains:
- Soak the dish for 15-30 minutes in warm water and washing up liquid
- Use a plastic or silicone scraper to remove any softened food residue
- Mix baking soda and water to form a paste and let it sit on the stains for 20 minutes before scrubbing off
- Fill the dish with hot water and half a cup of white vinegar and let sit for 10-20 minutes, then scrub
