You cleaned baking trays WRONG! Chef reveals top tips for keeping them hygienic and stainless
When it comes to baking or cooking that delicious new recipe, it’s usually not the griddle that causes anxiety.
But beyond making sure the oven is the right temperature, the food isn’t overcooked or overcooked, or the panic when the timer hasn’t actually run, it turns out we should all be paying a lot more attention to the simple metal dishes we use so often.
The way baking trays are cleaned and even stored is the secret to preserving their lifespan and getting better value for money from a purchase.
Instead of pulling out the big guns and using heavy chemicals to lift those stubborn food scraps, chefs are now recommending households take a more gentle approach for better results.
Here are the golden rules for treating baking sheets with the respect they deserve.
The way baking trays are cleaned and even stored is the secret to preserving their lifespan and getting better value for money from a purchase
Store baking trays vertically
After use, baking trays should be cleaned, dried and then stored vertically with adequate space
Chef Elise Smith told me Today baking trays should be stored vertically and not horizontally.
She advises giving the trays plenty of room to prevent them from becoming contaminated with rust or mold.
Ms. Smith says stacking trays on top of each other can cause them to warp and become less balanced, meaning they require quicker replacement and are less stable to handle.
Do not put them in the dishwasher
Chef Elise Smith recommends not cleaning baking sheets in the dishwasher as this can cause them to warp
This may come as a surprise to many British households, but Ms Smith advises against cleaning baking trays in the dishwasher.
“It’s going to be this dense, hot bag because it’s in the dishwasher,” she explained.
“It can compromise the integrity of the pan over time.” Plus you probably can’t wash the rest of your stuff properly because they have jets and those pans are blocking the jets.”
Use natural cleaning products
While it can be tempting to opt for the bottle that promises to clean, resist and use natural cleaning products instead
The chef’s number one rule is to avoid harsh chemicals when cleaning griddles.
While it can be tempting to opt for the product that promises to clean, she believes in “good old soap and water.”
She said, “I would never use harsh chemicals. It’s something you cook with, [so] you want to keep it pretty natural.”
Griddles should be cleaned with natural combinations such as baking soda and vinegar, or mild soap.
They should also rest for a while to avoid difficult scrubbing.
Rinse well and dry
Once the trays have been set, Ms. Smith says to use hot water to rinse them clean, as cold can “shock” the metal.
Mess will also dissipate more easily with warm water than cold water.
They should then be dried with a soft cloth or air dried before storage.