--- title: "How to Clean Stove Drip Pans" description: "Get your stovetop drip pans clean again in no time using materials you probably already have in your kitchen cabinets. " date: "2018-03-07" modified: "2025-07-25" authors: - name: "Michelle Ullman" job_title: "Contributing Writer" link: "https://www.bobvila.com/authors/michelle-ullman/" url: "https://www.bobvila.com/articles/how-to-clean-stovetop-drip-pans/" categories: - "Appliances" - "Cleaning" - "Cleaning & Organizing" - "DIY" - "Interior" - "Kitchen & Dining" tags: - "How To" - "News" --- # How to Clean Stove Drip Pans ![Dirty stovetop and grates on a gas stove.]() *Photo: iStock* Kitchen surfaces are bound to get messy from meal prep, but arguably none more than your stovetop. Take a good look at the drip pans at each burner. Chances are they’re covered with spaghetti sauce, cooking oil, and scrambled eggs that sloshed out of the pan and hardened into a concrete-like coating. But don’t whip out the toxic chemicals just yet—it’s easy for homeowners to achieve sparkling cooktops with minimal effort. Here’s how to clean stove drip pans with just a little elbow grease and a few household items you probably already have on hand. ## Before You Begin ![Woman wiping the grates on a gas stove.]() *Photo: iStock* Before getting started, make sure your stove drip pans are at room temperature. If you’ve just finished cooking, you’ll need to wait for the drip pans to cool down; otherwise you risk burning your fingers as you clean. You’ll need to remove the drip pans for cleaning, which means first removing the coils or grates sitting on top of them. If you have an [electric stove](), remove the burner coil by lifting one side slightly. You’ll see the socket that the burner coil plugs into; it’s on the other side of the hole in your drip pan. Gently tug the burner coil straight out of the socket to remove it, and set it aside. Now you can lift out the drip pan. Most [gas stoves]() have metal grates that simply lift off for easy access to the drip pan underneath. Now you’re ready to start cleaning those grungy drip pans. Note that the following cleaning techniques work both for electric stove drip pans and gas stove cook pans made from either chrome or porcelain. ## Method 1: Baking soda and dish soap In a hurry to clean those stove drip pans? You can start this super-speedy method at lunchtime and be ready to cook by dinnertime. (Don’t worry: Most of that time will be for soaking, not scrubbing.) ### SUPPLIES [Trash can]() [Bowl]() [Dish soap]() [Baking soda]() [Pastry brush (optional)]() [Sponge]() [Rag]() [Dishcloth]() [Scrub brush]() ### Step 1: Remove the drip pans from the stovetop. Remove your (completely cooled) drip pans, shake off loose crumbs into the garbage can, and rinse the pans thoroughly in the [kitchen sink]() with the hottest water possible. ### Step 2: Prepare and mix the cleaning solution. In a small bowl, mix liquid [dish soap]() and baking soda in a 1:1 ratio. One half-cup of each is a good starting point, but you can add more if necessary. ### Step 3: Apply mixture to stove drip pans. ![Person cleaning black stove drip pans on a white stovetop.]() *Photo: iStock* Use your fingers or a pastry brush to liberally coat each drip pan with the soap/baking soda mixture, scrubbing it into the pans. Some of the stuck-on gunk should start to loosen right away—if not, fear not and proceed to the next step. ### Step 4: Let the soapy drip pans sit. Stack the soapy drip plates out of the way in your sink, and let them sit for about an hour. While you’re waiting, scrub the rest of your stovetop with a damp sponge dipped in baking soda so that it’s ready to match your soon-to-be-sparkling drip pans. Wipe the baking soda off with a clean damp rag, then dry the stove with a soft dishcloth. ### Step 5: Rinse the drip pans, and scrub them again if necessary. Rinse the drip pans thoroughly with hot water to remove the soap mixture. Tackle any remaining dirty spots with a scrub brush or a sponge freshly dipped in [baking soda](). ### Step 6: Dry the drip pans and replace them on the stovetop. Dry the drip pans with a dish towel and return them to your stovetop. Replace the burners, and enjoy cooking on your clean stovetop. ## Method 2: Ammonia For an equally effective cleaning method that requires even less scrubbing, dunk the drip pans in a good, long soak in ammonia. If you start this method after dinner, you'll have a spot-free stovetop before the next day’s lunch. **SUPPLIES** [1-gallon Ziploc bags]() [Household ammonia]() [Sponge]() [Dish soap]() [Dish towel]() ### Step 1: Remove and prepare the stove drip pans. After dinner, wait for your drip pans to cool. Remove them from the stove top, rinse them in hot water, and place each one inside its own 1-gallon [Ziploc bag](). ### Step 2: Add ammonia to each bags. Add 1/4 cup of [household ammonia]() to each bag. You don’t need to worry about coating the drip pans completely with ammonia; the fumes are going to do the dirty work to loosen burnt-on food splatter. ### Step 3: Soak the drip pans in ammonia overnight. Seal the zippers on the plastic bags. Leave them stacked in your empty kitchen sink overnight, or for at least 12 hours. ### Step 4: Remove the drip pans from the ammonia. Open the bags in a well-ventilated location (the ammonia fumes will be strong) and remove the drip pans. Then, reseal and dispose of the used bags. Dilute the ammonia with cold water and pour it down the sink drain. If you have a septic system, do not pour the ammonia down the drain. Instead, [neutralize the ammonia]() before disposing of it in the trash. ### Step 5: Rinse and scrub the drip pans as necessary. If any dirty spots remain on the drip pans, wipe them away with a sponge and dish soap—it shouldn’t take much elbow grease at all. Rinse the drip pans thoroughly with hot water. ### Step 6: Dry and replace your clean stove top drip pans on the stovetop. ![Close up of heating element and drip pan of an electric stove burner.]() *Photo: Daniel Sicolo via Getty Images* Dry the drip pans with a towel and return them to the stovetop. **Save yourself some trouble in the future:** The best way to avoid spending time cleaning up the stovetop is being conscientious about cleaning messes during and after cooking. Make a mental note of the mess as it happens, then wipe the stovetop drip pans clean of splatter, dust, and grease as soon as you're finished cooking and the stove has cooled down. ## Final Thoughts Whether you choose the faster cleaning method with baking soda or the slower method with ammonia, you’ll end up with clean drip pans that help improve the appearance of your entire kitchen. Keep them looking their best by wiping away any spills or drips after every cooking session (and remember to let the stove cool down before touching the surface). Clean your stovetop thoroughly at least once a month, or more often if you cook frequently or tend to make dishes that splatter or splash. ## FAQs ## Author Michelle Ullman has been an avid gardener, DIYer, and home decorator for most of her life. She turned that passion into a career and has been writing about just about everything related to home, garden, and lifestyle since 2011. Her writing has been published on many websites, including [Better Homes & Gardens](), [Business Insider](), [The Spruce](), and [Investopedia](). She also writes for ADT Home Security, Walmart, Pennington Garden Decor, and Lowe’s. ### Author social links [LinkedIn]()