How to Clean Oven Grill / Broiler Pan

Why Broiler Pans Are the Hardest to Clean

The broiler pan is arguably the most neglected — and most difficult to clean — piece of cookware in the kitchen. It sits directly under the broiler element at extremely high heat, causing meat drippings and grease to carbonize almost instantly into a hard, black crust. The slotted grill rack on top adds another layer of complexity. But with the right approach, even a badly neglected broiler pan can be restored.

Clean It While It's Still Warm (If Possible)

The single most effective thing you can do is clean the broiler pan while it's still warm — not hot, but warm. Grease that hasn't fully hardened is dramatically easier to remove. Place it in the sink and pour hot water over it immediately after use, then let it soak while you eat.

What You'll Need

• Dish soap and hot water
• Heavy-duty degreaser spray
• Baking soda
• White vinegar
• Heavy-duty scrub sponge or steel wool (for non-coated pans)
• Oven rack cleaning bag
• Bar Keepers Friend
• Rubber gloves

A heavy-duty degreaser like Krud Kutter is highly effective on broiler pan grease — spray it on, let it sit, and it breaks down carbonized fat significantly. For a no-scrub soak, oven rack cleaning bags are perfect for broiler pans too. And for stubborn staining on stainless steel or porcelain-coated pans, Bar Keepers Friend removes discoloration and baked-on residue effectively.

Method 1: Hot Soak + Degreaser (Best for Most Pans)

Step 1: Soak Immediately After Use

As soon as the pan is cool enough to handle safely, place it in the sink and fill with the hottest water your tap produces. Add a generous squirt of dish soap and ¼ cup of baking soda. Let it soak for at least 30 minutes — longer for heavily soiled pans.

Step 2: Apply Degreaser

After soaking, drain the water and spray the pan generously with degreaser. Let it sit for 5–10 minutes. The degreaser penetrates and breaks down the carbonized grease that the soak has already softened.

Step 3: Scrub

Scrub with a heavy-duty scrub sponge. For non-coated metal pans, steel wool or a chain mail scrubber can be used on the most stubborn deposits. Work in sections, rinsing the sponge frequently.

Step 4: Clean the Grill Rack Slots

The slots in the grill rack are the hardest part. Use a stiff brush or the corner of a scrub sponge to work into each slot. A toothbrush works well for the underside of the rack where grease drips accumulate.

Step 5: Rinse and Dry

Rinse thoroughly and dry immediately to prevent rust on bare metal pans.

Method 2: Overnight Bag Soak (Least Effort)

Place the broiler pan and grill rack inside an oven rack cleaning bag. Add hot water, a generous squirt of dish soap, and ¼ cup of baking soda. Seal the bag and leave overnight. In the morning, the carbonized grease will have softened dramatically and most of it wipes away with a sponge.

Method 3: Baking Soda Paste (For Stubborn Carbonized Deposits)

Make a thick paste of baking soda and a little dish soap. Spread it over the entire pan surface, focusing on the worst areas. Cover with a damp cloth or plastic wrap to keep it moist, and leave for 4–8 hours. Scrub and rinse. Follow with Bar Keepers Friend for any remaining discoloration.

Tips to Make Broiler Pan Cleaning Easier

• Line the bottom pan with foil before broiling — the foil catches drips and can be discarded, leaving the pan much cleaner.
• Clean immediately after every use — even a quick hot water soak prevents grease from fully carbonizing.
• Don't use the self-clean cycle to clean a broiler pan inside the oven — the extreme heat can warp the pan and bake residue on even harder.

Final Thoughts

The broiler pan is tough to clean, but the right combination of soaking, degreaser, and scrubbing makes it manageable. The real secret is timing — clean it while it's still warm and you'll save yourself significant effort every single time.