That dark, sticky ring around the edge of your non-stick pan, or the patch near the base that never quite wipes off, happens when oil gets left on the pan a little too long over high heat. Non-stick coatings make this trickier to deal with than a regular pan, scrub too hard or use the wrong products, and you risk damaging the coating instead of removing the grease.
The good news is non-stick pans actually clean up quite easily once you use the right approach. This guide covers a quick method for everyday buildup, and a longer soak for grease that’s been baked on for months or years.
At a Glance: Which Method Do You Need?
- Light to moderate burnt on grease? A simmer with baking soda will lift it. Head to Method 1.
- Old, thick, stubborn buildup that won’t come off? A dishwasher tablet soak works through it. Head to Method 2.
Not sure which one you need? Start with Method 1, it’s quicker and works for most everyday buildup. Save Method 2 for pans with grease that’s been sitting for months or years.
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Method 1: Simmer With Baking Soda (Works for Most Buildup)
This method uses gentle heat and baking soda to loosen grease without any scrubbing that could harm the coating.
What You’ll Need
- Baking soda
- Dish soap
- Warm water
- A soft sponge or non-abrasive cloth
- A silicone or wooden spatula
Don’t have a soft sponge that won’t scratch the coating? This one is designed for non-stick surfaces.
How to do it:
Step One: Fill the pan with enough warm water to cover the burnt-on areas, then add 2 to 3 tablespoons of baking soda and a squeeze of dish soap.
Step Two: Place the pan on the stove over low to medium heat and bring it to a gentle simmer, never high heat, which can warp or damage the coating.
Step Three: Let it simmer for 5 to 10 minutes. You’ll see the grease start to loosen and lift off the surface on its own.
Step Four: Turn off the heat and let the pan cool slightly, then use a silicone or wooden spatula to gently nudge any loosened bits away from the surface.
Step Five: Pour out the water and wipe the pan down with a soft sponge. Most of the grease should come away easily at this point.
Step Six: Wash the pan as usual with warm, soapy water, then dry it thoroughly with a soft cloth. Avoid air-drying non-stick pans, water spots can affect the coating’s finish over time.
Method 2: Dishwasher Tablet Soak (For Heavy, Old Buildup)
Use this when the grease has clearly built up over a long time and a quick simmer doesn’t fully clear it. Dishwasher detergent is normally too harsh to run through a dishwasher cycle on non-stick cookware, the heat and pressure can wear down the coating, but used as a plain, room-temperature soak, it’s actually a safe and highly effective way to break down old, carbonized grease.
What You’ll Need
- 1 dishwasher tablet or pod (a powder-gel hybrid like Cascade Platinum or Fairy works well), or 2 tablespoons of heavy-duty dishwasher gel
- Hot tap water (not boiling)
- A non-scratch sponge or microfiber cloth
- Regular dish soap, for the final wash
Don’t already have dishwasher tablets at home? This pack works well for this soak and regular dishwasher use too.
How to do it:
Step One: Place the dry pan in the sink or on a heat-safe counter. Set the tablet, or pour the gel, directly onto the center of the heaviest grease buildup.
Step Two: Pour hot tap water into the pan until the burnt-on areas are fully submerged.
Step Three: Gently stir with a wooden spoon or silicone spatula until the tablet or gel fully dissolves into a concentrated, soapy solution.
Step Four: Let the pan sit undisturbed for at least 2 to 3 hours. For really old, stubborn buildup, let it soak overnight. Over that time, the detergent works through the grease layer without affecting the coating underneath.
Step Five: Pour out the liquid. The grease should come away in soft flakes or a loose sludge. Wipe the pan down with a non-scratch sponge to clear the rest.
Step Six: Wash the pan one more time with regular dish soap and warm water. This clears any leftover residue from the dishwasher detergent, so the pan is fully safe to cook in again.
Never place this mixture on the stove. Dishwasher detergent is far more concentrated than regular dish soap, and heating it can release strong fumes. Let the soak sit at room temperature and let time do the work instead.
What to Avoid With Non-Stick Pans
- Skip steel wool, metal scrapers, or anything abrasive, they scratch the coating permanently
- Avoid oven cleaners or strong degreasers, they’re too harsh for non-stick surfaces
- Don’t put a hot pan straight into cold water, the temperature shock can warp the base
- Avoid high heat in general, most burnt-on grease happens when a non-stick pan is used above medium heat in the first place
A Quick Habit That Helps a Lot
Letting a pan cool before washing it, and giving it a quick wash right after cooking instead of leaving it to sit, prevents most burnt-on grease from forming in the first place. Non-stick coatings also last a lot longer when they’re not regularly exposed to high heat or left with oil sitting in them for hours.
Whichever method you use, the idea stays the same, loosen the grease with heat and time, not force. Stick to gentle tools and lower heat while cooking, and you’ll rarely deal with heavy buildup on a non-stick pan at all.