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Hi, I picked up a few used aluminum baking cake pans for 75 cents each. Even after washing, they are not really clean. What's the best way to remove baked-on grime on aluminum pans?

Thanks for your help,

Patricia Ann

Shannon Lush in Stainless, would suggest a black teabag in the toe of a pair of pantyhose, dampened and rubbed over the surface.. not sure if it works but her tip for mag wheels worked (and that was tea too). The tannin is supposed to be the key! Good luck

Thank you for your tea cleaning tip. I'll let you know how it works after breakfast tomorrow. We're big tea drinkers around here and right after our morning pot of tea, I'll take the tea sac and give it a whirl.

OK, Tried and not true... the tea bag cleaning method didn't work. Even tried soaking the pan for several hours with the teabag on top, but still didn't work.

Thanks for the possibility.

Still seeking a method to get off baked-on grease grime off the bottom of the pan.

Barkeeper's Friend (oxalic acid).

I agree about Barkeepers Friend.  It is wonderful stuff.  Also, since they are aluminum baking pans, you might even try some steel wool soap pad.  I use Brillo or SOS on my aluminum baking pans when less stringent measures fail.  They get nice and shiny really quickly.  Remember, they were inexpensive and gunky, so there is little to lose!  (No, I do not use steel wool on my shiny stainless steel.)

Thanks ellabee and PinchOfSalt for your recommendations of Barkeeper's Friend. I'll pick some up this weekend.

I haven't tried the brillo, yet, but will if Barkeeper's doesn't do the job.

I appreciate your help.