National Pie Day: Cleaning Burnt Pie Pans

January 22, 2025

Yes, there is a National Pie Day, and it’s almost here! So, when and what is it?

“National Pie Day, January 23rd, 2025 is a day to honor the art of pie-making and the joy of savoring delicious pies. It’s an opportunity for bakers, pastry chefs, and home cooks to showcase their skills and creativity by baking pies of all kinds. From classic apple pie to savory quiches and creamy cheesecakes, there are endless pie options to enjoy.”  — Awareness Days – National Pie Day 2025

Have you ever burnt a pie pan? Admittedly, I have. I’ve left them in too long and cooked them at too high a temperature. You can even burn a pie pan with fruit fillings or if the crust is too thin.

Cleaning a Burnt Pie Pan

Here’s what Lauren Habermehl on A Taste of Home shared about how to clean a burnt pie pan

“Benefits: This stuff (BKF) works its magic fast and is a cleaning product you can use on other surfaces in your home. Made of oxalic acid, Bar Keepers Friend is acidic like vinegar or lemon juice—but much stronger.

How it works: Run your dirty pan under hot water and drain. Then, wearing rubber gloves, make a paste by rubbing a few tablespoons of Bar Keepers Friend together with the residual water in your dirty pan. Spread the paste over the burnt debris in your pan and let it sit for 60 seconds. Don’t let it sit any longer—this stuff means business.

After 60 seconds, rinse your pan thoroughly with hot water and then use a sponge, brush or scouring pad to scrub away the loosened burnt-on food. Repeat this process, if needed, for any stubborn spots.

What happened: Bar Keepers is one of our favorite cleaning products for the whole home. We had high expectations for this method, and it delivered. We were impressed by what we were able to remove after a quick 60-second soak and 10 minutes of scrubbing.”

How to Celebrate National Pie Day

This one is a shocker: Bake a pie! Whether you bake your favorite or try a new recipe, now’s the time to make a pie. If you don’t have time, go to your local bakery and pick up a freshly baked pie. You could even have a pie-tasting party or a pie-baking contest! Here’s a recipe of mine for a pie I took to a Pie Day celebration: Rhubarb & Jalapeno Pie.

What Others Had to Say

“I was scrolling through a foodie Facebook group when I saw someone recommend something called “Bar Keepers Friend.” I immediately ordered a container and as soon as it arrived, I dropped everything and got to scrubbing our most tarnished pan. Lo and behold — it worked like a charm.” — The Practical Kitchen.

“Baking Sheets. Rather than putting your aluminum pans in the dishwasher or letting them soak in soapy water, which can lead to rust, Bar Keepers Friend can remove anything from burned-on sugar to oil build-up.” —  The Food Network — 5 Kitchen Surfaces You Can Clean with Bar Keepers Friend.

So, will you be baking a pie on National Pie Day? Do you have a favorite recipe? Have you cleaned your pie pan with BKF? We’d love to hear from you! Be sure to take photos and upload them here.

About the Author

Randy Clark is a speaker, coach, and author. He publishes a weekly blog at Randy Clark Leadership.com. Randy is passionate about social media, leadership development, and flower gardening. He’s a beer geek and on weekends (after COVID-19) he can be found fronting the Rock & Roll band Under the Radar. He’s the proud father of two educators; he has four amazing grandchildren and a wife who dedicates her time to helping others. Randy is the author of the Amazon bestseller The New Manager’s Workbook a crash course in effective management.