How to Clean Your Turkey Roasting Pan

November 16, 2022

It’s time to clean your turkey roasting pan. Yes, Thanksgiving is still eight days away, but it’s better to get organized now. Last year you waited until the last minute to start your Thanksgiving preparations, and it was hectic.

A few years ago, after the traditional Thanksgiving dinner at her house, your mom came to you and said, “It’s time.” You answered with, “It’s time for what?” She said, “For you to take over Thanksgiving.” So, you did. Every year you roast a turkey, mash potatoes, bake a green bean casserole, and a sweet potato casserole with marshmallows, right out of your grandmother’s recipe file. You even make cranberry sauce from scratch, boiling the berries until they pop.

Where is that Turkey Roasting Pan? 

Your turkey roasting pot sits on a shelf in your garage. It hasn’t been used since last Thanksgiving. So, when you pulled it off the shelf, you were surprised it was stained with burnt turkey grease and even some turkey bits. Then you remember that you had only quickly rinsed it after taking out the turkey last year. There was so much to do. Set up and monitor two TV’S, one for football (when’s the last time Detroit won?), and won set on the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade followed by the original Miracle on 34th Street (Which begins at the parade!).

You had to separate Aunt Janet and Cousin Bob when their political argument got heated, fish a toy duck out of the toilet that Baby Jessica wanted to see swim, and remind Grandpa Ralph that there was no smoking inside the home. The last thing you had time for was to scrub a roasting pan. So, now it’s time to clean your turkey roasting pan.

How to Clean Your Turkey Roasting Pan

• Soak your turkey roasting pan in warm soapy water
• Let it sit for about 30 minutes
• Empty the pan and rinse it
• While it’s still damp, sprinkle the pan with Bar Keepers Friend Powdered Cleanser
• Using a soft cloth or brush, rub the BKF into a paste
• Continue to rub the pan using a circular motion for 2 minutes
• Thoroughly rinse the pan
• Dry the pan with paper towels or a soft cloth
• Repeat as needed

Don’t Just Take Our word for it 

“This stuff, this stuff…wow. So, like everything else, I applied a paste of BKF to the bottom of the pan (1 part water, 3 parts BKF) and let it sit for 10 minutes. Then, took the non-scratch sponge and, without really even trying, scrubbed. The stains lifted off beautifully. I think I heard angels singing…may have been the cat upstairs, but also could have been an angel, really. It worked swimmingly on both the stainless steel pan and the cast iron pan and required minimal effort. This absolutely took the cake and is the winner in my eyes. I was truly impressed.” — How to Clean the (Burnt) Bottom of a Pot or Pan

“According to experts at Nordic Ware, if a pan is not fully cleaned after it’s been used, the residual oils and food will further bake themselves onto the pan the next time it is put in a hot oven. For very stubborn stains, apply Bar Keepers Friend Cleanser.” — Martha Stewart.com

“You’re going to get the same advice for the burnt on food. Grab our good friend Bar Keepers Friend. It’s my favorite non-abrasive scouring powder. The active ingredient is oxalic acid; it is very effective and safe for food contact surfaces.” — Home EC 101

The Early Bird Get’s the Worm 

It might be eight days before Thanksgiving, but by getting a head start on the preparation for the celebration, you’ll make it easier to enjoy yourself on Thanksgiving day. and who knows, you might even have time to bake a pumpkin pie instead of serving store bought!

And one more tip. Leave the BKF out and clean your turkey roasting pan this year. Why let it sit on a shelf in the garage? With BKF, it only takes a few minutes, and the oils won’t be festering in your turkey roasting pan all year. Happy Thanksgiving!

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.