Cleaning the Pan(s)
TABLE OF CONTENTS
- Cleaning the INSIDE of the Pan
- Method 1 = Sour Sap (Demo from Facebook LIVE seminar)
- Method 2 = Vinegar/Baking Soda
- Method 3 = Barkeeper’s Friend
- Cleaning the BOTTOM of the Pan
CLEANING INSIDE THE PAN
There are many commercial pan cleaners on the market and many people have had great results from them. However, there are also more natural approaches to cleaning your pan and you won’t have to go any farther than the grocery store to get the necessary ingredients. Natural methods does NOT require a lot of elbow grease, are gentle enough to not scratch the mirror finish stainless steel, and can make your pans look as good as new. NOTE: Excessive exposure to ANY cleaning agent/acid — regardless of being commercial or natural — could potentially harm stainless steel. Use as directed.
Method 1 = Sour Sap
At the end of the season, fill your pans with leftover maple sap. Allow it to sit for about a month or two. During this time, the sap will naturally turn into a light vinegar. Afterward, you will be able to drain and easily wipe away any debris that had previously been stuck to the interior of the pan. We demonstrated this technique in our below Facebook webinar on May 15, 2020.
Method 2 = Vinegar/Baking Soda
You Will Need:
-
- Clean, Hot Water
- White Vinegar
- Non-abrasive cloth or soft sponge
- Large bucket (for premixing vinegar and water)
- Water Hose
- Baking soda (for cosmetic touch ups)
- Spray bottle (for cosmetic touch ups)
Step 1: Remove Major Gunk and Sediment
Premix a 50/50 solution of white vinegar and water and fill your pans with it. HOT water works best.
WARNING: NEVER pour 100% vinegar directly into your pan. Vinegar is a light acid that could damage welds over time, especially if it is not properly mixed and diluted with water. If you do not premix, the unmixed vinegar can find its way into in hard to reach places like flues and drain manifolds where it will be impossible for you to properly mix with the water.
Step 2: Soak
Now you can walk away and let the diluted vinegar do its thing. Allow the pan to soak up to a day, depending on how dirty the pan is.
Step 3: Drain and Rinse
Drain the pan and spray out with a hose. Nearly all the major gunk should lift off effortlessly when it is hosed. If necessary, rub problem areas lightly with a non-abrasive cloth or soft sponge.
Step 4: Touch Ups
At this point your pans will be clean, but you may notice some “scaling” in some areas. This cosmetic concern can be easily remedied with a little help from some baking soda. Use a damp non-abrasive cloth or sponge to rub baking onto the scaling. Then spray lightly with your diluted vinegar solution. This will activate the baking soda’s bubbly magic powers. After the foaming has stopped, rinse and wipe with a clean rag. Stand back and admire the sparkly clean perfection.
Method 3 = Barkeeper’s Friend
We have been hearing good things about Barkeeper’s Friend. According to the product’s website, it is safe to use on cookware. Rub gently so not to scratch. Use a soft cloth.
CLEANING THE BOTTOM OF THE PAN
There are several methods you can use — either alone or in combination — which will help get the bottom of your pan clean. The first two methods listed below were also discussed in our Facebook webinar on May 15, 2020.
- A pressure washer can get the majority of the soot off the bottom of your pan.
- Expose the bottom of your pan to the sun on a hot, summer day. This causes the soot to dry and flake off.
- Mothers® Mag and Aluminum Polish. Customers have reported great success with this product. (See example below.) Please note that this polish is not labeled as a natural/food grade formula. Because of this, we suggest this polish for the OUTSIDE of the pan only. Do not use on surfaces that will come in contact with your sap/syrup.
The above “Before and After” photos are courtesy of fellow sugar maker, Dale Poquette.
Found it thx
Is it going to be necessary to clean the pan after each batch? We are going to try and start boiling with 80 gallons of sap on hand.Our season target is 400 gallons of sap. Any information will be helpful. Thanks
Hi John,
Having a clean pan is never a bad thing! But I guess you will need to use your best judgement as to when it is time to stop and clean. If there is a lot of nitre on the floor of your pan, this can act as an insulator which is not good for your pan. Also, that thick layer of nitre could impose an off flavor in your syrup. Best to keep that nitre under control.
Have a fun season. Angela
Hi Angela,
Does soot build up on the bottom of the pan also act as an insulator? Or is cleaning the outside of the pan more of a cosmetic reason?
Thanks!
Yes. Too much soot could act as an insulator.