Can Pizza Pans Go In The Dishwasher?

Cleaning the cookware in a kitchen can be a confusing process sometimes. Is it time to wash your pizza pan, but you don't know whether or not the dishwasher is a good idea? Well, we've done plenty of research and have the answer waiting here for you. Let's check it out.

In general, it should be fine to put a pizza pan into the dishwasher. Many pans will have a dishwasher safe icon on the bottom, which you can refer to or mention being dishwasher safe in their product manual.

That said, you don't want to overwash a pizza pan, as this can strip your cookware of its natural oils and seasonings, so try only to clean yours when necessary.

As we begin, we will cover all things pizza pans and discuss how to clean one correctly. Whether you're new to at-home pizza making or recently purchased a pizza pan, we're here to offer some help. With that said, let's dive right into this post!

Are You Supposed To Wash Pizza Pans?

The cleaning process can vary depending on how a pizza pan is made. For example, if your pan has seasoning on it, you may not want to wash it after every use, as this will also clean away the oils and seasonings your pan has developed.

That said, if you don't season your pizza pan and aren't able to wipe it down with a damp cloth, you can certainly wash it. Again, this comes down to your cooking preferences and habits, so everyone will be slightly different.

How Do You Wash A Pizza Pan?

For those wanting to wash their pizza pan, doing so won't be too hard. To start:

1. Spray/use a deep penetrating soap on your pan.
2. Allow the pizza dish to sit for around five minutes.
3. Using a scouring pad, begin scrubbing your pan.
4. Wash your pan in warm water with a soapy sponge.
5. Re-season your cookware using vegetable oil.

Like we said above, it's also important not to overwash a pizza pan, so try to give yours a clean every few uses.

How Do You Clean A Metal Pizza Pan?

If you have a metal pizza pan, like stainless steel or aluminum, cleaning them shouldn't take much effort. Considering that these pans cook best when seasoned, you don't want to overwash them.

That said, the cleaning process for a metal pan will be similar to our list above, except you might want to consider using baking soda if your pan is especially dirty. On top of that, you want to use a non-abrasive cleaning sponge/brush on metal cookware to avoid scratching it, so try finding a softer option.

Will A Metal Pizza Pan Rust?

Yes, if you don't take proper care of a metal pizza pan, there is a chance it will rust. Although this typically happens over time, rust can form on a pizza pan if you don't dry it before storing it away.

When you're finished washing or seasoning a pizza pan, it's essential to give it a good dry using a soft towel/cloth, so make sure not to forget that step.

Furthermore, once the rust covers your pizza pan, it can be virtually impossible to remove, essentially making your cookware unsafe to use.

How Do You Get Baked On Grease Off A Pizza Pan?

 

If your pizza pan has baked-on grease stuck to it, you'll want to grab some baking soda. You can use this to sprinkle across your pan once it isn't hot and let it sit for about five minutes.

Then, grab a scouring pad and scrub the affected areas until the grease starts to rise. Baking soda essentially works as a mild abrasive, which is why it works so well for removing hard-to-clean grease and oil.

Does Vinegar Work On Grease?

Yes! Vinegar is an excellent alternative for cleaning grease on your cookware. Generally, you won't need to use too much vinegar to lift grease away from your pan, so less is more.

You can also allow the vinegar to sit in your pizza pan for up to ten minutes before scrubbing, which will make your job easier. Many chefs tend to use vinegar and baking soda together for cleaning greasy pans, so that's another idea to consider.

Is The Dishwasher Bad For Pizza Pans?

If you only put your pizza pan in the dishwasher now and then, it shouldn't harm it in any way. As we covered, most cookware will have a dishwasher safe logo on its base, which will tell you if it can go into the machine for washing.

That said, overwashing a pizza pan can cause it to become rusted, damaged, or even lose its seasoning, so you don't want to do this more than needed.

Especially if you have aluminum or non-stick pans, dishwashing too frequently can cause them to lose their coating, which means you'll need to replace them sooner than usual.

Is It Better To Hand Wash A Pizza Pan?

In general, it's better to hand wash a pizza pan, as well as any cookware. Considering that the inside of a dishwasher can get pretty hot, sticking to hand washing can be better for a pan overall.

With that said, if your pizza pan has seasoning on it, you might want to hold off washing until it's necessary because you'll need to re-season and re-oil your pan, which can take some time.

Of course, if your pan is visibly dirty and you want to give it a quick rinse, this shouldn't wash away all of its natural oils, so it is okay.

How Do You Wash A Non-Stick Pizza Pan?

For those with non-stick pizza pans, try to stick with hand washing. As we said, the dishwasher can be abrasive on non-stick cookware's coating, so warm water, soap, and a sponge should be sufficient.

On top of that, try to avoid boiling water on non-stick pizza pans, as it can eat away at their coating, so the more moderate your water's temperature, the better.

Does Vinegar Ruin Non-Stick Pans?

No, using a small amount of vinegar to clean a non-stick pan should be fine. Considering that vinegar won't be as potent as other dishwasher detergents, it shouldn't cause any damage to a non-stick pans coating.

That said, if you use a harsh scrub brush or cleaning pad alongside vinegar, it is likely to damage the non-stick coating on a pizza pan, so the gentler you are, the less potential damage is to happen.

How Long Does A Pizza Pan Last?

Although this varies by brand and material, you can typically expect a pizza pan to last around five years. Most times, pizza pans age gracefully if you keep them out of the dishwasher and only clean them when necessary, so that's something to remember.

As we covered, the seasoning on a pan, pizza or not, is good for it, so just because your cookware doesn't look brand new doesn't mean it's time to scrub it.

Furthermore, allowing a pan to have oil can also prevent degrading or rusting, so we recommend doing this.

What Material Is Best For A Pizza Pan?

When it comes to the best material for a pizza pan, try and stick with either aluminum or cast iron. According to Foods Guy, cast iron pizza pans are the most durable and versatile cooking pan, making them perfect for pizza.

In addition, cast iron works for making any pizza or with any style of pizza cooking, so it's great for any kind of chef.

That said, aluminum or aluminized steel pizza pans are also very durable, although they won't hold onto seasoning/oil as well as cast iron.

Are Pizza Pans Toxic?

In general, pizza pans won't be toxic. Of course, this depends on how they are made and whether or not they have a non-stick coating, so every pan is different.

With that said, many brands offer non-toxic, chemical-free pizza pans, including TeamFar, Food Network, P&P Chef, and more, so you have plenty of safe choices.

TeamFar 10-Inch Pizza Pans

These pizza pans are non-toxic, stainless steel, heavy-duty, have a sloped design, and come in a few bundle options.

Follow this link to see them on Amazon.

To Wrap It All Up

Whether you are new to pizza making or have done it for decades, finding out how to care for your pans is essential. We found that pizza pans can go into the dishwasher, although this shouldn't be too often.

In general, pizza pans will have a logo stating they are dishwasher friendly, so make sure to take a look under your cookware. Your pan's instructions will also mention how you need to clean them, so if all else fails, refer back to those.

Regardless, try to let your pizza pan's seasoning develop, and only wash your cookware when necessary.

Made it to the end? Check out these helpful related kitchen posts below!

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