# Best Way to Clean an Oil Drip Tray? **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Tags:** 330, bmw\ **Created:** [March 9, 2023, 12:40am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/best-way-to-clean-an-oil-drip-tray/189517 "2023-03-09T00:40:49Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 13\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![riverofwind](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/73ab20/32.png) [@riverofwind](https://community.cartalk.com/u/riverofwind)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2023, 12:40am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/best-way-to-clean-an-oil-drip-tray/189517/1 "2023-03-09T00:40:49Z")
Hi I have a quick question - what’s the best way to clean an oil drip tray like [this one](https://www.acehardware.com/departments/automotive-rv-and-marine/auto-tools-and-maintenance/oil-drain-pans/8035115?store=08323)? There’s a bunch of oil on it as to be expected 🙂 power washing? Maybe just paper towels and some elbow grease? Thanks! ---
**Author:** ![Tester](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/tester/32/15976_2.png) [@Tester](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Tester)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2023, 12:45am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/best-way-to-clean-an-oil-drip-tray/189517/2 "2023-03-09T00:45:48Z")
Brake parts cleaner. Spray the pan and let the run-off drip in an oil drain pan. Then what’s in the drain pan can be disposed of with your waste oil Tester ---
**Author:** ![oldtimer-11](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/e79b87/32.png) [@oldtimer-11](https://community.cartalk.com/u/oldtimer-11)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2023, 4:30am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/best-way-to-clean-an-oil-drip-tray/189517/3 "2023-03-09T04:30:02Z")
Most people only have one oil drain pan. ---
**Author:** ![davesmopar](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/davesmopar/32/41750_2.png) [@davesmopar](https://community.cartalk.com/u/davesmopar)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2023, 5:36am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/best-way-to-clean-an-oil-drip-tray/189517/4 "2023-03-09T05:36:12Z")
I believe Tester is referring to OP’s oil drip tray (basically an oversized cookie sheet pan) draining into an oil drain pan (for changing oil)… It could also be drained into a 5 gallon bucket… ---
**Author:** ![riverofwind](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/73ab20/32.png) [@riverofwind](https://community.cartalk.com/u/riverofwind)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2023, 9:06pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/best-way-to-clean-an-oil-drip-tray/189517/5 "2023-03-09T21:06:20Z")
Thanks guys. Found [this guy](https://www.acehardware.com/departments/automotive-rv-and-marine/fluids-and-lubrication/brake-cleaners/8253122?store=08323&gclid=Cj0KCQiApKagBhC1ARIsAFc7Mc4Ipax0eGo7QsF2txpkv595-b9l9xz__GDOduR4NGtICxGBx1wf3TwaAn4pEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds) at the local hardware store. Will give it a try. ---
**Author:** ![Cavell](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/cavell/32/43396_2.png) [@Cavell](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Cavell)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2023, 2:48pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/best-way-to-clean-an-oil-drip-tray/189517/6 "2023-03-10T14:48:41Z")
I found a reject cabinet lid we made in scrap pile. Asked paint line to paint it for rust coverage. They were doing tan that day. Now I have tan drip pan. Should have waited for black paint day. ---
**Author:** ![George\_San\_Jose1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e5b9ba/32.png) [@George\_San\_Jose1](https://community.cartalk.com/u/George_San_Jose1)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2023, 9:55pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/best-way-to-clean-an-oil-drip-tray/189517/7 "2023-03-10T21:55:51Z")
The brake-cleaner should do a good job, and quickly. If you have more time than $$$, might be able to save a few bucks using a cleaner/degreaser like Simple Green, letting it soak for a few days. ---
**Author:** ![riverofwind](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/73ab20/32.png) [@riverofwind](https://community.cartalk.com/u/riverofwind)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2023, 7:14pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/best-way-to-clean-an-oil-drip-tray/189517/8 "2023-03-12T19:14:57Z")
I actually gave a go with paper towels and it was good enough for government work. Down the line maybe I’ll do the brake cleaner method if things get really dirty. ---
**Author:** ![Purebred](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/purebred/32/46796_2.png) [@Purebred](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Purebred)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2023, 11:29am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/best-way-to-clean-an-oil-drip-tray/189517/9 "2023-03-13T11:29:41Z")
Many years ago at an Air Force Base, we had motorcycle parking indoors. Each space had a drip tray, old cooking sheets from the chow hall! ---
**Author:** ![riverofwind](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/73ab20/32.png) [@riverofwind](https://community.cartalk.com/u/riverofwind)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2023, 7:27pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/best-way-to-clean-an-oil-drip-tray/189517/10 "2023-03-16T19:27:03Z")
@Purebred Good enough for government work! 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![TwinTurbo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8baadc/32.png) [@TwinTurbo](https://community.cartalk.com/u/TwinTurbo)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2023, 7:34pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/best-way-to-clean-an-oil-drip-tray/189517/11 "2023-03-16T19:34:47Z")
> [@riverofwind](#): > > what’s the best way to clean an oil drip tray like [this one](https://www.acehardware.com/departments/automotive-rv-and-marine/auto-tools-and-maintenance/oil-drain-pans/8035115?store=08323) Same way you keep a baking sheet clean in the kitchen- cover it with aluminum foil. When it gets too dirty for your liking crumple it up and replace it with a fresh sheet on top of your tray. ---
**Author:** ![George\_San\_Jose1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e5b9ba/32.png) [@George\_San\_Jose1](https://community.cartalk.com/u/George_San_Jose1)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2023, 1:39am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/best-way-to-clean-an-oil-drip-tray/189517/12 "2023-03-17T01:39:27Z")
I inadvertently left my cast iron pan heat too long with oil in the bottom, planning to make a batch of popcorn. What a sticky mess that created! Paper towels after soaking in soapy hot water & a scrub with steel wool seemed to be the best method for that problem. ---
**Author:** ![Purebred](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/purebred/32/46796_2.png) [@Purebred](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Purebred)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2023, 10:18am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/best-way-to-clean-an-oil-drip-tray/189517/13 "2023-03-17T10:18:06Z")
Off the subject, but in my opinion the best way to resurrect cast iron cookware-place it in the oven, run the oven on a self cleaning mode. All residue will be burned off. Then wipe down and re-season. Then in the future, when you want popcorn, get microwave popcorn! Save the cast iron for searing steaks.