Can I Save a Moldy Baking Dish? Ask for Advice Here!

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Discussion Overview

The thread discusses the issue of a moldy baking dish and various opinions on whether it can be saved or should be discarded. Participants share their personal experiences and cleaning methods they have heard or tried in similar situations.

Discussion Character

  • Anecdotal
  • Opinion-based
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant mentions a customer finding a moldy rectangular baker and questions if it can be saved or should be thrown away.
  • Another participant suggests soaking the dish in baking soda paste and baking it at a high temperature to kill bacteria.
  • Several participants express disgust at the idea of using a moldy dish, with one identifying as a germaphobe who would definitely toss it.
  • Some participants advocate for throwing the dish away, citing health concerns associated with mold.
  • Others propose cleaning methods involving bleach and high-temperature baking, though some express skepticism about the safety of these methods.
  • One participant shares a personal experience of a customer having to discard a stone due to an odor that could not be removed.
  • Several participants caution against certain cleaning methods, particularly those involving self-cleaning cycles, due to safety concerns.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Views differ significantly among participants, with some advocating for disposal while others suggest various cleaning methods. No clear consensus emerges on the best course of action.

Contextual Notes

Participants share personal experiences and opinions, reflecting a range of comfort levels with mold and cleaning methods. The discussion highlights differing perspectives on the safety and efficacy of various cleaning techniques.

Who May Find This Useful

Consultants and community members interested in personal experiences related to cleaning moldy baking dishes may find this discussion relevant.

chefsteph07
chefsteph07
Messages
3,199
Have a customer who was going through her storage, she said she found a rectangular baker that had gotten damp and moldy...wondered if there was any saving it or should she dump it?

There's nothing else wrong w/ it, no rodent droppings or anything, just the moldyness...

I'd personally say no, but thought I'd check if anyone else has come across this.
 
I wouldn't throw it away until I've tried a few things first. I'd soak it in the baking soda paste. Then I'd bake something in it (like crescent dough sheet or something) at 450 for a while and have that kill the bacteria (and throw the food away). Then I'd do the baking soda paste again.
 
Wow! That's pretty gross!
 
I vote for throwing it out. Mold isn't something you want to play around with. I would offer her a good deal to get a new one.
 
I would throw it out, if it is covered all over. But if it's just a couple spots and they go away with cleaning it and cooking, wouldn't it be safe to use? Great incentive to book a party, though, so she can get a free replacement! ;)
 
I'm a germaphobe, & that literally turned my stomach reading.. I would toss it.. yuck!
 
Soak it in bleach (which is great for molds), then try baking soda, then bake with something in it. I would try to save it before tossing. Baking at 450F (and the bleach!) would kill anything icky, so there really wouldn't be an issue with bacteria/germs. The main question is if she could get off any "mold residue". If there is any she can't get off, then I think it would have to be tossed.

JMO though!
 
I would suggest the bleach first, works great on mold. She could put it in the oven and bake it at 450. Another option for cleaning after it's been bleached is this, place it in your oven and run a self-cleaning cycle, then just rinse and dry. A close friend, who is a PC junkie, told me this trick. She would do it when she wanted a stone to look brand new and then just re-season it. She knows that the darker they are the better they work but she hates when her stone is black and just starts over. I have never tried this myself and I don't share this with my customers unless she happens to be at a show and then she tells them. If nothing works she can always host a show and get a free replacement or you can offer a discount.
 
Beth1170 said:
I would suggest the bleach first, works great on mold. She could put it in the oven and bake it at 450. Another option for cleaning after it's been bleached is this, place it in your oven and run a self-cleaning cycle, then just rinse and dry. A close friend, who is a PC junkie, told me this trick. She would do it when she wanted a stone to look brand new and then just re-season it. She knows that the darker they are the better they work but she hates when her stone is black and just starts over. I have never tried this myself and I don't share this with my customers unless she happens to be at a show and then she tells them. If nothing works she can always host a show and get a free replacement or you can offer a discount.
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Be careful....that can make the stone break. Also, it voids the guarantee for stones that are within the time frame of one.
 
hmm.. my vote is trash it, that's what I did with a stone, NOT PC (from Target I think) .. trashed it, didn't bother trying to save it.. bleach and my clothes don't mix.. I hate mold and wouldn't even feel safe using it , and soaking it in bleach? wouldn't that come out in cooking with it? Either way, better safe than sorry. Plus as her consultant I wouldn't want to mislead any direction and make anyone sick. Just MY opinion.
I'd give a discount and offer a new one. Good Luck !
 
I'm guessing she will be unable to save this stone.

One of my customers had to throw out a stone that went back into her cabinets after she painted them (I think the outside of the cabinets). For some strange reason, the paint smell attached itself to the stone. She never found anything that took the smell away.
 
Another option for cleaning after it's been bleached is this, place it in your oven and run a self-cleaning cycle, Please don't do this or suggest this to your customers.... because the oven locks and can not be open this can start a kitchen fire it is not endorsed by home office and can be dangerous Beth, not picking on you just letting others know this is not a good solution
 
I also am not sure about the bleach thing. If bleach is saturated in the stone somehow, wouldn't that be harmful to put in the oven...the fumes? I would be nervous about doing that.
 
Maybe this would be a good question to ask HO.
 
chefsteph07 said:
Have a customer who was going through her storage, she said she found a rectangular baker that had gotten damp and moldy...wondered if there was any saving it or should she dump it?

There's nothing else wrong w/ it, no rodent droppings or anything, just the moldyness...

I'd personally say no, but thought I'd check if anyone else has come across this.
Click to expand...

Is a damp and moldy stone like the long and winding road? LOL hee-hee :D
 
The idea of soaking a stone in bleach turns my stomach almost as much as the mold would! I'd just pitch it, really.
 
Teresa Lynn said:
Another option for cleaning after it's been bleached is this, place it in your oven and run a self-cleaning cycle,

Please don't do this or suggest this to your customers.... because the oven locks and can not be open this can start a kitchen fire it is not endorsed by home office and can be dangerous

Beth, not picking on you just letting others know this is not a good solution
Click to expand...



As I said in my post, this was a suggestion from a friend who does this on a regular basis and that I haven't done it myself and I don't tell my customers. However, if she is at a show she will tell people, I just tell them that it is not endorsed by PC and if something happens it is not covered by the warranty. In the case of the moldy stone, I just thought it would be worth a mention.
 
Last edited:
I understand (thats why I said I wasn't picking on you)
I just know this was suggested by many consultants a few years ago to keep stones looking new and didn't want "newbies" to the site to mention it at their shows
Some people don't think about or remember that the oven locks during the self cleaning cycle and once you have a fire it still can't be opened.
 

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I save a moldy baking dish?

In most cases, it is not advisable to save a moldy baking dish. Mold can penetrate porous materials, and even if you clean the surface, harmful spores may remain. It's safer to discard the dish to avoid health risks.

What should I do if I find mold on my baking dish?

If you find mold on your baking dish, first, remove any food residue. Then, wash the dish thoroughly with hot, soapy water. If the mold persists, consider using a mixture of vinegar and baking soda or a bleach solution, but ensure the dish is safe for such treatments.

Can I use bleach to clean a moldy baking dish?

Yes, you can use a diluted bleach solution to clean a moldy baking dish, but make sure the dish is not made of materials that can be damaged by bleach. Rinse thoroughly after cleaning to ensure no bleach residue remains.

Are there any safe methods to prevent mold on baking dishes?

To prevent mold on baking dishes, ensure they are completely dry before storing. Avoid stacking them while they are still damp, and store them in a cool, dry place. Regularly inspect your dishes for any signs of mold or moisture.

What types of baking dishes are more prone to mold?

Porous materials like stoneware and some ceramic dishes are more prone to mold because they can absorb moisture. Glass and metal dishes are less likely to harbor mold, but they can still develop it if not properly cleaned and dried.

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