grease the pan

Meaning

This phrase means to apply a thin layer of fat, such as butter, shortening, oil, or cooking spray, to the inside surface of a baking pan or dish. This creates a non-stick barrier so the baked goods can be easily removed after cooking.

Examples

• Don't forget to grease the pan thoroughly before pouring in the cake batter.

  Don't forget to grease the pan thoroughly before pouring in the cake batter.

• You can use a piece of butter wrapper to grease the pan without getting your hands dirty.

  You can use a piece of butter wrapper to grease the pan without getting your hands dirty.

• If you don't grease the pan, the brownies will stick to the bottom and tear.

  If you don't grease the pan, the brownies will stick to the bottom and tear.

• The recipe says to grease the pan and then dust it with a little bit of flour.

  The recipe says to grease the pan and then dust it with a little bit of flour.

• I prefer to grease the pan with cooking spray because it's much faster.

  I prefer to grease the pan with cooking spray because it's much faster.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ Put oil on the pan before baking.

  ✓ Grease the pan before baking.

  While 'put oil on' is understandable, 'grease the pan' is the standard, natural culinary expression used in recipes and by home cooks.

• ✗ Lubricate the baking sheet with butter.

  ✓ Grease the baking sheet with butter.

  'Lubricate' is used for machinery, engines, or industrial tools, never for food or cooking utensils. 'Grease' is the correct culinary term.

Related Expressions

Practice

• Before you pour the batter, make sure to ________ so the cake doesn't stick.

  💡 Apply butter or oil to the baking dish.

  Show answer

  grease the pan

• I always use a pastry brush to ________ evenly before baking.

  💡 Spread a thin layer of fat over the baking surface.

  Show answer

  grease the pan