0

How To Clean A Blackstone Griddle: A Comprehensive Guide

Most people think that their experience with a Blackstone griddle depends on the company they buy from or the design they pick. While those things are certainly important, there is one crucial aspect they usually overlook: maintenance. As a buyer, you should know how to clean a Blackstone griddle and properly season it.

This way, you can prolong the longevity of your griddle and ensure the quality of the food you make on it. While it may seem intimidating to first-time buyers and novice users, cleaning a griddle does not take more than 5 minutes. Yet this seemingly small task can improve your cooking experience significantly.

 

How To Season A New Blackstone Griddle

Seasoning a Blackstone griddle is just as important as cleaning it. Here’s why you shouldn’t skip it and how to do it properly:

What Is Seasoning?

Seasoning a griddle means creating a stick-resistant coat on its surface, usually with oil. It ensures the product’s longevity, makes it somewhat scratch-resistant, and adds a nice flavor to whatever you cook on it. There are different ways to season a Blackstone griddle. Some use cooking oil and paper towels, while others get seasoning conditioners from Blackstone itself.

Should I Clean A New Griddle Before Using it?

Absolutely! Clean your griddle after taking it out of the box and before using it. This will remove any residues, oils, or other contaminants still left over from manufacturing.

Cleaning A New Blackstone Grill

The seasoning process is probably the most important step in preparing your griddle for success. Here’s how to clean a Blackstone grill before using it for the first time:

• Take a clean and dry cloth; dust the griddle gently.
• Take a container and make a solution of warm water with kitchen soap. (A small drop of soap is enough for this)
• Take a clean microfiber cloth, dip it in the solution, and rub it on the griddle in circular motions.
• Wash it down thoroughly with clean water; don’t forget the sides, corners, and edges. Check to make sure you’ve taken all the soap off and there is no residue remaining.
• Lastly, use another clean, dry towel and pat the surface dry.

How Should I Clean A Blackstone Griddle After Using It?

Just like cleaning a griddle before using it is essential, cleaning it after every use is also essential for both hygiene and maintenance of the griddle. Follow the same steps for cleaning the griddle.

How To Clean A Dirty Blackstone Griddle?

Cleaning a dirty griddle is not that hard. However, the cleaning mechanism largely depends on how dirty it is and what kind of materials you want to clean off the griddle surface. For example, if there is only dirt on the surface of the griddle, use a fiber cloth to dust it off and then wipe it clean. On the contrary, if there are sauces, food residue, or other types of sticky materials on the griddle, you might need to take a different approach.

 

How To Clean A Blackstone Griddle After Cooking?

Even after the first use, you’ll notice a lot of food residues sticking to the flat top grill surface. This primarily comes from cooking, especially with ingredients such as oil, meat juices, spices, etc. Here is how to clean a Blackstone griddle after every use:

●      Allow the griddle to cool down once you have finished cooking.

●      Use a scraper or a metal spatula to scrape its non-stick surface.

●      Sprinkle or pour hot water on the cooking surface, preferably while the griddle is still warm. Doing this will allow you to scrape off the food residue much more quickly.

●      Take a Blackstone scouring pad and gently rub it on the entire surface.

●      Use paper towels, rinse the surface of your griddle and dry it with a microfiber cloth.

●      If you have the Blackstone non-stick cooking spray, cast iron conditioner, or seasoning, coat it after every use to maintain the thin layer of oil.

Is It Possible To Recover A Rusty Blackstone Griddle?

Rusty griddles are not too far gone and can still be restored. With some attention, and a lot of labor, you can bring it back to usable condition:

●      Warm up the surface because your Blackstone griddle rust is much easier to tackle when the griddle is hot.

●      Roll up your sleeves and start scraping. It is better to use a high-quality metal scraper for this.

●      Use methodical patterns to make sure you cover all parts of the rusty surface. Don’t add any water, and work on it while it’s dry. 

●      The rust will start loosening up soon, so use your scraper or a clean paper towel to wipe it all away.

●      Pour some vegetable oil on the griddle (4 to 5 tablespoons are enough) and use a scrubbing brush (preferably non-metallic) to scour it.

Voila! Your once-rusty griddle is ready to be used!

How Should I Store My Blackstone Griddle?

Storing your Blackstone griddle properly is an essential part of its maintenance. Fortunately, it does not require a lot of your effort.

Protect Your Griddle From The Weather

Always keep the griddle covered if it is not in use. A polyester cover or a heavy-duty canvas cover is the most popular recommendation to protect it from humidity, direct sunlight, and dirt.

Top Tips To Help Your Griddle Last A Lifetime

1.    Don’t Bother With Soap Or Cleaning Products

Using soap, detergents, and other cleaning products regularly can be damaging as it ruins the seasoning. Once they break through the seasoning layer, they can cause the metal surface to corrode. Lastly, such cleaning products leave an unusual taste on the surface, which can sometimes get transferred to the food when cooking it on the griddle.

2.    Don’t Use Abrasive Scrubbers

Abrasive scrubbers can scratch the griddle and damage it. A scouring pad is a much safer option.

3.    Always Preheat The Griddle Before Cooking A Big Meal

Preheating means leaving the griddle on medium heat for 5 minutes before adding any oil to it. After that, you can change the temperature as needed. Doing this ensures that the oil infuses with the plate, maintains the seasoning, and improves the overall taste of the food.

4.    Store It Properly

Once you know how to clean a Blackstone griddle, pay special attention to how you store it. Protect your griddle from harsh weather and make sure that you do not pile other objects over the griddle; keep the plate clean.

How To Deep Clean A Blackstone Griddle

Every once in a while, deep cleaning your griddle is beneficial for its longevity. It might take a little bit of your time and energy, but it is definitely worth it in the long run! Follow these simple steps:

●      Remove any covers from the griddle and turn up the heat so that all the residual food on the surface starts coming off.

●      Scrape the surface and take away all the debris. You can use a wire brush or scouring pads for this part.

●      Spray some water on the hot griddle. Doing this will help release even more of the food particles, particularly the grease. The idea is very similar to steam cleaning. 

●      Use the scraper again to make sure every last bit of residue is off. You can also use a dry paper towel.

●      Turn the heat off and season your Blackstone griddle. Doing this will “lock in” the cleanliness and prepare it for the next use.

●      Don’t forget all the other parts of your griddle. Make sure you clean and wipe the rest of the stove as well.

FAQ:

Apart from “how to clean a Blackstone griddle,” here are some other questions that first-time owners usually have:

1.   How Often Should I Season My Blackstone Griddle?

Season the griddle once before the first use and then lightly after every use.

2.   What is the Best Oil Do You Use On A Griddle?

Any type of high smoke point oil will do, like flaxseed oil, vegetable, canola oil, coconut oil, and vegetable shortening. Extra virgin olive oil but it does smoke at a high heat so is not as ideal.

3.   Can You Use Steel Wool To Clean Off A Blackstone Griddle?

Yes, but only if you can’t find a grill stone. In that case, using steel wool can work. It will require extra hard work, but you will get good results.

4.   Can You Use Oven Cleaner On A Griddle?

You can use an oven cleaner to remove all the food residue on your griddle. However, it is not recommended by experts as it leaves chemicals on the surface which can mix with your food.

5.   How To Clean A Moldy Blackstone Griddle

Turn the heat on and let the griddle warm up for 10 to 15 minutes. Then, turn it off. Use a metal scraper to remove the mold. Spray some water on the moldy area and continue scraping until all of it comes off. Once you are done, wipe it all clean with a paper towel. Make

6.   How To Clean Sticky Blackstone Griddle

If you have a particularly sticky residue on the griddle, start by turning on the heat and letting the surface warm up. Then, turn it off and pour some water on the surface. Now, start scraping until it’s clean, and wipe it down with a clean towel

7.   How To Clean A Blackstone Griddle After Cooking Bacon

Bacon tends to stick to the stove, and its juices can create a mess on the surface. The best way to clean the griddle after a bacon dish is to do it immediately after you’re finished cooking. Make sure that the surface is hot: not hot enough to burn your hand but hot enough to melt the juices and soften the food residue. It’s much easier to clean it at this stage than afterward when it has dried. On the hot surface, pour water, scrape, and repeat until everything is clean. Finally, use paper towels for the final touches!