Among the maintenance procedures, cleaning is one of the most important things that we need to do for our Blackstone Griddle. Regular cleaning allows not only for a good-looking griddle but also ensures a long-lasting performance from our cooking surface.
The Blackstone Griddle is among the most popular outdoor griddles on the market today, allowing you to cook delicious meals with ease right on your deck or patio. However, grills and griddles aren’t exactly easy to clean – grease and other food stains can be hard to remove, even with the use of a dishwasher and a brush.
Luckily, some quick cleaning tips will allow you to get rid of these stains in no time at all. This post will discuss some of the most common cleaning procedures for the Blackstone griddle.
How To Remove Rust From Blackstone Griddle?
Rust is a common issue for griddles. It is important to keep your griddle clean, as cleaning it will remove food particles and other debris that may cause rust. Importantly, cooking on a rusted griddle can be dangerous because it can damage or ruin your cookware and cause mild health concerns.
If you notice rust spots forming on your Blackstone Griddle, follow these steps to clean them off:
1. Gather all needed supplies before starting
You will need the following supplies:
- Non-abrasive scrubbing sponge
- Metal scraper
- Cooking oil
- Paper towels
- Grill stones
- Heat-resistant gloves
The grill stones are optional but recommended for heavy rust build-up. As with oil, you can only use cooking oil or its alternatives such as olive oil, sesame oil, etc. Do not use any other kind of oil like motor oils, etc., because they will damage your griddle and cause it to rust even more.
Make sure that you do not scratch your griddle while cleaning it off.
2. Prepare the grill for cleaning
Start by wearing heat-resistant gloves to prevent your hands from getting burned. Turn on your grill and let it preheat on high heat for a few minutes, approximately 20. This will help loosen up any rust that is stuck onto your griddle.
Note that you’ll not be working on your Blackstone Griddle while hot, you might have to wait for a few more minutes for it to cool down enough so that you can touch it with your bare hands. Also, turn off any burners of your gas grill if they are still on because they may get too hot if left unattended.
3. Remove rust using a metal scraper
Next, clean off as much of it using a metal scraper or non-abrasive scrubbing sponge as you can. When you use a metal scraper to clean, ensure that it is not overly abrasive. You can check how sharp or dull your metal scraper is by lightly dragging it across a rough surface, like a concrete wall.
If you see black streaks left behind on the wall, then your metal scraper is too sharp and will damage your griddle if used on it.
4. Clean with a grill stone
Next, if there is still rust, use a grill stone to scrub it off. If you have rust buildup as thick as an inch or more, then using a grill stone is recommended. To use one, apply cooking oil to your griddle and wait for 2-3 minutes until it heats up slightly. Then apply cooking oil to your grill stone and gently rub it across your griddle’s surface in circular motions until all of the rust is gone.
Note that if you do not have any brush available, rubbing your grill stone with a cloth or paper towel soaked in cooking oil will work just fine too.
5. Wipe clean with paper towels and dry completely
After you’ve removed all of the rust, wipe your griddle off using a paper towel and let it air dry for at least 15 minutes. Make sure that you do not use a dishcloth or any other type of cloth as they may leave lint behind, which will cause your griddle to rust again over time.
6. Season the griddle
After you’ve cleaned your griddle, it is highly recommended that you season it. Seasoning is a vital step in re-protecting your griddle and making sure that there will be no more rust buildup for a long time. To do so, simply apply cooking oil all over your griddle’s surface using a paper towel or cloth.
Make sure that you use enough oil so that it completely covers every inch of your griddle’s surface. Then turn on your grill and let it preheat on high heat for at least 15 minutes before turning off any burners still left on.
7. Re-apply oil to create another protective layer
Once your griddle is warm, turn off all of its burners and let it cool for about 15 minutes. After that, re-apply oil all over its surface again and repeat steps 3 – 6 to achieve the second layer of seasoning. Your griddle is now fully protected from rust!
If you want to keep your griddle in good condition for as long as possible, then you should season it every few months. Note that if you have used salt or any other type of abrasive when cleaning your griddle, then you will need to start from scratch with these steps because salted surfaces are prone to rusting quickly.
How To Clean And Season A New Blackstone Griddle?
Cleaning a new griddle is quite simple and doesn’t require much effort. In fact, you can clean your griddle in about 5 minutes with only water and soap. The best part? You don’t need any fancy cleaners or scrubbers.
All you need is warm water, a paper towel, soap, and a little bit of elbow grease.
- The first step is to fill your sink with warm water and a small amount of soap. You can use any type of soap, but we recommend using a dishwashing liquid or an all-purpose cleaner. Just make sure it’s not a degreaser or anything that will leave behind a residue or film on your griddle surface.
- After you’ve filled your sink with warm water and soap, wipe down the griddle’s surface with a paper towel or rag. You can use a sponge if you want, but we recommend using a paper towel or rag because they will leave less of a residue behind on your griddle surface.
- Dry your griddle surface with a clean paper towel or rag. It’s important that you dry your griddle after cleaning it because water can cause rusting and damage your griddle’s surface over time.
- After you’ve dried your griddle, it’s time to store it, or use it for cooking! The best way to store a Blackstone griddle is by laying it flat on a towel and storing it in a dry place. Make sure that you don’t stack anything on top of your cast iron because doing so can cause warping and damage over time.
What Causes Blackstone Griddle Rust?
1. Aging
Often, we’re led to believe that rust is caused only by water and moisture. But that’s not absolutely true! There’s actually a different kind of corrosion than you might not have thought of – time. Over time, your grill will begin to oxidize and form a protective layer of rust on its surface.
This process is accelerated when left in storage or exposed to harsh elements like moisture, rain, snow, etc.
2. Heat and direct sunlight
If you leave your grill out in direct sunlight or heat, it will also begin to rust. Although these are natural elements, they can cause a lot of damage to the surface of your grill and burn off its protective layer of coating, exposing it to moisture which will eventually cause rust.
3. Improper cleaning methods
It’s important that you clean your grill after every use and before storing it away for long periods. If you don’t, rust will form in between crevices on your grill’s surface where food particles av been trapped, making it much harder to remove.
4. Lack of maintenance
Rust is a natural part of aging and no matter how well-built or expensive your grill is, rusting will occur over time if not properly maintained.
5. Improper storage
If you store your grill in an area where it’s exposed to moisture (such as near a pool or in an unheated garage), it’ll be more susceptible to rusting because moisture can get trapped between its surface and protective layer of coating, causing rust in just a few days!
How to Clean a Blackstone Griddle After Cooking?
A Blackstone griddle provides a whole world of delicious culinary possibilities and can be used for so much more than just grilling. However, once you’re done cooking, some steps need to be taken when cleaning your grill so that it remains in top condition for next time.
Here’s how to clean a Blackstone griddle after cooking:
- Allow it to cool down for at least 15 minutes before you begin cleaning it.
- Use a scraper or spatula to remove any food residue that is still stuck on your griddle’s cooking surface.
- Once you have removed all of the leftover food, spray it with warm water and then use a scrubbing brush to get rid of any remaining debris from your griddle’s surface.
- Wipe down your Blackstone griddle with a cloth soaked in warm soapy water and then rinse it clean with warm water again before allowing it to dry completely.
- Season it with oil or any other recommended seasoning such as Blackstone Non-Stick Cooking Spray or Blackstone Seasoning before storing it in a dry place so that it will be ready for your next cooking session.
Frequently Asked Questions
How To Clean A Blackstone Griddle For The First Time?
Cleaning a griddle for the very first time can be tricky. You don’t want to ruin your investment, so you must follow these steps carefully.
Follow these steps:
- First, get yourself a sponge and some soap.
- Then, fill up a sink with warm water and add in some dish soap.
- Scrub away at any burned-on residue with your sponge.
- Use as much force as needed, but don’t overdo it or you could damage your new griddle.
- Let everything soak for a few minutes before scrubbing again.
- If there is still residue left behind, repeat until everything is clean.
- Once you are satisfied with how clean your griddle is, rinse off all of the soap and dry off any excess water using paper towels or an old rag.
How Long Does It Take To Season A Blackstone Griddle?
Seasoning a griddle for the first time is much easier than cleaning it. It might take up to an hour or so, depending on how well you follow the steps.
Follow these steps:
- First, clean your griddle with soap and water, as described above.
- Then, apply vegetable oil to your griddle using a paper towel or rag; make sure that you are generous with your application.
- Let everything sit for 3 hours or so.
What Is The Best Oil To Season A Blackstone Griddle?
There are many oils that you can use to season your griddle. Vegetable oil is a great choice, as it is relatively inexpensive and easy to find. However, some people prefer coconut oil or olive oil. Pitmasters recommend flaxseed oil. It runs down to a matter of preference as long as you’re using cooking oil and not other oils.
Is It Safe To Cook On A Rusted Blackstone Griddle?
This question gets asked a lot and no, you should not cook on a rusted griddle. When rust gets on food particles, it might cause cancer in the intestinal tract. So, make sure that your griddle is free of rust before using it for cooking.
If there is some minor surface rust, then use steel wool or sandpaper to remove it first before seasoning your new griddle with the oil.
How Often Should You Clean Blackstone Griddle?
If you’re using your griddle regularly, then you should clean it after every use. However, if you’re only using it once in a while, then cleaning it once a month is enough.
How Often Should I Re Season My Blackstone Griddle?
Seasoning your griddle every once in a while is important. Light seasoning after every meal helps keep your griddle from rusting and will keep it looking great for years to come.
Can You Use Vinegar On A Blackstone Griddle?
Yes, you can use vinegar on a griddle. It is great for removing stuck-on food particles. Make sure that you do not leave it in place too long as it could cause your seasoning to wear off. You should also avoid using vinegar if your griddle has rust as it will only make things worse.
Do I Season My Blackstone After Every Use?
It is not necessary to season your griddle after every use. But, if you have a big cookout, then it is a good idea to season your griddle again afterward. Also, if you notice that food particles are sticking or if there is any rust on your griddle, then you should clean and re-season it after every use.
Conclusion
A great griddle can do a lot for your cooking abilities. Make sure that you take good care of it by cleaning and seasoning it so that it can work at its full potential and last you a long time. These are all simple things that any homeowner with a Blackstone griddle in their kitchen should know, but they’re also easy to forget when you’re busy cooking up a storm.
Use these tips and tricks to keep your Blackstone griddle in tip-top shape!
