The superhero of outdoor griddling–Blackstone. But even superheroes need a little TLC from time to time. So, it’s time to roll up your sleeves and learn how to clean your Blackstone griddle.
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How Often Should You Clean Your Griddle?
Since keeping your griddle in the best condition possible is the key to turning out perfectly seasoned food every time, you should ensure that your griddle is cleaned regularly. This means that you should clean it before, during, and after every use.
While this might sound a bit excessive, if you plan to use your griddle often, you must keep it well-maintained. This typically starts when you first take your griddle out of the box and continues throughout the lifetime of your griddle.
Supplies Needed for Cleaning Your Blackstone Griddle
When it comes to cleaning your Blackstone griddle, it will depend on whether or not you are doing so for the first time or after you have used the grill. While cleaning after you cook requires more supplies, you may only need a few of the items listed below for the first time cleaning.
When cleaning after you have cooked on the griddle you will likely need scrubbing, scraping, and scouring tools in addition to other cleaning supplies. This is because you will most likely have food particles that are left behind.
The supplies you will need to clean your griddle for the first time are similar to the ones you will need for regular cleaning. However, the biggest difference when cleaning it for the first time is that you will not likely need scrubbing tools.
Here are the most common cleaning supplies you will need to clean your Blackstone griddle:
- Cleaning bucket
- Microfiber towels
- Dishwashing liquid (for the first time cleaning)
- Scouring brush or pad
- Metal scraper
- Pumice grill stone
- Heat resistant gloves
- Paper towels
- Cooking or Vegetable Oil
Cleaning Your Blackstone Griddle Before Use (First Time)
Keep in mind that when you first take your griddle out of the box and put it together, there is likely residue and possibly chemicals leftover from manufacturing. Because of this, you will want to clean your Blackstone griddle thoroughly before you begin your cook session.
Step 1: Prepare Your Cleaning Solution
To thoroughly clean your Blackstone griddle for the first time, you will need to use a good cleaning solution. This typically calls for mixing in your bucket of hot water and dishwashing liquid and stirring well.
Keep in mind that the soapier the solution, the better cleaning you will get.
Step 2: Thoroughly Clean the Cooking Surfaces
Using a microfiber towel, dip it in the cleaning solution and wring it out until it is no longer dripping with water. Thoroughly clean every surface of the griddle making sure to rinse and rewet your towel frequently to ensure it is cleaned completely.
Step 3: Rinse and Dry the Griddle Completely
After you have thoroughly washed your griddle with the cleaning solution and microfiber towel, it is time to make sure you get everything rinsed completely. To do this you will need to dump the soapy water and replace it with clean hot water.
Use a clean microfiber towel to ensure that all of the soapy solutions is rinsed off of the surfaces of your Blackstone griddle. Use paper towels to dry the surface of your griddle completely.
Step 4: Season the Griddle
Since you are preparing your griddle for its first-time use, seasoning is vital to ensure that your food has a great flavor profile and that your griddle is protected. To do this, use a paper towel to spread about three tablespoons of the cooking or vegetable oil around the surface of your griddle.
Once this is done, you will need to turn the heat on the griddle up to the highest setting and allow the oil to be burned off completely. Repeat this process 2-3 times to ensure proper seasoning.
This process is the same as cleaning any flat top grill.
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How to Clean a Blackstone Griddle After Cooking
Just as important as cleaning your Blackstone before you use it the first time, you will also want to ensure that you are cleaning it after every use. Doing this will prevent any build-up that can change the flavor profile of your food and damage your griddle.
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Step 1: Allow the Griddle to Cool Completely
While some outdoor cooks recommend you clean the griddle while it is still hot, Blackstone recommends that you wait until the surface is completely cooled down. This is because you will be able to handle the surfaces much easier once it is cool.
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Step 2: Remove Food Particles Left Behind
Using a metal scraper, remove any food particles and juices that were left behind from your cooking session. Make sure that you are scraping this debris towards the drip pan, then follow up with a paper towel to ensure that you have successfully removed anything left behind.
Step 3: Scrub the Surface of the Griddle
Once you have successfully removed anything left from your cooking session, you can use a spray bottle filled with hot water to cover the entire surface. Then use a non-metallic scrub brush to remove any hard-to-remove food particles.
You will then want to ensure that you dry the surface thoroughly with a paper towel or microfiber towel so no liquid is left behind.
Step 4: Season the Griddle
After you have ensured that the entire surface of the griddle is completely dry, you will need to season it. This can be done by using about three tablespoons of cooking of vegetable oil and using a paper towel spread on the surface of the griddle, making sure that you are not leaving puddles of oil behind.
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Everything You Should Know About Cleaning a Blackstone Griddle
Adding a flat top grill to your outdoor cooking space or to bring along with you on your camping trips can be a great asset. Since griddles have a flat top, you can cook foods that you are not able to on a regular grill.
When it comes to Blackstone, you should know they’re known for quality products that are not only durable but also extremely versatile.
But the most important thing? Cleaning and maintaining it is vital to keeping it in the best condition possible. This not only means after each cook but also before you even begin cooking on it.
If you want to keep your griddle for years to come, then it’s best if you keep it clean and maintained before, during, and after each cooking session. Not only is it important to keep it clean, but keeping it perfectly seasoned is the key to your food coming out with the best flavor profile possible.
And if you don’t have one yet, here’s our guide on the best Blackstone griddles.
Tips for Keeping Your Blackstone Griddle in Good Condition
While cleaning your Blackstone Griddle after each use can help it to stay in the best condition possible, you may also want to consider the following tips and tricks. Keep in mind that you will likely want to use your griddle for years to come, so ensuring that it is maintained regularly is the key.
Here are some tips and tricks that will help you keep your Blackstone Griddle in good condition:
- Always preheat your griddle before you start cooking to prevent foods from sticking to the surface
- Do a deep cleaning on your griddle every few weeks to ensure that all surfaces are cleaned thoroughly
- Never use a metal scraper to clean food particles off the surface of your griddle since the metal pieces can be left behind
- Be sure to thoroughly dry your grill parts and surfaces after each cleaning to prevent rust from growing
- Follow manufacturer’s recommendations at all times
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What Should You Do if Your Blackstone Griddle is Rusted?
If you are taking good care of your Blackstone griddle, you will likely not have to worry about rust forming. However, since the surfaces and parts of your griddle are made from a type of metal, rust can form from time to time.
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To combat rust on your Blackstone griddle, you will need to go through the same cleaning steps above, however, you will need to likely use the pumice grill stone to get rid of the rust. Using the stone, metal scraper, and non-metallic scrubbing brush should work wonders to remove any rust that has formed.
Keep in mind that when removing rust from your griddle, you will need to start with a heated surface to help lift the rust. After you have scrubbed the surface free of rust, you can then add cooking or vegetable oil to the surface and scour it again to ensure all the rust is gone.
After this process, you will need to follow the instructions listed above to season your grill as if you were doing so the first time.
