How to Clean a Blackstone Griddle

How to Clean a Blackstone Griddle is essential for any home cook or professional chef. A Blackstone griddle is a versatile and durable cooking surface that can be used to prepare a wide variety of foods, from pancakes and eggs to burgers and steaks. However, after cooking on a Blackstone griddle, it is important to clean it properly to prevent food buildup, rust, and other damage. In this guide, we will walk you through the steps for How to Clean a Blackstone Griddle, ensuring that your griddle stays in top condition for many delicious meals to come.

What is a Blackstone Griddle

A Blackstone Griddle is a versatile and convenient cooking equipment that can be used to cook a variety of foods outdoors. It features a large flat-top cooking surface made of steel, with two burners that can be controlled separately. The large cooking area allows you to cook foods efficiently in large quantities. You can use a griddle to cook foods like pancakes, eggs, stir fry, grilled cheese, and quesadillas and even cook a full breakfast. The flat top also makes it easy to slide the food around and flip it. 

A griddle is a great option if you want to cook different foods at once and keep things warm after cooking. The Blackstone griddles are durable and weather-resistant, suitable for outdoor use. They heat up quickly and distribute heat evenly, resulting in perfectly cooked food every time. For outdoor cooking enthusiasts, a griddle can be an ideal alternative to a traditional grill.

When Should You Clean a Blackstone Griddle?

It is important to clean a Blackstone Griddle regularly after use to keep it in good condition. As a general rule of thumb, you should clean your griddle within 30 minutes to 1 hour after cooking. When food particles and grease are left on the griddle surface for a long time after cooking, they can get baked on and become difficult to remove. They can also make the griddle sticky and affect the flavor of your next meal. The best time to clean a griddle is when it is still warm but not scalding hot – usually once you’ve finished cooking and had your meal. 

At the bare minimum, wipe down your griddle with hot water, soap, and paper towels to remove grease and stuck bits of food. For stuck-on messes, use a griddle scraper or scrubber. Rinse well with hot water and dry completely to prevent rusting. For extra stuck-on residue, make a foil packet with water and dish soap that can steam clean the griddle as it cools. Some people like to coat their griddle in a thin layer of oil once cooled to protect the surface before storing it.

With regular cleaning and maintenance after each use, your Blackstone Griddle will stay in great shape and serve you well for years to come. Neglecting to clean your griddle and allowing built-up grease and grime can result in poor cooking performance, food sticking to the griddle, and a tacky surface that is hard to clean. Keep your griddle happy by giving it a quick wipe-down after each meal!

How to Clean a New Blackstone Griddle

When you first get a new Blackstone Griddle, it is important to properly clean and condition it before cooking on it for the first time. This initial cleaning will remove any manufacturing oils and debris from the griddle surface and prepare it for use. To clean a new Blackstone Griddle, follow these steps:

Wash the griddle surface with hot, soapy water. Use a sponge or nylon scrub pad to scrub off any dirt or residue from the factory. Rinse well with water until the water sheets off the surface. Dry completely with paper towels or rags.

Apply a coat of high-temperature cooking oil like canola, peanut, or flaxseed oil. Use a paper towel to spread the oil over the entire griddle surface. Let it sit for about 10 minutes.

Wipe away the excess oil with another clean paper towel or rag. Buff the surface until it feels slightly tacky to the touch.

Turn on the griddle burners to medium-high heat. As the griddle heats up, the remaining oil will polymerize and bond to the griddle surface.

Once the griddle is hot, turn off the burners and let it cool completely. Your griddle is now ready to be used. The seasoned and conditioned griddle surface will be non-stick and ready for cooking your favorite foods.

It is recommended you do another round or two of seasoning the griddle with oil over initial uses. This will enhance the non-stick patina and prepare the griddle for years of cooking. With regular use and maintenance, the griddle surface will become naturally non-stick over time.

What You Need to Clean a Blackstone Flat-top Grill

To properly clean a Blackstone flat-top grill after cooking, it is important to have the necessary supplies on hand. Here are some of the essential items you will need:

Hot, soapy water – Fill a bucket or basin with hot water and dish soap. The hot water will help loosen grease and stuck-on bits of food from the griddle surface.

Spatula and scraper – Use a metal spatula and scraper to scrape off any excess grease and loose food debris from the griddle before washing.

Scrub pads – Have aluminum scrub pads, nylon scrubbers, or abrasive sponges ready to scrub any stuck-on messes from the griddle. Avoid using anything too abrasive that can damage the non-stick coating.

Paper towels – Use paper towels, rags, or shop towels to wipe down the griddle, scrub off debris and soak up excess grease after washing. They are also good for buffing and polishing the griddle surface after rinsing.

Dish soap – Squirt some degreasing dish soap onto the griddle and scrub surfaces to cut through oils and baked-on foods. Dawn and Greased Lightning are popular choices for griddle cleaning.

Rags – Have clean rags, shop towels, or bar mops on hand to wash, rinse and dry all parts of the griddle including the exterior surfaces, drip trays, handles, and grease troughs.

Coconut or flaxseed oil – After cleaning and rinsing, apply a thin coat of high-temperature cooking oil to the griddle to protect and condition the surface before storing.

Griddle cover – Place a cover, tarp, or breathable bag over the griddle after cleaning and oiling to keep dust and debris off in storage.

With the right supplies and some elbow grease, you will be able to get your Blackstone griddle sparkling clean after every cookout. Keep your griddle in top working shape by giving it a proper scrub down after use.

Steps to Cleaning Your Blackstone Griddle for the First Time

Cleaning your Blackstone griddle for the first time is an important step in ensuring that it stays in good condition and lasts for years to come. Here are the steps to follow for cleaning your Blackstone griddle for the first time:

Allow the griddle to cool completely after cooking. It is best if you can clean immediately after cooking. Wait at least 1 hour after cooking until the griddle is cool enough to handle safely with your bare hands.

Wipe down the griddle surface with a paper towel to remove any excess grease and loose debris. Then use a griddle scraper or spatula to scrape off any stuck-on bits of food. Empty the grease trap underneath and wipe it with a paper towel.

Apply a degreasing dish soap like Dawn to the griddle surface using a damp paper towel or rag. For stuck-on messes, scrub with an abrasive sponge or scrubber. Scrub the grease tray, splatter guard, and all other removable parts.

Rinse the entire griddle with hot water, including the lid, side tables, grease tray, and splash guard. Wipe away soap with wet rags until the water runs clear.

Dry all components thoroughly with towels or rags to prevent water spotting and rusting. It is important to dry the underside and legs of the griddle as well if exposed to water.  

Lightly coat the griddle plate with a high-temperature cooking oil like canola or flaxseed oil using a paper towel. Spread it evenly over the entire surface.

Cover the griddle plate with a sheet of foil, close the lid, and let it sit covered overnight. This will allow the oil to season the griddle, protecting the surface.

Remove the foil and wipe away any excess oil residue with a paper towel before cooking again. Your griddle surface is now seasoned and ready for many meals to come!

Repeat the cleaning and oiling process every 3-4 uses to maintain your griddle. With regular use and upkeep, the non-stick patina will continue to improve over time.

How to Clean a Blackstone Griddle

Cleaning a Blackstone griddle is essential for maintaining its quality and preventing damage. Here are the steps to follow for cleaning a Blackstone griddle:

Give the griddle a good scrape

Giving your griddle a good scrape refers to using tools like a metal spatula, scraper, or putty knife to scrape off any stuck-on or built-up bits of food and residue from the griddle surface. Scraping the griddle is an important first step before washing and cleaning to remove any debris that could potentially get baked on if not cleaned promptly after cooking.

To properly scrape a griddle:

Allow the griddle to cool until you can handle the surface comfortably with bare hands. It should be warm to the touch, but not still scalding hot. Usually 1 to 2 hours after turning off the burners. 

Have your scraper or spatula, damp paper towels or rags, and trash bag ready.

Use the scraper, held at a 45-degree angle, to push all stuck-on food particles off the griddle and into a trash bag. Start from one end of the griddle and work your way across using short strokes.

For stubborn stuck bits, you may need to apply pressure and scrape aggressively while still being careful not to damage the griddle surface.

Wipe the entire griddle surface with damp paper towels or rags to remove any remaining grease and small debris. Empty your grease trap and wipe with damp paper towels as well.

Discard any collected food particles and grease from your trash bag properly according to local regulations.     

Your griddle surface should now be clear of any loose or stuck debris and ready to be washed clean with hot, soapy water and scrubbed.

Rinse it down with water

After scraping the griddle surface to remove any stuck-on food bits, it is important to rinse it with water to wash away any remaining grease and grime. To properly rinse a griddle:

Have hot water, sponges/rags, and paper towels handy.  

Pour hot water over the griddle surface. Use a watering can or pour directly from buckets. Run the water over the entire surface to flush off grease and debris.

Scrub the entire griddle surface with a wet sponge or rag to loosen dirt and grime softened by the water. Wring out and repeat as needed.  

Tilt the griddle to drain the dirty water. Pat with paper towels to soak up completely. Also, dry the grease trap and area around the griddle.

Vigorously wipe the griddle surface with paper towels until dry and slightly tacky to the touch.    

Apply a thin coat of high-temperature cooking oil (such as canola or flaxseed oil) using a paper towel or rag. Wipe away any excess oil with another paper towel.

By thoroughly rinsing your griddle with hot water after each use, you can remove built-up grit and keep it clean and in peak condition. A good rinse, along with regular scraping and cleaning, will ensure optimum cooking results meal after meal. Happy griddling!

Rinsing with hot water is key to keeping your griddle clean by washing away grease, stuck bits of food, and other residue that can build up over time and use. 

Turn the heat back on

After properly cleaning, rinsing, and drying your griddle, it is time to turn the heat back on. Turning on the burners reheats the griddle surface and helps further sanitize and prepare it for storage or its next use. To turn the heat back on:

Ensure the griddle is completely dry to prevent damage to the burners from trapped moisture. Double-check that there are no wet spots or standing water anywhere on the griddle including drip trays, grease troughs, and undersides.  

Turn all griddle burners to a medium-high or high heat setting. For stubborn stuck-on messes during cleaning, you may need to turn the heat on high.

Cover the griddle plate with a lid or aluminum foil with holes or slits to allow moisture to vent. The trapped heat will help loosen any remaining debris from the surface.

Monitor the temperature regularly. Do not allow the griddle to overheat. The covering in Step 3 is combustible, so never leave an uncovered active griddle unattended.

Once the griddle reaches your desired temperature or after about 10-15 minutes, turn off the burners and remove the covering. 

Use hot pads or oven mitts to wipe away any final residue or oil on the griddle surface with paper towels. Your griddle is now hot, clean, and ready for storage or another round of cooking!  

Apply a light coating of oil to the griddle before letting it cool for storage. The hot griddle will allow the oil to properly coat, protect and season the surface.

Heating your griddle after cleaning is an important final step to further sanitize the surface, loosen stuck debris and prepare your griddle for storage. With regular post-cooking cleaning followed by reheating, your griddle will stay in top working shape meal after meal. A few extra minutes of care will ensure high performance and many seasons of use.

Apply oil or conditioner

After heating your clean griddle, it is important to apply an oil or conditioner to protect the cooking surface before storing it. Applying oil moisturizes the griddle plate, enhances the non-stick patina, and prevents rusting. To properly oil your griddle:

Allow the griddle to cool until you can handle the surface comfortably without hot pads, usually 30-60 minutes after turning off the burners. The griddle should still be warm to the touch, not scalding hot.  

Have a high-temperature cooking oil or griddle conditioner and paper towels or rags ready. Flaxseed oil, canola oil, or coconut oil work well for griddles. Avoid olive oil which can become tacky. 

Apply a teaspoon to a tablespoon of oil to the griddle depending on size. Use a folded paper towel or rag to spread the oil evenly over the entire griddle surface using small circular motions. 

Wipe away any excess oil with another clean paper towel or rag. The griddle surface should glisten but still feel tacky, not heavily coated in oil.

Close the lid or cover the griddle to protect the oiled surface from dust and debris. Allow to sit covered for at least 2-3 hours or overnight if possible. This allows the oil to fully condition and season the griddle.

Before cooking again, quickly wipe down the griddle with a paper towel to remove any remaining residue. The griddle is now conditioned and ready for use.

Repeat oiling after every few cookouts or if the griddle starts to feel dry or sticky. Regular oiling after cleaning and before storing will keep your griddle non-stick and protected for years of use. 

Applying an oil or griddle conditioner and allowing time for it to soak in is an important final step after cleaning and reheating. Oiling your griddle protects the cooking surface, enhances non-stick properties, and prevents rust, ensuring high performance and longevity. With regular post-cooking care, your griddle will serve you well for many meals to come.

How to Clean a Rusty Griddle

If your Blackstone griddle has developed rust, it is important to clean it properly to prevent further damage. Here are the steps to follow for cleaning a rusty griddle:

Scrub off any loose rust from the griddle surface using steel wool, abrasive sponges, or griddle bricks. Scrub in small circles applying pressure to remove as much rust as possible. Wipe away debris with wet paper towels.

Make a paste from baking soda and water. Apply the paste to any remaining rust stains on the griddle surface using a sponge or scrubber. Let it sit for at least 30 minutes to help lift the rust.

Scrub the baking soda paste off the griddle using an abrasive sponge or scrubber. Rinse well with water until it runs clear. Dry completely with paper towels.

Apply a commercial rust remover or metal de-rusting solution as directed. Let it soak in for the recommended time then scrub off. Wash, rinse, and dry the griddle thoroughly when done.  

For tough stuck-on rust, scrub with an abrasive paste of vinegar and salt. Make small circular motions concentrating on the rust. Rinse and dry completely when done. 

As a last resort for stubborn rust that won’t come off, you can scrub with fine-grit sandpaper (400+ grit) or a Dremel tool with a sanding disc attachment. Wipe away debris when done and rinse well with water.  

Apply a coat of high-temperature cooking oil to the griddle surface. Wipe off any excess oil with paper towels.

Heat the griddle burners to high for 10-15 minutes with the lid on to open the pores of the metal. Let cool.

Wipe down the griddle with oil-soaked paper towels. Apply 2-3 coats of oil, heating in between and wiping away excess. Let cool completely.  

Your griddle surface should now be rust-free and protected. To prevent future rust, clean your griddle after each use and apply oil before storing. Repeat the seasoning process for rust-prone griddles.

With some elbow grease and the right tools, you can get even a severely rusted old griddle clean and protected again. Be sure to re-season your griddle for the black patina and non-stick quality to prevent rust from returning. With regular care and maintenance, a rusty griddle can get a second life on your patio or campsite.

Importance of Cleaning Your Blackstone Griddle

Cleaning your Blackstone griddle is essential for several reasons:

It Ensures the Efficient Functioning of Your Griddle

Proper cleaning and maintenance ensure the efficient functioning of your Blackstone Griddle in several ways:

Promotes Even Heating – A dirty griddle prevents heat from properly circulating across the cooking surface. Built-up grease, debris, and stuck-on bits of food act as insulators, causing hot and cold spots. Thorough cleaning opens up pores in the metal so your griddle can reach an even pre-heat temperature for consistent cooking results.

Improves Temperature Control – When your griddle is coated in grease, grime, and burnt food residue, it requires more energy to reach and maintain your target cooking temperature. All the stuck-on buildup prevents heat from efficient transfer and distribution. Keeping your griddle clean means using less fuel or energy to achieve ideal cooking temps.

Enhances Non-Stick Performance – Excess grease, oil, and debris fill in tiny peaks and valleys on your griddle surface that allow food to naturally release as it cooks. Cleaning removes this unwanted buildup so you can re-season your griddle with a micro-thin coat of oil for superior non-stick function. 

Extends Lifespan – Avoiding regular griddle maintenance shortens its useful life over time. Grease, stuck bits of food, moisture, and rust slowly damage the metal components if left on after cooking. Proper post-cooking cleaning and care keep your griddle in peak working condition so it can serve you well for many seasons.

Prevents Costly Repairs – Lack of cleaning leads to rust, corroded parts, clogged burner tubes and ports, and damage that requires professional repairs or full replacement. Basic griddle care and maintenance prevent most of these issues, saving money and headaches in the long run. It’s an investment of minutes that pays off after each cookout.

Provides Safety – An uncleaned griddle has grease buildup that becomes a fire hazard, especially over high heat. Stuck-on food also allows bacteria, pathogens, and contaminants to grow, threatening food safety. Proper cleaning removes these dangers so you can cook with confidence.  

Regular post-cooking cleaning, conditioning, and occasional maintenance are key to the efficient, long-lasting performance of your Blackstone Griddle. While it only takes a few extra minutes after cooking, griddle care can mean years of happy adventures, lower costs, and peace of mind. Make it a habit and your Blackstone Griddle will serve you well for many meals to come.

It Minimizes Incidents of Grease Fires

Proper cleaning and maintenance of your Blackstone Griddle minimize the risk of grease fires in several ways:

Removes Excess Grease – Built-up grease on your griddle surface and in the grease, trough is a fire hazard, especially when heated. Thorough cleaning wipes away excess grease so it cannot pool, ignite and flame up.

Prevents Grease Buildup – Each time you cook, a layer of grease is left behind. Without cleaning, this grease accumulates into a thick, flammable coating. Regular post-cooking cleaning removes grease before it has a chance to build up and become a fire risk. 

Allows Grease to Properly Drain – Clogged grease ports, channels, and troughs prevent grease from effectively draining during cooking. This grease overflows onto burners where it can easily ignite. Keeping your griddle clear of debris ensures grease has an unobstructed path to drip trays so it does not sit on hot surfaces.  

Enables Safe Grease Disposal – Wiping up excess grease after cooking and emptying drip trays means grease can be safely and properly disposed of according to local regulations. Letting grease collect in and around your griddle leads to messy, dangerous spills and drips that become fire hazards if not addressed.

Improves Temperature Control – Too much leftover grease requires higher heat to reach and maintain cooking temperatures which can ultimately lead to grease fires. A clean griddle needs less energy to preheat and keeps grease from getting too hot since it’s not sitting in thick, built-up puddles.

Opens Air Flow – Grease, grime, and debris clog up ports, holes, and air passages in your griddle reducing ventilation. This trapped heat causes grease to overheat and ignite. A clean griddle has good airflow so the temperature remains properly regulated.

It Helps to Keep Your Food Clean

Proper cleaning and maintenance of your Blackstone Griddle help keep food clean and safe in several ways:

Removes Contaminants – Leftover grease, grime, and stuck-on bits of food contain bacteria, pathogens, and other contaminants that can transfer to new food being cooked. Thorough post-cooking cleaning removes these contaminants so they cannot spread to your next meal.

Prevents Cross-Contamination – Scrubbing your griddle and grease troughs clean after each use prevents raw meat juices, seafood residues, and other contaminants from contacting ready-to-eat foods. When not properly cleaned, these dangerous cross-contaminations readily occur. 

Improves Food Release – Excess oil, grease, and debris fill in tiny peaks and valleys on your griddle surface that allow food to naturally release as it cooks. Lack of cleaning means food physically cannot release from the griddle, causing it to rip apart, stick and leave behind bits and pieces that contaminate the next thing cooked.  

Allows for Safe Food Handling – A dirty griddle is difficult to thoroughly clean and sanitize when cooking different types of food, especially raw proteins. Prompt post-cooking cleaning allows you to safely handle all foods according to proper food hygiene standards.

Discourages Pests – Leftover grease, drips, spills and stuck-on bits of food attract insects, rodents, and other pests that carry diseases and contaminate your cooking area. Keeping your griddle clean and free of excess residue deters pests so they do not threaten food safety. 

Maintains Safe Cooking Temperatures – Too much built-up grease prevents even heating required to properly cook foods to safe internal temperatures that kill harmful bacteria. A clean griddle with good heat circulation allows you to safely prepare all foods according to recommended guidelines. 

Establishing the habit of cleaning your Blackstone Griddle after cooking along with regular maintenance is key to food safety. While a few extra minutes are required, prompt griddle care provides peace of mind that your meal has been prepared properly and is contaminant-free.

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