How To Clean Blackstone After Cooking: Expert Chef Step-by-Step Guide (2024)

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I’m an expert chef with 15 years in professional kitchens. I’ve worked with industrial griddles made of cast iron and steel. I’m here to guide you with an easy process to clean your Blackstone griddle after cooking. We will follow a step-by-step approach to ensure your griddle stays in great shape. This includes the best ways to handle these materials. It will also include tips from a chemist that explain how to maintain your griddle effectively.

If you want to bring an old griddle back to life or keep a new one looking great, this guide is for you. It will give you the knowledge and tools you need to care for your Blackstone griddle properly. Let’s start and make sure your Blackstone griddle looks and works its best.

First off, do you want to know how to keep your Blackstone griddle brand new? In this guide, I’ll show you the secrets. You’ll learn how to have your grill flat-top looking and working great, no matter its age. So, let’s get started on maintaining your Blackstone griddle well!

Key Takeaways

Understand the materials and components of the Blackstone griddle to properly clean and maintain it
Use the right tools, including a griddle scraper, paper towels, and high-smoke point cooking oils
Learn a step-by-step process for cleaning the griddle after each use, including scraping, using water, and applying a protective oil layer
Discover deep cleaning methods for removing rust and stubborn, burnt-on grime
Get expert tips on seasoning the griddle and preventing rust for long-lasting performance

What Is The Blackstone Griddle Made Of?

The Blackstone griddle is made of solid steel, not cast iron as you might think. Both steel and cast iron need similar care. It’s key to know what your item is made of. Steel is mostly iron with some carbon. When steel touches water and air, it might rust. Knowing this, use water to clean the griddle. Just be sure to dry it fast and then add a protecting oil layer. This is especially essential in places with lots of wet air, to stop rusting.

The Griddle

The bottom beneath the griddle can get rusty. The paint on it may not last long. So, it’s good to scrub it well and then repaint it with a special heat-resistant black spray. The knobs are plastic, so to clean them use mild soapy water. But, watch out, it could scratch off the paint. The debris chamber, which catches food bits and grease, is not hard to keep clean. You can put foil in it and change it often. And when it’s very messy, just wash it by hand or even in the dishwasher.

Tools Needed for Cleaning a Blackstone Griddle

For cleaning a Blackstone griddle, you’ll need a few items. These are a griddle scraper, paper towels or cloth rags, cooking oil, and a squirt bottle for water. The griddle scraper is crucial for scraping off stuck food. Paper towels or rags are good for wiping. Cooking oil keeps the griddle seasoned and prevents rust. A squirt bottle with water helps to remove tough grime.

Griddle Scraper

The griddle scraper is a rectangular metal piece with a handle. It is key in getting rid of stuck food and residue from the griddle.

Paper Towels or Cloth Rags

Many people choose paper towels for cleaning the griddle. After using, you can throw them away. But, not all paper towels are the same. Costco’s Kirkland brand leaves less lint on the griddle. Blue shop towels also work well.

Cooking Oil

After cleaning, put a thin coat of oil on the griddle. This protects the seasoning and stops rust. Use oils like avocado, vegetable, canola, coconut, or sesame. Grapeseed oil is good too. Blackstone has its own products for this.

Squirt Bottle for Water

A squirt bottle with clean water can be very useful. A few squirts of warm water on the hot griddle creates steam. This helps remove stuck food. Then, it’s easier to scrape and wipe the griddle clean.

Cleaning the Blackstone Griddle After Cooking

To clean the Blackstone griddle after cooking, let it cool a bit first. This helps you avoid getting burned. Next, when the griddle is warm but not hot, use a metal scraper. Scrape the surface to remove leftover food and grease, aiming them at the drip pan. Work from one end to the other, pressing firmly. This gets rid of hard-to-remove bits.

Use Water to Release Stuck-on Food

If there’s stubborn food stuck, squirt some water from a bottle on it. The warm griddle turns the water into steam, helping to loosen the food. Then, use a scraper to move the debris into the drip tray.

Wipe Down the Surface

After clearing most of the grease and food, wipe the griddle with paper towels or a rag. Make sure to wipe the sidewalls inside and out. This prevents rust and keeps it clean.

Apply a Thin Layer of Oil

With the griddle clean, apply a thin layer of oil like avocado or vegetable oil. This maintains the griddle’s seasoning and fights rust, especially in humid areas.

How to Clean Blackstone After Cooking: Step-by-Step

Cleaning a Blackstone griddle starts while still cooking. If you see it getting dirty, scrape it clean. This stops hard-to-remove grime later on.

Scrape the Surface After Cooking

After you eat, use a metal scraper to clean the Blackstone. Scrape from one end to the other. Be firm to remove all leftover food.

Use Water to Help Release Residue

For really sticky food, add some water while the griddle is warm. The steam helps loosen the stains. Scrape away the loosened food into the drip pan.

Wipe Down the Griddle Surface

After scraping, wipe it with paper towels or a rag. This dries it so it won’t rust. Don’t forget to wipe the walls too.

Apply a Protective Oil Layer

Next, put a thin layer of oil on the griddle. Use oils like avocado or vegetable. This step helps keep the griddle in good shape and prevents rust.

Can You Use Soap on the Blackstone Griddle?

Avoid using soap to clean a Blackstone griddle. It might take away the seasoning. This could leave a soapy flavor in your food. Soap is okay to use when the griddle is new. This is before the first seasoning. It helps get rid of any oils or residue from making the griddle.

For regular cleaning, don’t use soap. Instead, scrape, use water, and add oil. This keeps the griddle’s surface smooth and tasty.

Deep Cleaning a Blackstone Griddle

For more thorough cleaning, you might need special tools. These include a pumice grill stone, white vinegar, fine steel wool, and an electric sander with 60-grit paper. A high-pressure water sprayer is also handy. These tools help get rid of tough rust and grime.

Removing Rust from the Griddle

Experts suggest using white vinegar to get rid of rust. Spray vinegar on the rusty spots and wait 5 minutes. Then, use steel wool or a pumice stone to scrub off the rust.

Keep adding vinegar and scrubbing until the rust is gone. Finally, rinse the area with warm water using a griddle scouring pad.

Removing Burnt-On Oil and Grime

To tackle burnt oil and grime, you might need even stronger methods. Use an electric sander with 60-grit paper to grind off the buildup. A big pumice stone can also help scrub off hard deposits.

Use scouring pads or a high-pressure water hose to further clean the griddle. These methods will help remove the tough, stuck-on gunk.

Seasoning the Blackstone Griddle

To keep your griddle in top shape, apply a thin layer of high-smoke point oil after each deep clean. Experts suggest using oils like avocado, vegetable, canola, coconut, sesame, or grapeseed. These oils help form a barrier on the steel, making your griddle cook better and last longer.

Seasoning Oils to Use

Pick an oil with a high smoke point for the best seasoning. Avocado oil, vegetable oil, canola oil, coconut oil, sesame oil, and grapeseed oil are great choices. These oils can handle high heat without burning, making the seasoning process effective.

The Seasoning Process

First, cover the entire griddle with your chosen oil. Then, use paper towels or a microfiber cloth to spread it out evenly. Next, heat the griddle until the oil smokes, letting it bond to the metal. You might need to do this step two or three times for a good season. Make sure the griddle is completely cool before cooking on it.

Proper Use of the Griddle Scraper

The blackstone griddle scraper is key for keeping your Blackstone griddle clean. But, you must use it right. Don’t go back and forth with the scraper like you’re cutting something. Instead, push the blade across the griddle surface with a firm, even force to take away debris. Doing this wrong can make scratches or grooves in the griddle’s seasoning layer.

To keep your blackstone griddle safe, it’s very important to learn the right using way. Put pressure on the whole blade while moving it gently. Do this to get off any food bits or residue without hurting the griddle’s finish.

Using the blackstone griddle scraper right helps a lot. It keeps your grill top’s surface in great shape, keeps it non-stick, and helps it last longer. Once you get how to do it right, you’ll protect your Blackstone griddle from damage. Plus, it will keep working well for a long time.

Cleaning the Blackstone Griddle After a Late Night

If food, sauces, or sugary stuff sits on your Blackstone griddle overnight, it’s harder to clean. Turn the griddle on low. This will soften the stuck-on material. Then, use a scraper and other tools to clean it well. Always put a new layer of oil on it after.

Letting your Blackstone griddle sit with leftovers makes cleaning tougher. But there’s a quick fix. Just heat the griddle on low to soften the residue. Then, it’s easier to scrape off. Don’t forget to season it again to keep it working well and non-stick.

Storage and Maintenance

Store your Blackstone griddle covered when not in use. This will shield the surface and stop rust. Use the dedicated cover that comes with many models or a generic one. A large plastic bin turned over can also work. Always keep the griddle covered when not in use to preserve its condition and seasoning.

It is also important to put a thin layer of cooking oil on the surface often. This is especially important in areas that are humid or coastal. The oil acts as a shield, stopping the steel surface from getting rusty. Where there’s a lot of moisture in the air, season the griddle more often.

Blackstone Griddle Storage Recommendations	Benefits
Use Blackstone-provided or generic grill cover	Protects the griddle surface from dust, debris, and moisture
Apply a thin layer of high-smoke point cooking oil	Prevents rust and maintains the seasoning
Increase seasoning frequency in humid climates	Stays ahead of potential rust issues

Tips from Expert Chefs

In this guide, I’ve shared wisdom from my 15 years in the kitchen. I’ve learned a lot about blackstone griddle cleaning tips. Plus, I’ve gathered insights from top chefs. They provided expert advice and chef recommendations for Blackstone griddles. These tips can keep your griddle great for outdoor cooking.

A well-known outdoor chef shared a secret. He uses a special way to season his griddle. First, he puts on a bit of avocado oil. Then, he adds a sprinkle of cornstarch. After this, he heats up the griddle. The cornstarch and oil mix to make a strong, non-stick layer.

Another expert offered tips for deep cleaning. He has decades of grilling experience. He says to use a tough grill brush, sandpaper, and a strong water hose. This combo removes tough, stuck-on bits. It can make your griddle almost new again. Doing this helps your griddle cook better.

Expert Tip	Benefit
Seasoning with Avocado Oil and Cornstarch	Enhances non-stick properties and durability of the griddle surface
Deep Cleaning with Grill Brush, Sandpaper, and Pressure Washer	Removes stubborn buildup for a like-new griddle surface

Use these expert advice and chef recommendations often. Then, your griddle will last a long time. It will be a trusty tool for outdoor meals.

Conclusion

I shared my expert tips on how to clean and maintain a Blackstone griddle. By knowing what it’s made of, the right tools, and a cleaning routine, your grill will last a long time. This advice will help keep your flat-top grill in great shape every year.

Don’t forget to clean as you go and scrape it well. Also, put a protective oil layer on it. Deal with rust or burnt-on grime as soon as you see them. This way, your Blackstone griddle will do a wonderful job for years.

Follow the advice in this guide to maintain the quality and performance of your Blackstone griddle. Keep it clean, seasoned, and prevent rust. This griddle will be your go-to for fun outdoor cooking adventures for years to come.

FAQ

What is the Blackstone griddle made of?

The Blackstone griddle is not cast iron. It is made of solid steel. Steel is a mix of iron and carbon. When steel touches water and oxygen, it can rust. You can use water to clean the griddle. But, you must dry it fast and add oil to protect it. This is very important, especially in humid places.

What tools are needed for cleaning a Blackstone griddle?

To clean a Blackstone griddle, you need a griddle scraper. Also, don’t forget paper towels or cloth rags, cooking oil, and water in a squirt bottle. The griddle scraper helps remove stuck-on food well.

Can you use soap to clean a Blackstone griddle?

Avoid using soap on a Blackstone griddle. Soap can remove the seasoning and give food a soapy taste. But, when the griddle is new, you can use soap before seasoning to remove oils or debris.

How do you remove rust from a Blackstone griddle?

To remove rust, use white vinegar. Spray vinegar on the rust and wait 5 minutes. Then, scrub the rust with steel wool or a pumice stone. Rinse the griddle until all the rust is gone.

How do you season a Blackstone griddle?

To season the griddle, use oil with a high smoke point, such as avocado or vegetable oil. Spread the oil with paper towels. Heat the griddle until the oil smokes, building a good seasoning layer. This should be done two or three times.

How should the griddle scraper be used to avoid damaging the Blackstone griddle?

Use the griddle scraper carefully. Don’t cut through food on the griddle. Slide the whole blade over the griddle. This helps avoid scratches or damage to the seasoning.

How do you store and maintain the Blackstone griddle when not in use?

Keep your Blackstone griddle covered when not using it. This helps protect the surface and prevent rust. You can use the cover it came with or any good grill cover. Don’t forget to add a thin layer of oil. This helps stop rust, especially in humid areas.