How To Clean Blackstone
You probably own a Blackstone griddle if you love flat top cooking surfaces. However, you may not know how important it is to keep it clean or how to clean it properly. Cleaning your Blackstone griddle will help prevent rust and maintain a nonstick surface. This guide covers why cleaning is important, the steps for cleaning, and more.
Why Do You Need To Clean a Blackstone Griddle?
You must routinely clean your Blackstone griddle after cooking to get the most out of its surface. Regular cleaning will help you achieve the following:
- Enhance performance: Leaving leftover food particles on your griddle’s surface can lead to uneven heating and inconsistent cooking. A clean griddle delivers heat evenly and gives you better nonstick performance.
- Ensure food safety: Leftover food particles are a breeding ground for bacteria. Cleaning the griddle after every use eliminates the risk of contaminating your delicious dishes with bacteria and ensures you can prepare every meal on a clean, safe surface.
- Extend your griddle’s life span: Blackstone griddles have a steel surface, which can rust if you allow prolonged contact with food particles, grease, or moisture. Rust can quickly corrode your griddle, leading to cracks and making it unsafe. Cleaning the surface will remove debris and protect the griddle so you can enjoy it for many more years.
How to Clean Your Blackstone Griddle After Each Use
Cleaning your Blackstone griddle is easy, and you probably already have most of the tools. You’ll need the following:
- Cooking oil
- Metal spatula or Blackstone griddle scraper
- Microfiber cloth
- Paper towels
- Tong
- Water in a squeeze or spray bottle
Below is a step-by-step guide for cleaning a Blackstone griddle.
- Let your griddle cool down: Switch your griddle off and let it completely cool before cleaning it. This will take 30–45 minutes but will also depend on how high the heat was.
- Scrape leftover food particles: Use a metal spatula or griddle scraper to remove any food stuck to the surface. Then, move the particles from the griddle surface back to the grease management system in the back.
- Remove stuck-on food with hot water: Spray the surface of your griddle with hot water, either using a squeeze bottle or spray bottle on the surface. The hot water will help lift any stuck-on food particles from the griddle surface. Scrape the surface again, moving the particles from the cooking area to the grease management system.
- Dry the griddle: Rust is your griddle’s worst enemy, so you must ensure it’s dry. Use clean paper towels or a microfiber cloth to remove water from your griddle.
- Season your griddle surface: Apply a thin layer of oil to the griddle after it’s dry and the area is clean. You can use canola oil, olive oil, vegetable oil, or any other cooking oil you have on hand. Use paper towels to spread the oil over the entire surface, and don’t neglect the sides and back. Hold the paper towels with your tongs if the griddle surface is warm. The oil will create a protective layer, preventing rust and creating a nonstick surface.
- Cover and store: Close the hood of your flat top grill or put a cover on it, then store it in a cool, dry place until you’re ready to use it again.
These cleaning steps should only take a few minutes but will add years of life to your Blackstone griddle.
Deep Cleaning Your Blackstone Griddle
Most griddles only need cleaning after use, but you’ll occasionally want to do a deep clean. You might choose to deep clean your griddle if you notice a lot of caked-on grease and grime, uneven heat on the cooking surface, or food sticking to its surface.
Here’s what you’ll need to deep clean your Blackstone griddle:
- Baking soda
- Bucket
- Cooking oil
- Dish soap
- Nonabrasive scouring pad, pumice, or grill stone
- Paper towels or microfiber cloths
- Spray bottle with clean water
- Warm water
Use the following steps to deep clean your griddle:
- Cool your griddle: Turn the burners off and let the griddle cool down for about half an hour before you start deep cleaning.
- Scrub with soap and water: Fill your bucket with warm water and mild dish soap. Dip your nonabrasive scouring pad into the soapy water and gently scrub the cooking surface. Don’t use harsh cleaners or metal scouring pads because these can damage the seasoning layer.
- Use baking soda for extra stubborn spots: Apply a thick paste of baking soda if soap and water aren’t doing the trick. Allow the paste to sit for a few minutes, then use your scrubber again.
Rinsing and Drying
Prepare your griddle for use after a deep clean with the following steps.
- Rinse the griddle: Rinse with clean water to remove the soap residue. Use a spray bottle or gently squirt the griddle with your garden hose.
- Completely dry the griddle: Wipe the griddle with clean paper towels or a microfiber cloth, ensuring it’s dry. Any remaining moisture could leave the flat top vulnerable to rust.
- Season your griddle: Apply a thin layer of cooking oil to the surface with a paper towel. This will reseason the griddle and help maintain the nonstick surface.
How To Remove Rust From Your Blackstone Griddle
Rust on the flat top not only looks bad, it can also impact your food’s safety. Rust weakens the griddle’s surface and traps bacteria. It can also disrupt the seasoning layer, causing your food to stick and cook unevenly.
Here’s what you’ll need to remove rust from your Blackstone griddle:
- Baking soda
- Cooking oil
- Grill stone or pumice
- Metal scraper or spatula
- Paper towels
Make sure your griddle is completely cool before you attempt to remove rust, then do the following:
- Scrape away loose rust: Use your metal scraper or spatula to remove any loose rust flakes. Scrape carefully to avoid damaging the surrounding area.
- Get rid of stubborn rust spots: You can use a wet grill stone for tougher rust spots and scrub the rusty spots in a circular motion. You can also apply a thick paste of baking soda and water to the area and let it sit for 10 minutes before scrubbing.
- Clean and dry the flat top: Wipe the griddle surface with a damp paper towel. Then, thoroughly dry the griddle with clean paper towels or a microfiber cloth.
- Reseason the cooking surface: Apply a thin coat of cooking oil to the surface. This will restore the grill’s nonstick properties and protect it from rust.
Best Cleaning Solutions for Blackstone Griddle
The best cleaning solutions for Blackstone griddles are usually simple ones. Many cleaning solutions are available on the Blackstone website or through Amazon. We recommend avoiding harsh chemicals, as these can strip away your Blackstone griddle’s seasoning layer and cause food to stick to the surface.
Hot water works best for regular, everyday cleaning. You can add a few drops of mild dish soap for extra cleaning power. Use the dish soap sparingly, and always rinse the flat top’s surface thoroughly to remove any soap residue. Warm water and dish soap will also work for deeper cleaning in cases. Avoid degreasers and abrasive scrubbers because they can damage your griddle’s surface.
Our Conclusion
A Blackstone griddle is an incredible addition to an outdoor kitchen. You should clean it after every use, deep clean it occasionally, and watch out for rust. Use hot water and a quality metal spatula to scrape your griddle’s surface, and use soap sparingly to keep your seasoning layer intact. This ensures your griddle heats evenly, preserves its nonstick surface, and delivers perfectly cooked food for years.
FAQ About How To Clean Blackstone
How often should you clean your Blackstone griddle?
Clean your Blackstone griddle after every use, and deep clean the cooking surface after every couple of uses. Avoid harsh chemicals. Instead, use hot water, a little bit of mild dish soap, and a nonabrasive scrubber to clean the surface. Always dry your griddle thoroughly and reseason often to protect it from rust.
Can you use Dawn dish soap on a Blackstone griddle?
You can use Dawn dish soap on a Blackstone griddle but use it sparingly. Using too much soap or using it too often can harm the seasoning layer.
What’s the best way to clean a Blackstone griddle?
The best way to clean a Blackstone griddle is with a metal spatula and hot water. You can use a mild dish soap or a paste of baking soda and water for deeper cleaning. Always dry the griddle completely and reseason it with your favorite cooking oil before storing it in a cool, dry place.
Should you clean Blackstone after every use?
Yes, you should clean your Blackstone griddle after every use. Scrape food particles off the surface with a metal spatula, depositing them in the grease management system. Then reseason the flat top and ensure the griddle is completely dry before storing it.
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