How To Clean Blackstone Griddle (Easy Complete Guide)

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*This article will guide you through the process of how to clean Blackstone griddle, share some essential tools you’ll need, and give you some tips on how to season and prevent rust.

The Blackstone griddle is a great addition to your outdoor kitchen. It is one of the most popular griddles used by gourmet cooks for grilling meats and seafood!

However, if you use this griddle regularly, it tends to leave stains behind. The buildup occurs when fat from meat or grease from vegetables drips onto the hot surface.

No worries! There is a super easy way to clean your Blackstone griddle without using any drop of dish soap or harsh cleaning chemicals, and I’ll show you soon.

Let’s get started!

When to clean the Blackstone griddle?

Cleaning your Blackstone griddle is a simple task. However, it’s essential to do it after each use. This helps keep the griddle in good shape and prevents rust from building on the entire cooking surface.

What to use to clean a Blackstone griddle?

De-greasing cleaner (for other surfaces outside the flat top)
Warm water
A metal scraper
Cloth or paper towels
Cooking oil
Scrubber pad
A bucket
Pumice grill stone
Heat-resistant gloves

Suggesting cleaning products:

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A Handle and 3 Scour Pads
Another Handle with 2 Cleaning Bricks
6″ metal scraper

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Step-by-step instructions on how to clean Blackstone griddle

Cleaning your Blackstone griddle is simple, but it requires a step-by-step process that can’t be skipped. Don’t worry! I’ve got you covered!

My Blackstone griddle cleaning process looks like this:

Get your Blackstone griddle ready for cleaning!

Crap off all the remaining food residue with a metal scraper

Pour warm water into the cooking surface

Cleaning your griddle’s cooking surface with the Blackstone Scouring Pad

When the surface is dried, use cooking oil to season the Blackstone griddle

Let’s break down each step so you can clean your Blackstone griddle easily in no time to prevent rust.

Step 1: Get your Blackstone griddle ready for cleaning!

To start, slip on a pair of heat-resistant gloves to protect your hands and arms from the heat. And don’t forget to put on an apron or other protective gear to avoid any accidental burns.

Next, crank up the heat to loosen any leftover grease or food particles on the griddle. Let it sit until it starts smoking, which should take about 20 minutes.

Step 2: Crap off all the remaining food residue with a metal scraper

Now it’s time to scrape away any remaining food particles with a metal scraper on your cooking surface and slide them into the rear grease collection system on the back.

Just be sure to do it quickly, as the sooner you clear out the cooking space once the heat is off, the better the results will be!

Repeat this process until you can rest assured that your metal griddle has no food residue.

Step 3: Pour warm water into the cooking surface

Next, pour warm water onto the cooking surface. This will help loosen any accumulated grease, allowing it to be wiped away with a scrubber pad. You will hear a sizzling sound after adding water. It’s a signal for you to move on to the next step.

Note:

In this step, all you need is water. You don’t need to add soup or any liquid because cleaning liquid can cause damage to your griddle.

Step 4: Cleaning your griddle’s cooking surface with a scrubber pad

When your scouring pad is ready, start by wiping down the griddle in circular motions. You may need to repeat this process a few times before you’re satisfied with how clean your griddle is!

After you do this, leave the griddle to soak for 5 minutes so the water can loosen any remaining food sticking.

After 5 minutes, wipe down the cooking surface with a clean sponge or paper towels, then rinse again and dry thoroughly.

Note:

Cleaning a black stone griddle surface after every use with an abrasive scrubber will cause scratches and damage to the griddle plate. So it’s recommended to use a dedicated griddle cleaning scrubber pad.

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Step 5: Season the Blackstone griddle

Seasoning your grill is a great way to add flavor and improve the quality of your food. It’s also a great way to avoid rust!

When you season a grill, you’re adding oil to the surface of the entire surface. The hot oil will break down the oil, and the fatty acids bind together to form a new layer of molecules on top of the metal surface.

This helps to create a smooth surface, which helps prevent rust from forming and makes for more flavorful meals.

To season your Blackstone griddle:

1. Preheat the cooking surface for about 10-15 minutes

2. Apply a thin layer of oil (cooking oil, vegetable oil, and olive oil are also OK) to the grill surface and rub the oil around in circles on your Blackstone griddle with paper towels until all surfaces are covered with oil.

3. Turn on the gas at medium-high heat for about 30 minutes

4. When there is not much smoke in the air, turn off the griddle.

5. Allow your griddle to cool completely.

Step 6: Apply another 3-4 tablespoons of cooking oil to prevent rust

After seasoning your griddle, add another 3–4 tablespoons of cooking oil. This will make a layer that keeps rust and tarnishing from happening.

The thicker the oil layer is, the better!

Also, you can do this step by using the Blackstone Cast Iron Conditioner to avoid messiness.

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Easily season multiple pan surfaces with this multi-favorite seasoning and conditioning product.

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Why do you need to clean the Blackstone griddle?

The Blackstone griddle is durable and can withstand high temperatures and frequent use, but food residue and grease can accumulate over time and affect its functionality. So maintaining a clean Blackstone griddle is vital to preserving its performance and longevity.

If you don’t clean it regularly, food particles could build up on the surface of the griddle, which would cause food to stick to it and eventually burn.

It’s also important to wash off any remaining grease from previous meals before cooking to prevent cross-contamination between foods.

What to do to get rid of the rusty griddle?

When your griddle has become rusted, you will need a more aggressive yet safe-to-use scrubber, such as a grilling stone, instead of a scouring pad. Because removing stubborn rust with a soft pad can be tricky, so you may need to invest in some new equipment.

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Griddle Cleaning Brick Block Pumice Stones

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How to clean a Blackstone griddle rust with a pumice stone

Cleaning Blackstone griddle rust with a pumice stone is easy—you only need simple tools and follow a few steps.

Here’s how to clean Blackstone griddle with rust using pumice stones in just 5 easy steps:

Put 3–4 tablespoons of cooking oil on the grill’s surface and scrub it with a grill stone or steel wool.
Start scrubbing by moving the sponge in slow, gentle circles, so you don’t scratch the cooking surface.
Use a cloth or paper towel to wipe it down and clean it well.
Add another 3–4 tablespoons of cooking oil, then rub it with a paper towel in circles until the oil starts to come off.
Keep doing this process until the grill looks clean and shiny.

How To Prevent Rust On Blackstone Griddle

Preventing rust on a Blackstone griddle requires regular maintenance and proper storage. Here are a few steps you can take to protect your griddle:

Clean after every use: After each use, clean the griddle with warm, soapy water and a scraper. This will remove any food residue, grease, and oils that could attract moisture and cause rust.
Dry thoroughly: Make sure to dry the griddle completely after cleaning to prevent water from pooling on the surface. A clean, dry griddle is less likely to rust.
Apply a protective coating: After the griddle is completely dry, apply a light coating of vegetable oil to the surface. This will create a barrier between the metal and the air, which can help prevent rust from forming.
Store in a dry place: When not used, store the griddle in a dry place, such as a cabinet or covered patio. Exposure to moisture and humidity can cause rust on the griddle surface.
Keep it covered: If you store the griddle outside, make sure it is covered with a protective cover. This will prevent rain, snow, and other moisture from reaching the griddle surface.

By following these steps, you can help keep your Blackstone griddle rust-free and in good condition for years to come.

Alternative methods to clean your Blackstone grill

While traditional cleaning methods like water work well, there are also some alternative methods that can easily clean your griddle.

1. How to clean a Blackstone griddle with warm water and vinegar

Cleaning a Blackstone griddle with warm water and vinegar is the perfect way to remove all kinds of grease, including oil and fat. This method is easy, affordable, and effective.

Here’s how to clean your Blackstone griddle with warm water and vinegar:

Pour one cup of vinegar into a bowl.
Add 1/2 cup of baking soda to the bowl and mix with a fork until evenly mixed.
Preheat the griddle to medium-high. This should loosen any stuck-on grease or food residue on your griddle’s surface.
Dip your sponge in the vinegar mixture and scrub away any stuck-on food particles on the surface of your griddle until they’re gone!
Use a damp cloth or paper towel to wipe the griddle surface until it is dry.

2. How to clean a Blackstone griddle with lemon juice & soda water

Here are the steps on how to clean Blackstone griddles with just two simple ingredients: Lemon Juice & Soda Water

Here’s how to clean your Blackstone griddle with soda water and lemon juice:

Step 1: Heat your griddle to loosen up any food particles. This will help prevent rust and keep your Blackstone griddle looking fresh!

Step 2: Mix lemon juice and soda together. Pour the mixture onto the hot griddle and let it sit for about 5 minutes.

Step 3: you can also use a wire sponge or a heat-resistant grill squeegee to scrape any debris that may be stuck in the cracks of your griddle.

Step 4: Drain out all liquid using the removable grease cup.

What NOT to do when cleaning Blackstone griddle?

When cleaning a Blackstone griddle, don’t use the bench scraper in a cutting-like motion. Scrub in one direction only and ensure the entire edge touches the surface. Don’t use ice, cleaning sprays, dishwashing liquid, or solvents, as they can cause damage to the griddle and be harmful to your health.

When cleaning the Blackstone griddle, it is important to avoid certain methods that can cause damage to the surface like:

Do NOT use the bench scraper back and forth in a cutting-like motion.

If you are using the bench scraper, hold it down flat against the griddle’s surface and scrub in one direction only.

You should also ensure that the entire edge of the griddle scraper is touching the griddle surface simultaneously.

If you don’t use the bench scraper tool correctly, you can do a lot of damage to the surface of the griddle.

Do NOT clean your Blackstone griddle with ice

If you’re thinking about using ice to clean your flat-top grill, I have some bad news: DON’T.

Ice is a great tool for keeping food at the perfect temperature and quickly cooling down hot surfaces, but it can also cause damage to your flattop griddle if you use it as a cleaning agent.

Do NOT use cleaning sprays, dishwashing liquid, or solvents on your griddle.

These sprays are usually toxic and may cause skin irritation if inhaled or ingested, so use caution when working around these products!

Why do we need to season a Blackstone griddle after every use?

Blackstone griddle seasoning is essential for a variety of reasons.

For one, the seasoning layer will help protect your griddle from rust and corrosion. Seasoning also prevents the griddle’s surface from getting damaged by heat and moisture, which can cause rust to form.

Also, seasoning keeps your griddle clean by protecting it from dirt and debris that may be found on the surface of the cooking surface.

Seasoning helps prevent dirt from sticking to the surface of your griddle, which can make cleaning up after cooking messy or time-consuming.

How to clean Blackstone griddle- FAQs

You can use any oil that you want to season your Blackstone griddle. Oils such as olive oil, vegetable oil, canola oil, cooking oil, and sesame oil are all fine for seasoning your Blackstone griddle.

Here are a few tips to keep your Blackstone griddle clean:

1. Use a nonabrasive brush with soft bristles dampened with water or a neutral cleaner like Windex or Clorox. If you want to use metal polish on it, ensure it’s safe (and not metal polish in general).

2. Be careful when cleaning the surface of your griddle because the surface has lots of nooks and crannies that can easily get scratched or marred by your cleaning efforts. A microfiber towel is great because it won’t scratch the surface.

3. Don’t use too much pressure when cleaning your griddle—you don’t want to damage it by scrubbing too hard!

Blackstone griddles are easy to clean. You can use a scouring pad and a little water to wipe them down, a damp rag, or a sponge.

If you’re using a sponge, just wet it then squeeze out the excess water, and wipe down your griddle. If you’re using a rag, soak it in warm water for about 15 minutes and then wring it out, so it’s damp but not dripping wet.