Remember: Seasoning is an ongoing process that takes time and repeated use before a griddle or pan develops a shiny black surface like the one your grandmother’s cast-iron cookware. The more often you cook on and season your griddle, the more nonstick the surface will become.
Once the flat top is clean, apply a generous amount of cooking oil to the cooking surface. Downey recommends olive oil, vegetable oil, canola oil, coconut oil, and sesame oil. Chrostowski likes to use grapeseed oil to enhance tabletop griddle recipes. Amazon has plenty of cooking options for you to try. Blackstone also has its own seasoning and cast-iron conditioner.
Downey notes that if you live in a humid or coastal climate, you should season the grill more frequently to prevent rust and corrosion.
Use a paper towel to spread the oil all over your Blackstone griddle. The process is similar to how you clean a cast-iron skillet. At this point, the heat zones may still be warm, so use caution to avoid burning yourself.
Once the protective layer is in place, allow the griddle to air dry. “This step preserves the life of the griddle so it doesn’t rust,” Garcia adds.
Step 5: Protect the griddle grill
Allow the flat top to cool completely. If you have a griddle cover, use it. Then place your Blackstone grill in a location with easy accessibility—no one wants a production before they start on their outdoor cooking.
How do you clean a Blackstone griddle after each use?
While a deep clean may take you up to an hour, you can speed up the five-step cleaning process every time. You should always clean your Blackstone griddle after an outdoor cooking session. Let the griddle cool down a bit, then use a metal spatula or scraper to gently remove food particles from the surface of the griddle. “You can also use non-damaging scour pads,” Sandoval says. “A pumice grill stone would work too.”
If bits of food are really stuck to the surface of the Blackstone griddle (even after using a stainless steel scraper), use a few squirts of warm water to loosen those pieces and go in with a nonmetallic scrubber (or if the surface is still warm, cool water helps). Keep in mind that you might want to skip a bristle brush here since little pieces of metal can break off onto the griddle during this process. If you do use one, make sure to wipe the surface down properly.
Once the excess food has been picked away, Garcia recommends pouring dishwashing solution into a bucket of hot water and then dipping a nonmetal scrub into it. “Apply it to the griddle carefully,” she says. “Continuously scrub the griddle until it’s clean while ensuring that water isn’t dripping elsewhere.”
Next, dry the griddle with a microfiber towel and then quickly apply seasoning with a paper towel. Double-check that there are no puddles of seasoning on the surface of the griddle; it should have an even coating.
How often should you clean your Blackstone griddle?
To season your flat top grill for the first time, pour about two to three tablespoons of oil directly onto the entire surface of your Blackstone grill. Use a paper towel or a microfiber towel to rub a thin layer of oil onto every inch of the griddle, and then make sure it’s completely clear before turning on all of the burners. Once they’re on, wait for the griddle to change color—which will take between 10 and 15 minutes—and the surface will smoke. This means that the oil is bonding to the metal top of the griddle, creating the much-needed protective layer that will ensure that your food gets an even distribution of heat too. Repeat this process twice more, adding a new layer of oil and waiting for the surface to smoke. Then turn off the griddle and let it cool. This is a good time to tune into the latest food podcast—just to give you ideas before your flat top griddle is ready to go.
