When griddling with a metal spatula or scraping food off the cooktop, you’ve probably wondered, what if I scratch the griddle surface? Most people, me included, dread dulling or destroying their shiny, smooth griddle tops.
Scratches can create a stubborn sticky spot, cause uneven heating and ruin the aesthetic of your griddle. When they do happen, don’t be hard on yourself. It is easy and quick to fix the scratched sections of your Blackstone griddle with the method discussed below.
Can You Scratch a Blackstone Griddle?
Yes, you can scratch your Blackstone griddle for several reasons. It could be because the seasoning layer is not maintained correctly, there is not enough oil on the surface, or you used too much force to scrape off food or move oil with a spatula.
What Causes Scratches on a Griddle Surface?
You can scratch your flat-top grill in the following circumstances:
If the seasoning layer on your griddle surface is not well-maintained
Proper seasoning is the first step to a perfect griddling experience. Ensure that your re-season your griddle from time to time by scraping off the old seasoning layer and applying a new coat.
Failure to use enough oil
Blackstone griddles are excellent for sautéing, browning, frying, and boiling. However, you may encounter food sticking, mostly when cooking delicate foods. To overcome this challenge, ensure that you use enough oil.
When you aggressively chop food on the cooktop with a knife or spatula
Applying force on a hot griddle surface could cause it to chip or damage. Therefore, be gentle when turning and tossing food on the cooktop. Also, avoid using sharp objects as
When scraping food residues from the griddle surface
When stubborn food residues are stuck on the griddle surface, we tend to use extra force to scrap them off. In the process, a spatula may scratch the seasoning layer or the steel plate.
The best way to remove stuck food from the griddle top is to soak it in warm water prior to cleaning. This way, the residues will come off effortlessly without scraping.
Use of abrasive scrubbers
Do not use abrasive scrubbers in the routine cleaning of your griddle. These scrubbers are notorious for scratching the seasoning layer and the griddle plate. It would be best if you only used them to remove rust.
Repairing a Scratched Blackstone Griddle
Time-tested Blackstone griddles are of high-quality cold-rolled steel, which gives them a durable construction. They also have low-maintenance, smooth, shiny cooking surfaces.
Over time, the cookware accumulates oils, creating a naturally nonstick cooking surface. Nonetheless, you can scratch your griddle when cooking or cleaning.
Scratches promote food adhesion on the cooktop, create unwanted oil buildup and even cause rust. However, the good news is that you can fully repair scratches on a Blackstone griddle top. All you need is to clean the scratched spot thoroughly and re-season it.
Seasoning helps restore the nonstick coating and prevent future scratches. Ensure you use an oil with a high smoke point for this process to be effective.
The Restoration Process
Sand the scratched spot with low-grit sandpaper until the deep scratches smoothen out. The sandpaper also comes in handy when dealing with rust. You can use a sanding disk for heavily-scratched spots.
Wipe off the sanding dust with paper towels.
Soak your griddle in hot water or pour water on the griddle surface while it is still warm. Add some mild dish soap to the water and let it rest for a few minutes.
Doing so helps loosen any stuck food and gets rid of unnecessary oil buildup. Scrub gently with a griddle scouring pad.
Rinse and dry the flat-top grill with paper towels or a lint-free kitchen cloth.
Add a small amount of oil to the cooktop (quarter-size drop, teaspoon, or tablespoon), depending on the size of your grill.
The aim is to create a layer that is as thin as possible. Rub the oil all over the cooktop with a paper towel. Remove excess cooking oil with a clean paper towel to get a light, even coat.
When you use too much oil, the griddle will get sticky.
Fire up your flat-top grill at the highest possible temperature.
Heat for about 10 to 15 minutes until the oil reaches its smoke point.
You can also bake it in the oven at 25o degrees Fahrenheit for an hour.
Allow the cookware to cool down completely, apply another light layer of oil and repeat the seasoning process at least 2 to 4 times.
This process helps to fill in scratches and shallow pits on the griddle surface, creating a smooth, even, nonstick cooktop.
Note:
Scratches can also go away on their own. The natural seasoning that occurs when you cook fatty foods like meat and the use of cooking oil helps fill up the scratches. Keep cooking on it!
When you notice a scratch on your griddle top, work on it immediately to minimize the extent of the damage.
If scraping off food with a spatula is causing scratches, you can use a chainmail scrubber with warm water.
A well-seasoned flat-top grill is almost black and naturally nonstick.
The most recommended seasoning oils to use are:
- Blackstone Griddle Seasoning and Cast Iron Conditioner
- Shortening
- Canola Oil
- Vegetable Oil
- Flax Oil
- Olive Oil
Pro Tips to Help Your Griddle Last Forever
Blackstone griddles last a lifetime. But you have a role to play – treat it well!
To get the most out of your griddle, use these tips:
Do Not Use Soap or Cleaners
Regular soap may not necessarily ruin your seasoning layer. Even so, there is no need to use it on an already cooked-on griddle. Using water on a warm grill is enough!
On the other hand, detergents and oven cleaners are dangerous on griddle tops. They ruin the seasoning layer and can cause corrosion of the metal surface.
These cleaning products also leave a weird taste on your griddle, which alters the natural flavor of the foods cooked.
Do Not Use Abrasive Scrubbers
Abrasive scrubbers are only good for removing rust. They can scratch your griddle top when used in routine cleaning. Consider using a Blackstone scouring pad instead.
Store Your Griddle Safely
You cannot store your flat-top grill as you do with your regular cooking pots. Although the griddle top is sturdy and durable, it reacts to harsh environmental factors like water and moisture.
After use, clean your flat-top grill, dry it thoroughly, season it, and then store it in a cool, dry place. Putting a griddle cover over it is a plus in enhancing longevity.
Select a safe space for its storage, and do not pile anything on the griddle plate.
Do not use sharp, pointy metallic objects like knives on the griddle as they might cause scratches.
Always Preheat Your Griddle Before Cooking
Turn the burners to medium heat for about 3 to 5 minutes before adding oil. Then, adjust the knob to the needed temperature, depending on the food you are cooking.
Throwing oil on a preheated griddle allows it to infuse with the steel plate, thus maintaining the seasoning.
Preheating also helps improve the flavor of food, resulting in tastier meals.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you get scratches out of a griddle?
Clean the griddle thoroughly and then re-season it. As the oil bonds with the metal surface, it fills the scratched surfaces. Also, cooking on your grill frequently will eventually smoothen out the scratches.
Can you ruin a Blackstone griddle?
Yes, exposing your griddle to rain or moisture can result in rust, which, if left unattended, can damage your flat-top grill. Placing heavy items on the griddle plate can also damage it.
Can you use a knife on a Blackstone?
Yes, you can cut on a flat-top grill with a knife. However, it is not advisable since a sharp, pointed knife will likely prick the griddle plate.
Why is my Blackstone griddle flaking?
The griddle surface starts to peel off if left unseasoned for a long time. Flaking may also occur if oil and burnt residues pile up on the griddle surface over time due to a lack of proper cleaning.
Wrapping Up
Although the Blackstone griddle surface is solid and durable, it is possible to scratch it. Scratches can occur when cooking, cleaning, or in storage.
Always take the necessary precautions to prevent scratching the griddle. Some of these precautions are; do not use abrasive scrubbers and do not pile things on the griddle plate.
If your griddle surface has scratches, you can correct them permanently by re-seasoning your griddle. For minor scratches, all you need to do is keep cooking on the surface. They will disappear with time.