Maybe you are wondering how to clean a griddle that you have just bought. On the other hand, you may just have finished preparing your fantastic meal with your grill and would like to clean it. Failing to take care of your grill can cause it to rust, lose its non-stick surface, or even flake.
Most griddles can last a lifetime. However, you will need to take good care of them and protect the cooking surface. To achieve this, it’s critical that you carefully follow the proper steps to ensure that you adequately clean your Blackstone.
Here is a step-by-step guide on how to clean a grill.
How to Clean and Season a New Griddle
There’s always that excitement of wanting to put your new griddle into use immediately. However, before you cook some juicy steak, pancakes, or other delicacies, it’s crucial to clean it well.
This cleaning is critical in ensuring that you get rid of any dirt or debris clinging to the grill from the manufacturing.
Here is what you will need to carry out the cleaning:
- Pumice grill stone
- Microfiber towels
- Bucket
- Metal spatula or scraper
- Non-metallic scouring pad or brush
- Vegetable oil
- Dishwashing liquid
- Paper towels
After putting together all the necessary materials and equipment, you are now ready to start. Follow the following steps.
Step 1: Blend the Cleaning Solution
Fill a bucket halfway with hot water (one or two gallons). Stir in a couple of squirts of excellent dishwashing liquid to thoroughly combine.
Step 2: Scrub the Surfaces of the Cooking Pots and Pans
Wring out a microfibre towel that has been dipped in the cleaning solution. Scrub all of the cooking surfaces well. Ensure you are repeatedly rinsing the cloth in the cleaning solution as you work your way around the entire surface.
Step 3: Rinsing and Drying the Cooking Surface
After that, drain the bucket of cleaning solution and replace it with fresh hot water. Wipe down the cooking surface with a microfiber towel dipped in clean water to remove any soap.
After the surface is free of suds, thoroughly dry the griddle with a dry towel. Allow the grill to air dry completely before attempting to season it.
It’s also crucial to ensure the grill doesn’t have any residual moisture. Resident moisture on the surface might cause rust to grow.
Step 4: Seasoning the Cooking Surface
Seasoning the steel griddle surface has nothing to do with spices at all.
This process involves applying oil to the steel to create a non-stick cooking surface. It’s a necessary process that helps to prevent rusting.
To grease the grill, use vegetable oil, either two or three tablespoons. Smear the oil evenly with a paper towel, rubbing it in thoroughly.
Turn up the heat on every griddle burner. Allow high temperatures of heat till the oil starts to smoke, which should last between ten to fifteen minutes.
As the oil adheres to the steel, the grill will darken. Please turn off the griddle burners and set them aside until the surface is cold enough to touch.
Repeat the steps two more times with more oil for a total of three heating sessions. Please turn off the grill after the third time and cool it completely. Your grill will be black. As such, you’re now ready to cook.
How to Clean a Griddle After Cooking
Step 1: Begin With a Cold Grill
Do not attempt cleaning your grill while it’s still hot. Allow it to cool completely after each use before cleaning it.
Step 2: Remove Food Particles Using a Scraper
Remove food bits and liquids off the grill with a wide metal spatula or metal scraper. Scrape toward the drip pans, then wipe away any leftover grease on the cooking surface using a paper towel.
If there are any stuck-on food particles, use hot water to loosen them, then scrape them away.
Step 3: Scrubbing the Surface
After removing your freshly cooked meal, spray the grill with hot water. Next, scrape any remaining residue with a non-metallic scrubber.
Avoid using a wire brush as it can leave microscopic fragments of metal behind that can corrode or get caught in your next meal. Using a paper towel, wipe away any debris.
Step 4: Season and Dry the Griddle
Gently dry the grill with a microfiber towel. Pour around one or two tablespoons of vegetable oil over the whole cooking surface with a paper towel until it is completely covered.
Make sure there are no oil droplets on the griddle.
How to Clean a Rusty Griddle
It is typically possible to restore a grill that has rusted. It will, however, take a lot more elbow grease and work than a well-maintained griddle.
Step 1: Preheat the Griddle
A hot griddle makes rust removal easier. As a result, ensure you put on heat-resistant gloves and clothing before starting work.
Before you start working, turn the grill to high heat and let it get scorching. For most of the cleaning period, the grill will need to be kept on high.
Step 2: Scrape, Scrape and Scrape Again.
Once your grill is hot, remove the rust with a metal scraper. Work systematically to ensure that no area of the corroded surface is overlooked.
Please avoid adding water. Moreover, ensure to keep the surface of your grill dry.
Step 3: Cool, then Wipe Away Loosened Dust.
Give your griddle time to cool completely. After that, scarp or wipe all of the loosened rust off its surface with a paper towel.
Step 4: Clean and Oil the Grill
Begin by pouring four to five tablespoons of vegetable oil on the grill’s surface. Using a pumice grill stone, scrub the surface of the griddle.
Although you can also use a non-metallic cleaning brush, a pumice stone will make the job easier. Using paper towels, wipe away the debris and the oil.
If there is still noticeable rust, repeat this process until it is completely gone. Always add extra oil each time you scrape the surface.
Step 5: Seasoning the Griddle surface
After getting rid of all rust, use fresh oil to season your grill. Moreover, ensure your store your grill in a cool place. A cool and dry place helps avoid this whole process of cleaning again.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you use vinegar to clean a grill?
Yes, all you need to do is 1/2 cup of vinegar that you will spread to the surface of the griddle. Next, ensure the vinegar doesn’t pool by spreading it evenly across the surface.
Using a rag, use small concentric circles as you rub the griddle surface. Repeat this until the surface is fully polished. Scoop the vinegar into a grease trap and toss it out.
Why is my flat top grill turning black?
Cooking on the Flat Top will make it darker, which is precisely what you want.
“Seasoning” is the term for this color change. It works in a manner similar to cast iron, which is originally silver before being seasoned.
This deeper color adds flavor to your foods while creating a non-stick surface. To put it more clearly, your Flat Top isn’t stained, unclean, or burned. A darker steel-made grill will impart foods with plenty of flavors while preventing food from sticking.
How do I get sticky residue off my grill?
You can remove any sticky residue from your grill by using 91% isopropyl alcohol and a soft dishcloth. You can restore your grill to a perfect, pristine condition with these two.
If you still find it hard to remove the protective coating, you can wave a hairdryer over the area. This will help loosen up the plastic, thus making it easy to remove.
How often should you clean the grill?
We advise you to clean your grill every six months. After six months, your griddle deserves a thorough cleaning.
For a regular griller, you must do a deep cleaning and inspect your grill. The process will call for you to disassemble the grill all the way to the burners. After that, check the gas flow to ensure the grill grates have no signs of rust.
Why is my new griddle sticky?
The amount of cooking oil accumulated on the griddle cooking surface is the cause for your Blackstone Griddle being sticky. If you’re not sure whether your surface is cast iron or not, consult your handbook or the Blackstone website for further information.
Wrapping Up
It’s essential to take good care of your grill as this assures you that it will serve you for a lifetime. After your purchase and every cooking, ensure you do a proper cleaning.
Likewise, make sure you store your grill in a dry place to ensure it doesn’t get rust.
That said, you can still redeem your griddle even after it gets rusty. The steps we have outlined for you above are easy to follow and will help preserve your griddle.