How to Clean a Blackstone Griddle

Blackstones and similar gas griddles have made nearly everyone a backyard chef. But, after all the weeknight hibachi dinners, Saturday night smash burgers and Sunday morning pancakes, a good cleaning will ensure your griddle lasts and keep its nearly non-stick seasoning.

Here, we explore how to clean a Blackstone, including cleaning a Blackstone griddle after cooking and deeper cleanings after winter. We also share expert tips for maintenance and storage to ensure your griddle lasts for years to come.

When to Clean Your Blackstone Griddle

Blackstone griddles should be cleaned after every use while they’re still warm.

Unlike traditional cookware such as pots and pans, a Blackstone is a seasoned griddle cooktop. A Blackstone griddle's seasoning is the thin layer of oil that has bonded to the metal through heat, creating a naturally slick, non-stick coating. Because of this seasoning layer, you shouldn’t clean a Blackstone the same way you would a traditional pan, with soap and water.

Using soap on a seasoned griddle can strip the protective oil layer that keeps the surface naturally nonstick. While it may appear clean afterward, it will lead to future problems like sticking food, rust and peeling, which will warrant a full restoration and re-seasoning.

Step-By-Step Instructions: How to Clean and Season Your Blackstone Griddle

1. Scrape away the food and grease. Before you attempt to clean the griddle top, use your spatula to push any grease and bits of food into the grease tray.

2. Pour water on the warm griddle. Once you’ve physically removed as much food and grease as possible, squeeze some water onto the warm griddle.

3. Scrape away the residual grease. As the water loosens any stuck food or grease, push it toward the drain. Allow the water to evaporate before pushing it into the drain, or you’ll flood the grease tray with liquid.

4. Wipe away all water and residue. Use a thick paper towel to soak up any remaining water and grease.

5. Repeat if necessary. If you suspect there is more stuck-on residue, you can repeat the water deglazing method. However, you may need to lightly warm the griddle if it's cooled.

6. Completely dry the cooking surface. Dry the griddle by wiping away any remaining water, then let it sit briefly to ensure all moisture has evaporated.

7. Apply a light coat of oil. Once the griddle has fully dried, apply a light coat of oil to the warm surface to prevent any rust from forming before your next use.

Blackstone Cleaning Mistakes to Avoid

• Over-scraping your griddle. Over time, the surface of a Blackstone griddle darkens as the seasoning builds, which is a sign of a well-maintained griddle. However, many Blackstone owners mistake slight darkening and discoloration for damange and over-scrape the surface. This damages the surface and its seasoning.
• Letting food residue sit overnight. After cooking, it’s tempting to leave the cleanup for later. However, if you leave food and grease to sit overnight, it will build up and be far more difficult to clean.
• Cleaning a cold griddle. Trying to clean a cold griddle can be nearly impossible, as the food and grease seemingly become one with the surface. If the griddle has already cooled, reignite the burners and let it warm up before attempting to clean it.
• Failing to apply oil after cleaning. It doesn’t matter how clean you get your Blackstone. If you don't add oil after cleaning, the griddle will rust.

How to Properly Store Your Blackstone

To protect your Blackstone between uses, always store it in a dry, covered area. Place a hard cover, lid, or soft cover over the griddle to protect the cooking surfaces.

How to Clean Your Blackstone After Winter

After a long winter, many home cooks are excited to break out their Blackstone griddle the minute the weather warms up, only to be met with a rusty mess that needs some hefty TLC before it’s ready to use.

Don’t fret! It often looks worse than it is. If there’s any rust, scrape it away with a griddle scraper or a metal spatula. Then warm the griddle, pour water onto the surface and repeat the scraping process until you’ve removed the surface rust. Once the rust is gone, let the water evaporate and coat the griddle with oil.