The Blackstone griddle has become a staple in many American backyards, offering versatility for cooking everything from pancakes to fajitas. After months of sitting idle under a cover—or worse, uncovered—it’s crucial to perform a deep, restorative clean before its first use of the season. Improper post-winter preparation is the fastest way to ruin the surface, leading to rust, sticking food, and frustrating cooking experiences.
This guide details the professional process for rejuvenating your griddle, ensuring it’s clean, seasoned, and ready for a summer of grilling.
Why Cleaning After Winter Is Important
The cold, damp conditions of winter are particularly harsh on cast iron and rolled steel surfaces like those found on flat-top griddles.
Prevent Rust and Restore Seasoning Layer
The biggest enemy of any steel griddle is rust. During storage, moisture can penetrate small cracks in the seasoning layer, causing oxidation.
- The Seasoning Barrier: A griddle is protected by a layer of polymerized oil, called seasoning. This layer creates the non-stick surface and acts as a crucial barrier against humidity and rust. After winter, this layer is often compromised, sticky, or brittle, and must be cleaned and restored.
- Protection: By properly cleaning and re-oiling the surface, you actively prevent rust from taking hold, which would otherwise require extensive repair.
Extend Griddle Lifespan and Performance
A griddle that has been neglected over winter will perform poorly. Food will stick, heat distribution will be uneven, and smoke points will be inconsistent. A restorative clean eliminates old, rancid oil residue and ensures a fresh, durable cooking surface, maximizing the lifespan of your expensive outdoor appliance.
Tools & Supplies You’ll Need
To properly clean and re-season your griddle without damaging the surface, you need specialized, non-chemical tools.
Scraper, Paper Towels, Oil, Vinegar, and Salt
- Griddle Scraper: A heavy-duty, flat-edged scraper is essential for lifting loose rust and stubborn, burnt-on residue.
- Paper Towels: Use sturdy paper towels or disposable rags for wiping down the surface.
- High-Heat Oil: Flaxseed oil, grapeseed oil, or standard vegetable oil are best for re-seasoning. Avoid butter or low-smoke-point oils.
- White Vinegar: An excellent, natural cleaner for breaking down light rust and old grease without harsh chemicals.
- Coarse Salt: Kosher salt or coarse sea salt works as a gentle abrasive when scrubbing tough spots, acting like a natural scouring pad that won’t scratch the metal.
Step-by-Step Cleaning Process
This four-step method focuses on deep cleaning, degreasing, and restoring the essential seasoning layer.
1. Heat Griddle Slightly to Loosen Residue
Turn the griddle burners on Low for about 10–15 minutes. You only want the griddle to be warm to the touch, not scorching hot. The slight warmth helps loosen any sticky, old oil residue and allows your scraper to work more effectively. Once warm, turn the burners off.
2. Scrape Surface and Wipe with Vinegar
- Scrape: Using your scraper, push all loose material, flaky rust, and charred debris into the grease trap. Use firm, even pressure.
- Rust & Residue Removal: If you see any rust spots, pour a small amount of oil onto the rust, followed by a generous amount of coarse salt. Use a wad of paper towels or a cleaning brick to scrub the salt/oil mixture over the rust until the metal brightens.
- Wipe with Vinegar: Once the physical debris is gone, apply a small amount of white vinegar to a paper towel and wipe the entire surface. The vinegar neutralizes any remaining rancid oil and acts as a mild acid to clean the surface, preparing it for re-seasoning.
3. Apply Oil to Re-Season the Surface
Re-seasoning is non-negotiable after a deep clean, as it restores the protective barrier.
- Heat: Turn all burners on High. Wait until the griddle is smoking hot.
- Apply Oil: Pour 1–2 tablespoons of your chosen high-heat oil onto the surface.
- Wipe: Using tongs and a lint-free cloth or sturdy paper towel, spread the oil across the entire surface (including the sides) in a very thin, even layer. The goal is to wipe off almost all the oil—you only want a light sheen.
- Burn Off: The griddle will smoke heavily as the oil polymerizes. Once the smoke stops (this can take 15–30 minutes), the seasoning layer is set. Repeat the oiling and burning process 2–3 times to build a durable, protective layer.
Maintenance & Storage Tips
Preventing the grime and rust buildup in the first place is the easiest way to ensure an effortless start to the next grilling season.
Keep Covered During Winter Months
While a quality cover is essential, it’s not enough on its own. Before putting the cover on for the winter:
- Perform a final, complete deep clean.
- Apply three full coats of fresh seasoning oil to the cool surface. This extra-thick barrier provides maximum protection against moisture during the off-season.
- Store the griddle in a location with lower humidity, if possible (like a garage or shed), rather than exposed on a patio.
Reapply Oil After Every Use
The best way to maintain a Blackstone griddle is through continuous, quick maintenance:
- After every cooking session, while the griddle is still warm, scrape any food residue and wipe down the surface.
- Apply a very light coat of fresh cooking oil before turning the burners off. This replaces the oil burned off during cooking and keeps the seasoning layer intact and protected until the next use.
FAQs
Can I use soap on my Blackstone?
No, you should never use dish soap or detergent on a properly seasoned flat-top griddle. Soap is designed to break down grease and oil, which are the very components that create the seasoning layer. Using soap will strip your seasoning, exposing the metal to rust. The heat and scraping process alone are enough to sanitize the surface.
How do I remove heavy rust from the surface?
For severe, heavy rust that the salt and oil method can’t handle, you may need to use a sanding block or grinder attachment with a medium grit (around 80 grit). This aggressively removes the rust. However, once the rust is gone, you must immediately wipe the bare metal clean and perform a full, five-to-ten coat re-seasoning process to build a new, strong protective barrier.
Getting your outdoor cooking space ready for the season shouldn’t be a chore that cuts into your weekend. Whether it’s restoring your griddle or preparing your entire patio, we handle the meticulous cleaning details so you can focus on enjoying the warmer months.
Ready to start the season with a perfectly clean and functional outdoor kitchen? Contact Asubra Cleaning today for specialized outdoor cleaning and general deep cleaning services!