Learn How To Clean A Griddle

A griddle is an excellent addition to any RV. It gives you the ability to  cook multiple items at once and is easy to clean. However, like any cooking surface, it is essential to keep your griddle clean and maintained. A neglected, unclean griddle can lead to terrible smells, foul-tasting meals, or even illness! If you don't know how to keep your cooktop clean, don't worry. In this blog post, we will discuss why it is important and give you some tips on how to clean Blackstone griddles and other carbon steel or cast iron griddles and cookware.

Why Cleaning Is Important

It's important to clean your griddle after every use, even if it doesn't look dirty. Grease and other food particles accumulate as you cook with your griddle. Allowing grease and food particles to build up on the surface of your griddle can cause it to smoke when you use it next, which both looks and smells terrible. Accumulated grease and food particles burning can also impart an unpleasant flavor to your food, which is likely the last thing you want after going through all the effort of cooking. Not to mention, it's just gross.

A clean griddle is a happy griddle that means happy meals for you and your family! Knowing how to clean a griddle can ensure that it will serve you well for years to come. So don't neglect your griddle—give it the love and attention it deserves!

How To Clean A Griddle Grill

You may think cleaning off your griddle can be as simple as turning up the heat and burning everything off. However, if you want to know  how to clean a griddle grill, it will take a little more effort than that.

The first step in keeping your griddle in good condition is to make sure that you clean it after each use. It is also important to oil the griddle before each use. Doing so will help to prevent sticking and make cleanup even easier. If you oiled your griddle before cooking, you may be able to effortlessly scrape off food residue with a spatula while the griddle is still warm.

If any food residue is left over on the griddle, make sure to scrape it off using a griddle brush. Once you have scraped off any oil or food residue, wipe the griddle down with a damp cloth or paper towel and some clean water. Do NOT use soapy water when cleaning a griddle, as this could damage your cooktop or affect the taste of your food the next time you cook.

If your griddle has not been used for a while or needs a more thorough cleaning, you can do this by heating the griddle up and then using a putty knife or stiff brush to scrape off any residue. Once you have scraped the griddle, wipe it down with a damp cloth or paper towel, as stated previously. You can then apply a thin layer of oil before cooking on it again.

Maintaining Your Griddle

It is not enough to know how to clean griddles alone; there are also some maintenance tasks that you should know and perform regularly. These include  seasoning your griddle and checking for rust.

What does it mean to season your griddle? Why does it matter? This is simply the process of coating your griddle with cooking oil and applying heat. The oil creates a slick, non-stick surface that makes cleaning and food release easier. This process should be done every 3 to 5 uses depending on how much grease or food particles have built up on the cooking surface of the griddle. Simply put, seasoning your griddle is important because it creates a non-stick surface and prevents rusting.

A well-seasoned griddle should look nice and shiny. To season your griddle, heat it up and then rub a thin coating of vegetable oil or shortening onto the surface with a paper towel. Allow the griddle to cool completely before using it again. You will likely only need to do this once or twice with a griddle that's been used, but if you are seasoning a brand new, unseasoned griddle, you may need to repeat the heating, coating, and cooling process 3-5 times. You should season your griddle every few weeks or whenever it begins looking dull.

Checking for rust can also help keep your griddle in top condition. Rust usually appears as orange or brown spots on metal surfaces. Griddles made with cast iron or carbon steel are particularly vulnerable to rusting if they are not cared for properly. So, if you notice any discoloration, it's time to take action! If there is only a tiny amount of rust, you can use steel wool or a stiff brush to remove it. If larger patches of rust or spots of rust have penetrated the cooktop deeply and left pits, you may need to replace the griddle entirely.

Checking for rust is also important because rust can cause food poisoning if ingested. To check for rust, look at your griddle's surface for any brown or red spots. If you see any, scrub them off with steel wool or sandpaper, wipe the griddle down with a damp paper towel or cloth, and apply a thin layer of oil. You should check for rust on your griddle before cooking and every few months and take action immediately if any is found.

Clean Griddle - Happy Griddle

A well-seasoned and well-maintained griddle can last many years if properly cared for. By following our tips on how to clean Blackstone griddles in this blog post, you can ensure that your griddle remains in good condition for years to come!

What kind of griddle do you own, and how do you keep it clean? Have any tips or tricks not mentioned here? Let us know in the comments below! Looking for a griddle of your own? RecPro is proud to offer a stunning selection of quality  griddles and cooktops to start your culinary adventures!