How To Season A Blackstone Griddle (Easy Complete Guide 2024)
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Understanding how to season a Blackstone griddle is an essential skill for any home chef who values this versatile kitchen appliance. Properly seasoning your brand-new blackstone griddle not only enhances the flavor of your meals but also creates a nonstick surface that makes cooking and cleaning easier.
In this guide, we will walk you through the complete process of Blackstone and griddle brick seasoning. From gathering essential materials like high-quality cooking oils and paper towels to understanding the importance of using grill bricks and sandpapers in preparing surfaces, every step matters.
We’ll delve into techniques for applying oil layers onto your hot griddles, discussing correct squirting methods and timing intervals between each layer application. Finally, we will discuss finalizing the process with a Crisco coat to ensure long-lasting performance from your Blackstone Griddle.
Understanding the Importance of Seasoning Your Blackstone Griddle
As a backyard boss, you know that keeping your tools in top shape is crucial. And when it comes to your Blackstone griddle or any of the best outdoor griddles, seasoning is key. Seasoning your Blackstone griddle not only boosts its performance but also prolongs its life. Let’s dive into why this process is so important.
The Benefits of Seasoning
Seasoning involves building up layers of baked-on oil or fat on the surface of your griddle. This isn’t just for show – it serves two essential functions:
Non-stick cooking area: The layer(s) created by the oil make it difficult for food to stick onto the surface, ensuring an easy and clean cooking experience every time.
Rust protection: By repelling water from its surface, a well-seasoned griddle protects itself against rusting – one major enemy of any outdoor cooking equipment.
This dual functionality makes seasoning an integral part of maintaining your Blackstone griddle. However, achieving a perfectly seasoned grill doesn’t happen overnight; it requires patience and consistency. It’s all about applying multiple thin layers of the best oil rather than one thick coat high heat oil.
Gathering Essential Materials for Seasoning
Now that you understand the benefits of seasoning, you might be wondering: “What type of oil should I use?” Well, there are several options available like flaxseed oil, canola or vegetable oil together, or even shortening like Crisco.
In the following section, we will examine the advantages and disadvantages of each oil option. It’s important to choose high-quality oils best suited for this task.
So, to wrap up this section, understanding how to season a Blackstone griddle top properly ensures longevity while enhancing overall aesthetics with that extra sheen that screams ‘Backyard Boss’. So let’s get started.
Gathering Essential Materials for Seasoning
Before you start seasoning your Blackstone griddle, make sure you have all the necessary materials within reach. It’ll make the cooking process much smoother and more efficient.
Choosing the Right Seasoning Oil
The choice of seasoning oil is crucial in achieving an optimal non-stick griddle surface. Oils with high smoke points, like flaxseed, canola, or vegetable oils, are excellent choices because they can withstand high cooking temperatures without breaking down.
These oils also polymerize well onto the griddle’s surface, forming a hard, slick coating that bonds with the metal surface.
Using Paper Towels Effectively
Paper towels are indispensable when it comes to spreading the oil evenly across your griddle’s surface. They’re absorbent enough to hold onto any liquid but won’t leave behind lint or residue that could interfere with your seasoning layer.
If you’re dealing with a new griddle, you’ll need additional items for initial preparation, like sandpaper or a grill brick. This help creates an ideal base for holding onto applied oils by removing factory coatings and smoothing rough edges.
Sandpaper: Use this to smooth out any rough spots on your new Blackstone Griddle before applying any oil.
Grill Brick: This tool helps remove rust and stubborn stains from older griddles, making them look brand-new again.
In conclusion, having all these essential materials at hand will ensure that you achieve great results when seasoning your Blackstone Griddle. Remember: The goal here isn’t just about creating a non-stick cooking area; it’s also about protecting this investment so it lasts many years into future backyard cookouts.
Preparing Your New Blackstone Griddle for Seasoning
Before you begin cooking with your fresh Blackstone griddle, there are a few essential steps to take in order to get the best results and ensure it lasts. The initial preparation is essential to achieve optimal results and ensure the longevity of your clean blackstone griddle.
Proper Use of Grill Bricks and Sandpapers in Preparing Surfaces
The first step involves using either a grill brick or sandpaper across the surface of your new griddle. This isn’t about making it shiny; instead, this process creates tiny grooves on the grill surface that will help hold onto the applied oils during the initial seasoning itself. It’s similar to how a painter primes their canvas before starting their masterpiece.
To do this, simply rub your chosen tool – be it grill brick or sandpaper – evenly across all areas of your griddle’s flat top grill surface and side. Make sure not to press too hard as we don’t want any deep scratches; just enough pressure to create those microscopic crevices that will catch and hold onto our seasoning oil.
This process might seem tedious but trust us, taking time with these preparatory steps can make all the difference between an okay seasoned Blackstone griddle and one that cooks like a dream while lasting for years.
Clean and Dry Your Griddle
Once done with this stage, give your now slightly roughened-up griddle a good clean using warm soapy water followed by drying thoroughly. Remember: moisture is enemy number one when it comes down to preserving metal cookware, especially ones like ours which rely heavily upon protective oil layers.
For more info on proper maintenance and keeping your Blackstone griddle in top condition, take a look at this guide.
Applying Oil Layers on Your Hot Griddles
The key to a well-seasoned Blackstone hot griddle surface lies in the application of the cooking oil in layers. This step involves squirting and spreading out seasoning oils across your hot griddle’s surfaces using paper towels. Let’s delve into this process.
Correct Technique in Squirting and Spreading Out Seasoning Oils
To start, ensure that your Blackstone griddle is preheated properly. Then, squirt some high-quality seasoning oil onto it. Use a folded paper towel held with tongs to spread the oil evenly across the entire surface of the hot griddle.
The goal here is not to flood excess oil onto the surface but rather to create a thin layer that will bake onto it. Avoid pouring too much oil at once as it can pool up and cause uneven seasoning or even worse – flaking.
Remember, patience is key when applying these layers; you want each one to fully cook onto the surface before adding another.
Timing Intervals Between Each Layer Applications
The next step after applying an initial layer of oil is waiting for about 5 minutes before proceeding with another round of application. During this time, keep an eye on your griddle – if you notice any dry spots appearing during those 5 minutes, add more oil immediately.
First Layer: Apply the first coat of high-quality cooking oils such as grapeseed or flaxseed while ensuring complete coverage without pooling areas.
Fifth Minute: After five minutes have passed since the first coating was applied, reapply the second coat following the same procedure as above. Repeat until the desired number (usually between three-five) coats are achieved.
Last Coat: Once the final coat has been baked on successfully, allow ample cooling period before storing away safely.
In essence, proper timing intervals coupled with correct techniques in squirting and spreading out seasoning oils play pivotal roles in achieving optimal results from your Blackstone Griddling experience. Remember: A well-seasoned Blackstone Griddle equates to delicious meals every single time.
Finalizing The Process With A Crisco Coat
Sealing the deal on your Blackstone griddle seasoning process involves applying a coat of Crisco. This step is crucial for enhancing the longevity of your griddle by sealing off any remaining microscopic pores on the surface. Plus, it gives your cooking surface an extra sheen, making it look even more impressive.
Crisco is the perfect choice for this step because of its high smoking point and stability at higher temperatures. It creates a durable non-stick coating that can withstand intense, high heat used during cooking sessions.
Applying Crisco To Your Seasoned Griddle
To apply Crisco to your seasoned griddle, follow these steps:
Preheat Your Griddle: Start by preheating your Blackstone griddle to about 350 degrees Fahrenheit. You want it hot enough so that when you apply the Crisco, it melts immediately upon contact.
Melt Some Crisco: Scoop out some Crisco onto a paper towel or cloth and spread it evenly across the heated surface until it melts completely.
Bake On The Coating: Increase the temperature slightly and let the shortening bake on the metal for about 15 minutes or until the smoke stops coming off from it. Repeat this process two more times to ensure an even coating all over.
This additional layer will not only protect against rust but also provide a smoother finish, which improves both food release and ease of cleaning after use.
Tips For Maintaining Your Seasoned Surface
Maintaining your newly seasoned Blackstone griddle doesn’t have to be complicated. Here are some tips:
Avoid using abrasive cleaners or metal utensils as they may scratch away at this protective layer over time.
Routinely reapply oil before each cook-out session; this helps keep up with wear-and-tear while maintaining optimal performance.
All in all, seasoning is crucial if you want to get the most out of your backyard cooking experience with Blackstone Griddles. Remember – patience pays off when building up those layers.
FAQs in Relation to How to Season a Blackstone Griddle
How to Properly Season a Blackstone Griddle
The correct way to season a Blackstone griddle involves cleaning the surface, heating it up, applying high-quality oil in layers, and finalizing with a thin coat of Crisco.
What to Use for the First Time Seasoning of a Blackstone Griddle
For the first time seasoning of a Blackstone griddle, use high-quality oils like flaxseed or grapeseed oil and finalize with Crisco.
How Often to Season a Blackstone Griddle
A well-maintained Blackstone griddle plate needs re-seasoning after every 5-6 uses.
How Long to Season a Blackstone Griddle
The process of seasoning a Blackstone griddle takes about two hours, including preheating, application of multiple oil layers, and cooling down.
What Not to Use for Seasoning a Blackstone Griddle
Avoid using unrelated outdoor/backyard items, other types of griddles or cooking appliances, and any other seasoning methods not related to the Blackstone griddle.
What is the best oil to season a Blackstone griddle?
Grapeseed oil is a good choice for seasoning cast irons and griddles. This durable surface resists cracking or peeling. A higher, high smoke point oil provides excellent corrosion resistance to metals. Grape seed oil is required to be cleaned regularly before, during, and afterward.
Does a Blackstone Griddle Come Pre-Seasoned?
Many people have questions about griddles made from Blackstone. It doesn’t happen all alone. However, the products come with an industrial-coated coating which requires removal for safety before food preparation. If you want to eliminate this you can follow these methods for the seasoning. Then you’ll have to put everything into griddles on medium heat for 15 minutes until they are heated up. Use a washcloth or clean paper towel to clean the surface. Keep heatproof gloves on your hands for maximum protection.
Can I Use Soap and Water to Clean My Blackstone Griddle?
You can apply mild soap and water sparingly to keep it from being used in griddle seasoning. Water Blackstone seasonings for griddles don’t matter, they are essential and the oil is necessary for this task.
What are the Best Griddles that Work the Best Outdoors and Last?
Here is our list of The 7 Best Outdoor Griddles.
Conclusion
How to Season Your Blackstone Griddle Like a Pro:
Don’t let a poorly seasoned griddle ruin your cooking experience – follow our guide to get it right.
Choose the Right Oil: Opt for oils with high smoke points like canola or flaxseed oil.
Prepare Your Griddle: Use grill bricks and sandpaper to remove any debris or rust.
Apply Oil Layers: Use a squirt bottle to apply oil in thin layers, making sure to spread it evenly with a paper towel.
Time Your Layers: Wait a few minutes between each layer to allow the oil to absorb and create a non-stick surface.
Finish with Crisco: Apply a final layer of Crisco to seal the seasoning and protect your griddle.
With these tips, your Blackstone griddle will be ready to cook up a storm!
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