The Easiest Way to Clean and Season a Blackstone Griddle, According to Experts

A TikTok sensation since 2022, the Blackstone griddle has seen a meteoric rise to fame over the last couple of summers. Convenient and easy to use, it’s become a staple of backyard barbecues and camping trips alike. The viral griddle features a flat top that allows you to cook everything from burgers and pancakes to veggies and cornbread, and comes in a variety of sizes. Do a quick search on social media and you’ll find dozens (or hundreds) of ways to use it — but what about how to clean and season it?

With a flat griddle top made of rolled carbon steel, and reaching temperatures up to 60,000 BTUs in up to four cooking zones, you’ll want to know how to clean a Blackstone griddle to ensure it lasts as long as possible. I reached out to Daniel Brown, cleaning expert and CEO of Handy Cleaners, about everything you need to know. He shares his expertise on how to clean this versatile outdoor appliance, how to season it before use, and, of course, how to store and maintain your Blackstone griddle. 

Before I get started, here are some of Brown’s favorite tips for day-to-day use in order to ensure you get the best results from your Blackstone griddle. 

• Always preheat your griddle well before you place food on it. This ensures uniform heating and can help prevent food from sticking to the surface. 
• Use fine-grade utensils such as metal spatulas and tongs to avoid scratching the surface. 
• Clean the Blackstone griddle immediately after use in order to prevent the food residue from hardening and becoming difficult to remove. 
• Store the Blackstone griddle in a dry, well-ventilated area to avoid rust and corrosion.

Of course, you’ll want to clean your griddle before its first use, but then you’ll want to get to work on seasoning it. This is a necessary step before using your griddle, Brown says, and can maximize its lifespan. “Seasoning a Blackstone griddle is necessary to create a nonstick cooking surface, avoid rust and corrosion, and improve the flavor of foods placed on the griddle. Seasoning is the process where a griddle is coated with a thin layer of oil and heated until the oil polymers and becomes a non-stick coating.”

Follow these steps to season your new Blackstone griddle before cooking on it for the first time.

1. Start by cleaning it thoroughly to remove any dirt or debris, even if it’s brand-new. This can be as simple as wiping it down with a damp cloth or paper towel. 
2. Apply a thin layer of high-smoke-point oil — such as vegetable or flaxseed — to the griddle surface. (You can also use this conditioning oil made specifically for the purpose.)
3. Heat the griddle on high heat until the oil starts to smoke, then turn off the heat and allow the griddle to cool completely. 
4. Repeat this process several times to build up a durable seasoning layer. Seasoning should be done initially and periodically thereafter, depending on usage, to maintain optimal cooking performance.

Similar to a grill, a griddle can get dirty quickly. If you’re wondering how to clean a Blackstone griddle, here are Brown’s recommended steps you can follow below. 

1. Scrape the griddle surface with a griddle scraper or a spatula while the griddle is still hot.
2. Use a damp cloth or paper towel to remove excess debris.
3. Next, use a solution of warm water and mild dish soap to scrub the griddle lightly until the surface is completely free of food buildup and debris. 
4. Rinse thoroughly.
5. Dry with a clean towel or cloth.

Alternatively, you can use a grill brick if you’re wondering how to clean a Blackstone griddle quickly and easily without a lot of steps. You can find these on Amazon or in your local hardware store. Just be cautious that you don’t scratch the surface of the griddle. 

Regardless of the method you use for cleaning your Blackstone griddle, experts note you should clean it every time you use it. This, of course, is a food safety issue, says Brown, but regular cleaning can also remove grease and food residues, which can build up and create an insulating layer that prevents optimal cooking and decreases the lifespan of the griddle.

For a rusty or very dirty Blackstone griddle, a more intensive cleaning approach may be necessary. “Use a commercial degreaser or a solution of vinegar and water to cut through heavy grease and grime,” Brown advises. “Next, use a wire brush or steel wool to scrub the surface before rinsing and drying. Once it is clean, a deep seasoning process should be done to restore its nonstick surface.”