This is the only time you’ll use soap to clean your griddle. If you use soap any other time, it will strip the non-stick seasoning off of the surface. [2] X Research source
If you don’t have any cooking oil, you can use shortening instead. [4] X Research source Seasoning your Blackstone griddle protects it from developing rust and creates a non-stick surface.
Cooking before you completely season your griddle could make it rust prematurely or cause food to stick to the surface.
Cleaning your griddle while it’s still hot makes it easier to remove food residue before it dries onto the surface.
If you don’t have a metal scraper tool, then try using a metal spatula instead. Be careful not to press down too hard into the griddle top since you could remove the seasoning from the surface. Wear Blackstone heat-resistant gloves to help protect your hands while you’re cleaning.
It may take a few tries to completely remove stubborn food with water. If you still can’t remove stuck-on residue with water, then scrub at it with steel wool. Just be aware that this damages the seasoning on the griddle, so make sure you season it with cooking oil like you did when you first cleaned it. Avoid using any soap since it could stick to the seasoning and make your meals taste soapy in the future. Too much soap could even strip off the existing coating.
Don’t forget to coat the sides of the griddle with oil as well. If you don’t have cooking oil, apply a thin layer of non-stick cooking spray instead.
You can try to scrape the rust off your griddle before you heat it, but you’ll probably be more successful after it warms up.
A grill brick is a large, abrasive cleaner that helps remove rust and stuck-on residue from your Blackstone griddle. Get a Blackstone cleaning kit that has a grill brick with an attachable handle so it’s easier to use. If you don’t have a grill brick, use steel wool instead.
Removing rust also takes the seasoning off of your griddle, so leaving water on the surface could lead to more rust forming.
Rust forms when your griddle is left exposed to the elements. Put a griddle bag on when you’re not using your cooktop for additional protection. [18] X Research source
