If you own a new Blackstone Griddle, you have to know the proper way to maintain and season the appliance. This way, you can prevent maintenance issues and prolong its lifespan.
As an avid griller and expert in the food industry, I’ll share my insights on the proper ways you could address issues on your Blackstone Griddle.
Quick Summary
- Blackstone Griddles may warp due to metal contraction and expansion. Cooking on it 10 times and avoiding extreme temperature changes can minimize this issue.
- If the Blackstone Griddle isn't getting hot, it could be due to the regulator, air gate, or a defective regulator. Solutions include resetting the regulator and adjusting the air gate.
- According to a Nasdaq report, Blackstone commands 80% of the U.S. market share for outdoor griddle cooking [1].
- The key to maintaining a healthy Blackstone Griddle is keeping on top of your seasoning. Clean your griddle often and don't leave it out in the heat.
4 Common Blackstone Griddle Problems
While Blackstone Griddles are highly praised, it is not uncommon to run into some problems here and there.
Below you’ll find 4 common issues and troubleshooting tips to tackle all your Blackstone Griddle problems.
#1 My Griddle Top is Warping
According to an article by the Precision Machined Products Associaton metal will contract and expand when the cooking surface is heating or cooling [2].
This can cause your griddle to warp a little. It’s quite normal for this to happen during your first cook, but it is generally temporary and should flatten out once you begin to use your griddle more.
It is recommended to cook on your Blackstone Griddle 10 times to get the griddle top used to contracting and expanding.
Although it may be annoying, minor warping shouldn’t affect your grilling experience.
If your griddle top is warping considerably and it is in fact affecting the performance of your Blackstone Griddle, you may have to order a replacement top.
Tips to avoid warping:
- Avoid using frozen food on a hot griddle top.
- Extreme temperature change causes warping. Avoid preheating your griddle too high, especially when cooking chilled food.
- When cleaning your Blackstone griddle, avoid using too much water. You can use a squeeze bottle to squeeze a small amount of water onto the griddle's sticky parts.
#2 My Griddle Isn’t Getting Hot
There are a few reasons why your Blackstone Griddle top may not be reaching the temperature you want:
- Regulator: All regulators have a safety feature that can slow down the release of propane gas if the propane tank is left on. To reset this regulator, turn everything - including the propane tank - off. Then, you can go ahead and unhook the regulator from the propane tank.
Wait about 10-15 minutes. This will give the regulator time to reset. After you’ve reset the regulator, you can hook it back up to the propane tank, slowly turning it on.
- Air Gate: If the regulator trick doesn’t work, you can try adjusting the air gate. Every burner features an air gate that controls the air to gas ratio. You can slide open the metal gate by loosening the tiny silver screw. You can play with the adjustments until you find a setting that works for you. Simply tighten the screw once you do.
- Defective Regulator: If the above options don’t work, chances are you’ve got yourself a faulty regulator. You can either contact Blackstone customer service or order yourself a replacement part.
#3 My Griddle Top is Peeling
It’s possible for the seasoning on your griddle to begin peeling. Usually, this is caused by the layer drying up due to too much water when cleaning your Blackstone Griddle.
All you need to do is scrape off the old seasoning and season it again. You can use a metal-edge scraper to remove the old seasoning.
For difficult bits, you can use oil and a griddle stone to get rid of it. Once finished, scrape off the oil and give the griddle a good clean. Then, you can go ahead and re-season your griddle top.
Here are a few other things that can speed up your season peeling:
- Cooking salty foods or cleaning the griddle using salt.
- Seasoning your griddle with bacon fat.
- Using too much oil during your first seasoning.
- Using soap to clean.
- Not heating the griddle long enough during initial seasoning.
#4 My Griddle Top is Rusting
You can restore your griddle top and safely remove the rust. Blackstone actually has its own Griddle Refurbishment kit ready for you to use.
Always remember to season your griddle to prevent future rusting.
Here are some extra tips to avoid your griddle top from rusting:
- Clean your griddle using the slightest bit of water and a hard scraper.
- Use a light, even layer of oil after every use to protect your seasoning.
- If you live somewhere humid, use a hardcover or take your griddle top inside after use.
“Grilling means good times, good friends, and hopefully, great food.”
- Bobby Flay, Celebrity Chef
Related Articles:
Seasoning Your Blackstone Griddle
Before you begin cooking up some grub, the first step - and the most important - is seasoning your griddle. Skipping this step will only cause you a range of problems in the future.
A proper seasoning will ensure your griddle a long and healthy grilling life, as well as a naturally stick-resistant surface.
Seasoning your griddle well will protect the steel top from unwanted moisture, which can cause corrosion. [3]
What Is Seasoning?
Seasoning is done to produce a hard, protective layer that is bonded to the griddle's steel surface.
You achieve this by burning off the organic compound in cooking oil.
This protective layer will provide a naturally stick-resistant surface, as well as prevent any rust and corrosion.
You only have to season your griddle once, but simple maintenance throughout your griddle life is needed.
How to Season a Griddle
- Step 1: Grab a bowl of soapy warm water and a clean dish towel. Wipe down the top of your griddle to remove any debris or dust. Then, rinse your griddle top clean.
- Step 2: Once you’ve cleaned off your griddle, heat it on high until the griddle top changes color. Grab your seasoning oil and a paper towel between a pair of tongs. Using this, spread 2-3 tablespoons of oil across your griddle's surface. Only use a thin and even layer of oil. If you use too much oil, it’ll be harder to burn it off.
- Step 3: Repeat this 3-4 times during your first seasoning. You will know when your oil has burned off when the griddle stops smoking.
Once your griddle has broken down the oil, it’ll bond to the metal creating your stick resistance layer. You may notice your food sticking the first few cooks, but as you cook more, the seasoning will build.
Since Blackstone Griddles are made of steel, you may need to resurface and season once again.
FAQs
How Long Do Blackstone Griddles Last?
Blackstone Griddles may last 15 to 20 years with the proper care and maintenance. Apply a seasoning layer before using, and clean the cooking surface and appliance regularly.
Can You Damage Blackstone Griddles?
You can damage Blackstone Griddles by accidentally scratching the seasoning layer with metal utensils like spatulas or knives. Using the wrong cleaning products may also damage the cooking surface.
How Do You Repair a Scratched Blackstone Griddle Surface?
You can repair a scratched Blackstone Griddle surface by using a sanding block until the seasoning layer becomes even. Use fine sandpaper grit and use very little pressure.
Why Does My Blackstone Leave Black Residue on Food?
Your Blackstone leaves black residue on food because of the carbon deposits from overheating fats and oil. To avoid the problem, clean the griddle properly after every use.
References:
- https://www.nasdaq.com/press-release/blackstone-products-the-market-leader-in-outdoor-griddles-to-become-a-publicly-traded
- https://www.pmpa.org/8-reasons-steel-parts-can-warp-in-heat-treat/
- https://blackstoneproducts.com/pages/faq
