Marketplaces are filled with a number of options for outdoor and indoor grilling. We have come a long way from the simple cast iron griddle, which was extremely easy to clean and manage.
Blackstone, Pit Boss, Camp Chef, and other outdoor griddles are high maintenance and need regular supervision to keep them from rusting.
Are you wondering how to keep outdoor griddle from rusting?
Keeping your outdoor Griddles from rusting can be hard. But there are a few solutions for this problem – Blackstone, Pitboss, and Campchef griddles should be maintained thoroughly after every use and you should always cover your new Blackstone griddle to avoid it from rusting.
In this article, we explore how to keep your Blackstone griddle in good condition. You’ll also find some useful tips on how to avoid getting them rusty in the first place.
How to Keep Outdoor Griddle from Rusting
If your griddle top is made of steel and has contact with water, products containing oxygen, or acidic ingredients like lemons or oranges, then it could potentially form rust.
The good news is, your Blackstone griddle top is not ruined. We’ve never had a griddle top that couldn’t be salvaged from rust.
Here is a detailed article on How to clean Blackstone griddle rust?
Seasoning is the first step towards a long-lasting, rust-free Blackstone griddle. All you have to do is coat a griddle surface with a thin layer of oil and turn it on high for at least 20 minutes. Then starts the cycle of burning and readying the griddle for its first sear. Repeat this five times.
When seasoning a griddle, coating the surface with oil creates a new polymer on the steel, which locks out the oxygen and water and can help extend the life of your flat top griddle.
Many users on Reddit share that onions are the best first cook for Blackstone griddle. The charred, blackened top of your Blackstone is proof that it will prevent rust on Blackstone griddle.
Mold and Brown Spots on Blackstone Griddle
Taking precautions to keep your Blackstone griddle rust-free increases its lifespan. As they say, it’s better to be safe than sorry. Mold and rust develop on the Blackstone when it is not cleaned after every use and if moisture is allowed to sit on it for a long time without any coverage. Mold and brown spots are the result of such conditions.
This kind of corrosion builds up when oxygen and moisture interact on an uncovered griddle. The residue turns into rust, which has to be cleaned and scraped off before use.
It also entails reseasoning of the Blackstone, which increases the lifespan of the griddle. Mold appears on a Blackstone for similar reasons and needs to be cooked off, wiped with paper towels, oiled and ready to cook your favorite steak dinner.
To avoid Blackstone griddle rust problem, never forget to clean your Blackstone griddle after each use, oil it, and then cover it to keep the outdoor griddle from rusting.
How to clean Blackstone after cooking
6 Tips to Prevent Rust On Outdoor Griddle
Prevention is better than cure. Hence, taking a look at the following preventative measures can help with keeping your griddle from developing rust in the first place.
As mentioned earlier, cleaning your griddle after every use with the Blackstone griddle cleaning kit is the first step towards a long-lasting Blackstone griddle.
1. Reseason Outdoor Griddle after every use
For top quality grilling and to stop rust on the griddle, reseason it after every use. Basically, spread a thin layer of optimum cooking oil on the Blackstone and clean it lightly with paper towels. This reseasoning of Blackstone griddle keeps rust from depositing on its surface.
2. Cover your Griddle
“Cover Your Grill,” are some wise words to live by if you are an ardent Blackstone griddle user. Don’t just cover the grill. Put a cover on the griddle to avoid rust, too.
Rust is formed when humidity gets inside the griddle and a sure shot way of doing that is by leaving a griddle open in humid and rainy weather conditions. An inexpensive PVC cover would be beneficial to keep rust away from your Blackstone by protecting it from rainfall.
3. Scrape and Clean Your Blackstone Regularly:
Along with reseasoning, remember to scrape and thoroughly clean the Blackstone griddle for its long-lasting usage.
Once you are done cooking your meal, immediately scrape off any remaining food residue, clean up with paper towels, reseason the griddle, and cover the griddle for next use. Having a rust-free grilling experience will make cooking fun for the whole family.
4. Tent up your Blackstone Griddle
Try to keep your Blackstone griddle in an indoor shed or area, if possible, to keep away moisture under humid weather conditions.
Creating a soft tent-like triangular cover on top of your griddle to make sure that the moisture from cooking pools in the middle and slips down the edges of the slope. It is a great tip to lock moisture away from your Blackstone Griddle.
5. Flip your Blackstone Griddle after using
If you own a compact griddle, then flipping the griddle top upside down after every cooking routine can be a good tip to keep rust away from the Blackstone griddle.
6. Frequently cook with your Blackstone Griddle
The more you cooked on Blackstone griddles, the better they get.. The charred top of a griddle is not a sign of decay but rather a sign of well-cooked meals on a well prepped griddle. A frequently used Blackstone griddle has a longer lifespan.
Rust Removal Methods for Blackstone Griddle Restoration
On those occasions, when rust finds its way on your beloved griddle, follow the below mentioned rust removal methods to restore Blackstone griddle.
1. Efficiently Remove Corrosion from Blackstone Griddle
Remember to wear your heat-resistant gloves, heat up the griddle to medium heat and let it heat up for 20 minutes so any rust and residue loosens up.
Turn off the heat and let the Blackstone cool down. Get your wide metal scrapper and scrape off the loose food residue left behind from your last cooking. Get the cooking oil of your choice and put a thin layer on the griddle’s surface, then scrub it off with a handy steel wool surface cleaner.
Wipe off the remaining residue or leftover cleaner with paper towels. If you are facing a rust caked Blackstone griddle, then repeat the above-mentioned steps until all signs of corrosion are removed and you find a charred and clean Blackstone griddle surface.
2. Pressure wash the rust away
Pressure washing is an efficient and ergonomic way to clean your grill as well. It’s easier, effective and cleans even the hard-to-get nooks and crannies of your griddle. Instead of scrubbing for an hour, a pressure wash may clean your Blackstone within 15 minutes.
This is best suited when there is mold on Blackstone griddle. However, it is a dirty task as dirt and grease may fly all over your garage or patio. Also, gas burners may be negatively affected by this method if they remain uncovered.
3. Pumice Stone Grill Brick Scraper:
Blackstone users also swear by the affordable and abrasive properties of pumice stone grill brick to remove rust from Blackstone griddle. It is an economical alternative but should be used when the Blackstone needs a thorough scrubbing due to high rust build-up.
They do not create a lot of mess and are environmentally friendly as well. Pumice stone is very efficient in cleaning carbon and rust build ups on a Blackstone griddle.
Heavy scrubbing and reseasoning are the final bet to save a heavily rusted griddle and bring it to its former glory for a tasty and easy grilling experience with a rust-free Blackstone griddle.
Best Blackstone griddle cleaning kit:
A brand-new Blackstone griddle usually comes along with a Blackstone griddle cleaning kit. You can also buy one off of Amazon which has various Blackstone cleaning tool options.
1. A metal griddle scraper
A stainless-steel metal scraper is the best option for removing Blackstone debris. The 5-inch-wide blade and a slip resistant grip helps in scraping off a wider area on your griddle without it slipping from your hands. The stainless-steel material is durable as well as easier to clean in any dishwasher.
- LIGHT WEIGHT&MORE EFFECTIVE
- EASILY REMOVES BURNT, CAKED-ON RESIDUE
2. Cooking oil
Although a Blackstone griddle usually comes along with its own seasoning and conditioner, but any vegetable oil, shortening, olive or canola oils can be used for seasoning purposes. Many users swear by avocado oil for a Blackstone griddle’s first seasoning but flaxseed oil is another option that many grill users find convenient.
3. Paper towels
Although using rags and microfiber cloths are as good as paper towels for cleaning down Blackstone griddle grease, however, the former is difficult to manage afterwards while the latter can be easily replaced with a new paper towel ring.
4. Heat-resistant gloves
Heat proof gloves are a safe companion while cleaning your Blackstone. The silicone ones are the best to avoid getting scalded and are equipped with textured material to offer a non-slip grip while cooking and cleaning the Blackstone griddle rust.
- COMFORTABLE & FLAME RESISTANT
- EXTREMELY EASY TO CLEAN
Wrap Up: How to Prevent Rust on Blackstone Grill
A blackstone grill is a great investment for your next big family barbecue, cookout, or tailgate. The only issue is that these grills are expensive and can quickly become rusty.
Heavy scrubbing and reseasoning are the final bet to save and restore a heavily rusted griddle and bring it to its former glory for a tasty and easy grilling experience with a rust free Blackstone griddle.
We hope that this article has helped you on how to prevent rust on blackstone griddle.
