Why does my Blackstone have mold in it? This is a question that every Blackstone user asks at some time or another. Blackstone griddles are not free from mold. It only takes a few days to grow mold on Blackstone griddles.
It is great to keep a Blackstone griddle mold removing kit handy and to always remember that no matter how extensive the mold buildup is, your Blackstone griddle is always recoverable.
From, humidity to leftover meals and from moldy grill covers to over-oiling are some of the many reasons why your Blackstone griddle has mold in it. Deep cleaning, proper storage, and regular maintenance can go a long way to prevent mold from your Blackstone griddle.
I will explain those reasons and some steps on how to keep mold off your Blackstone Griddle.
Why does my Blackstone griddle have mold in it?
In order to prevent mold spores from growing on your Blackstone, it is important to first understand why the Blackstone griddle has mold in it.
Reason 1: Leftover food
The first reason for mold on Blackstone griddle is food leftovers. Leftover food from grilling or water from cleaning may sometime not get enough air to dry out, becoming an instant breeding place for mold spores.
A moist and humid environment with little to no ventilation and some form of grease residue is the best environment for Blackstone mold spores to thrive in.
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Reason 2: Moisture from Grill covers
Grill covers, although have utility for leaky roofs, can be a great breeding ground for mold as well. Water can be trapped inside grill covers and lead to rust or mold buildup, which can spread to other areas of your Blackstone as well.
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Reason 3: Humid Temperature
Outdoor grills can be a home to black mold, especially in humid temperatures, so make sure to fire them up and clean them before you use them.
Reason 4: Improper Cleaning
Improper cleaning of your Blackstone after grilling can definitely cause a buildup of mold, pests, and other issues. Keep an eye out for those!
Reason 5: Overoiling Blackstone
Overoiling Blackstone can cause mold growth as well. It’s important to season your griddle properly and scrape off any oil residue. Also, stone griddles need a lot of oiling if seasoned properly and regularly.
How do you remove mold from a Blackstone griddle:
Blackstone Griddle Mold Removing Kit
-Mask
-Baking Soda
-Water
-Grill Brush
-Warm soapy water
-Paper Towels/Rag
-Scraper
Steps for Recovering a Moldy Blackstone Griddle
1. A N95 mask is a must-have when you are dealing with mold on your Blackstone griddle. It will protect you from inhaling any toxic mold spores when you clean them off your Blackstone.
2. Mold does not survive in very high temperatures. So, first of all, burn off the mold from Blackstone griddle. Mold does not survive temperatures more than 450 F plus. Make sure to burn it at that temperature for at least 15 minutes to make sure all the spores are killed inside and on your griddle.
3. Now, wait for your Blackstone to cool down, and then remove the griddle grill/top to start the hands-on cleaning step of this process. Mix baking soda with two parts of water and pour this solution on the grills, the top, and the inside of your Blackstone. Leave this mixture for 2-3 minutes to soften the mold and rust on your Blackstone. Then scrub with a grill brush.
4. Scrub the grill top/grates and inside of Blackstone griddle with a grill brush and warm soapy water to remove the remaining softened mold and rust. Water down the griddle and then you can use paper towels or any old rag to remove the excess moisture and buildup from the griddle.
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5. Rinse the grill thoroughly and put them out separately on newspapers to let them dry out thoroughly. This is extremely important to make sure no moisture is left behind.
6. Now, assemble your Blackstone griddle and fire it up to high heat for another 15 minutes to make sure no moisture or residue is left behind. After it’s cooled down, leave vents open and grill covers off to make sure all of your Blackstone’s corners and insides are dried up.
Alternative Method to remove Blackstone mold:
Many online Blackstone users have shared reviews for using hydrogen peroxide mixed in water in 1:1 ratio for cleaning mold on Blackstone griddle. Make sure to use goggles and gloves along with the mask to keep yourselves safe from any hazards. Peroxide neutralizes the mold completely. Remember to burn the mold on the Blackstone griddle afterward.
Re-seasoning your Blackstone Griddle:
After deep cleaning your moldy Blackstone griddle, remember to re-season it by putting oil on the griddle top.
Remove any excess grease, as the oil layer should look like a sheen only. Prevention is the best cure for taking care of mold on Blackstone griddle.
So do not overoil your griddle, especially in a humid environment. Now, cook off the oil to complete re-seasoning and prep the Blackstone with some smash burgers on Blackstone to christen this heavily deep cleaned tool.
Blackstone Griddle Temperature Chart
Pro Maintenance Tips for Blackstone Griddle:
Prevention is the best cure to keep mold away from Blackstone griddle. It is all about storing and regularly maintaining your Blackstone griddle properly after every use. Here are a few pro tips for a Blackstone griddle with a long life.
1. The best tip is to burn off mold on Blackstone for 10 minutes on high heat after every cooking.
This will help in burning off excess oil and food residue, which can be scraped off easily while griddle cools down.
2. It is also important to clean your Blackstone with a Blackstone brick or griddle brush after every use and then dry it up with paper towels. Keep any valves or cover in your griddle open to make sure all moisture is dried out.
3. After drying up, try to keep the griddle lid closed as often as you can for keeping a humid atmosphere out of the Blackstone griddle.
4. If you use a grill cover, make sure there is no mold growth on its underside. If it smells or you find mold, turn it around and clean it with bleach and warm soapy water. Put it out to dry completely before putting it back on your Blackstone.
5. If your Blackstone is placed outside, then keep it in a semi-closed area like a shed with a cover on top. If your setup is indoors, avoid using a grill cover to prevent moisture from building up.
6. Before cooking, preheat your Blackstone for 10 minutes before placing meat on it. This will make cleaning after much easier and also stop your meals from sticking on a cold griddle.
7. Use lots of greases while cooking to avoid any meat sticking to the griddle.
8. Deep clean your griddle every few weeks by following the mold cleaning process shared earlier to avoid rust and mold build up in your Blackstone.
FAQs
What temperature burns mold off the griddle?
Higher temperatures kill all mold spores. A temperature of 475 F plus is good to burn off mold from Blackstone.
How long it takes to burn mold off the griddle?
It will take at least 15 minutes for mold to burn off the griddle.
Can mold on a Blackstone griddle make you sick?
Yes, black mold, even in smaller quantities, can be hazardous to your family. Mold growing on the inside of a Blackstone is especially dangerous as it spread quickly and can contaminate your food.
Can rust and mold ruin a Blackstone griddle?
Fortunately, no. Blackstone griddles are recoverable, although with much effort. It’s better to prevent mold on Blackstone with our pro maintenance tips.
