In this guide, I will show you how to clean a flat top grill, more commonly known as a griddle. I own a Blackstone griddle and have tested various methods for removing food debris, old grease, and fat from its surface.
There are many “suggestions” on the Internet. People have come up with creative names and made up methods to get clicks, but these are three true and tested methods I use to clean my flat top grill surface and keep it in good shape.
How to Clean a Flat Top Grill: Three Effective, Simple Methods
These are natural methods without using chemicals or special tools or any other nonsense. I have tested these methods to confirm their effectiveness, and as you can see in my video above, when it comes to cleaning a flat-top grill, simple does it, and you do not need to overspend on fancy cleaning tools or cleaning products.
Method #1: Scrape and clean, add oil ( after each use )
Routine Cleaning – This method is your daily routine cleaning, sort of speaking. This is the method you want to apply after each use of your griddle. This method consists of, after your food is cooked and you are done using the griddle, turn off the burners and scrape the grill top with a spatula, griddle scraper, or any flat scraper.
Scrape the food and grease towards the grease collector. Grab a paper towel or a piece of cloth and wipe the top clean and apply a small coat of cooking oil.
Remember, after you’re done scraping and wiping the girdle, apply a small coat of cooking oil or vegetable oil to the flat top.
Method #2: Spray Water, Scrape and clean, add oil ( deep cleaning )
Deep cleaning – I only recommend this method when things like sauces, caramelized sugar, BBQ sauce, and anything sticky have gunked up on the grill top. This deep clean method also works when there is excess grease build up. However, you will remove more of the original seasoning coating you applied when you first got the flat top grill.
The key here is to turn off the burners and allow the grill top to cool down to at least 300 degrees. This technique consists of spraying or pouring small amounts of water onto a hot flat-top grill. As the water comes into contact with the hot surface, it will boil and steam, loosening and removing food and grease deposits.
However, because metal can expand and contract in response to thermal changes, you do not want the flat top of your griddle to be too hot to prevent warping and damage. A Blackstone flat top grill is made out of steel, Blackstone still recommends using water to clean their flat top grills only below 300 degrees.
However, other brands may use stainless steel or even thin metal for their tops, which are susceptible to warping.
So apply this method, simply remove any leftover food, turn off the burners, and let the griddle cool down to about 300 degrees. Spray or pour a small amount of water over a six-inch wide section of the flap-top grill at a time.
Spray water, scrape, and move to the next spot. Again, spray water every six inches, scrape food and grease towards the grease collector, rinse and repeat. To avoid “shocking” too much of the large surface area of a flat top when using water, you should clean it in small sessions.
Once you are done cleaning the flat top, grab some paper towels or a cloth rag and wipe clean the griddle. Lastly, apply a small amount of cooking or vegetable oil, and now you have a clean flat top grill.
The cool thing about this technique is that boiling water and steam do all the work of separating grease from the medal and reducing scraping.
The downside of this method is that it removes more of the oil coating required to keep flat tops rust-free and non-stick. So is important, after using this cleaning method, to apply a good coating of oil. This method is going to leave you with a good, clean flat top grill.
Method #3: White vinegar spray, Scrape and Clean, add Oil
Even Deeper clean – This method is good for situations when the laptop grill is extremely dirty or has been left out outside or neglected for some time. This method removes a lot of the oil coating, so it is important to reapply oil immediately after cleaning.
Similar to the other methods, apply some vinegar and water to a hot grill top, scrape the food and grease residue off, rinse with water, and apply oil. I like to “re-season” the griddle after applying this cleaning method.
These are the steps to cleaning your flat top grill or griddle.
Once you are done cooking food on the griddle, go ahead and turn off the burners. As the grill cools down, grab a scraper or spatula and scrape off any food residue from the flat top grill. A grill scraper, spatula, or bench scraper are all tools you need to cook and also clean a flat top grill.
After cleaning the flat top grill with the scraper, apply a thin layer of oil to the cooking surface using paper towels or a clean cloth rag. Cover the entire surface with cooking oil to keep the grill surface “seasoned” and rust-free and to preserve its nonstick nature.
Total Time: 5 minutes
Step #1: Scrape
The first step in cleaning a flat-top grill is always to discard food and residue while the grill is still hot and after cooking has concluded. Scraping a flat-top grill while it is still hot prevents residue from sticking and settling on the grill’s surface. Once food residues have cooled on the grill’s surface, they are much more difficult to remove, and additional scraping is required.
Step #2: Wipe clean
Wipe clean. Always use paper towels, a rag, or a damp cloth to wipe the grill’s surface after scraping it. The purpose of this step is to use the rag to clean and absorb small particles left behind by the scraper.
Step #3: Oil or season your flat top grill
This is an important step and it serves two purposes. First, the oil is a natural way to lubricate and keep your flat top grill top “seasoned”. This will keep away rust. Second, oil acts as a natural non-stick coating for your flat top grill. So the next time you use the grill, less food will stick to the grill’s surface.
Supply:
- Water
- Vegetable oil
Tools:
- Scraper
- Spatula
- Squeeze Bottles for Water
Materials: Paper towels Paper Towels Cooking oil, vegetable oil
Storing your griddle and keeping it clean
When it’s time to store the griddle, it’s important to take a few extra steps to keep it in top shape. Here are a few tips for storing your griddle to keep it clean and rust free.
Ensure that the griddle is thoroughly cleaned and oiled before storing it. This means that you have applied the steps we discussed above and the griddle is clean before storing it.
Oil prevents rust and ensures that the grill is prepared for its next use.
Lastly, use a dry or slightly oiled piece of cloth to protect the exterior of the grill from rust, which is especially important if you plan to store the griddle outside. Try to store your griddle in a dry, indoor location.
Tips for keeping your flat top grill griddle in top shape
Cleaning it after use – Many people create more work for themselves by failing to clean the grille immediately after use. I know we all want to jump in and start eating, but cleaning your flat top grill immediately after cooking is a lot easier than cleaning it when it is cold. Plus, your griddle will be ready for its next cooking session.
While the griddle is hot, right after you use it, is the easiest way to clean it and keep it clean.
Don’t use brushes on your griddle. I know it is tempting, but you will likely damage the grill’s surface.
Avoid using soap when possible. Soap should only be used when you first unbox your griddle to remove manufacturing oils and contaminants and then season your flat top grill. On rare occasions where the flat top grill has been neglected for a long time and you need to revive it, you can use soap, but you will need to “season” the griddle with a couple layers of oil.
Q&A
Do you use soap to clean your griddle?
No, I do not. I only use soap to clean the griddle surface when the grill is new. This is to remove manufacturing contaminants.
How to clean a blackstone flat top grill?
The steps for cleaning a Blackstone griddle are no different than for any other flat top grill. Scrape, wipe, and oil.
Why do I need to apply cooking oil to the flat top grill’s surface?
Cooking oil acts as a natural lubricant for the cooking surface and will protect the flat top grill surface from rusting.
Conclusion
Maintaining your flat-top griddle is easier than you think. A daily cleaning routine and cleaning the grill after each use will suffice for the majority of individuals. The best way to maintain the grill is to clean it as soon as you are finished cooking.
However, if your grill needs a little bit more extra cleaning, you can use water or even a vinegar water mixture to remove excess oil grease and burnt up sugar. One point that you must remember is that it is extremely important to keep the flat-top griddle oiled and seasoned to extend its lifetime and keep rust away.
