How to Keep Blackstone Griddle From Rusting | 5 Preventive Measures To Take

How to Keep My Blackstone Griddle From Rusting

Blackstone Griddles are great cookware. They’re durable, heat evenly, and look awesome. However, they tend to rust after a certain amount of time. This happens because the griddle’s surface gets dirty and starts absorbing moisture.

The moisture and dirt cause the metal to expand and contract, causing cracks and pits to form. If left untreated, these small holes can grow larger and eventually lead to rust.

I’ve learned that keeping my griddle clean is essential to its longevity. In fact, I’m willing to bet that you probably already knew that. However, many people neglect to do anything about it. They just throw dirty pans on top of the stove and hope for the best. Well, guess what? Cleaning your griddle will save you thousands of dollars in repairs and replacement down the road.

In this guide, I’ll share my tips on how to keep your Blackstone griddle from rusting and looking new for years to come.

Summary – Seasoning your Blackstone griddle is the most effective way to keep it from rusting. The Blackstone Company recommends applying 3-4 tablespoons of oil or a Blackstone seasoning conditioner to the surface of your griddle after each use. You can also get a heavy-duty canvas cover from Blackstone product to protect your griddle from dust, air, and moisture.

Why Do Blackstone Griddles Rust?

The Blackstone griddle is made of iron, which is an excellent material for any cookware that needs to conduct and distribute heat efficiently. However, the iron component of the Blackstone griddle has a major drawback: it is prone to corrosion. This natural reaction caused by the interaction of iron, water, and oxygen leads to rusting.

Although the Blackstone griddle has a protective coating, prolonged exposure to moisture and air will cause it to rust.

  • While cooking, a griddle is exposed to heat, moisture, and food.
  • When stored in the kitchen, water splashes onto the surface of a griddle.
  • When left out, morning dews will fall on its surface.
  • If not cleaned, food particles will remain stuck to the surface.

So, no matter where you store your Blackstone griddle, natural corrosion will eventually find its way to it.

Is this to say that you can’t keep your Blackstone griddle from rusting? No. There are numerous ways to prevent your griddle from rusting and extending its lifespan.

How to Keep Blackstone Griddle from Rusting

Below are the basic care tips to prevent a Blackstone griddle from rusting:

Clean Your Blackstone Griddle After Each Use

After each cooking session, try to remove any food particles from the griddle surface. Also, ensure that no dirt or debris is left on the grill.

Season Your Blackstone Griddle Regularly

Season your Blackstone griddle before and after each use to keep the surface shiny and water-resistant. Don’t worry. It’s a fairly simple procedure. Simply apply 3-4 tablespoons of cooking oil to the flat surface and wipe it clean with a paper towel.

Keep Your Blackstone Griddle Away from Moisture

It is best to store your griddle in a cool, dry place to keep your Blackstone from rusting. If you live in a humid climate, keep your griddle in a well-ventilated area. To avoid scratches, keep the griddle away from plates and other kitchen items when you store them in the kitchen.

Use a Heavy-Duty Cover

One of the best ways to prevent corrosion is to cover your griddle when not in use. This way, there is less contact with air and water. So, get a heavy-duty canvas cover for your Blackstone griddle to protect the top surface from dust, moisture, and air.

Check Griddle in Storage

It’s a good idea to inspect your Blackstone griddle at least once a month while it’s in storage to ensure no rust has formed.

How to Clean Blackstone Griddle Rust

Tools to Remove Rust from Your Blackstone Griddle

Your Blackstone griddle may have rusted before discovering preventative measures. Don’t be discouraged; All you need are a few cleaning supplies and a few simple steps to restore the luster to your Blackstone griddle. Let’s get started!

You will need the following items to remove rust from your Blackstone griddle:

  • A metal scraper or Blackstone cleaning brick
  • Cooking oil.
  • Paper towels.
  • Grill stones or steel wool.
  • Heat-resistant gloves.

Follow these steps to clean Blackstone griddle rust:

Step 1: Preheat the Blackstone Griddle.

During the cleaning process, you will be heating your griddle several times. But first, preheat the griddle on high for about 20 minutes. The heat softens the rust and makes it easier to remove when scrubbing.

Step 2: Cool Down the Blackstone Griddle

Next, turn off the griddle and allow it to cool for a few minutes until it reaches a safe temperature. Then, put on your gloves while you wait for the griddle to cool slightly.

Ensure to wear gloves throughout the cleaning process because the griddle will never be completely cool while cleaning. The glove’s purpose is to protect your hand from heat.

Step 3: Remove Rust from Your Griddle Surface

While the plate is still hot and the rust is soft, scrub the flat top surface of the griddle with a metal scraper. It will take some elbow grease to remove the rust completely, but it is well worth the effort.

Ensure not to hit the surface too hard with the metal scraper as you don’t want to damage the griddle plate.

Using a paper towel, remove loose rust bits from the surface as you scrape. Replace the towel as soon as it becomes too dirty or tattered.

Continue this process until the griddle surface feels smooth when rubbed with the scraper and no more rust is visible.

Step 4: Wipe Rust Particles off The Griddle Surface

After completely removing the rust, use paper towels to remove any remaining rust flakes. You can also apply oil to the surface to make it easier to remove rust particles.

Then, wipe off the oil with more paper towels. The paper towel will turn red as you do so. And once you feel the oil has come off the surface, add more oil and wipe again. Repeat the process until all of the particles have been removed from the griddle surface.

Step 5: Prepare the Griddle Plate for Seasoning

Re-heat the griddle plate for 5 minutes on high heat, then turn it off. This helps to prepare the smooth top surface of the griddle for seasoning.

Step 4: Season Your Blackstone Griddle

Season Your Blackstone Griddle

While it is still hot, sprinkle cooking oil onto the griddle’s surface. And with a paper towel, spread the oil all over the surface.

You can season with any of the following oils: vegetable oil, olive oil, or canola. You can also use a Blackstone seasoning conditioner.

After spreading the oil, re-heat your griddle on medium-high heat for about 20 minutes. The oil will begin to smoke at some point, and the surface will turn black. Don’t be alarmed; it’s all part of the process.

After the duration, check to see if the entire surface is black. If not, add more oil to the surface and re-heat the griddle. Continue until the entire surface is matte black.

Don’t forget to season the griddle plate’s vertical sides. Any unseasoned part will either remain rusted or rust quickly again.

Step 5: Re-Seasoning the Griddle Plate

Season Your Blackstone Griddle

Allow your griddle to cool completely after seasoning. Then, apply another layer of oil to the griddle surface to keep it from rusting.

Make it a habit to season your Blackstone griddle after each use. It prevents corrosion and keeps your Blackstone from rusting. Seasoning also keeps your griddle nonstick and prevents food from burning. See this YouTube video on How to Season a New Blackstone Griddle for more helpful insight.

FAQs On How to Keep Blackstone From Rusting

Can I Use Baking Soda And Vinegar To Clean Rust From My Blackstone Griddle?

Yes, a baking soda and vinegar solution can effectively remove rust from the griddle top. The combination causes a chemical reaction that loosens and lifts the griddle’s stubborn rust and grease stains.

Simply make a paste of 2 parts baking soda and 1 part vinegar; apply the paste to your griddle surface and leave for a few minutes; then carefully clean the rust from the griddle surface with your metal scrapper.

Is It Safe To Grill On A Rusty Griddle Plate?

It is not advisable to grill your meal on a rusted surface. The rust will undoubtedly ruin your food. As a result, if you notice rust on your Blackstone griddle, have it cleaned and seasoned as soon as possible.