Perfecting your cooking skills extends beyond simply knowing your way around the kitchen. One critical yet often overlooked aspect is understanding how to season your kitchen equipment like a Blackstone griddle. But fret not, if you’ve ever wondered how to season Blackstone griddle, you’ve landed on the right blog.
The Importance of Seasoning Your Blackstone Griddle
If you want your Blackstone griddle to perform at its peak and have a long lifespan, seasoning is a process you cannot skip. This is not just a step to enhance flavor, but a protective measure that gives your griddle the armor it needs against rust.
Besides protection, a well-seasoned griddle imparts a unique, savory depth to the food cooked on it. It also provides the griddle with a non-stick surface, saving you from the struggle of dealing with food sticking to the pan. Not only does this ease the cooking process, but it also makes the cleanup afterward far less daunting.
Hence, seasoning a Blackstone griddle is an indispensable step that transforms your cooking experience. The ensuing sections will guide you on how to do this effectively.
Assembling Your Seasoning Tools
In order to effectively season your Blackstone griddle, you need to ensure you have all the necessary tools at your disposal. Firstly, the oil you use is crucial. Opt for oils that have a high smoke point such as flaxseed oil, canola oil, or shortening. These types of oil can withstand high heat without burning, making them ideal for the seasoning process.
In addition to the oil, you will need a clean cloth or a few paper towels. These will be used to spread the oil evenly across the surface of the griddle. Remember, uniformity is key to a well-seasoned griddle.
Safety should always be a priority when working with heat, so be sure to have a pair of heat-resistant gloves on hand. These will protect your hands from the hot griddle and oil.
Lastly, you’ll need a grill scraper or a metal spatula. These will be used after cooking to scrape off food residues from the griddle’s surface. Keeping your griddle clean is a critical part of maintaining its seasoning.
With these tools gathered, you’re ready to proceed to the next step: preparing your griddle for seasoning.
Preparing Your Blackstone Griddle for Seasoning
Initiate the process by cleaning your griddle thoroughly. Use warm water mixed with a mild dish soap to scrub away any factory oils or lingering residues. A clean griddle ensures that the seasoning oil can fully adhere to the griddle’s surface for optimal results. Once the griddle is cleaned, utilize a dry towel to wipe away any excess water.
This step is critical because any leftover water can potentially cause rust formation on your griddle. After you’ve accomplished a dry, clean surface, it’s time to heat things up. Turn on your griddle and set it to a high heat for a duration of about 15-20 minutes.
This heating period is necessary as it not only ensures that any remaining moisture is fully evaporated, but also opens the griddle’s pores, thus making it more receptive to the oil you will apply in the next step. Preparing your griddle in this manner will set the stage for a successful seasoning process.
Applying the First Layer of Oil
With the griddle preheated and ready, carefully pour a small amount of oil onto its surface. Using your cloth or paper towel, evenly distribute the oil across the entire griddle. Attention to detail is important during this stage, so ensure that every inch of the griddle is covered, from corner to corner and edge to edge. Be sure to use heat-resistant gloves to protect your hands from the high heat.
While the layer of oil should be thin, it should be just enough to coat the griddle’s surface thoroughly. This first layer of oil is the beginning of your griddle’s protective and non-stick seasoning layer.
Heating the Griddle for the First Time
Now that your Blackstone griddle is well-oiled, it’s time to crank up the heat. Ignite your griddle, setting it to a high temperature, and let it warm up until you notice the oil starting to smoke. Typically, this heating process lasts for approximately half an hour.
As the oil heats, it undergoes a process known as polymerization, creating the protective, non-stick layer essential for optimal griddle performance. Don’t be alarmed as your griddle begins to darken and shift towards a deeper, blacker hue; this transformation is a positive indication of effective seasoning. This initial darkening signifies the beginning of your griddle’s seasoned surface.
Once you’ve achieved a smoky griddle, the initial seasoning phase is complete, paving the way for repeat applications and heating.
Repeating the Oil Application and Heating Process
After your griddle has had time to cool from the initial heating, it’s time to repeat the oil and heat process. Adding multiple layers is what helps to build up that durable, non-stick cooking surface you’re aiming for. Gently spread another layer of your high smoke-point oil across the griddle, ensuring to cover the entirety of the surface.
Remember to be careful, as the griddle may still be hot. Once the oil has been applied, ignite the griddle once more, setting it to a high temperature. Let the griddle heat up until the oil begins to smoke. This step should take around half an hour, similar to the first round. As you observe the oil smoking and the griddle darkening, you’ll know that the seasoning is being effectively reinforced.
Once the griddle has cooled down again, this oil application and heating process should be repeated for a total of 2-3 times. This method ensures an optimal seasoned surface that is built up evenly and provides maximum protection and a quality non-stick surface for your future cooking adventures.
Maintaining Your Seasoned Blackstone Griddle
Once you’ve successfully seasoned your griddle, it’s time to keep it in excellent condition for continued optimal performance. Regular and careful maintenance will not only prolong its life but also maintain the quality of food it produces.
Start the upkeep by removing residual food particles right after cooking while the griddle is still hot. Use your grill scraper or metal spatula for this process. Follow this by wiping it down with a cloth or paper towel to remove any lingering grease or oil. This helps to preserve the non-stick surface and prevents buildup of unwanted flavors.
Once your griddle has cooled down, it’s crucial to apply a protective layer of oil. This thin coating shields the griddle against moisture and prevents rust formation, ensuring that your griddle stays in its best form.
Implementing this maintenance routine after every use will allow you to enjoy consistently delicious results each time you fire up your Blackstone griddle. Maintaining your griddle doesn’t have to be a tedious task; in fact, it’s an essential part of the griddle-owning experience.
With a bit of care, your well-seasoned griddle will continue to reward you with mouth-watering dishes for years to come.