Wondering how to clean a Blackstone griddle? Whether you have a Blackstone or a different brand of outdoor griddle, these cleaning tips will work for you!
So you just got a new Blackstone griddle and you’re wondering how to clean and maintain it so that your griddle surface stays looking new. You’re not alone!
How to clean a Blackstone griddle is probably one of the most common worries of new flat top grill owners. That and how to season a Blackstone griddle, which I can help you with, too.
But fear not! Cleaning a griddle top is way easier than washing a sink load of dishes. In fact, the clean up process is so easy that you may find yourself wanting to cook meals outside versus dirtying up multiple pots and pans in the kitchen.
These cleaning tips and simple steps will help keep the surface of the griddle in tip-top shape!
*This post contains affiliate links, which means if you click a link and make a purchase, I earn a commission at no additional cost to you.
Griddle Cleaning Tools for Everyday Cleaning
Other methods may teach that you need a bunch of fancy tools and specialized grill cleaning chemicals to clean your griddle, but the good news is you only need these four items and a bit of elbow grease. Even the most stuck-on food and grease build-up will come off with regular cleaning maintenance and these simple griddle accessories that you probably already have in your arsenal:
Griddle Scraper
Sometimes called a bench scraper or simply a “scraper”, this is the number one MUST HAVE item for cleaning a Blackstone griddle.
Abench scraperconsists of a rectangular flat piece of metal (usually stainless steel) with a plastic or wood handle grip on one end. The blade may have a sharp or beveled edge on one side, and the back side may be straight, making it more versatile for scraping down the griddle surface, cutting dough, or even transferring chopped ingredients from your cutting board to the pan.
Just as the name suggests, you use the metal scraper to “scrape” the flat cooking surface, usually in the direction of the grease tray.
The great thing about a griddle scraper is that it’s metal, so you can really put pressure on it to help remove stuck-on food or sticky residue from the surface of your grill. A plastic spatula or scraper will probably have too much give and bend under pressure, which makes it difficult to remove certain foods from your griddle’s surface.
However, you have to be extra careful to use the scraper correctly so that you don’t damage the nonstick surface and protective seasoning layer that you worked so hard to create…Check the bottom of this post for what NOT to do with your bench scraper!
Paper Towels or Dish Rag
I personally prefer to use paper towels when cleaning the Blackstone griddle, but some people may choose to use an old dish rag or microfiber cloth.
Just remember that all paper towels are not created equally. I’ve found the Costco Kirkland brand of paper towels to be superior to most, because they don’t leave as much lint behind on the shiny new Blackstone griddle. I have also had success with using blue mechanic’s “shop towels”, which are also disposable. With all of the grease and grime, it’s nice to use paper towels that can just be thrown away after use.
Griddle Seasoning Oil
I usually use avocado oil, because it’s my preferred seasoning oil due to its high smoke point, mild flavor, and versatility in a variety of cooking methods. But you can use any high-heat cooking oil to add a thin layer of oil to your flat top grill after you’re done cleaning it.
You can visit this post for an in-depth look at the best griddle seasoning oils – I’ve tried tons of different varieties and these have given me the best non-stick surface!
Squirt Bottle
Depending on what Blackstone griddle recipes you make, you may need to add a bit of clean water to the warm griddle surface to help release stuck-on food debris. The easiest way to do this is with a plastic squirt bottle that you can pick up for about $3 at most grocery or big box stores.
Tools for Deep Cleaning
If your Blackstone griddle is starting to develop rust because you haven’t used it since last season, then it’s probably time for a deep cleaning.
My preferred method of deep cleaning to bring the whole surface back to new is with a pumice grill stone, often called a “grill brick”. These inexpensive scrubbers are the best way to get rid of spots of flaking in the seasoning, areas of visible rust, or even stubborn food or sauces that you just can’t remove.
I have an entire post about how to use a grill brick to clean your griddle here!
*IMPORTANT NOTE – These griddle cleaning tools and tips are for traditional rolled steel outdoor griddles (like the Blackstone griddle)! If you have a griddle with a ceramic top, then the cleaning process and tools will vary.
How to Clean a Blackstone Griddle or Flat Top Grill
Taking care of your griddle may be intimidating for a beginner flat top grill user, but cleaning a Blackstone is an easy process. Just follow these simple steps for how to clean a Blackstone griddle and get your entire surface looking great:
While you’re cooking… Clean as you go!
Cleaning your griddle to a smooth shiny finish actually starts WHILE you’re still cooking, and as a former military and restaurant chef, I am a firm believer in the “Clean as you go” technique. I demonstrate this often on my outdoor cooking YouTube channel.
When you notice that the surface of your flat top is beginning to get dirty with residue or sticky sauces while you’re cooking your meal, simply move your food to one side, use your scraper to scrape the griddle top clean, and move your food back to continue cooking.
Removing the residue while it’s still hot, especially when cooking homemade sauces or dishes with a higher sugar content like teriyaki chicken, will make it much easier to clean the griddle later.
Step 1: Use the scraper to scrape food debris and residue into the grease tray.
Immediately after you’re done cooking, use your metal scraper to scrape the surface of the griddle, directing all of the leftover residue and grease into the drip pan. Start at one end of the griddle and work your way across, applying firm even pressure to remove stubborn residue.
If you notice that you have a lot of larger pieces of food debris, use the side of your spatula to scoop them up against the side wall of the flat top, and then just throw them in the trash. Larger pieces of food may block the drain to the grease trap, and your drip tray could overflow onto your deck.
Step 2: Add a few squirts of water if needed.
Depending on what you just cooked, you may need to add some water to the warm griddle surface after scraping. Adding a few squirts of water while the griddle top is still warm creates steam, which helps to loosen any food or sauces leftover on the surface.
Just use your squirt bottle to squirt a bit of clean water on the griddle surface, and then use your scraper to scrape the water into the grease tray. *Just be careful of burns – if your griddle is still warm, then adding the water may produce quite a bit of steam.
Step 3: Use a paper towel or rag to wipe down the griddle surface.
Once the majority of the leftover grease and food is off your griddle, take a few paper towels or a rag and wipe down the surface. Wipe down all areas of the flat top griddle, including the inside and outside of the sidewalls. This helps to dry off the grill so that it doesn’t rust.
Step 4: Apply a thin layer of oil to your griddle top.
At this point your Blackstone griddle should be clean, and it’s time to apply a protective layer of oil.
If needed, you can actually go through the seasoning process at this time – heat the griddle top to a high heat and apply a very thin coat of oil using tongs and paper towels. Go here for full instructions on how to season a griddle.
However, with frequent use your griddle should stay fairly seasoned, and you probably only need to apply a thin coat of oil in between uses as added protection from rust.
What to do if your griddle surface is already cooled
If you went to bed without cleaning your griddle, a big NO NO, then the process looks a little different. Allowing food, sauces, and sugary residues to cool down on your grill surface makes it much more difficult to clean, just like dried-on splattered spaghetti sauce in your microwave is much more difficult to clean versus wiping it down immediately.
*This is especially true when you’re making dishes like hibachi-style chicken teriyaki with sugary teriyaki sauce! You definitely want to clean the griddle before it cools completely to avoid a stuck-on, saucy mess!
Simply turn your flat top grill on low and allow it to heat up. The heat helps to release the stuck-on food and makes cleaning your Blackstone or other griddle easier. Then, simply use your bench scraper and follow along with the steps above.
What to NEVER do when cleaning your Blackstone Griddle
A metal scraper is your best friend when it comes to a shiny, clean flat top surface, but it can also turn into your greatest enemy if used incorrectly.
NEVER use the scraper back and forth in a cutting-like motion. You should also make sure that the entire edge of the scraper makes contact with the griddle surface at the same time. Using the bench scraper tool improperly can cause damage to the griddle surface.
Here’s an illustration of how to properly use the bench scraper:
In the photo above, I am pushing the excess oil towards the back of the Blackstone into the grease trap. The entire length of the scraper’s blade is in contact with the griddle surface, and I am applying even pressure to remove any stuck-on food.
FAQs about Cleaning a Griddle
Can I use soap to clean my griddle?
The only time that I suggest using soap on your Blackstone griddle is when it is brand new and you are cleaning it for the first time. Then, you can wash the entire cooking surface down with soapy water to remove the manufacturing oils and debris before starting the seasoning process. Just be sure to wipe it down with clean warm water first to get rid of any soap residue, and make sure the surface is dried thoroughly before applying the proper seasoning.
But for everyday griddle cleaning, you should NOT use soap to clean your grill surface because the soap can remove the seasoning from your griddle top, making it less nonstick.
How often should I clean my Blackstone?
There are two types of cleaning methods for your griddle: deep cleaning and routine cleaning. The routine cleaning is what I outlined in this post.
You should do a routine cleaning for your outdoor griddle every single time that you cook with it. That includes scraping off excess food and residue, wiping it dry with a paper towel or rag, and applying a thin coat of oil.
If you do proper routine cleaning, then you shouldn’t need to do a deep cleaning very frequently, if at all. In fact, I have cooked on my griddles consistently for about 4 years, and I have only had to deep clean the griddle surface one time.
Can I use ice to clean my flat top grill?
NO! You may have heard others recommend putting ice on the hot flat top to create steam and help release food, but DON’T DO IT with your residential flat top griddle! This method is more common with commercial grills, but even then, I wouldn’t recommend it. Shocking the hot surface of your grill like that can cause it to warp and crack.
If you’re a Pinterest User, feel free to PIN this to your Blackstone griddle board to save for later:
I hope these tips have helped you with how to clean a Blackstone griddle! And be sure to check out some of my other griddle cooking guides and tutorials:
- How to Season a Blackstone Griddle (Easy Step by Step Guide)
- Cooking on a Flat Top Grill – Griddle Tips and Techniques
- Griddle Cooking Temperature Chart – Free to Print!
Neal
With over 20 years in the culinary industry, Neal has an extensive cooking background that includes everything from fast food cook to US Navy cook to fine dining steakhouse Chef. Neal has been cooking on griddles and flat top grills professionally for over 10 years, and he enjoys teaching others how to use a grill or griddle to produce restaurant-quality meals at home. You can watch him prepare delicious and easy griddle recipes on his griddle cooking YouTube channel, The Flat Top King.
