A Blackstone griddle will last for a long time with a little care and regular maintenance.
However, the iron content in it makes the surface prone to rusting.
The good news is that you can restore a rusty Blackstone griddle and make it function as before.
Let’s look at how to do this.
How to Restore a Blackstone Griddle?
The Blackstone griddle surface contains iron. Iron rusts when it’s in contact with water and oxygen.
Rust not only affects the appearance of the griddle but also makes it unsafe for cooking.
Fortunately, there are a few tricks to get rid of the rust and restore your griddle.
Let’s find out more.
Here are the steps to clean a Blackstone griddle that has rust.
1. Gather the Right Tools
Rust occurs only on the outer surface of a Blackstone griddle. It doesn’t damage the entire griddle.
So you can get rid of the rust and resume using the griddle.
However, you will need the right tools to remove rust.
This includes a metal scrapper, paper towels, and sandpaper or a grill stone.
Also, wear gloves to avoid touching the rusted metal.
2. Heat the Griddle
Heat the griddle to remove the rust easily. Crank up the heat to high for twenty minutes.
This will help to loosen the rust and remove it easily.
Don’t touch the griddle when it’s hot. After heating it, allow it to cool naturally.
Once it reaches room temperature, you can begin scraping the metal.
3. Manually Remove All the Rust
Use the metal scraper to get to all the rusted spots on the griddle. Scrape all the rust you see.
There should be no visible rust when you are done.
For the finer areas where the metal scraper can’t reach, use sanding paper or metal wire.
Just make sure that all the rust comes off.
4. Add Oil Before Running Over the Surface with A Grill Stone
Once you remove all the rust, add a few drops of mineral oil to the griddle surface.
Rub it all over the surface till it’s fully coated.
Then scrub the surface with a grill stone. If you don’t have a grill stone, use a metal scrubber instead.
Then, wipe the surface with tissue paper or cotton cloth.
Repeat all the steps, from oiling the surface to wiping it down, a few more times.
Related: Grilling On A Griddle | Is It Time-Consuming to Use Pans on A Griddle?
5. Wipe Thoroughly to Remove Any Metal Bits
By repeatedly dropping oil on the surface and rubbing it with a grill stone, you can remove all the metal debris.
There should be no rust anywhere.
Once you cover the entire surface of the griddle, the metal should shine. It’s ready to be used again.
6. Season the Griddle
After removing rust from the griddle surface, season it with a layer of oil.
Seasoning with oil seals the gaps in the metal and protects it from rusting further.
You can use any edible mineral oil for seasoning your Blackstone griddle.
Apply a generous amount of oil all over the surface. Then heat the griddle till it starts smoking.
The oil will bind to the metal and create a smooth finish. This patina will further improve with continuous use.
How to Prevent a Blackstone Griddle from Rusting?
Rusting is inevitable when you are dealing with a surface containing iron.
So a Blackstone griddle is prone to rusting especially when it’s poorly maintained.
However, you can reduce its occurrence and prevent it from spreading.
Here are the different ways to slow down rusting.
1. Dry the Griddle After Each Use
Immediate cleaning and drying of the Blackstone griddle after cooking will prevent rusting to a great extent.
You can clean the cooking surface with a cloth dipped in the soapy liquid immediately after use.
Get the soap out and clean the surface with clean water immediately.
Thoroughly dry the surface before putting the griddle away.
Use drying towels or tissues for it. Then, let it air dry till no moisture remains.
After it has air-dried, season the surface to seal and secure it completely.
2. Keep It Covered
The more contact the griddle surface has with moisture and air, the higher the chances of rusting.
Rusting further increases if you live in a humid place.
In this case, you should take better care of your Blackstone griddle to prevent it from damage.
One of the easiest ways to protect a griddle surface is by covering it.
Use a cover that fits the griddle surface correctly.
We recommend using a heavy-duty canvas or plastic cover that will limit contact with moisture.
It will cut the contact with air and humidity, thus reducing the chances of rusting.
3. Store It Away from Moisture
Leaving a Blackstone griddle outdoors increases the chances of rusting.
It should also not be stored where there is no air circulation.
Damp environments with poor air circulation promote rusting.
We recommend storing the griddle in a cool and dry environment to reduce these problems.
Choose a dry and clean spot to store it after use. Keep it covered as well to minimize contact with air.
Also, try to place the griddle far away from the bathrooms and other damp spots in the house.
4. Regularly Season the Surface
Oil can do wonders in sealing your Blackstone griddle surface from rust.
So use it generously to protect the surface.
After cooking on the griddle, add an extra layer of oil.
This will seal the gaps in the metal and create a protective coating.
You can wipe it down with a tissue or even leave it to seep in.
Even if you don’t use the griddle often, season it frequently to keep it in top condition.
Just layering some oil will prevent rusting.
The griddle will be ready for use whenever you need it.
5. Check the Griddle Surface Regularly
Check the griddle surface at least once a month to tackle rusting when it first appears.
If you don’t use it frequently, it’s not wise to leave it unattended for too long.
The layer of seasoning can break down over time. If you go too long between using the griddle, it will erode.
This will expose the iron to the atmosphere and make it rust.
To prevent rusting, check on the seasoning frequently.
Reapply the oil every few weeks, even if you don’t use the griddle all the time. It will help it remain in top shape.
6. Remove Any Rust as Soon as It Appears
One of the biggest problems with rust is that it spreads quickly.
It doesn’t take too long for a spot of rust to expand and take over an entire cooking surface.
It can also become very difficult to remove once it reaches this stage.
To prevent this problem, attend to any rust as soon as you notice it.
Even if it’s a small area, get rid of the rust immediately.
This will prevent the problem from getting out of control.
For small areas of rust, you can simply scrape out the spot using a metal scrapper.
Buff it with a grinding stone or sandpaper and remove all the traces of rust.
Then oil the surface and let the oil seep into the gaps. Repeat if necessary.
