Today, I want to dive into a topic that’s often glanced over or misunderstood by many backyard chefs – season a griddle.

If you’ve recently invested in a griddle, or if you’ve been grilling for years but never really understood this vital step, buckle up because I’m about to illuminate why seasoning your griddle is the secret sauce to upping your cooking game.

Fast Facts: Yes, you must season your griddle. Seasoning a griddle creates a non-stick surface and helps protect it from rust and wear.

What Does It Mean to Season Your Griddle?

Before we put our grill gloves on, let’s get the basics down. Seasoning a griddle isn’t about sprinkling salt and pepper; rather, it’s the process of treating the cooking surface with oil to create a non-stick patina that both protects the griddle and enhances your cooking.

Now, Why Must You Season Your Griddle?

Well, my friends, I’ve been down the rocky road of not seasoning – and trust me, it’s not a path you want to take.

This was back when I first got my hands on my first true griddle love, the Blackstone Adventure Ready 17. It gleamed in the sunlight, and my mouth watered just thinking about the endless culinary possibilities.

I cooked up a storm, but soon, foods began to stick, rust spots appeared, and it seemed like I was in a constant battle with my griddle rather than in a symbiotic dance. This wasn’t the grilling romance I’d envisioned! That’s when I realized the importance of seasoning.

The Science Behind Seasoning a Griddle

The Protective Layer

When you season a griddle, the oil you apply is heated to a point where it breaks down and bonds with the metal, creating a polymerized barrier. This slick, hardened surface is what keeps food from sticking – much like a well-seasoned cast-iron skillet.

Rust Prevention

Griddles are often made of cast iron or steel, materials that are prone to rust when exposed to moisture and oxygen. Seasoning acts like a shield against the elements, so your griddle can face the outdoors with bravery.

Flavor Enhancement

Every griddle has a tale to tell, and the seasoning layer is what captures the novel of flavors you cook up. Over time, the seasoning builds up and becomes a base for flavor profundity that you just can’t get with any old cooking surface.

How to Season Your Griddle: A Step-by-Step Guide

Alright, enough about the why – let’s get to the how. Seasoning your griddle isn’t rocket science, but it does require a little bit of elbow grease and patience.

Clean Before You Season

If your griddle is brand new, wash it with soap and water just this once to remove any manufacturing residues.

If you’re re-seasoning, clean off any rust or food debris with a grill stone or scraper. Dry it completely with a cloth or paper towels.

Oil It Up

Now, choose an oil with a high smoke point like flaxseed, canola, vegetable, or grapeseed oil. Spread a thin, even layer over the entire cooking surface with a paper towel or cloth. Less is more here – you don’t want it pooling on the surface.

Heat Therapy

Turn your griddle on and crank the heat. You want to get it smoking – this is the oil breaking down and bonding with the metal. It may take around 30 to 60 minutes, and you’ll want to keep the ventilation going because it can get quite smoky.

Cool Down and Repeat

Let your griddle cool after the first round of heating. Then – and trust me on this – apply another thin oil coating and repeat the process. Three to four times should do the trick for a beautiful, non-stick surface that’s ready for action.

Griddles You Don’t have To Season

If you’re wondering about griddles that don’t need seasoning, I’ve got you covered.

First off, those non-stick coated griddles are a dream – they’ve got a surface like Teflon (or Ceramic) so food just slides right off. No seasoning needed. Griddles like the Blackstone E-Series Electric Griddle are a perfect example of griddles that dont need to be seasoned.

Then there are electric griddles with their own non-stick surfaces, making our lives easier. And let’s not forget about ceramic griddles – naturally non-stick and hassle-free.

Some stainless steel griddles might not need seasoning either, though they’re not all created equal. Just a heads up, always check the manufacturer’s guide to be sure about your specific griddle. Happy grilling!

My Seasoning By The Years

The First Seasoning

I vividly remember seasoning my first griddle. I chose a clear, starry night, thinking the process would be quick. Little did I know, proper seasoning takes time.

By round three, the oil was just beginning to take on that glossy, amber hue that spoke of good things to come. My neighbors peeked over, drawn by the scent of oil and quiet excitement. It was a griddle-warming party in its own right.

The Family Reunion Save

Then there was the family reunion of ’21. The burgers were sticking, the eggs were breaking, and the pancakes were a disaster. It dawned on me – my cousin’s griddle was not seasoned!

We paused the cookout, seasoned on the fly, and after a couple of anxious hours and a few cold drinks, we were back in action. The change in performance was night and day. The family still talks about the legendary save to this day.

The Ritual

Seasoning my griddle has become a ritual now. It’s the cue for summer – the precursor to scores of barbecues, breakfasts alfresco, and that coveted sizzle of steak hitting the grill.

There’s a pride that comes with a well-seasoned griddle, a badge of honor that whispers of meals past and feasts to come.

Aftercare: Keeping Your Griddle Seasoned

Seasoning isn’t a one-and-done event. Regular maintenance is key. let’s chat quickly about why this is the case.

Post-Cooking Care

After each use, let the griddle cool, then wipe off food bits with a scraper and apply a thin layer of oil before storing. This keeps the seasoning fresh and the rust at bay.

Touch-Ups

If you see dull spots or areas where food starts to stick, it’s time for a touch-up. Give it a light re-seasoning to keep that surface in prime grilling condition.

Embrace the Patina

Your griddle will darken and change over time. Embrace this evolution, as it’s the diary of your cooking adventures, etched in oil and heat.

Conclusion

Griddle seasoning is an essential process that transforms the good into the great in outdoor cooking. It’s the foundation that all your grilled masterpieces will be built upon and the guardian of your griddle’s longevity. So yes, you must season your griddle, and now you know why and how to do it like a pro.

As you set out to season, remember my tales and think about the stories you’ll tell one day. Every sizzle, every flip, every perfectly browned pancake is a paragraph in the delicious story of your griddle – seasoned to perfection.

Happy griddling, and may your griddle never lose its seasoned smile!