Got a new Camp Chef griddle? Wondering if you need to season the griddle or if it comes pre-seasoned from the factory? Well, let’s sort that out now.
Virtually all Camp Chef griddles feature a True-Seasoned Finish. The True-Seasoned Finish provides a sturdy barrier that makes food less likely to stick to the Camp Chef griddle’s surface, and protects against rust.
If you want to keep your Camp Chef griddle as good as new, a little light cleaning and seasoning after each use will bolster the True-Seasoned Finish.
Regular light maintenance will keep your Camp Chef griddle in pristine condition for years to come. Camp Chef’s True-Seasoned Finish ensures that the griddle seasoning process is fast and easy. Pssst: If you have a Blackstone Griddle that NEEDS its first seasoning, check this helpful guide here.
WHAT IS A CAMP CHEF GRIDDLE MADE OF?
The Camp Chef griddle is constructed of heavy-duty steel with a True-Seasoned Finish that is durable and easy to clean.
Many veteran chefs prefer heavy-duty steel griddles because they heat up faster and cool down at a slower rate than virtually any other cooking surface. The Camp Chef griddle is designed to distribute heat evenly so food cooks at a steady temperature.
A heavy-duty steel griddle is especially handy for searing meat to perfection. The sizzling surface of the Camp Chef griddle is conducive to cooking crispy bacon, exquisitely prepared med-rare steaks, and eggs cooked to perfection.
It is important to remember that your Camp Chef griddle works best on medium heat, with a 5-7 minute pre-heat period prior to use. A high heat setting can damage your griddle since steel heats up so efficiently.
The Camp Chef griddle features a built-in handle and grease drain that make cleaning up a breeze.
DO YOU NEED TO SEASON A CAMP CHEF GRIDDLE?
The True-Seasoned Finish goes a long way in protecting Camp Chef griddles from rust. Regular seasoning will help keep your Camp Chef griddle in mint condition.
Adding oil periodically will keep the surface of your griddle smooth, and make food less likely to stick. Ideally, you should season your Camp Chef griddle after each use. A well-seasoned griddle is much easier to clean. An outdoor griddle is especially prone to rust since it is exposed to the elements.
A seasoned Camp Chef griddle will be able to withstand rain, snow, and high humidity without incident. Like any other pot, pan, or cooking surface–regular cleaning and paying attention to the type of cleaners that you use will keep your Camp Chef griddle in working order for many years to come.
HOW TO SEASON A CAMP CHEF GRIDDLE
The first step when seasoning your Camp Chef griddle is to remove any food residue. Scraping off food residue while your Camp Chef griddle is warm will make the process much easier.
You can use a metal spatula, or Camp Chef’s chain mail scrubber. It is vitally important to make sure that your Camp Chef griddle is not too hot when you begin the cleaning process. Steel griddles are celebrated for their ability to rapidly heat up. To avoid injury, carefully monitor your griddle’s temperature.
After you have finished scraping, use hot water and mild dish soap or Camp Chef’s Cast Iron Cleaner to wash off any stubborn debris. Avoid using a harsh detergent that will strip the surface of your griddle.
Abrasive detergent and excessive scouring will cause the smooth surface of your griddle to chip. Even though most Camp Chef griddles are made of steel, you should treat them exactly like a cast iron skillet. The True-Seasoned Finish makes the surface of steel Camp Chef griddles very similar to cast iron.
Once your Camp Chef griddle is clean, you can begin the seasoning process. It is especially important to regularly season outdoor griddles because exposure to temperature extremes and moisture is conductive to rust.
Heat up your Camp Chef griddle until it is warm, but not piping hot. It is very important to keep an eye on the temperature while seasoning your griddle to avoid potentially burning yourself.
After your griddle warms up, evenly apply a slim layer of oil. You can use cooking oil such as vegetable oil, or Camp Chef’s Cast Iron Conditioner. Coat every part of your griddle with oil, including the sides and corners.
Coating every part of your griddle with oil will ensure that no stubborn rust spots form in areas that you least expect. Oil makes the cleaning process much easier because a fresh coat of oil makes food less likely to stick to your griddle. If you do end up with a rusty griddle, no worries, here is How To Revive A Rusty Griddle.
When the entire surface of your griddle is coated in oil, including the corners and the sides–allow your griddle to cool down. When your Camp Chef griddle is sufficiently cool, wipe down the surface with a clean cloth. Make sure you absorb any excess oil so that your Camp Chef griddle will be ready for use.
Camp Chef griddles are designed to be used outside, but it is best to store your griddle in a clean, dry area. Make sure that your Camp Chef griddle is dry before you store it.
Camp Chef features a line of carrying bags that are designed to store griddles. If you do store your griddle in a bag, be sure to leave it slightly unzipped so that any accumulated moisture doesn’t cause rust.
Conclusion
With proper care, your Camp Chef griddle will serve you just as well as the cast iron skillet that has been in your family for generations. 10-30 minutes of scraping and seasoning after each use will keep your Camp Chef griddle in the same condition as the first day that you brought it home.
If you clean and season your Camp Chef griddle after every meal, your Camp Chef griddle will be much easier to clean and season the next time around.
If you have ever grappled with a crusty, dirty pan that sat in the sink for too long, you know how hard it is to clean a neglected kitchen tool. Seasoning your Camp Chef griddle on a regular basis will keep the surface of your griddle clean, smooth, and residue-free.
If the thought of scrubbing baked-on food residue makes you groan, a well-seasoned griddle will save you a lot of elbow grease. Check Amazon Prices on Griddles here.