How Often Should I Clean My Griddle? (Easy Solution)

As any seasoned griddle owner knows, keeping your flat top grill clean is essential.

Regular cleaning removes grease buildup, stuck-on food debris, and other grime that accumulates with each burger, pancake, and stir-fry session.

But how often should you really clean a griddle? The cleaning frequency depends on factors like how much you cook and what types of food.

Finding the right balance is important so you don’t neglect cleaning and damage the cooking surface, or clean too aggressively and wear down the protective seasoning layer.

In this guide, we’ll cover:

• How Often to Clean Your Griddle
• Quick Clean vs Deep Clean
• Easy Cleaning Steps
• Cleaning Tools You Need
• FAQs on Griddle Cleaning

Let’s start by looking at how frequently your griddle needs cleaning attention.

How Often Should You Clean Your Griddle?

For optimal performance and longevity, most griddles need thorough cleaning every 5-10 uses.

Quick cleanings can be done more frequently between deep cleans. Here are general griddle cleaning guidelines:

• After Each Use – Wipe with paper towels, scrape debris, empty grease tray. Takes 2 minutes!
• Weekly – Thorough scrape, hot water wash, re-oil. Spend 10+ minutes fully cleaning surface.
• Monthly – Deep scrub with griddle stone and cleaner. Season and coat with fresh oil.
• As Needed – Deep clean immediately if you notice food sticking or rust spots forming.

Regular quick cleanings are crucial to prevent carbonized debris from hardening on the griddle after each cookout.

But resist the urge to aggressively scrub the cooking surface each time. Monthly deep cleans are sufficient for average usage.

Other factors like:

• How frequently you use your griddle – Daily use requires more cleaning than occasional use.
• Types of food cooked – Greasy foods like bacon and burgers create more mess.
• Griddle cooking surface – Ribbed or smooth tops need different cleaning care.
• How well you pre-seasoned – Good initial seasoning prevents sticking debris.
• Use of plastic scrapers – Aggressive scrapers can remove seasoning.

The most important thing is not letting debris fully carbonize and sticking buildup get out of control. Then cleaning becomes much harder.

Stay on top of quick cleanings after each use, and do monthly deep dives to keep your griddle spotless.

Quick Clean vs. Deep Clean on a Griddle

What’s the difference between a quick clean and deep clean for a flat top grill? Here’s an overview of each:

Quick Clean

• Done after each use
• Takes just 2-5 minutes
• Wipe with towels, scrape, empty grease tray
• Removes leftover grease and debris

Deep Clean

• Done weekly or monthly
• Takes 10+ minutes
• Hot water wash, scrub pads, griddle stone
• Removes all stuck carbonized debris
• Renew seasoning layer

Quick cleanings keep your griddle relatively tidy in between deeper cleanings. It’s easy to wipe the surface after cooking while the griddle is still warm but not hot.

For a deeper clean, allow the griddle to fully cool, then use hot water, scrub pads, and a griddle stone brick to fully de-carbonize the surface. Renewing the seasoning finish protects the metal.

No matter what cleaning you’re doing, avoid abrasive scouring pads or wire brushes which can damage the cooking surface. Harsh dish soaps can also strip off protective seasoning.

Now let’s look at the simple process for proper griddle cleaning.

How to Clean a Griddle in 4 Easy Steps

Follow this quick procedure to keep your flat top grill looking like new after each use:

Supplies Needed:

• Paper Towels
• Plastic Scraper
• Warm Water
• Dish Soap (mild)
• Scrub Pads
• Griddle Stone (deep clean only)

Wipe Excess Grease

With the griddle still warm but not piping hot, carefully wipe away any pools of leftover grease or debris with paper towels. Ball up the towels to scrub off chunks.

Plastic Scrape Surface

Use a griddle scraper to gently but thoroughly scrape any stuck browned bits off the entire griddle surface. Avoid metal spatulas/scrapers.

Rinse Away Residue

If doing a quick clean, use a small amount of warm water to rinse away any scraps and greasy residue. Blot dry with fresh towels.

Deep Clean & Reseason

For monthly deep cleaning, use hot water, mild detergent, and scrub pads to remove all carbonized buildup. Rinse, dry, and reseason with fresh oil.

And that’s all there is to it! Just be sure to use the right griddle cleaning tools for the job…

Must-Have Griddle Cleaning Tools & Supplies

Having the right cleaning tools makes properly caring for your flat top grill much easier:

• Plastic, wood, or silicone scraper – Gently removes stuck debris without damaging the metal surface. Avoid harsh metal.
• Non-abrasive scrub pads – For deep cleaning. Won’t scratch off seasoning like metal scouring pads.
• Griddle stone – Removes carbonized gunk. Safer than brick scrapers for your griddle.
• High-heat cleaning spray – Special griddle formulas help loosen burnt-on food.
• Mild dish soap – For occasional deep cleans. Avoid harsh detergents.
• Paper towels – For wiping up grease spills and residue.
• Small wire grill brush – For scrubbing grease trays and around burners only. NOT on the cooking surface.
• High-heat cooking oil – For reseasoning the griddle after deep cleans.

Having the right griddle cleaning tools on hand makes the job painless. Now let’s answer some common questions grill owners have about cleaning…

FAQs About Griddle Cleaning

Still not sure how often or how to properly clean your flat top grill? Here are answers to frequently asked questions:

How do I clean around the grease channel?

Use a small brush to gently scrub inside the grease troughs. Avoid scouring pads that can harm the surface.

Can I pressure wash my griddle?

No, never pressure wash! It will damage the seasoning. Just use warm water, plastic scrapers and scrub pads.

How do I clean under the griddle splash guards?

Remove guards/heat shields and scrape or brush away built-up debris around burners.

Should I clean my griddle after every use?

Quick wipe-downs are good. But avoid heavy scrubbing after each use, which can wear down seasoning over time.

Is it safe to clean a hot griddle?

Allow it to fully cool first. Hot water on a hot surface can damage the metal.

How do I deep clean a Blackstone griddle?

Use a Blackstone griddle stone brick and their specialized cleaners. Re-oil and season.

Can I use soap to clean my griddle?

For deep cleans, a small amount of mild dish detergent helps lift debris. Avoid heavy-duty formulas.

Why is my griddle surface turning black?

Carbonized debris accumulation. Follow the deep clean procedure to restore the cooking surface.

With the right technique and cleaning tools, caring for your prized flat top grill doesn’t have to be a chore.

Stick to regular quick cleanings after each use and periodic deep cleans to keep it performing its best. Happy griddling!