Proper maintenance of your Nexgrill griddle is essential for optimal performance, food safety, and longevity. A well-maintained griddle not only cooks better but also develops a natural non-stick surface that makes cleanup effortless.
Whether you’re a new Nexgrill owner or looking to improve your current cleaning routine, this comprehensive guide will walk you through everything you need to know to keep your griddle in pristine condition for years to come.
Following the manufacturer’s recommendations along with proven griddle care techniques will ensure your investment continues to deliver exceptional cooking results while maintaining its appearance and functionality.
In this detailed guide, we’ll cover initial seasoning, daily cleaning routines, and important safety considerations to help you become a Nexgrill griddle maintenance expert.
Initial Seasoning: The Foundation of Easy Cleaning
Proper seasoning your griddle is the most important step you can take to ensure effortless cleaning and maintenance. This process creates a protective, non-stick layer that prevents food from sticking and protects against rust.
Here’s Nexgrill’s recommended seasoning process for optimal results:
- Clean the surface: Wipe down the griddle top with a damp cloth to remove any manufacturing residue or debris
- Heat the griddle: Set your main burners to high heat and allow the griddle to heat for 10-15 minutes until it begins to smoke slightly
- Apply oil safely: Using heat-resistant gloves, tongs, and paper towels, apply a thin layer of high-heat cooking oil (like vegetable oil or flaxseed oil) across the entire surface
- Let it cook: Allow the oil to cook off completely until it stops smoking
- Repeat the process: Apply oil and let it cook off 3-4 more times for best results
This initial seasoning process takes approximately one hour but creates a foundation that will make cleaning effortless for years. The multiple oil applications build up layers of polymerized oil that form a durable, natural non-stick coating.
Pro Tip: Choose oils with high smoke points like avocado oil, grapeseed oil, or flaxseed oil for the best seasoning results. Avoid butter or olive oil as they have lower smoke points and can create sticky residues.
Once properly seasoned, your Nexgrill griddle will require minimal maintenance while delivering superior cooking performance. The time invested in proper initial seasoning pays dividends in easier cleaning and better food preparation.
Daily Cleaning Routine: Maintaining Your Griddle After Every Use
Consistent post-cooking maintenance is key to preserving your griddle’s seasoning and preventing buildup of grease and food particles. This simple routine takes just 10-15 minutes and prevents the need for intensive deep cleaning sessions.
While not essential, a dedicated griddle cleaning kit like this comprehensive set makes the process more efficient and includes specialized tools designed for griddle maintenance.
Essential cleaning supplies you’ll need:
- Griddle scraper or spatula
- Paper towels or clean cloths
- Cooking oil (same type used for seasoning)
- Heat-resistant gloves
- Small amount of water
Step-by-step daily cleaning process:
- Cool down properly: Allow the griddle to cool to a warm (not hot) temperature – you should be able to hold your hand 6 inches above the surface comfortably
- Create steam: Pour a small amount of water onto the warm surface to create steam, which helps loosen stuck-on food particles
- Scrape thoroughly: Use your griddle scraper to remove all food debris, grease, and buildup, pushing everything toward the grease trough
- Clean the grease management system: Empty and wash the grease trough with hot, soapy water, then dry completely
- Dry the surface: Use paper towels to remove all moisture from the griddle surface – any remaining water can cause rust
- Apply protective oil: Spread a thin, even layer of cooking oil across the entire surface, including edges and corners
Why the final oil application is crucial:
The post-cleaning oil application serves two vital purposes: it prepares your griddle for immediate use next time (no need to add oil before cooking), and most importantly, it creates a protective barrier against moisture that prevents rust and corrosion during storage.
Consistent daily maintenance actually improves your griddle’s performance over time. Each cleaning cycle when done properly helps build up the seasoning layer, making the surface increasingly non-stick and easier to clean with each use.
Why Soap Should Be Avoided
Nexgrill specifically recommends avoiding soap for routine griddle cleaning for important reasons:
- Rust prevention: Excessive water use increases rust risk on iron griddle surfaces
- Seasoning preservation: Even mild dish soap gradually breaks down the polymerized oil seasoning, reducing the non-stick properties you’ve worked to build
- Performance maintenance: Soap removal of seasoning leads to increased food sticking and more difficult cleanup over time
Reserve soap use only for deep cleaning situations when you plan to completely re-season the griddle afterward.
Critical Warning: Preventing Griddle Warping
Temperature shock can permanently damage your Nexgrill griddle. This is one of the most common and preventable causes of griddle damage, and it’s particularly important for Nexgrill owners to understand.
The science behind warping: When extremely hot metal comes into contact with much cooler water, rapid temperature changes cause uneven expansion and contraction. This thermal shock can cause permanent warping that makes your griddle uneven and unusable.
How to prevent warping:
- Test the temperature: Hold your hand 6 inches above the surface – it should feel warm, not uncomfortably hot
- Use the “water droplet test”: A small drop of water should sizzle gently, not violently boil or instantly evaporate
- Allow proper cooling time: Wait 10-15 minutes after cooking before beginning the cleaning process
- Use room temperature water: Avoid using cold water from the tap; let it come to room temperature first
Finding the right balance: You want the griddle warm enough that food debris releases easily, but not so hot that water contact causes thermal shock. The surface should be comfortable to clean while still benefiting from residual heat.
Signs your griddle is too hot for cleaning:
- Water instantly turns to steam and disappears
- You can’t hold your hand comfortably above the surface
- The griddle is still visibly glowing or discolored from heat
Long-Term Success: Consistency is Key
The difference between a griddle that lasts decades and one that becomes a maintenance nightmare comes down to consistency in care. Regular maintenance prevents the buildup of problems that require intensive restoration efforts.
The investment breakdown:
- Initial seasoning: 1 hour of setup time
- Daily maintenance: 10-15 minutes after each use
- Long-term benefit: Years of effortless cooking and cleaning
Compare this minimal time investment to the alternative: neglected griddles often require full weekend restoration projects involving soaking, intensive scrubbing, rust removal, and complete re-seasoning.
Additional maintenance tips for optimal performance:
- Monitor seasoning: If food begins sticking more than usual, it may be time for a light re-seasoning
- Store properly: Keep your griddle in a dry location and ensure the protective oil layer is maintained
- Address issues promptly: Small rust spots or damaged seasoning are much easier to fix than extensive damage
By following these guidelines and maintaining consistency in your cleaning routine, your Nexgrill griddle will provide years of reliable service while continuing to improve in performance. The small daily effort invested in proper care pays substantial dividends in cooking quality, ease of use, and equipment longevity.
