Updated: July 2025
Cleaning a Viking griddle requires specific techniques that differ significantly from other griddle brands. Viking has developed unique maintenance recommendations that help preserve your griddle’s performance and extend its lifespan by decades when followed correctly.
In this comprehensive 2025 guide, I’ll walk you through Viking’s official cleaning methods alongside proven techniques I’ve tested over years of professional griddle maintenance. Whether you’re unboxing your first Viking griddle or dealing with stubborn buildup, this guide covers everything you need to know to maintain restaurant-quality performance.
Critical Safety Note: New Viking griddles come with a protective white coating that must be completely removed before first use. This anti-corrosion glaze prevents rust during shipping and storage, but it’s not food-safe and will create toxic fumes if heated without proper removal.
Pro Tip: While you don’t need a specialized griddle cleaning kit, having quality tools makes maintenance significantly easier and more effective. I recommend this comprehensive cleaning kit for professional-grade results.
Initial Cleaning: Removing the Factory Coating
Every new Viking griddle arrives with a protective coating that must be completely removed before seasoning and first use. This process is crucial for food safety and optimal cooking performance. Skipping this step can result in toxic fumes and poor cooking results.
What You’ll Need:
- Non-abrasive cleaning pad or microfiber cloth
- White vinegar (1/4 cup)
- Warm water (1 quart)
- Mild dish soap (Dawn recommended)
- Paper towels or lint-free cloths
- High-heat cooking oil (vegetable, canola, or flaxseed oil)
- Rubber gloves for protection
Step-by-Step Initial Cleaning Process:
- Ensure safety: Wear rubber gloves and ensure good ventilation
- Create cleaning solution: Mix 1/4 cup white vinegar with 1 quart warm water in a spray bottle
- Remove coating: Spray solution generously and scrub entire griddle surface with non-abrasive pad using circular motions
- Check progress: The white coating should come off easily; if not, let solution sit for 10 minutes
- Rinse thoroughly: Wash the griddle with warm soapy water to remove all vinegar residue and coating particles
- Dry completely: Use clean paper towels to ensure no moisture remains (even tiny water spots cause rust)
- Apply oil: Coat the entire surface with a thin, even layer of high-heat oil using a paper towel
- Let oil penetrate: Allow oil to sit for one hour at room temperature
- Heat seasoning: Turn griddle to medium-high heat, let oil smoke for 10-15 minutes, then turn off and cool
- Repeat process: For optimal results, repeat the oil and heat process 3-4 times
Why This Process is Critical: Proper initial seasoning creates a natural non-stick surface that protects against rust, makes cleaning easier, and improves cooking performance. Each oil layer builds upon the previous one, creating a durable, food-safe surface that will last for years.
Daily Cleaning: After Each Use
Viking’s recommended daily cleaning method differs significantly from other griddle brands. Their approach prioritizes preserving the seasoning layer while maintaining optimal cleanliness and food safety.
Why Viking Avoids Soap for Daily Cleaning: Unlike other griddles, Viking specifically recommends against using soap and water for daily cleaning. Soap breaks down the seasoning layer faster, requiring more frequent re-seasoning and reducing the griddle’s natural non-stick properties.
Viking’s Official Daily Cleaning Method:
- Cool slightly: Allow griddle to cool to warm temperature (easier cleaning and prevents burns)
- Remove large debris: Use a metal scraper to push food particles toward the grease trough
- Apply club soda: Sprinkle club soda generously across the surface (carbonation helps lift grease and neutralizes acids)
- Let it work: Allow club soda to sit for 2-3 minutes to break down residue
- Scrape gently: Use a metal scraper with light pressure to push debris toward the grease trough
- Clean grease tray: Remove and wash the grease trough separately with hot soapy water and dry thoroughly
- Final wipe: Remove remaining club soda and residue with clean paper towels
- Maintain seasoning: Apply a thin layer of oil while surface is still warm for best penetration
Understanding Normal Discoloration: Many Viking griddle owners worry about surface discoloration, but this is completely normal and actually beneficial. As seasoning develops, the surface darkens unevenly – this indicates proper seasoning development, not poor maintenance or damage.
What to Expect During Seasoning Development:
- Surface will darken from light brown to deep black over time
- Some areas may be darker than others (normal variation)
- Darker, more seasoned areas typically perform better
- Discoloration doesn’t affect cooking performance or food safety
- Well-seasoned griddles develop a glossy, almost mirror-like finish
Deep Cleaning: When Daily Maintenance Isn’t Enough
Sometimes club soda won’t tackle stubborn buildup. If you’ve neglected cleaning or have burnt-on food and hardened grease, deep cleaning becomes necessary. However, use this method sparingly as it removes valuable seasoning.
When Deep Cleaning is Required:
- Burnt-on food that won’t scrape off with normal cleaning
- Thick, hardened grease buildup
- Griddle hasn’t been cleaned for extended periods
- Strong odors or off-flavors transferring to food
- Rust spots appearing on the surface
- Sticky or gummy texture on the cooking surface
Deep Cleaning Process:
- Cool completely: Never deep clean a hot griddle (risk of warping and burns)
- Remove loose debris: Scrape away as much buildup as possible first
- Apply soap solution: Use a small amount of mild dish soap mixed with hot water
- Let it work: Allow the soapy solution to sit for 10-15 minutes to break down grease
- Scrub carefully: Use the soft side of a sponge in circular motions to remove stubborn debris
- For removable tops: Soak in hot soapy water for 30 minutes for easier cleaning
- Rinse thoroughly: Remove all soap residue with hot water (soap residue affects seasoning)
- Dry immediately: Use clean paper towels and ensure complete drying to prevent rust
Re-seasoning After Deep Cleaning:
Deep cleaning removes protective seasoning, so you’ll need to restore it immediately. Apply a thin layer of high-heat oil, heat until smoking stops, then cool. Repeat 2-4 times for optimal results. For severely damaged seasoning, you might need to use the baking soda method for complete restoration.
Maintenance Schedule for Optimal Performance:
- After each use: Club soda cleaning method
- Weekly: Extra oil application for heavy users or humid climates
- Monthly: Inspect for rust spots, damage, or seasoning wear
- Seasonally: Deep cleaning only when absolutely necessary
- As needed: Touch-up seasoning for high-use areas
Following these Viking-approved methods will keep your griddle performing at its best for decades. Remember, a well-maintained Viking griddle actually improves with age and use – the darker, more seasoned surface provides superior cooking performance, better heat retention, and enhanced non-stick properties compared to its factory-fresh appearance. With proper care, your Viking griddle will become your most trusted cooking companion.
