How To Clean Rust Off A Blackstone Griddle (Easy Guide)

updated: 02/2023 by Mike

The change of season to warm sunshine means it’s Griddle time!

Wheel it out of the shed and unwrap the tarp, and you can already taste the grill doing its magic.

Instead, off comes the tarp, and to your dismay, you note a layer of brown rust, but fortunately, this may only be a temporary setback.

So, lets chat about how to clean rust off Blackstone Griddle!

Picture this: I had my RV in for service for a whopping six months! So, you can imagine my excitement when I finally got it back and started preparing for a family trip.

I couldn’t wait to fire up my Capital Griddles outdoor griddle and whip up some delicious meals for my loved ones.

However, my excitement was short-lived when I saw that my trusty griddle was covered in rust!

But don’t worry, my fellow griddle enthusiasts. We’re in this together, and today we’re going to tackle the age-old problem of rust on griddles.

Whether you own a Capital Griddles beauty like mine or any other cold-rolled steel or cast-iron griddle, the method we’ll be discussing works like a charm.

So, let’s dive in and get your griddle rust-free in no time!

• To clean rust off a Blackstone griddle, turn it on to high heat for 20 minutes.
• Then turn it off and scrape the surface repeatedly with a scraper.
• Pour cooking oil onto the surface and wipe with a paper towel until all the rust is removed.
• We get MUCH MORE in depth below:

It will be necessary to re-seasoning the griddle plate. 

Blackstone griddles contain iron which is why they cook so well. Unfortunately, iron rusts.

How To Clean Rust Off A Blackstone Griddle

Let’s talk about Blackstone Griddle plates. These beauties are made of cold-rolled steel with a high iron content.

While that makes for an excellent cooking surface, it also means that the steel is constantly trying to revert to its natural state – a rusty surface.

Unfortunately, rust is the result of the steel being exposed to oxygen and water. While we can’t remove the oxygen, we can limit the amount of water or moisture that reaches the surface.

One way to do this is by sealing the surface and effectively blocking moisture from corroding the steel.

So, if you want to keep your Blackstone Griddle plate rust-free, the key is to keep it dry and seal the surface to prevent moisture from reaching it.

With that in mind, let’s dive into some tips and tricks for cleaning and protecting your griddle so you can enjoy delicious, rust-free meals for years to come!

How To Light Surface Rust From Your Blackstone Griddle 

Most of the above items are available in the excellent Blackstone 5060 Grill & Griddle cleaning kit.

Is surface rust giving you a headache on your Blackstone Griddle? Don’t worry, it’s a common problem and it’s easily fixed! Here’s what you need to do:

To get started, you’ll need a few things: a nylon scouring pad, paper towel, cooking oil, stainless steel scraper, sturdy tongs, and heat-resistant gloves.

Many of these items are included in the Blackstone 5060 Grill & Griddle cleaning kit, so it’s a good investment if you’re serious about griddle maintenance.

Now, let’s dive into the ten steps to remove light rust from your Blackstone Griddle:

1. Begin by heating the griddle for 20 minutes with the burners set to the highest heat setting. The high heat will help loosen the surface rust.
2. Turn off the burners and let the griddle cool to a safe temperature.
3. Put on your heat-resistant gloves and grab a couple of sheets of paper towel. Give the metal surface a good rub-down, removing loose flakes of rust that will be visible on the paper towel.
4. Don’t forget to rub down the flat plate’s vertical sides, including the outside-facing surface.
5. As the rust is removed from the surface, the resistance on the paper towel will lessen.
6. Use the nylon scouring pad or scraper for more stubborn spots, but only as a last resort.
7. Once the surface is clean, use more paper towels to remove any remaining rust flakes.
8. Reheat the griddle plate with the burners set on high for 5 minutes. Turn off the burners and while it’s still hot, pour about three tablespoons of cooking oil onto the surface of the flat plate.
9. Spread the oil all over the surface while giving the plate a good rub. The paper towel should turn red as more rust particles are lifted from the surface by the oil and rubbing action.
10. Reheat the griddle and repeat step 9 until the cooking surface looks clean and the paper towel no longer picks up any red rust. Leave a thin layer of oil on the metal surface to protect it.

Congratulations, your cooking surface is now rust-free and ready to be seasoned to prevent further rusting!

How To Remove Scale Rust From A Blackstone Griddle

Is heavy rust on your Blackstone Griddle getting you down? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered! Here’s what you need to do to remove scale rust from your griddle:

First, it’s important to understand that severe rusting of steel is influenced by where you live. If you live in a damp or coastal area with high salt content, your griddle is at a higher risk of rusting.

If you haven’t used your griddle in a couple of years, it may cause more permanent damage to the griddle’s surface.

To get started, you’ll need a few things: paper towel, cooking oil, stainless steel scraper, griddle cleaning brick (pumice stone), sturdy tongs, heat-resistant gloves, and 150 grit water paper with a sanding block.

Now, let’s dive into the steps to remove scale rust from your Blackstone Griddle:

1. First, determine how badly the griddle is rusted. Remove the loose, flaky crust by heating the plate on the griddle’s highest heat setting for 20 minutes. Turn off the burners and let the surface cool.
2. Put on gloves and use the stainless steel scraper to give the entire surface a dry scrape down. Don’t rub too hard with the scraper as you don’t want to damage the griddle surface. Remove any loose bits from the surface using a paper towel.
3. Inspect the cooking surface for any stubborn rust flakes or scales that need further attention.
4. Badly rusted flat plates will require further sanding or scouring to remove a very thin layer of steel from the surface. If an area is pitted by rust, sand it with water paper to smooth the surface.
5. Once the dry scraping or sanding is done, sprinkle some cooking oil onto the griddle and use the cleaning brick to remove the remaining rust.
6. If stubborn rust is still present, apply more oil onto the griddle top and rub down again using the cleaning brick or sandpaper.
7. If you had to use water with the sandpaper, turn on the burners to dry the steel thoroughly once clean. Five minutes on high heat should be ample to evaporate any moisture from the surface.
8. Turn off the heat and spread roughly three to four tablespoons of cooking oil over the grilling surface while the plate is still hot. Give it a rub using a paper towel to spread the oil evenly.
9. Replace the paper towel when it becomes dirty or falls apart. Leave a thin layer of oil rubbed onto the griddle cooking surface to prevent further rusting.
10. When the rust has been removed from the griddle’s surface, re-season the steel to protect the cooking surface.

Congratulations, your Blackstone Griddle is now rust-free and ready for your next grilling adventure!

How To Season Your Blackstone Griddle

Seasoning your Blackstone Griddle is essential to ensure a non-stick and rust-proof cooking surface. Here’s what you need to do:

1. Start by cleaning your griddle. Remove any rust or debris from the surface, as well as any leftover oils or fats.
2. Turn the heat up to high and let the griddle heat for 20-30 minutes. This will open up the pores of the steel surface and make it more receptive to the oil.
3. Once the griddle has heated up, turn off the heat and let it cool down a bit.
4. Apply a thin layer of oil to the cooking surface. You can use any oil you like, but many people prefer to use flaxseed oil because it forms a hard, non-stick surface.
5. Use a paper towel or cloth to spread the oil around the surface, making sure to coat every inch of the cooking surface.
6. Once the oil is applied, turn the heat back up to high and let the griddle heat for another 20-30 minutes. This will polymerize the oil and create a non-stick surface.
7. After 20-30 minutes, turn off the heat and let the griddle cool down completely. Repeat this process several times to build up a good layer of seasoning on the griddle surface.

Remember that the griddle will continue to season every time you cook on it. Over time, the seasoning will build up and create a durable and non-stick surface that will protect against rust and make cooking a breeze.

Four Steps To Season A Blackstone Griddle

Seasoning is an important process that will keep your Blackstone in tip-top condition, even if it will be stored for a long time. 

You will need:

• A plastic squeeze bottle 
• Blackstone Griddle Seasoning and Conditioner or vegetable cooking oil
• Paper towel
• Tongs
• Water
• Heat resistant gloves

1. Start by heating the griddle to high for 5 minutes, then turn off the burners. While the griddle is still hot, pour some water evenly onto the surface to remove loose dust or grime. Wipe the surface with a paper towel.
2. Turn on the burners again and set them to medium-high. Let the griddle heat for about 20 minutes. The gray surface should turn brown or blue-gray above the burners.
3. Apply the seasoning or cooking oil to the cooking surface while keeping the burners going on medium-high. You can use Blackstone Griddle Seasoning and Conditioner or vegetable cooking oil. Scoop about a tablespoon from the bottle and drop it onto the plate, then spread it evenly over the cooking surface as it melts. Use a paper towel held in tongs to spread the seasoning.
4. Let the seasoning or oil burn off. You’ll know it’s done once the smoke stops. Repeat the seasoning process several times to ensure the surface is thoroughly sealed.
5. Don’t forget to season the vertical sides of the griddle, as this will make cleaning easier and prevent rust from forming in unseasoned areas.

Check out this helpful Blackstone Griddle YouTube video for a visual guide on how to season your griddle.

See this helpful Blackstone Griddle YouTube link showing how to season your griddle.

How to Clean and Protect Your Blackstone Griddle 

Cleaning a well-seasoned Blackstone griddle is really easy. Don’t ever use detergents to wash your griddle plate, as this will ruin the seasoning.

What you will need:

• A squeeze bottle of water
• A squeeze bottle of cooking oil
• A scraper
• Roller towel
• Heat resistant gloves

The secret to cleaning your griddle is to do so while it’s still hot and directly after you’re done cooking.

Let’s look at two scenarios in which all foods will fall. These are unbasted foods and those that are marinated or cooked in sauces.

How To Clean Baste-Free Food Off A Griddle

Cleaning a well-seasoned Blackstone Griddle is easy, but it’s important to avoid using detergents as they can ruin the seasoning. Here’s what you’ll need:

1. A squeeze bottle of water
2. A squeeze bottle of cooking oil
3. A scraper
4. Roller towel
5. Heat resistant gloves

The key to cleaning your griddle is to do it while it’s still hot and immediately after cooking. Let’s look at two scenarios:

Unbasted Foods:

After you’re done cooking, remove any large bits of food or debris using a scraper. Then, use a squeeze bottle of water to squirt the surface of the hot griddle.

This will create steam, which will help to loosen any remaining bits of food. Use a scraper to remove these bits, then wipe the surface with a roller towel.

Marinated or Cooked in Sauces:

After you’re done cooking, remove any large bits of food or debris using a scraper. Then, use a squeeze bottle of cooking oil to squirt the surface of the hot griddle.

Cooking foods covered in sauce, especially those containing sugar, can leave your gill looking messy after cooking.

The sugars in the sauces crystallize and burn onto the griddle as the food cooks. 

Yummy foods such as ribs, stir-fry, marinated meats, etc., are the food types that like to leave your griddle looking a mess after cooking.

Don’t worry, though; the griddle is just as easy to clean.

1. Scrape any left-over foods, fats, and loose charred marinade and sauces into the grease pan.

2. Next, using only water in a squeeze bottle, squirt water onto the charred marinade and sauces while using the scraper to scrape the charred remains off the griddle.
   
   The heat will boil the water, giving off steam which assists in melting the remaining sugars.

3. Wearing your gloves, wipe down the entire cooking surface with a paper towel and reapply water to any missed spots while using the scraper to remove stubborn bits.  

4. Once the griddle is clean, apply some oil to the surface and spread it thinly over the cooking surface and sides.
   
   This layer of cooking oil seals the steel plate from the elements, preventing rust from occurring.

Many opinions are out there relating to which cooking oil works best for the final sealing of the grill plate.

Use the proven Blackstone griddle and cast iron seasoning for peace of mind if in doubt.

Please see below a YouTube link showing how to clean your Blackstone Griddle.

How To Prevent A Griddle From Rusting During Storage 

In addition to the steps mentioned above, it’s also a good idea to give your griddle a deep clean before storing it for an extended period. This will help to remove any stubborn grime and prevent the buildup of bacteria and other contaminants.

To deep clean your griddle, follow the same steps as you would to remove heavy rust, using a scouring pad or cleaning brick to remove any buildup. Once the griddle is clean, rinse it thoroughly with water and dry it with a clean towel.

• Vegetable cooking oil or Blackstone Griddle and Cast Iron Seasoning
• Paper Towels
• Stainless Steel Scraper
• Heavy-Duty Griddle Cover
• A cool, dry storage area
• Heat resistant gloves

1. When you are finished cooking, keep the burners going and clean the griddle of any left-over food, fats, and oils by simply scraping these off the surface into the oil pan.

2. Wipe the griddle with a paper towel while wearing protective gloves to prevent getting burned.

3. Once the griddle plate is clean, apply a liberal layer of cooking oil and spread the oil all over the griddle pan.
   
   Ensure that the entire cooking surface, including the vertical sides, inside and out, are coated, then turn the Blackstone off and let it cool down. 

4. Empty and wash out the oil collection pan.

5. Next, place the grill into storage before the evening dew starts forming on the surface.
   
   Ensure that the propane tank tap is closed and cover the griddle with a heavy-duty Blackstone Griddle cover.

After deep cleaning, apply a fresh coat of cooking oil or Blackstone Griddle and Cast Iron Seasoning to the griddle surface and store it as outlined above.

By taking these simple steps, you can help to protect your Blackstone Griddle from rust and other forms of damage while it’s in storage, ensuring that it’s in top condition and ready to use when you need it.

Blackstone Griddles can be stored outside if needed.

However, regular inspection is required to ensure moisture hasn’t built up under the griddle cover due to evaporation or condensation from the damp ground below.

Super Deep Cleaning Your Blackstone Griddle Plate

After years of use, some people want to strip the old seasoning off the griddle plate and start fresh with a new layer.

Deep cleaning is needed when the griddle seasoning changes color, flakes off in less used areas on the griddle, or even because the surface has become unsanitary.

Fresh lemon juice can be used on its own or as an alternative to vinegar. A dozen lemons should do.

Both vinegar and lemon juice contain acids that are very effective at removing stubborn fats and oils and are an excellent alternative to harsh chemicals.

Here’s how to go about the deep cleaning process using white vinegar. Inviting a friend to assist is a good idea as lots of scraping is required.

What you’ll need:

• White vinegar (or lemon juice)
• A Scraper – a heavy-duty double-handed version with a sharpened edge
• Water in a squeeze bottle
• Grill Stone
• Cooking Oil
• Paper towels

Eight Steps to Deep Cleaning Your Griddle Plate

1. Start by heating the griddle plate on the high setting. 

2. Squirt enough vinegar to soak the surface onto a manageable area of the griddle, then add some water to the vinegar to dilute it a bit

3. The mixture will start boiling off, so add more of the mix when the griddle begins to dry.
   
   Swirl the water and vinegar mixture around on the griddle’s surface for about 5 minutes, then start the scraping process to break the hard crust of the seasoning.

Don’t be tempted to scrape the surface using the scraper’s edge, as this will leave permanent lines on the griddle’s surface. 

4. Turn off the burners and allow the water and vinegar mixture to evaporate.
   
   The seasoning on the griddle should now be tacky, allowing the scraper to remove the seasoning in thin slivers.

5. The soaking and scraping steps will need to be repeated as often as required.

6. After a fair amount of soaking and scraping, you should start seeing bare metal appearing. Keep going until the surface is to your liking.

7. Once most of the seasoning has been removed, pour some cooking oil onto the surface and use the grill stone to rub-down the surface further.
   
   This step will smoothen the griddle’s surface and remove any loose bits.

8. Rub the surface with a paper towel and cooking oil. You’ll know the griddle is clean when the paper towel doesn’t discolor anymore.

The re-seasoning process can begin once the griddle plate has been stripped of its protective seasoning layer.

After deep cleaning the griddle, seasoning should be done as soon as possible to prevent moisture from tarnishing the surface.

Is It Safe To Grill On A Rusty Griddle Plate?

Can you safely grill on a griddle plate that has rust? While it may be hard to believe that someone would even attempt to cook on a rusty griddle plate, you might not notice a thin coating of rust until you spot specks on your food.

The good news is that small amounts of rust residue are generally harmless and can be ingested occasionally without issue.

However, if the rust flakes are clearly visible specks, it’s best to discard any food that has come into contact with it, as it could potentially cause internal damage if consumed.

To prevent rust buildup in the future, it’s crucial to thoroughly clean your griddle surface and keep it well seasoned.

Conclusion

In conclusion, restoring a rusted Blackstone Griddle to its former glory is a simple process. For surface rust, applying heat and cooking oil and then wiping it off with a paper towel will do the trick.

However, for heavy rust buildup, it’s necessary to heat the griddle plate, scrape it down with a scraper, apply oil, and use a grill stone to remove all the rust.

After removing the rust, it’s important to clean the griddle thoroughly and then re-season it before using it again.

With a little effort and time, you can have your Blackstone Griddle looking and performing like new.