Wondering how to store your Blackstone Griddle and keep it away from the harsh elements? Well, we know how to do it correctly, and we want to share this with you!
If you’ve purchased a Blackstone griddle, then you probably already appreciate just how great they look.
The thing is, without the proper care, your Blackstone griddle won’t look like this forever. Its shine can really dull over time if you allow rust to form.
But, below you’ll find all the information you need about how to store Blackstone griddles safely and effectively in order to keep your new purchase looking great well into the future.
To start with then, let’s take a closer look at the materials used in the production of Blackstone griddles, and why it is so important to store them correctly to avoid damage.
Why Do Blackstone Griddles Rust?
In order to understand this, you first need to understand the materials used to create a Blackstone griddle, to begin with.
Primarily, a Blackstone griddle is made of cast-iron and cold-rolled steel, so… metal. And metal and water do not mix well.
Cast-iron rusts when exposed to water. This is because oxygen in the water will mix with the iron in the cast-iron metal on the griddle and create a substance known as iron oxide.
This is more commonly referred to as rust. It’s easy to see how a Blackstone griddle could develop rust then since rust requires some form of iron to develop, to begin with. But what about the cold-rolled steel part of the griddle?
Actually, there’s some evidence to suggest that the process of cold rolling steel makes it more corrosion resistant, and this essentially means it is more resistant to rust.
That being said, failure to properly care for and store your Blackstone griddle could result in rust on all areas of the griddle, not just the cast iron.
Steel is just iron and carbon, so there is always the risk of the iron in a steel mixing with water and rusting.
You might wonder why Blackstone continues to create outdoor griddles that are susceptible to rust then, but the answer to that is simple. The materials used are the best ones for the job.
The onus is placed on you as the customer to make sure you carry out any care that is required to prevent rust from developing after you purchase it.
So how do you prevent rust? Where should you store it? And how do you care for a Blackstone griddle properly? Well, we answer all of those questions and more below!
Where To Store A Griddle
The best place to store a Blackstone griddle is somewhere cool and dry, like a garage or a garden shed.
This means that your griddle is protected from the elements and will be less likely to come into contact with moisture, which we know is needed in order for rust to develop to begin with.
Make sure that the place you choose to store your griddle doesn’t get damp in any way though because it isn’t just raining outside that causes rust.
Cooler temperatures also prevent damp from becoming a problem, so an outbuilding not attached to your house is a great place to store your griddle to ensure it is properly protected against rust.
Now, we understand that not everybody has a shed or a garage to store your griddle, but don’t worry! Purchasing a large, waterproof griddle cover is also an option.
We’d certainly recommend doing your research beforehand to make sure the cover truly is waterproof, but a cover is a great solution if you really must keep your griddle outdoors. Something like this works perfect and yes, has a waterproof lining.
Just remember, leaving a griddle outside and exposed to different weather with no form of protection is never a good idea. Continued exposure to rain and changing temperatures will ruin your new griddle much faster than people realize.
You might wonder why all the extra care is necessary, but without the proper precautions, your griddle will be rendered unusable.
Proper storage will not only increase the life of your griddle, but it can protect it from the weather and rodents too!
What Is The Best Way To Store My Griddle Over Winter?
Speaking of rodents, proper storage over winter is important! And keeping rodents away when storing a griddle for a long period of time is equally important.
To prevent rodents whilst storing for long periods of time, make sure your griddle is thoroughly clean before putting it away once summer has ended.
Rats, mice, and other rodents will be attracted to the smell of food, even rotting food, and if there’s a spec left on your griddle, then a rodent will find it.
To clean your griddle effectively you need only use warm water – so long as you keep on top of it from the day you purchase one.
If you’ve allowed a mess to build up over time, then more thorough cleaning might be required, but you should avoid this where possible.
Soaps, detergents, and other cleaners can be quite corrosive, and actually damage your griddle over time.
If after every use you allow the griddle to cool down, and then wash it thoroughly with a sponge or cloth and some warm water, then you can be confident that your griddle is clean and ready to be stored for long periods of time.
Another great tip for storage over winter is to make sure you oil the griddle before you put it away.
Just a thin layer will help prevent rust over winter, so once you’ve cleaned the griddle, use some cooking oil and make sure everywhere is coated.
Make sure you only use a few tablespoons of oil and a paper towel to help distribute it effectively, and then it’s ready to be covered up or placed in a shed or garage until the sun is out again!
Can You Fix A Rusty Griddle?
So, you’ve stumbled upon this article too late. You’ve been storing it wrong all these years and you’ve now got a rusty Blackstone griddle. Don’t worry! It is possible to fix.
The best course of treatment is always prevention, of course, so make sure you don’t skip the tips above if you have a new griddle.
But, if you simply didn’t know how to care for your Blackstone griddle before, then this section is the section you need to teach you how to get your griddle looking as good as new again.
Just remember our prevention tips above once you’ve got it looking like it used to, so you don’t have to come back here in a few months’ time to learn how to remove rust again!
First, you need to get your griddle nice and hot. Once it is, put on a pair of heat-resistant gloves, grab a metal scraper, and get to work. The heat will make the rust easier to remove but be warned.
Easier does not mean easy. This stage might take you longer than you first expected, especially if the rust has built up over time.
Next, allow the griddle to cool once you’re sure you can’t scrape any more rust off. Now, using paper towels and cooking oil, you’ll need to wipe off the remaining rust.
Remember, rust dulls your griddle, and oil ought to make it shine again, so keep adding oil and keep working it into the griddle with paper towels until you’re happy with the results.
Some harder jobs might require multiple attempts at the steps above, and some might simply be too far gone.
Once your griddle looks good again, make sure you store it properly to prevent rust from coming back! A Full run-down of fixing rusty griddles can be found here.
A Summary Of Blackstone Griddle Care
This last section is basically your take-home message; your one-stop shop for all things Blackstone griddle care.
The most important thing to remember is that failing to store a griddle properly can result in a rusty, damaged, and potentially ruined griddle – and who wants that?
By remembering to either store your griddle in a cool, dry place like a garage or shed, or making sure that it is covered by a waterproof griddle cover outdoors, you’ll be doing the best you can to prevent rust from occurring.
For long periods of time, you should make sure that your griddle has been thoroughly cleaned with warm water, and coated in a thin layer of cooking oil.
Remember, soap and other detergents aren’t necessary and might result in damage to your griddle.
When storing over winter, take extra care in ensuring that your griddle is dry and in a cool, dry place, as winter months can really take their toll on a griddle.
Also, never put a griddle into storage that hasn’t been cleaned correctly. Double-check it if you have to, because any food left over will be an open invitation to rodents, and trust us, you don’t want rodents running all over surfaces that you will be cooking on again next summer!
Conclusion
These tips are important, and we hope you’ll take them seriously so that you can extend the life of your griddle.
Proper Blackstone griddle care along with a safe, secure, and sensible storage solution will guarantee a long life for a griddle.
If things have gone wrong and rust has appeared, then don’t forget our section on fixing your rusty griddle. But remember, taking steps now to prevent rust from forming will be much easier for you in the long run!