Outdoor griddles make an invaluable addition to any backyard or patio, offering delicious meals to share with family and friends. However, like any cooking surface, they can quickly become dirty and grimy over time; therefore in this article we will go through some tips for maintaining and cleaning an outdoor griddle to keep it looking its best for future cookouts!
Be mindful that there are different kinds of outdoor griddles – gas, electric and charcoal. However, their cleaning processes remain similar across each type. Furthermore, consult the user manual of your particular griddle for any special instructions as some models have specific cleaning specifications that need to be observed.
Cleaning Supplies Are Necessary
Before cleaning an outdoor griddle, be sure to have all of the following cleaning supplies on hand:
Heatproof gloves, grill scraper/spatula/scraper tool (with bristle), grill brush/scraper tool, sponge cloth or cloth sponge and mild dish soap should all be on hand, as well as warm water, paper towels or clean cloth towels, cooking oil or spray can.
Preheat the Griddle
Step one in cleaning an outdoor griddle involves heating it. Turn on the burners and allow your griddle to warm for several minutes; this will loosen any food debris stuck to its surface and make removal simpler.
Scrape the Surface
Scrape off any large food particles or debris using a grill scraper or spatula; this step helps prevent food from adhering to the surface during future cookouts and ensure proper functioning. Once this step has been taken, use either a grill brush or scraper to clear away the remainder.
Wipe with Warm Soapy Water for optimal cleaning results
With a sponge or cloth, wipe down the surface of a griddle using warm soapy water mixed with mild dish soap to avoid damaging its finish. Gently scrub at it until all grease and food residue have been eliminated from its surface.
Clean and Rinse
To properly clean a griddle’s surface, run warm water over it to rinse away any leftover soap residue and pat the surface dry with paper towels or clean cloth to make sure all traces of dampness have been eliminated to help avoid future rust formation on its surface. This should help ensure safe storage without risking corrosion on its surface.
Season the Griddle
Once your griddle has been thoroughly clean and dried, the next step should be seasoning it. Seasoning involves coating it in a thin coat of cooking oil or spray to provide antirust protection while creating a nonstick surface for future cooking needs.
To season a griddle, apply a thin layer of cooking oil or spray. Spread this evenly using cloth or paper towel before turning up the heat for several minutes – once smoking appears on its own turn off and let griddle cool before repeating process two or three more times until surface has turned dark nonstick surface.
Tips and Tricks for Cleaning Outdoor Griddles (Griddles).
Clean your griddle after each use to help avoid food and grease build-up and make future cleanup simpler. Utilise a grill scraper or spatula to remove large bits of debris prior to filling it up with warm soapy water for thorough cleansing of your griddle.
Use a grill brush or scraper to clear away any food particles and debris on the griddle’s surface, but avoid harsh abrasive cleaning tools like steel wool and wire brushes that could potentially scratch its surface.
Never use oven cleaner or other harsh chemicals to clean an outdoor griddle as this could potentially damage its surface and put your health at risk when cooking on it.
Heat-resistant gloves should always be worn when cleaning a hot griddle to protect yourself from burns, and any signs of rust or other surface damage must be dealt with quickly to stop further deterioration. Finally, store it somewhere dry so as to reduce further risk from corrosion and other forms of wear-and-tear.
Clean Your Outdoor Griddle on an As-Need Basis
If your outdoor griddle hasn’t been thoroughly cleaned in some time or has collected grease and grime, deep cleaning could be necessary. Here are the steps for deep cleaning your outdoor griddle:
Turn Off and Clean Surface
Turn off the heat and allow the griddle to cool before using a grill scraper or spatula to clear away any food debris or large chunks from its surface.
Soaking the Surface
Begin by submerging your griddle’s surface in warm soapy water for approximately 15 minutes to loosen any grease and grime build-up that might otherwise accumulate over time. Doing this should allow any buildup of residue from grease to come off easily.
Clean the Surface
Use a grill brush or scraper to scrub away any remaining grease and grime on your griddle’s surface using circular motions aimed towards getting into its corners and edges for maximum effect.
Rinse and Dry
To complete step four of cleaning your griddle properly, thoroughly rinse its surface with warm water to eliminate any soap residue from soap residue removal, followed by drying with paper towels or clean cloths to achieve complete drying of the surface of the griddle.
Season the Griddle
Season your griddle by applying a thin coating of cooking oil or spray. Heat up and allow the griddle to smoke for several minutes; repeat this step two or three times until its surface has turned dark, nonstick and remains non-sticky.
Conclusion
Cleaning an outdoor griddle regularly and thoroughly is key to its performance and lifespan, but by following these tips and tricks you can keep it looking like new for every cookout you host. Make sure that you consult the user manual of your specific grill for detailed cleaning instructions as using harsh chemicals may damage its surface or harm your health; happy grilling!
Frequently Asked Questions [FAQ’s]
How often should I clean my outdoor griddle?
After each use, make sure your outdoor griddle is thoroughly cleaned to avoid grease and food build-up. Aim to give it a deep clean at least once each month or more frequently depending on its frequency of usage.
Can I use soap to clean an outdoor griddle?
Yes, soap can be used to clean an outdoor griddle effectively; just be sure to select mild dish soap rather than using harsh chemicals which could damage its surface or pose potential threats to health.
Are wire brushes suitable for using on my outdoor griddle to clean it?
No doubt a wire brush can make for effective surface cleaning of griddle surfaces; however, for optimal results it would be more suitable to utilize a grill brush or scraper designed specifically to clean them without damaging the surface.
Can I clean my griddle while it is still hot?
No. When cleaning a hot griddle, wait until it has completely cooled before cleaning to prevent burns and injuries to yourself or others.
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