How to Get Rust Off Blackstone Griddle?
Blackstone griddles have made outdoor cooking an art and a pleasure for many outdoor cooking enthusiasts, as they are versatile, durable, and truly capable of providing great meals right in the comfort of your home. However, over time, exposure to the elements and failing to keep them properly often leads to rust buildup. The rust in itself will finally affect griddle performance and the taste of the food that touches it. In this post, we will go into great detail to show you the different ways of removing rust from your Blackstone griddle and how to take good care of it, so that it may serve you for a very long period.
Why Does a Blackstone Griddle Rust?
Rust is simply a natural reaction between iron, present in steel, with moisture and oxygen to form iron oxide. Just like any other steel surface, your Blackstone griddle will rust if it is left open without cleaning or in the field of high humidity. Rain, dew, and high humidity outdoors are possible scenarios that can provide grime build-up and rust on the cooking surface.
There can be numerous causes of rust on a Blackstone griddle. These include:
- Negligence in Cleaning: Not cleaning your griddle after use allows food, water, and oil to remain on the griddle, leading to rusting.
- Negligence in Seasoning the Griddle: If the griddle is not seasoned, then you don’t have a protective layer atop the griddle, since these griddles keep off the direct contact between metal and moisture.
- Poor Storage: If the griddle were outside without some sort of cover, it would mean exposing the griddle to moisture; moisture directly contributes to rust.
- Using Harsh Cleaning Agents: Using bleach or other highly abrasive cleaners strips away its protective layer and exposes the griddle to quick rust.
Rust on your griddle might sound like a big issue, but, with a bit of elbow grease and some right tools, it is fixable.
Tools and Materials You’ll Need
As you prepare to get started with the rust-removal process, you will want to have the following materials ready so as not to find yourself in the middle of the procedure and not have what is needed:
- Metal Scraper: All in all, a metal scraper is an important tool for scraping off the rust from your Blackstone griddle.
- Steel Wool or Wire Brush: In scrubbing rust, extra abrasion may be required, which can be given with the use of wire wool or a wire brush.
- Grill Stone or Pumice Stone: These are some of the softer types of tools that would work and leave no cause of damage to your griddle surface.
- Baking Soda: Baking soda will act as a mild abrasive cleanser that can help remove rust without further damaging the surface.
- White Vinegar or Lemon Juice: Acid either in vinegar or lemon juice will help dissolve rust, thus acting as a gentle remover of rust.
- Cooking Oil: Once cleaned, you will need oil to season your griddle and protect it from rust in the future.
- Paper Towels: Plenty will be required for wiping off the griddle during cleaning.
How to Get Rust off Blackstone Griddle: Steps to Follow
Step 1: Scraping Off the Loose Rust
What you do is remove the big pieces of rust that have built up on the surface. For this, take a metal scraper or a grill stone. Move the griddle in all directions-forwards, backward, and sideways. Gently do this, as it helps to loosen and lift the superficial rust. If the condition is worse than the rust then you will have to apply little more pressure. Pay more attention to the edges and corners, as that’s where rust often builds up the most.
Step 2: Apply a Cleaning Agent
With the loose rust taken off, the next thing is the application of cleaning agents. Baking soda can be used to get rid of rust and is very natural. Mix it with water to give a paste and apply liberally on the rusted areas. The baking soda forms a gentle abrasive. The chemical action of the baking soda, mixed with vinegar or lemon juice, will do much to break down the rust.
Let the baking soda sit on the rusted surface for 15–20 minutes. Using white vinegar, you need to spray it all over the baking soda paste and let it be part of the chemical reaction that does much of the work to dissolve the rust. Lemon juice, on the other hand, acts naturally because of its acidity to break down the rust without affecting the griddle in any way.
Step 3: Scrub with Steel Wool or Grill Stone
Now, with the baking soda having had the time to work into the vinegar, let’s scrub it. For this, steel wool will be a good option, since its fineness helps remove the rust without being too aggressive on the metal. Scrubbing in small, circular motions will help to lift the rust from the surface. With seriously rusted areas, you may want to try a wire brush so that it will be able to get deeper into the corrosion. If using a grill stone, combine that with a small amount of oil to not have the stone degrade too rapidly.
Step 4: Wipe and Repeat
After scrubbing, use a paper towel to wipe the griddle clean. You may need to do this a few times until all of the rust is completely removed. Keep wiping with fresh paper towels until the surface is completely clean and smooth. Be patient in this step because the persistent rust may require several rounds of scrubbing and wiping.
Step 5: Heat and Season the Griddle
With the griddle rust-free now, seasoning the surface will protect it from rust in the future. Apply a thin coat of cooking oil, such as vegetable oil or Blackstone’s Cast Iron Conditioner, to the surface of your griddle. Heat the griddle at a medium-high temperature. This heat will allow the oil to polymerize into a solid state and build this protective layer on the griddle surface.
Place the griddle on a medium-high heating surface for about 30 minutes. The oil will start to smoke and darken, forming a non-stick, rust-resistant patina. When the oil has been burnt off, let the griddle cool down and re-season it 3-4 times for the best result.
Step 6: Maintenance
Maintenance regularly will keep your Blackstone griddle in good condition. Here’s how to make sure that your griddle does not rust:
- Clean After Every Use: Clean the residue of food after every use, then wash with warm soapy water, then coat with a thin layer of oil.
- Store It Properly: If you don’t use your griddle often, then it would be better to store it indoors, or even under a well-fitted cover. This would prevent it from moisture and rain, which might cause rust.
- Season regularly. Make a practice of seasoning the griddle after use. This keeps it safe from rust but at the same time gives way to a non-stick cooking area.
How to Get Rust off Blackstone Griddle: Alternative Methods
While the above steps work for most issues with rust, if you are facing more chronic rust, here are a few alternatives you could try:
- The Potato and Salt Method
Believe it or not, you can use a potato and some salt to remove rust! Cut a potato in half and dip the cut side into kosher salt. Rub the potato in small circular motions over the rusted areas. The potato will help break down the rust due to the oxalic acid it contains, while the salt can provide some abrasion to scrub it off. This is good for smaller rust patches and a more natural, nontoxic alternative. - Aluminum Foil and Baking Soda
You can make a paste out of baking soda and water for minor rust spots, then apply it to the area with rust. Take a strip of aluminum foil and put it over the paste. Let it stay for some hours. As the time is over, try to scrub off rust with the help of your foil. The method is pretty great for the lesser stages of rust and does not damage the griddle surface at all. - Using Commercial Rust Removers
When the natural methods just won’t work, one can turn to using commercial rust-removal products. Designed to break down rust fast, most of them will be safe for Blackstone griddles. Always use commercial rust removers according to the manufacturer’s instructions since some are less forgiving than others.
How to Prevent Rust on a Blackstone Griddle
While rust can be removed quite easily, the better approach would be not to let it form at all. Here are a few tips to prevent rust:
- Cover Your Griddle: When you won’t be using it, your griddle should be covered. A well-fitted weatherproof cover prevents rain and snow from reaching the surface and thus prevents rusting.
- Season the Griddle: Generally speaking, season your griddle with oil from time to time. The more you cook on it and season it, the more protective layers are going to build up to prevent moisture from coming in.
- Never Use Harsh Chemicals: Bleach or harsh chemical cleaners should never come into contact with your Blackstone griddle since they will strip the protective seasoning right off, leaving the griddle open to rust.
- Store Indoors When Possible: If you happen to live in a very humid or rainy climate, be sure to store your griddle indoors during long periods of inactivity. This minimizes the possibility of outdoor exposure to moisture that can accelerate the rusting process.
Rust on a Blackstone griddle is never fun, but it’s not the end of the world, either. With the proper techniques and tools, you can remove rust, restore your griddle’s surface, and maintain its optimal condition for several years to come. Regular cleaning and seasoning, along with proper storage, are the keys to preventing rust from forming in the future.
This blog will help you understand how to continue having your Blackstone griddle as the best buddy for every outdoor cooking adventure. That being said, just remember: regular maintenance is the key to keeping rust at bay and ensures a delicious and well-cooked meal each time!