If you recently purchased a new griddle grill or if you have an aged one that needs revitalizing, it’s time to season the surface to ensure optimal cooking results. Seasoning a griddle grill creates a non-stick surface that prevents food from sticking and helps distribute heat evenly. Follow these expert-recommended steps to season your griddle grill like a pro.
Step 1: Prepare the surface
Before you start seasoning, make sure your griddle grill is clean and free from any dust or debris. Use a towel to wipe away any leftover residue or particles.
Step 2: Heat it up
To season your griddle grill, you’ll need to heat it up. Turn the heat to high and let the grill heat for about 10-15 minutes until it reaches a brownish color. This high heat will open up the pores of the metal and allow the oil to bond with the surface.
Step 3: Coat with oil
Next, apply a layer of oil to the entire surface of the griddle grill. Use an oil with a high smoke point, such as vegetable oil or canola oil. Use a paper towel or a brush to evenly coat the surface with oil.
Step 4: Heat again
After coating the griddle grill with oil, heat it again on high for another 10-15 minutes. This heat will help the oil penetrate the metal and create a protective layer that prevents rusting and sticking.
Step 5: Let it cool and repeat
Once the griddle grill has been heated for the second time, let it cool completely. This cooling period allows the oil to solidify and create a darker, more seasoned surface. To achieve optimal results, you may need to repeat this seasoning process a few times.
By following these steps, you’ll be able to season your griddle grill like the experts and ensure a non-stick and evenly heated cooking surface. Remember, a well-seasoned griddle grill not only enhances the flavor of your food but also extends the lifespan of your griddle. Now you’re ready to start cooking delicious meals on your griddle grill!
How to season a griddle grill for the first time – according to the experts
Before you start cooking on your new griddle grill, it’s important to season it properly. Seasoning a griddle grill creates a non-stick surface and helps prevent rust. In this article, we’ll take you through the step-by-step process of seasoning a griddle grill, according to the experts.
Step 1: Clean the griddle grill
Start by cleaning the griddle grill thoroughly. Use warm soapy water and a sponge to remove any dirt or debris. Rinse the grill with clean water and dry it thoroughly with a towel.
Step 2: Coat the griddle with oil
Next, you’ll need to coat the griddle grill with oil. Use a high smoke point oil, such as canola or vegetable oil. Pour a small amount of oil onto the surface of the griddle and spread it evenly with a paper towel or brush.
Step 3: Heat the griddle grill
Now it’s time to heat up the griddle grill. Turn the heat to high and let the griddle heat up for about 15 minutes. This will help the oil penetrate the surface of the griddle and create a strong seasoning.
Step 4: Repeat the process
Repeat steps 2 and 3 at least two more times. Each time you coat the griddle with oil and heat it, you’re building up the seasoning layer. This will make the griddle even more non-stick and help it develop a beautiful brown color.
Step 5: Let the griddle cool and wipe away excess oil
After the final heating, turn off the heat and let the griddle cool down. Once it’s cooled, use a towel or paper towel to wipe away any excess oil or dust. Your griddle grill is now seasoned and ready to be used!
Remember, while your griddle grill is seasoned, it’s important to continue to care for it. Clean it after each use, and re-season it from time to time to keep the surface in top condition.
Now that you know how to season a griddle grill according to the experts, you’re ready to start cooking up delicious meals on your newly seasoned surface. Have fun grilling!
1 Clean your griddle grill
Before you start seasoning your griddle grill, you’ll want to make sure it’s clean. A clean surface will help the seasoning process and ensure a better cooking experience.
Step 1: Remove any dust or debris
Use a paper towel or a dry cloth to wipe off any dust or debris that may have accumulated on the griddle surface. This will ensure that your seasoning coat adheres properly.
Step 2: Wash with soap and water
Next, wash the griddle grill with warm water and a mild dish soap. Use a sponge or soft cloth to gently scrub away any grease, oil, or other residues that may be present. Rinse thoroughly with clean water and dry with a towel.
Step 3: Heat the griddle grill
Turn your griddle grill to a high heat setting and let it heat up for about 10-15 minutes. This will help to further remove any remaining moisture from the surface.
Step 4: Season with oil
Now it’s time to season your griddle grill. Apply a thin coat of cooking oil, such as vegetable oil or flaxseed oil, to the entire surface of the griddle. Make sure to coat the sides and corners as well. Use a paper towel or a brush to spread the oil evenly.
Step 5: Heat and cool down
Turn the griddle grill on to a high heat setting and let it heat up for about 20-30 minutes. This will help the oil to bond with the surface, creating a non-stick layer. After heating, allow the griddle to cool down completely.
Repeat this seasoning process two or three more times to build up a good coating on your griddle grill. The more you season it, the better your results will be in terms of non-stick performance and durability.
Shawn, an expert from Brown Gardens, recommends that you season your griddle grill every time you use it. This will help maintain the non-stick surface and prevent rusting.
2 Season with heat
The second step in seasoning your griddle grill is to season it with heat. This step will help to create a protective layer on the surface of your grill, preventing it from rusting and sticking.
To start, you’ll need to preheat your griddle grill on high heat. This will help to open up the pores of the metal and allow the oil to penetrate and bond with the surface. Heat the grill for about 20 minutes or until it starts to smoke.
While the grill is heating, take a paper towel and coat it with a thin layer of oil. You can use vegetable oil, canola oil, or any oil with a high smoke point. Make sure to evenly coat the entire cooking surface of the grill.
Once the grill is hot and smoking, use tongs to hold the oiled paper towel and wipe it over the surface of the grill. Be careful as the grill will be very hot. This will create a thin layer of oil on the surface of the grill, which will help to season it.
Shawn recommends repeating this step 3-4 times, allowing the griddle grill to cool down slightly between each coat. This will help to build up a darker, more aged seasoning on the surface.
After each coat, you may notice that the surface of the grill becomes darker. This is normal and is a sign that the seasoning process is working. Over time, the surface of your griddle grill will become seasoned and develop a beautiful, non-stick patina.
Whichever oil or combination of oils you choose to season your griddle grill with, make sure to follow these steps consistently to achieve the best results. Seasoning a griddle grill is an ongoing process, and you’ll need to re-season it every once in a while to maintain its non-stick properties.
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3 Apply vegetable oil to your griddle
Once your griddle grill is clean and dry, it’s time to season the surface. Applying a layer of vegetable oil will help create a non-stick surface and prevent rusting.
Here are the steps to apply vegetable oil to your griddle:
- Clean griddle: Before applying the oil, make sure the griddle is clean and free from any dust or debris. You can use a paper towel to wipe off any excess seasoning or food residue.
- Heat your griddle: It’s important to heat your griddle before applying the oil. This will help open up the pores of the metal and allow the oil to penetrate the surface better. Turn on the heat to a high setting and let it heat up for about 10-15 minutes.
- Apply vegetable oil: Once your griddle is hot, pour a small amount of vegetable oil onto the surface. Use a brush or a paper towel to evenly spread the oil over the entire cooking surface. Make sure to cover all areas, including the corners and edges.
- Let it cook: Now, let the oil cook on the griddle for about 15-20 minutes. This will help the oil bond with the metal surface and form a protective layer.
- Repeat the process: Depending on the condition of your griddle, you may need to repeat this process several times to achieve the desired seasoning. The more times you season your griddle, the darker and more seasoned it will become.
Following these steps will help you season your griddle grill properly, ensuring that it becomes non-stick and lasts for a long time. Remember to consult the manufacturer’s instructions and recommendations for specific details on seasoning your griddle.
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4 Repeat the oiling process
Once you have completed the initial seasoning of your griddle grill, it is important to repeat the oiling process to build up the seasoning layer on the cooking surface. This will help enhance the non-stick properties and durability of your grill.
To repeat the oiling process, follow these steps:
- Heat your griddle grill: Preheat your griddle grill on high heat for about 10-15 minutes. This will help open up the pores of the metal surface, allowing the oil to penetrate and create a stronger bond.
- Apply oil: Using a cloth or paper towel, apply a thin coat of oil over the entire cooking surface of your griddle grill. Be sure to cover all areas, including the edges.
- Spread the oil: Use the cloth or paper towel to spread the oil evenly across the surface of the grill. This will ensure that the oil is distributed well and helps in creating a consistent and even seasoning.
- Heat again: Turn on the heat to high and let the oil heat up for another 15-20 minutes. This will allow the oil to bond with the metal surface and form a stronger seasoning layer.
Shawn recommends repeating the oiling process at least two more times to achieve a well-seasoned griddle grill. This will result in a darker and smoother cooking surface that is more resistant to sticking and rusting.
Remember, each time you season your griddle grill, it will improve in performance and durability, so don’t fret if the seasoning appears light in the beginning. Over time, with proper care and regular use, your griddle grill will develop a well-aged and seasoned surface that the experts at Home & Gardens would approve of.
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5 Prepare for cooking
Now that your griddle grill is seasoned and ready to go, it’s time to prepare for your first cooking session. Here are some steps you should follow:
Step 1: Heat up the griddle grill
While it’s still relatively new, you should heat up your griddle grill to a high temperature. This will help further darken the surface and enhance the non-stick properties. Simply turn the heat to high and let it heat up for a few minutes.
Step 2: Coat the surface with oil again
Before you start cooking, it’s a good idea to coat the griddle grill surface with a thin layer of oil again. This will ensure that your food doesn’t stick while cooking and also help to build up the seasoning. Use a paper towel or a clean cloth to evenly spread the oil over the surface.
Step 3: Dust off any excess seasoning
If you notice any excess seasoning or brown residue on the surface of your griddle grill, use a paper towel to gently dust it off. This will prevent any unwanted flavors from transferring to your food.
Step 4: Cook a test batch
To further enhance the seasoning on your griddle grill, you can cook a test batch of food. Shawn Aged, a griddle grill expert from Better Homes and Gardens, recommends cooking bacon or fatty meats as they release oils that will help season the cooking surface even more.
Step 5: Clean and store your griddle grill
After you’ve finished cooking, it’s important to clean your griddle grill properly. Use a non-abrasive sponge or cloth, warm water, and mild soap to gently scrub off any residue. Make sure to dry it thoroughly to prevent rusting. Once clean, store your griddle grill in a dry and safe place until the next use.
By following these steps, you’ll be well on your way to becoming a griddle grill expert. Remember to season your griddle grill regularly and maintain its cleanliness to ensure optimal cooking results.