What is a Blackstone Griddle?
A Blackstone griddle is a flat top grill that is designed for outdoor cooking. It typically has a large flat cook surface made from rolled steel or cast iron that sits over one or more burners. Blackstone griddles are popular because their large cooking surface allows you to cook a lot of food at once, like pancakes, eggs, vegetables, steak, etc. The flat surface also makes it easy to keep foods from drying out and allows for more even cooking.
Should You Use Oil on a Blackstone Griddle?
Using a small amount of oil when cooking on a Blackstone griddle can be beneficial for several reasons:
1. Prevents Sticking
One of the biggest reasons to use oil on a Blackstone griddle is to prevent food from sticking to the cook surface. Foods like eggs, pancakes, French toast, potatoes, and meats can stick if cooked directly on the dry steel or iron. Lightly coating the griddle with oil creates a non-stick barrier between your food and the metal.
You only need a thin layer of oil – too much can actually cause more sticking. Brush or spray the oil across the griddle and then let it heat up before adding any food.
2. Promotes Browning
Oil helps promote browning and searing when cooking meats like steak, chicken, or burgers on a griddle. The oil acts as a heat conductor and helps transfer heat evenly to the food, resulting in better caramelization and color on the surface of meats and vegetables.
3. Adds Flavor
Oil can add subtle flavor to foods cooked on a griddle. Oils like olive oil, avocado oil, or nut oils will impart their own unique flavor profile onto vegetables, seafood, eggs, etc. Just use these flavorful oils judiciously – usually a spray or light brushing is sufficient.
4. Prevents Rusting
Over time, small droplets of oil left on the surface of the griddle can help prevent rusting. Always clean your griddle thoroughly after each use, but a thin layer of oil helps protect the iron or steel in between uses. Be sure to fully wipe the griddle dry before storing.
Oils to Use on a Blackstone Griddle
You’ll want to choose an oil with a high smoke point when cooking over the intense heat of a Blackstone griddle. Some good oils to consider include:
- Refined vegetable oils like canola, sunflower, safflower, avocado
- Refined olive oil
- Coconut oil (refined has higher smoke point)
- Peanut oil
- Grapeseed oil
- Ghee or clarified butter
Avoid unrefined olive oils, toasted sesame oil, and flaxseed oil which burn easily. You’ll also want to steer clear of oils like lard or shortening which could leave residue.
How Much Oil to Use on Blackstone Griddle
You only need a small amount of oil on a Blackstone griddle – a few sprays or about 1/2 tablespoon is usually sufficient for a large cooking surface. Here are some tips on how much oil to use:
- For pancakes, French toast, eggs – Use oil spray or brush lightly with 1/2 tablespoon oil or less
- For smash burgers – Sprinkle a few drops of oil on patties
- For steaks – Rub both sides very lightly with oil before searing
- For vegetables – Toss with 1/2 tablespoon oil or spray lightly
- For grilled cheese – Brush outside of bread lightly with oil
- For seasoning – Apply a very thin layer across griddle
- For storing – Wipe a thin layer of oil over griddle to prevent rust
Remember you can always add a bit more oil if needed, but too much can cause excess smoke and flame ups. Get to know your Blackstone griddle – once seasoned, it requires less and less oil.
When to Oil the Blackstone Griddle
Here are some tips on when best to oil your Blackstone griddle:
- Oil just before preheating – Rub a thin layer of oil across griddle and let it heat for best nonstick surface.
- Oil food directly – Spray or brush oil directly onto your pancakes, eggs, meats before placing on grill.
- Oil after cleaning – Coat griddle lightly with oil after cleaning to prevent rust.
- Oil when storing – Wipe a thin layer of oil on griddle to keep it seasoned before storing.
- Avoid oiling over direct flame – Don’t add more oil over very hot heat or it may cause flare ups.
- Re-oil after several uses – As oil gets cooked off, reapply a thin layer as needed.
Get to know the quirks of your individual Blackstone. Griddles that are newer or freshly seasoned may require a bit more oil until the surface develops a natural patina.
Tips for Cooking with Oil on a Blackstone Griddle
Here are some handy tips for working with oil on your Blackstone griddle:
- Use an oil sprayer or brush – Makes it easy to distribute oil evenly without overdoing it.
- Measure oil to control amount – Count drops or spoon oil into a small bowl before applying.
- Choose high smoke point oils – Avoid oils that will burn or smoke rapidly like extra virgin olive oil.
- Let griddle and oil preheat – Give oil 2-3 minutes over heat to prevent food sticking.
- Wipe away excess oil – Excess pooled oil can lead to smoking, greasiness, and flare ups.
- Blot food dry – Pat protein, vegetables, etc dry so less oil is needed.
- Cook over low to medium heat – High heat increases the likelihood of burning the oil.
- Be cautious with fatty meats – Fatty foods may cause grease fires if overly oiled.
- Clean after each use – Wipe griddle clean when done cooking to prevent burnt on residue.
With a little care, oil can make cooking on a Blackstone griddle a breeze. Just remember less is often more when it comes to oiling the cooking surface.
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Using Oil on Blackstone
It’s easy to go overboard with oil on a new Blackstone griddle. Avoid these common mistakes:
- Using too much oil – More than a thin layer often leads to pooling, stickiness, and grease fires.
- Not preheating the oil – Oil needs time over heat to prevent sticking, 2-3 minutes is ideal.
- Oiling over high heat – High heat breaks down oil quickly leading to smoking and burning.
- Choosing a low smoke point oil – Opt for high smoke point oils that won’t burn at griddle temps.
- Not removing excess oil – Always blot or wipe away pooled oil to prevent smoking.
- Not drying food – Patting protein and veggies dry prevents excess oil splash.
- Not cleaning after use – Oil residue will burn on at high temps leading to sticking.
- Using old rancid oil – Fresh oil works best, discard oil that smells “off”.
- Oiling too often – Seasoned griddles only need occasional light oiling.
Mastering oil use on a Blackstone griddle has a learning curve. Pay attention to smoke, sticking, flare ups and adjust your oiling technique accordingly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I oil a new Blackstone griddle?
Yes, it’s recommended to lightly oil a brand new Blackstone griddle before the first use. Rub a very thin layer of oil over the entire surface using a paper towel. Let it heat on low for 10-15 minutes to open the pores and create a nonstick layer.
Do you need oil for grilled cheese on Blackstone?
Using a small amount of oil when cooking grilled cheese on a Blackstone can help prevent sticking. Lightly brush or spray oil on the outer sides of the bread before placing the sandwiches on the hot griddle. Too much oil can make the bread overly greasy.
What oil has the highest smoke point for Blackstone?
Refined avocado oil has one of the highest smoke points of any culinary oil at ~520°F making it a top choice for Blackstone cooking. Other oils with high smoke points include grapeseed, refined peanut, and light olive oil.
Can I use butter instead of oil on Blackstone?
Yes, you can use butter on a Blackstone but clarified butter or ghee is better than regular butter. Whole butter contains milk solids that can burn at high temps. Clarified butter has the milk solids removed, raising its smoke point.
Why is my Blackstone griddle sticky even with oil?
A few reasons your Blackstone could be sticky even when oiled: old oxidized oil, cooking at too high temps, using too much oil, and residue from sugary foods. Try cleaning thoroughly, using less oil, and cooking around medium heat.
Conclusion
Using oil on a Blackstone griddle provides necessary lubrication to prevent sticking, promote better browning, and protect the metal from rust. Find a high smoke point oil you enjoy the flavor of and apply a thin layer across the cook surface before heating. The griddle needs very little oil once well-seasoned. Avoid oiling over direct high heat, letting oil pools form, and dirtying the surface between uses. With a bit of practice, oil can make your Blackstone griddle much more nonstick and enjoyable to cook on.