Oh no! What was once a brilliant, shiny beauty is now a rusty disappointment. Don't worry! Blackstone doesn't abandon its creations. We believe even the rustiest griddles can be brought back to life for delicious cooking! Our griddles are built to withstand wear and tear. But even the mightiest machines need a little maintenance now and then. You can keep your griddle in perfect condition anywhere if you look after it – trust us, it's not that hard. It just needs a little extra love. And if rust has already taken hold, there's a rescue: all it takes is a few tools and steps, and your griddle will be working again.
What is rust, anyway?
How do you prevent rust?
You might be thinking that everything is made of iron! How come everything doesn't rust? Think of all the buildings, cars, bicycles, lamp posts and even ships! Why don't we live in a super-rusty, flaky, reddish-brown world? The answer is protection. All these iron objects have something that keeps water away. Cars and bikes have paint. And ships rely on zinc – water and oxygen prefer it to iron when forming rust. What about Blackstone? Well, we use oil. A protective layer of oil keeps water and oxygen away from the iron cooktop. That's why you need to remember to season and oil your griddle to prevent rust.
My griddle has rusted. Can I fix it?
Yes, you can. Rust only forms on the surface of the iron – it doesn't affect the whole metal. That means if you scrape off the top layer of your griddle, you're ready to carry on. Follow these steps and your Blackstone griddle will be black and shiny in no time!
First, you'll need these materials:
- Metal scraper
- Cooking oil
- Paper towels
- Grill tongs
- Heat-resistant gloves
Now follow these steps:
- Put on heat-resistant gloves. Turn the griddle on and keep the heat on high for 20 minutes. This loosens the rust, making it easier to remove.
- Let the griddle cool down and take the metal scraper from the Blackstone accessory kit. Scrape the entire cooktop until you no longer see any corrosion.
- Drizzle 3–4 tablespoons of oil over the entire surface and then scrub it with a griddle stone. If you can't find a stone, use steel wool or medium-grit wet-and-dry sandpaper. It's hard work, but soon your griddle will shine!
- Wipe the griddle clean with a cloth or paper towels. Drizzle on another 3–4 tablespoons of oil and wipe the griddle again.
- Keep drizzling oil and wiping until all traces of rust have been removed.
- Season the griddle surface with oil or seasoning to create a protective layer that prevents rust. Any cooking oil will work, but if you can get hold of flaxseed oil or extra virgin olive oil, even better. These bond better with the metal.
- If you need help with seasoning, check out our comprehensive seasoning video.
- Once you've finished seasoning, drizzle on another 3–4 tablespoons of cooking oil as an extra protective layer. This stops air and water from coming into contact with the griddle top.
How do I stop it from rusting again?
You've already learned the recipe for rust: iron + oxygen + water. And the element that triggers rust is water. So to keep your griddle in perfect condition, you need to protect it from water. Here are a few tips: after every cook, add an extra layer of cooking oil. All you need is 3–4 tablespoons of oil and a quick wipe with a paper towel – it's no big deal. Store your griddle somewhere dry and cool if possible. Get a heavy-duty, double-layer protective cover for your griddle.