Griddle perfection: how to season your blackstone griddle for an unforgettable grill experience

Seasoning your Member’s Mark Griddle Grill is a crucial step in ensuring its longevity and optimal performance. Proper seasoning creates a protective layer that prevents rust, enhances heat distribution, and imparts a delightful flavor to your grilled creations. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll delve into the art of seasoning your Member’s Mark Griddle Grill, providing step-by-step instructions, tips, and troubleshooting advice.

Understanding the Importance of Seasoning

Seasoning is the process of applying a layer of oil or fat to the surface of your griddle grill. This layer forms a protective barrier that:

• Prevents rust: The oil or fat seals the surface of the griddle, preventing moisture from penetrating and causing corrosion.
• Enhances heat distribution: A seasoned surface promotes even heat distribution, ensuring that your food cooks evenly without hot spots.
• Creates a non-stick surface: A well-seasoned griddle grill becomes naturally non-stick, reducing the need for excessive oil and making cleanup a breeze.
• Imparts flavor: The oil or fat used for seasoning penetrates the surface of the griddle, infusing it with a subtle but delicious flavor that complements your grilled dishes.

Step-by-Step Seasoning Instructions

Materials You’ll Need:

• Member’s Mark Griddle Grill
• High smoke point oil (e.g., canola oil, grapeseed oil, vegetable oil)
• Paper towels or a clean cloth

Instructions:

1. Clean the griddle: Remove any food residue or debris from the griddle surface using a damp cloth or paper towels.
2. Apply oil: Pour a generous amount of high smoke point oil onto the griddle and spread it evenly using a paper towel or cloth.
3. Heat the griddle: Turn the griddle to medium heat and allow it to heat up for 10-15 minutes.
4. Wipe off excess oil: Once the oil is hot and shimmering, use a paper towel or cloth to wipe off any excess oil. The surface should appear matte, not greasy.
5. Repeat steps 2-4: Repeat the process of applying oil, heating, and wiping off excess oil 2-3 more times.
6. Cool and store: Allow the griddle to cool completely before storing it in a dry place.

Tips for Effective Seasoning

• Use high smoke point oil: Oils with a high smoke point can withstand high temperatures without burning, ensuring optimal seasoning.
• Heat the oil thoroughly: Heating the oil allows it to penetrate the surface of the griddle, creating a stronger bond.
• Wipe off excess oil: Removing excess oil prevents it from burning off and creating a sticky residue.
• Season regularly: Season your griddle grill after every few uses, especially if it has been exposed to moisture or acidic foods.

Troubleshooting Common Seasoning Issues

Seasoning is flaking off:

• Possible cause: Not wiping off excess oil after heating.
• Solution: Re-season the griddle, ensuring to wipe off any excess oil.

Griddle is not non-stick:

• Possible cause: Not seasoning enough or using low-quality oil.
• Solution: Re-season the griddle with high smoke point oil, repeating steps 2-4 multiple times.

Seasoning is turning black:

• Possible cause: Overheating or using the wrong type of oil.
• Solution: Clean the griddle with a wire brush and re-season using high smoke point oil.

Additional Seasoning Methods

Vegetable Shortening Method:

• Apply vegetable shortening to the griddle surface and heat it to medium-low.
• Allow the shortening to smoke for 10-15 minutes.
• Turn off the heat and let the griddle cool completely.

Bacon Method:

• Cook bacon on the griddle until crispy.
• Discard the bacon and wipe the griddle with the bacon fat.
• Repeat the process with multiple bacon strips.

In a nutshell

Mastering the art of seasoning your Member’s Mark Griddle Grill is essential for unlocking its full potential. By following these simple steps, tips, and troubleshooting advice, you can create a durable, non-stick, and flavorful grilling surface that will enhance your outdoor cooking experiences for years to come.

What You Need to Know

Q: How often should I season my griddle grill?
A: Season your griddle grill after every few uses, especially if it has been exposed to moisture or acidic foods.

Q: Can I use olive oil to season my griddle grill?
A: Olive oil has a relatively low smoke point and can burn during seasoning. It is recommended to use high smoke point oils such as canola oil, grapeseed oil, or vegetable oil.

Q: What is the best way to clean a seasoned griddle grill?
A: Avoid using harsh detergents or abrasive cleaners. Instead, use a damp cloth or paper towels to wipe off any food residue and then re-season the griddle.