There’s nothing quite like the taste of food cooked on a flat top grill. However, a smooth, non-stick cooking surface will make grilling a lot more fun – and clean-up a lot easier too. Here are 3 simple tips for how to clean your flat top grill…
Tip #1: How to Season Your Outdoor Griddle
First of all, you’ll make clean-up easier by preventing food from sticking to the griddle in the first place. So, you want to properly season the cast iron to create a non-stick surface for cooking.
Before sticking your dinner on the grill, spread a thin layer of cooking oil on the cooktop and turn the heat on high. This creates a layer of polymerized oil that acts as a barrier between the food and the grill.
Note: Use a high smoke point cooking oil like avocado oil (canola, vegetable and peanut oils are other options, but not as healthy). Because they can withstand high temperatures, they will not burn or smoke excessively.
Tip #2: Cooking at the Right Temperature to Prevent Food from Sticking
Secondly, you want to cook your food at the “right” temperature. In other words, if you don’t heat the grill up enough, food can stick to the grill.
Conversely, food can burn if you cook it too hot, and once again, you end up with a sticky mess to clean up.
You may need to go through a bit of trial and error before finding that cooking temperature “sweet spot”. That said, I suggest starting with medium-high heat and then adjusting higher or lower as needed.
Tip #3: Using a Grill Scraper to Clean Your Griddle
Even with proper seasoning and cooking techniques, some foods may still stick to your flat top grill. This is where a grill scraper comes in handy.
A good quality grill scraper with a sharp edge can easily remove any stuck-on food without damaging the surface of the grill. Just be sure to use a light touch and avoid scraping too hard, which can scratch the grill’s surface. Also see griddle scraper/spatula sets.
How to KEEP Your Flat Top Grill Clean
Oiling the Surface
After I finish cooking and cleaning my griddle, I personally spread a layer of cooking oil over my cooktop. I use my scraper and a folded paper towel to spread the oil around, covering the entire surface (even the corners and sides).
This helps with the seasoning process and prepares the grill for the next time I cook. Plus, with the griddle “pre-prepped”, I don’t need to grease the cooktop the next time I grill because the work is already done.
Use a Griddle Cover
In addition, you want to use a griddle cover or lid. Your model may come with one when you buy it, but if it doesn’t, be sure to purchase one separately. Not only will a cover keep the cooking surface clean, but it can help prevent rusting too.
They came in a variety of sizes (ie. 36″, 28″ and 22″), so you can usually find a lid that will custom-fit your flat-top grill.
Preventing Rust
And speaking of rust, you want to cook on your griddle regularly when you first get it. This will speed up the seasoning process and prevent any rusting from occurring. If you leave for griddle unattended for months on end, you may notice rust developing, especially in wet environments.
In conclusion, cleaning your flat top grill regularly will make cooking and clean-up easier the longer you own your griddle. In other words, it’s well worth the effort to get into the habit of keeping your cast iron surface clean. You’ll thank me later!
