If your Blackstone griddle has been sitting outside and is covered in rust, grease and grime, don’t assume it’s ruined! We’re showing you how to clean a Blackstone griddle with a deep-cleaning process that can help bring even a seriously neglected cooking surface back to life.
Our Blackstone needed much more than the typical cleaning you would do after cooking. It had been sitting outside exposed to the elements, and the griddle surface had developed significant rust and buildup. Instead of replacing it, we decided to see if we could restore it.
Using a scraper, grill stone, water and a few other basic supplies, we removed the buildup, cleaned the griddle surface and re-seasoned it so that it was ready to use again.
And the before and after is pretty incredible!
Below, we’ll walk you through exactly how we deep cleaned our Blackstone, how we removed the rust and—most importantly—how to protect the cooking surface afterward so you hopefully don’t have to do this again.
Can You Save a Rusty Blackstone Griddle?
Yes! A rusty Blackstone griddle doesn’t necessarily mean you need to replace it. Even a griddle with significant surface rust can often be cleaned, restored and re-seasoned.
Ours is a great example. The griddle had been sitting outside exposed to the elements and had developed quite a bit of rust. It definitely wasn’t something we wanted to cook on in its current condition, but underneath all of that rust was a cooking surface we could restore.
One important thing to understand is that a Blackstone griddle top is made from rolled carbon steel. When that steel is exposed to moisture and oxygen, oxidation can occur and rust begins to form. Humidity and leaving your griddle exposed to outdoor moisture can make the problem worse.
The good news is that surface rust can be removed. Once the rust and buildup are gone, properly re-seasoning the griddle helps create a protective layer over the steel and gets the cooking surface ready to use again.
So, before giving up on an old or neglected Blackstone, try giving it a good deep clean first. You might be surprised by what is hiding underneath all that rust!
Before we start, here’s a fun fact most don’t know….Did you know that a Blackstone Griddle Top is made from Carbon Rolled Steel and not Cast Iron like most think? So, when you mix Steel, Water and Oxygen you get what is called Oxidation and that is why rust can and will form on your Griddle Top. Depending where you live and humidity levels in your area this can increase the chances of this process occurring more with your outdoor griddle based on your climate.
With proper care of your griddle and proper seasoning this can help prevent rust from forming and maintaining the surface of the griddle for many years to come! Let’s get into it!
What You Need to Deep Clean a Blackstone Griddle
Before you start cleaning, gather all of your supplies so that everything you need is within reach.
For our Blackstone deep clean, we used:
- Metal Scraper or Metal Spatula
- Grill stone or Pumice Grill Stone
- Warm water
- Paper towels or microfiber cloths
- Cooking oil (vegetable oil, canola oil, or Blackstone griddle conditioner)
- Bucket or spray bottle
If your Blackstone looks anything like ours did, don’t let the amount of rust intimidate you. The process takes a little elbow grease, but you don’t need a huge collection of specialty tools to get started.
Pre-Cleaning Preparation:
- Turn Off and Cool Down – If you recently cooked on your griddle, allow it to cool slightly but not completely. A warm surface makes it easier to remove stuck-on debris.
- Scrape Off Residue – Use a scraper or spatula to remove food particles and excess grease. Work from the back of the griddle towards the front grease trap.
- Wipe Down Surface – Use paper towels or a microfiber cloth to remove loose debris and grease before applying any cleaning agents.
How to Clean a Blackstone Griddle: Deep Clean & Rust Removal
Now that your griddle is prepped, it’s time to tackle the built-up grime. This is hands down the most satisfying part of your Blackstone griddle cleaning project. Watching all the grime and yuck disappear never gets old.
The Deep Cleaning Process:
- Apply Water – Pour warm water onto the griddle surface to loosen stubborn residue. Avoid using cold water on a hot griddle to prevent warping. The water helps to break down the layers of grease and makes it easier to scrub off stubborn debris.
- Use a Grill Stone or Pumice Stone – Gently scrub the surface using circular motions to lift burnt-on grease and food debris. This will help restore a smooth cooking surface without damaging the seasoning. A grill stone is particularly effective in removing tough residue without causing scratches.
- Rinse and Wipe – Use a clean cloth or paper towels to wipe away loosened debris. Repeat the process if necessary until the griddle is clean. Ensuring that no residue is left behind is essential for a clean cooking surface.
- For Heavy Grease Buildup – If your griddle has excessive grease, mix a few drops of mild dish soap with warm water and scrub the surface. Be sure to rinse thoroughly to remove any soap residue. While soap is not typically recommended for daily cleaning, it can be useful for occasional deep cleans when grease buildup becomes unmanageable.
Re-Seasoning Your Blackstone Griddle Surface
After deep cleaning, it’s essential to re-season your griddle to protect it from rust and maintain its non-stick surface. Making sure your griddle is dry of any water and seasoned/oil well help to keep it from rusting.
How to Re-Season:
- Dry Completely – Use a dry microfiber cloth to ensure no moisture remains on the surface. Any leftover moisture can lead to rust, so be thorough in this step.
- Apply a Thin Layer of Oil – Add a few drops of cooking oil or griddle conditioner and spread it evenly with a paper towel. This creates a protective barrier against oxidation and helps maintain the griddle’s non-stick surface.
- Heat the Griddle – Turn the burners on high and let the oil cook into the surface until it starts to smoke. This process helps create a protective seasoning layer. The oil bonds with the metal, creating a slick, water-resistant coating that improves with repeated use.
- Repeat if Necessary – If your griddle looks dry or uneven, repeat the seasoning process 2-3 times for the best results. With consistent seasoning, your griddle will develop a durable, non-stick patina that enhances cooking performance.
Watch Us Restore This Rusty Blackstone Griddle
Sometimes you have to see it to believe it! Here’s the full process we used to deep clean and restore our Blackstone griddle.
If yours has been sitting outside or looks like it’s too rusty to save, watch the transformation before you give up on it.
Instagram How to Clean A Blackstone Video
How to Clean Your Blackstone After Cooking
Once you’ve put in all the work to restore your Blackstone, regular cleaning can help keep you from having to do another major restoration anytime soon.
After cooking, scrape away leftover food and grease while the griddle is still warm. For stubborn stuck-on food, a small amount of water can help loosen the residue so that it can be scraped away and wiped clean.
Once the cooking surface is clean, make sure it’s completely dry. Moisture sitting on the carbon steel surface is exactly what you want to avoid.
Finish by applying a very thin layer of cooking oil across the griddle surface. This helps maintain the seasoning and adds another layer of protection until you’re ready to cook again.
A few minutes of maintenance after cooking is much easier than removing a griddle full of rust later—we learned that one firsthand!
Ready to level up your outdoor cooking game? Check out our guide on the best tools for griddle maintenance or follow us on Instagram for more DIY and grilling tips! Happy cooking!
Blackstone Griddle Cleaning FAQs
Yes! A rusty Blackstone griddle doesn’t necessarily mean it’s ruined. In many cases, surface rust can be removed and the griddle can be cleaned and re-seasoned.
Our Blackstone had been sitting outside exposed to the elements and had developed significant rust, but we were able to clean the cooking surface and restore it. If your Blackstone looks pretty rough, don’t give up on it before trying a deep clean and re-seasoning.
To remove rust from a Blackstone griddle, start by scraping away loose rust and buildup from the cooking surface. Stubborn rust can then be worked away using an abrasive tool such as a grill stone.
Continue removing the loosened rust and debris until the cooking surface is clean. Once you’re finished, make sure the Blackstone is completely dry. Because removing rust can also remove the protective seasoning from the griddle, you’ll need to re-season the cooking surface afterward.
You can see our complete step-by-step rust removal process above.
Yes, you can use water when cleaning a Blackstone griddle. A small amount of water can help loosen stubborn food and debris so that it can be scraped and wiped away.
The important part is not allowing water to remain on the carbon-steel cooking surface. After using water, wipe the griddle clean and dry it thoroughly. Leaving the surface exposed to moisture can encourage rust to form.
Yes. If you’ve removed rust from your Blackstone and stripped away the existing seasoning in the process, you’ll want to re-season the cooking surface.
Seasoning creates a protective layer over the carbon-steel griddle and helps protect the surface between uses. After our deep clean and rust removal, we re-seasoned our Blackstone before cooking on it again.
Regularly maintaining that seasoned surface—and keeping the griddle clean and dry—can also help prevent you from having to tackle another major rust restoration later.
The best way to help prevent your Blackstone from rusting is to keep the cooking surface clean, dry, seasoned and protected from moisture.
After cooking, remove leftover food and grease, clean the surface and make sure it’s completely dry. Finish with a very thin layer of cooking oil to help maintain the seasoning and protect the cooking surface between uses.
If your Blackstone is stored outside, protecting it from rain and moisture is especially important. Our Blackstone developed significant rust after being left exposed to the elements, so this is one lesson we definitely learned from experience!
If or when you do use our tutorial on How to Clean a Blackstone Griddle: Beginner Friendly DIY. I’d love for you to follow us and tag us on Instagram so I can see your DIY projects finished results! Happy DIYing!
COZY HOME, COZY RECIPES:
Every cozy home deserves amazing recipes, and it’s even better when those recipes are both delicious and healthy. Our goal is to provide tasty meals that are easy to make, regardless of your skill level.
Fast, easy meals leave more time for fun activities, making your home a hub of joy and good food.
CONNECT WITH US:
As always, we love hearing about your experiences with our “How to Clean a Blackstone Griddle: Beginner Friendly DIY”. Reach out to us through our blog comments. Any questions you have, we’re here to answer.
Stay updated by joining our newsletter, offering a monthly dose of new recipes and a first look at upcoming projects.
MORE COZY KITCHEN RECIPES:
If you’re hungry for more, explore our collection of Cozy Kitchen Recipes. Another healthy favorite is the “Sausage Potato Veggie Bake.” Find these recipes and more here.
DIY RESOURCES:
For additional resources, check out our DIY Tutorials, offering a wealth of information to enhance your home improvement skills.
