So you got yourself a shiny new Blackstone griddle. It’s the perfect addition to your outdoor kitchen, and you can’t wait to get cooking.
The thing is you were so excited to buy it that you forgot to ask one important question – can you leave your griddle outside?
Quick answer:
It is not recommended to leave your Blackstone griddle outside. All Blackstone griddles should be stored in dry areas, away from the elements. This will help to prolong the lifespan of your griddle. If you don’t have the space to store it indoors, make sure to at least keep it protected from the rain with both softcover and hardcover.
In the next couple of paragraphs, I’ll tell you how you should store and care for your griddle to keep it in tip-top shape and give you some tips on how to protect it if you have to keep it outside.
Table of Contents
- What To Do Before You Store Your Griddle?
- How To Store Your Blackstone Griddle
- Why Would You Want to Store Your Blackstone Griddle Outside?
- How To Store Your Blackstone Griddle Outside
- Final Thoughts
- FAQ
What To Do Before You Store Your Griddle?
You have had an amazing cookout, and now it is time to stow it away and get some sleep.
No way.
You just spent all this money on a top-quality griddle, and you want to make sure it stays in good condition. So you need to clean it before you can store it.
Apart from keeping the griddle in the top condition, cleaning it right away after each use also helps keep the pesky rodents away. Or would you like some mice droppings in your food? I guess not.
Cleaning is simple. First, heat the griddle to medium and scrape it with a metal spatula to remove all the big bits of food. Then, use paper towels to wipe it down. Stubborn pieces of food can be removed by deglazing the griddle with some water. A water bottle is a great investment for any avid griddler.
For the final step, apply a splash of cooking oil and spread it around with a paper towel. This will help to keep the griddle from rusting and also builds up the seasoning layer.
How To Store Your Blackstone Griddle
As a general rule of thumb, try to keep your griddle in a dry and cool place. A shed or garage is a great place to store it if you have the space.
Even if you are storing your griddle in your garage or shed, it is a good idea to keep it covered. The cover will protect the griddle from dust and if you also get a hardcover, you won’t have to worry about any critters getting onto the cooking surface.
When you are storing your griddle in a shed or garage, it may be tempting to place other things on top of it. This is not a good idea as it can damage the surface of the griddle.
Another thing to keep in mind is that you should not store your griddle inside with the propane tank still attached. This is a safety hazard, and you don’t want to take any chances.
Why Would You Want to Store Your Blackstone Griddle Outside?
Although I do store my griddle in the garage, I perfectly understand that not everyone has this option or that not everyone wants to.
So what are some of the reasons why people want to store their grills griddle outside?
Lack of storage space
The most common reason people want to store their griddle outside is that they do not have the space to do so indoors. This is especially true for people who live in apartments or small houses. Storing your griddle outside on a porch or an apartment balcony may be the only option you have.
Convenience
Let’s be clear, pulling the griddle out of the garage and setting it up every time you want to use it can be a bit of a hassle. If you are someone who likes to use their griddle frequently, it may be more convenient for you to just leave it outside.
Perhaps store it away only when you know you won’t be using it for an extended period such as for the winter. Although the hardcore crowd uses their griddle all year round, most people only use it during the warmer months.
Some people just don’t care
I have seen people who just don’t care about their griddle and leave it outside unprotected all the time regardless of the weather. If this is you, then there is not much I can say to change your mind.
I don’t want to be a nag, but please at least cover your griddle when you know bad weather is coming.
How To Store Your Blackstone Griddle Outside
As I’ve already mentioned storing the griddle outside is the last thing to think about. If you don’t have any other option but to keep it outside, make sure to take some precautions.
Cover your griddle
The number one thing is to cover it. I would recommend getting both a softcover and hardcover.
Blackstone sells soft covers that are custom-made for their griddles. They are made of weather-resistant polyester and come equipped with straps and either clips or buckles to keep the cover in place even in strong winds.
The soft covers are great at protecting the griddle from rain, snow, and UV rays. They will not do much if something falls on it though.
If you want to go the extra mile, get a hardcover. They are made of aluminum and have a powder-coated finish. That makes them durable and weather-resistant.
The hardcover will protect your griddle top both from elements and from physical damage. Unfortunately, they seem to not be available for all the models. There may be some third-party options though.
Choose a good storage spot
Although your Blackstone griddle should now be fairly well protected with both soft and hard covers, You should still try to find a storage spot that is not too exposed to the elements.
A good place to store it would be under a roof. If you’ve got a roofed area such as a porch, pergola, or carport, that would be perfect. If not, at least try to place it under the roof overhang. If you have a flat roof without overhangs, at least place the griddle next to the wall of your house. This way, it will be at least partly protected.
Also, make sure to store it on something that will elevate it off the ground. That way, water won’t be able to pool around the legs or wheels and cause rusting. Of course, if you’ve got a concrete pathway around your house, you don’t really have to worry about elevating your griddle above the ground level.
Don’t forget that the propane tank should not be stored in direct sunlight, especially during summer as the temperature can rise beyond the safe limit of 120 degrees Fahrenheit or 49 degrees Celsius.
Humidity
With all the precautions, humidity can still wreak havoc on your griddle if you live in a particularly humid climate. Moisture in the air is present in all parts of the world. Of course, someone living in Florida will encounter more problems than some living in an arid state such as Nevada.
One way to combat humidity is to dehumidify the air surrounding your griddle. This can be achieved in various ways, from using a dehumidifier when storing the griddle indoors to placing desiccants under the cover while storing the griddle outside.
Don’t want to buy a commercial desiccant? Uncooked rice works fine too.
With these tips, you should be able to keep your griddle in good shape even if you have to store it outside.
Even if you find some rust spots on it after a long winter, don’t worry. It can be removed with some elbow grease and your griddle will look like you bought it yesterday.
Final Thoughts
So let’s wrap this up. Can you leave your Blackstone griddle outside?
The answer is yes, but only if you take some precautions such as covering the griddle with weather-resistant covers and storing it in a shady spot that is at least partly protected from the rain.
Other than that, just make sure to clean the griddle thoroughly after each use and you’ll be able to enjoy cooking on it for many years to come.
FAQ
Will a Blackstone griddle rust if I leave it outside?
A Blackstone griddle is made of steel and it will rust if not properly cared for. However, if you clean it thoroughly after each use and oil it out, you can minimize the risk of rusting.
Will mice or other animals damage my griddle if I leave it outside?
Mice and other animals are not likely to damage your griddle. The biggest problem with mice is that they might poop and pee on the cooking surface which in turn means you will have to spend some time cleaning and sanitizing.
Leaving the griddle outside without a cleanup may be a hazard in areas where bears live because they may be lured by the grease and food remnants.
What about bugs? Will they get into my griddle?
Bugs may try to get into your griddle no matter if there is food left on the surface or if it’s perfectly clean. Bugs are bugs, they go where they please. Storing the griddle inside or outside doesn’t make much of a difference as there are likely spiders and bugs in your garage too. Just clean the griddle and start griddling.
How long do Blackstone griddles last?
If you properly care for your Blackstone griddle, it can last for decades. Sure, some smaller parts might need to be replaced from time to time, but the griddle top should last you a lifetime unless you allow it to rust all the way through.
