You’re a backyard chef who loves to cook on your Blackstone griddle. You’ve used it for months now and it’s always been a great cooking surface. But just the other day, you noticed that the surface has started to show some scratches.
Is this a common problem, and is there anything that can be done to prevent it? Once the griddle is scratched, can you easily remove the scratches?
It is possible to scratch your Blackstone griddle, but it is usually not going to cause any major problems and it does not mean that your griddle is ruined. Most commonly, the scratches are only present in the seasoning layer and do not go all the way through to the metal.
It’s not uncommon for a Blackstone griddle, or in fact any griddle or pan, to start showing signs of wear and tear after just a few months of use.
The griddle top is made of cold-rolled steel which is a very durable material and it doesn’t develop scratches as easily as stainless steel. However, it is still possible to scratch the surface if you’re not careful.
The good news is that once the griddle is scratched, it’s very easy to remove the scratches. All you need is a little bit of elbow grease and some patience. Let’s dive in and take a deeper look at the topic at hand.
Table of Contents
- Types of Scratches
- How Do You Get Scratches Out of Your Blackstone Griddle?
- Can You Ruin Your Blackstone Griddle?
- How to Prevent Scratches on a Blackstone Griddle?
- What About Electric Blackstone Griddles?
- Conclusion
- FAQ
Types of Scratches
If you found a scratch on the top plate of your griddle, it’s likely one of two types:
A scratch in the seasoning layer
This type of scratch is the most common and it’s nothing to worry about. The seasoning layer is a thin layer of oil that’s been “baked” onto the surface of the griddle.
If not periodically maintained, the seasoning layer may start to wear down and it will become more susceptible to scratches. However, the scratched area will usually still retain the same non-stick properties as the rest of the griddle. Unless of course, you’ve managed to scrape away a huge chunk of the seasoning.
A scratch in the steel griddle top
This type of scratch is less common, but it can happen if you’re not careful. These scratches go through the seasoning layer and into the steel griddle top.
If you have this type of scratch, don’t worry, it’s not the end of the world.
These scratches will rarely affect the performance of your griddle in any way. When they do, you may notice that food will start to stick to the scratched areas more than usual.
How Do You Get Scratches Out of Your Blackstone Griddle?
Smaller scratches in the seasoning layer can be easily removed by applying a new coat of seasoning. You should be applying seasoning after every use anyway, so this shouldn’t be a big deal. The scratch might still be visible but it won’t affect the performance of your griddle.
For bigger scratches in the seasoning layer, you might need to remove the entire seasoning layer and start from scratch. Especially if the seasoning layer starts peeling off. This is a bit more of a pain, but it’s still not a big deal either.
Shallow surface scratches in the metal itself are nothing that the seasoning can’t handle. The seasoning will effectively fill the shallow scratch and you will hardly notice it’s there.
If you have a deeper scratch or gouge, you still don’t have to worry too much. The seasoning is still perfectly capable of covering up the damage and you won’t notice any difference in the cooking experience. however, if you wish to fix them, you can sand the griddle. another way of fixing is to have the griddle top sandblasted.
Important: If you have received a griddle that has already been scratched before it even reached your door, I would absolutely contact the seller or Blackstone support directly and discuss that with them. Your new griddle should be covered by a 1-year warranty.
Can You Ruin Your Blackstone Griddle?
It’s happened to the best of us. We’re cooking up a storm on our griddle and then, disaster strikes. We accidentally run it over with a steamroller, drop a cinder block on it, and then drop it in the well.
Well, no, it does not happen, lol.
Blackstone griddles are very durable and it’s very unlikely that you will be able to accidentally damage them beyond repair.
The only way you could potentially ruin your griddle is if you manage to scratch or gouge through the entire thickness of the top plate. However, I don’t see how that’s even possible unless you’re using a power tool or something.
Even if you did manage to do that, the griddle would most likely still be usable, it would just have a permanent scar.
Some people are afraid of rust and think that it will cause their griddle to become unusable. This is not the case. Rusting is a perfectly natural process and a rusty griddle is not a ruined griddle. You will just have to remove the rust. You would have to leave the griddle out exposed to the elements for years for it to rust through.
One thing that could possibly ruin your griddle is if you somehow managed to bend or warp the top plate. Slight warping is not a deal-breaker. However, if it’s severe enough, it could make the griddle unusable. Still, I am not too sure how you would manage to accidentally bend the top plate completely out of shape. Unless you dropped a grand piano on it or something.
So, in short, don’t worry about accidentally ruining your griddle. It’s very unlikely that you will be able to do any serious damage to it. Also, if you were to somehow manage to do that, Blackstone sells replacement parts, including whole griddle tops.
How to Prevent Scratches on a Blackstone Griddle?
Although scratches are not a major problem, it is still best to try and avoid them if possible. After all, who wants a scratched-up griddle?
There are a few things you can do to prevent scratches on your griddle.
Don’t scrape too hard
First of all, if you are using metal utensils, which honestly work great with gas griddles, then make sure you are not using too much force. Especially when you are scraping the surface.
It’s very easy to get carried away when you are cooking or cleaning and start scrubbing at the griddle top like it owes you money.
Don’t cut directly on the griddle top
I get it, the top plate is metal and it’s nice and flat. So, of course, you want to use the griddle as a cutting board, right? Please don’t. Use a proper cutting board instead.
Not only is it bad for your knives (the metal is too hard), but it will also scratch up the seasoning layer.
Avoid using harsh abrasive detergents
If you must use some kind of detergent to clean your griddle, then make sure it’s not too harsh. Avoid using anything with abrasives in it as that will definitely scratch the surface.
Using mild dish soap and a non-abrasive sponge should be more than enough to clean the griddle top. Although I think griddle cleaning is perfectly fine without any soapy water. Scrape the flat top, sprinkle with oil and wipe it clean with a paper towel. Done.
Use a griddle cover
If you are not using your griddle, then make sure to put a hardcover over it. This will not only protect the surface from the elements but will also prevent anything from happening to the griddle plate should something accidentally fall onto it. Hardcover is also a good preventive measure that will keep mice out of your griddle.
What About Electric Blackstone Griddles?
So far we’ve only been talking about the gas griddles. But what about the electric ones? Are they just as durable and scratch-resistant?
The answer is nope.
Electric griddles are commonly not as durable as gas ones. Their griddle tops are usually coated with a non-stick material, which makes them more prone to scratches and wear and tear. I am not saying the coating will magically disintegrate the first time you lay your eyes on it. But it will definitely scratch more easily than cold-rolled steel.
Therefore, if you have an electric Blackstone griddle, then you need to be a bit careful with it. Avoid using metal utensils. Plastic or wooden utensils are a better choice. Also, make sure you are not too rough when you are cleaning it, and avoid abrasive detergents like plague.
And, of course, forget about cutting anything directly on the surface. Use a cutting board instead as a well-versed chef like yourself should always do.
Can you remove scratches from s non-stick griddle?
While you can remove scratches from a gas griddle with a little elbow grease, the same cannot be said for most electric griddles. There are some coating repair sprays that you can buy, but they are not always effective. Also, once there is a scratch in the coating, it is more likely to start peeling off over time. I am sure you don’t want pieces of Teflon or ceramic coating in your food.
If you take good care of your electric griddle, then it should last you for many years
Conclusion
It is important to take care of your Blackstone griddle in order to prevent scratches and other damage. There are a few things you can do to help keep it in good condition, such as avoiding abrasive detergents, and using a cover when not in use. You should also not be using it as a cutting board.
If you have an electric griddle, then you need to take extra care of it as the coating is more prone to scratches and damage.
With proper care, your Blackstone griddle will last for many years to come.
FAQ
Can I use a metal spatula on my Blackstone gas griddle?
Yes, but avoid using too much force as it may scratch the surface.
What is the best way to clean my griddle?
The best way to clean your griddle is to scrape it with a spatula, sprinkle it with oil, and wipe it down with a paper towel. You can also use some water to deglaze the tougher burnt bits of food and then scrub the top with a grill stone or chain mail.
Should you scrape your Blackstone?
There’s nothing wrong with scraping as long as you are not digging into the surface too much. In fact, scraping burnt food debris and juices is one of the easiest ways of cleaning the griddle.
My gas griddle is starting to peel, what should I do?
Gas griddles usually come equipped with rolled steel tops. The only thing that can peel off those is the seasoning layer. The good news is that this can be easily fixed by seasoning the griddle again from scratch.
Can I use steel wool on my Blackstone griddle?
Yes, steel wool or fine sandpaper can be used to remove rust or some minor scratches from the surface. A grill stone is generally a better choice though.
Can I use my electric griddle as a cutting board?
No, you should not use your electric griddle as a cutting board as it will damage the coating. Use a cutting board instead.
My electric non-stick coated griddle is starting to peel, what can I do?
If your griddle is starting to peel, then you can try using a repair spray. However, these are not always effective. Once the coating starts to peel, it is more likely to continue peeling over time.
