If you’re like most people, you would love to use your Blackstone griddle all year long. But when winter arrives, it’s important to take some extra steps to protect your griddle from the harsh elements. Especially if you live in an area that gets a lot of snow and ice. Are you living in Florida? Then enjoy using your griddle all year long!
Many people don’t know how to properly store a Blackstone griddle for winter, which can lead to common problems such as rusting.
If you are a new owner of a Blackstone griddle, it can be challenging to know how to store a Blackstone griddle for winter. In this article, I will provide helpful tips on how to properly store your griddle during the winter months.
The most important thing to remember when storing a Blackstone griddle for winter is to clean it thoroughly and then place it in a dry, protected area such as a garage or shed. Failing to do so can result in rusting and possibly other damage.
Now, let’s dive deeper into the tips so you can properly store your griddle for winter.
Table of Contents
- Clean Your Griddle Before Storing It
- Don’t Forget to Apply Oil to The Griddle Surface
- Cover Your Griddle Before Storing It
- Where Should You Store Your Griddle for Winter?
- Clean Your Blackstone Griddle After Winter
- Final Thoughts
- FAQ
Clean Your Griddle Before Storing It
The first and very important step is to clean your griddle thoroughly before storing it away for the winter. This will help to prevent rusting and mice and other pests will not be as interested in your griddle as if you left sitting there with pieces of burned food still on it.
Moreover, it will be easier to start using the griddle again once the weather warms up if you have already cleaned it. Or, you can even use your griddle in the winter should you feel the need for some grilled goodies. I sure do love taking my griddle or grill out of my garage on sunny winter afternoons.
To clean your griddle, start by removing any food and grease from the griddle plate. It is easier to do it when the griddle is hot. If there are any stubborn pieces of food, you can use a scraper to scrape them off.
Once the griddle plate is clean from all the debris, it’s time to move on to the next step. You can wash the griddle plate with soapy water and a sponge. Be sure to rinse it well so that no soap residue is left behind.
There are some myths floating around about using soapy water on a griddle, but it is perfectly safe to use it. Just make sure to dry the griddle surface with paper towels or a kitchen cloth.
Any residual moisture can lead to rusting, so it’s important to make sure your griddle is totally dry before storing it away.
TIP: Don’t want to use soapy water? I hear you. Another popular way of cleaning that you can consider is using vinegar. Vinegar is a natural disinfectant and will also help to remove any grease or burned food from the griddle surface.
Don’t Forget to Apply Oil to The Griddle Surface
After you have cleaned the griddle surface, it’s important to apply a layer of oil to the griddle.
This will help to prevent rusting.
- Give it a good splash of oil especially if you don’t plan on using it at all during the winter
- Once you have applied the oil, use a paper towel or cloth to spread it evenly across the griddle surface
- Now your griddle is ready to be stored away for winter
TIP: Which oil should you use? You can use any type of cooking oil such as peanut oil, olive oil, or canola oil.
Cover Your Griddle Before Storing It
If your Blackstone griddle came with a lid or you bought one separately, make sure to store it with the lid closed. This will help to keep your griddle clean and dry. Blackstone also sells soft covers which are specifically designed to fit their griddles.
If your chosen storage area is too humid, you could consider putting a desiccant under the lid to help absorb any moisture. You can find desiccants such as silica gel at most hardware stores or online. Don’t forget to change the silica gel satchels from time to time because they stop working once they are saturated with moisture.
Not all griddles come with lids. If you don’t have a fitting cover for your griddle, you can use a large garbage bag or tarp to cover it. Just make sure that at least the griddle surface is completely covered so that it is protected from dust, pests, and moisture.
Crafty griddle lovers may even choose to make their own griddle hardcovers out of some timber and metal sheets.
Where Should You Store Your Griddle for Winter?
As I’ve briefly mentioned before, the best place to store your griddle is in a dry and protected area such as a garage or a garden shed.
If you don’t have either of these, you can also store the griddle in your basement as long as it is not too humid. Or if you don’t mind, you can of course store the griddle right inside your house.
Storing the griddle outside is not recommended as exposing it to the elements will greatly increase the risk of rusting.
If you have no suitable indoor storage option, you can store the griddle under the roof overhang or on a covered porch, or in a carport.
Just make sure that the griddle is well covered and won’t be exposed directly exposed to snow.
Clean Your Blackstone Griddle After Winter
So, the winter is gone and you are ready to use your griddle again. Yay! The first thing you need to do is to clean the griddle again.
If you did cover your griddle with the lid, then it shouldn’t be too dirty, although mice are crafty animals and can sometimes still find their way in.
If you didn’t cover your griddle it might be quite dusty and there can even be some rodent droppings. Ew! In that case, you will need to give it a good wash with soapy water or vinegar to sanitize the surface.
Also remember, that heat is one of the best ways to kill bacteria and viruses. So, once you have cleaned the griddle surface heat it up for a couple of minutes and you can be sure that any bacteria or viruses have been killed.
Even if you stored it away perfectly, there might be some rust spots on the griddle surface. No worries, though. These can be removed quite easily.
To remove rust spots, you can use steel wool or fine sandpaper. Just scrub the affected areas until the rust is gone and then restore or reapply the seasoning layer.
Final Thoughts
Properly caring for your Blackstone griddle in winter is important to ensure that it lasts long and operates well. Cleaning and oiling the griddle surface before storing it away is crucial to prevent rusting.
Make sure to store the griddle in a dry and protected area such as a garage or shed. And when spring comes, don’t forget to clean and season the griddle again before using it.
Also, the best prevention of rust is to use the griddle regularly. So, even if it is winter, try to use your griddle as often as you can! It is fun to throw a few burgers on the griddle while it is snowing outside, isn’t it?
I hope this guide was helpful and that you now know how to properly store your Blackstone griddle for winter. If you have any questions or tips of your own I would love to hear from you!
FAQ
Is it okay to store my Blackstone griddle outside?
It’s not advised to store the griddle outside, as the steel top plate may rust when exposed to the elements. At the very least, apply a coat of oil over the plate and protect the griddle with a cover.
Will using my Blackstone griddle during winter cause any damage?
You can use your griddle during winter without any worries. In fact, using it regularly and building up the seasoning layer may help to prevent rusting.
How can I remove rust spots from my Blackstone griddle?
Rust spots can be removed by sanding or rubbing with steel wool. After the rust is gone, clean the flat top thoroughly and re-apply the seasoning layer.
Do I need to clean my Blackstone griddle before storing it for winter?
Yes, you should always clean and oil your griddle before storing it away to prevent rusting.
