Non-stick sprays or cooking sprays have been used for decades as a way to reduce sticking when cooking. A question that often comes up is whether you can use them on a Blackstone griddle.
The short answer is:
Yes, you can use non-stick spray on a Blackstone griddle. When used correctly, non-stick spray can help your food release easily from the hot griddle surface. However, it’s important to note that while the non-stick spray can help with cooking, it should not be considered a replacement for the proper seasoning of the griddle.
Also, some ingredients, such as soy lecithin, contained in many non-stick sprays may over time create a sticky layer on the surface of the gas and electric Blackstone griddles. Therefore, it’s best to select a non-stick spray that is free of soy lecithin.
There’s more to this topic though, so read on to learn more about non-stick spray and Blackstone griddles.
Table of Contents
- Cooking Sprays vs Cooking Oils
- Why Would You Use Cooking Spray on a Blackstone Griddle?
- Can You Use PAM Cooking Spray on a Blackstone Griddle?
- Blackstone Non-Stick Griddle Spray
- Can You Use a Cooking Spray to Season Your Blackstone Griddle?
- Final Words
- FAQ
Cooking Sprays vs Cooking Oils
What’s the difference between cooking sprays and cooking oils? Cooking sprays are typically made of vegetable oils, such as canola or soybean oil, and sometimes even palm oil.
When it comes to the ingredients, cooking sprays are, unfortunately not just oils. There’s more stuff in them:
- Oils – usually a blend of several oils with canola oil being the most common
- Emulsifiers – usually soy lecithin – makes sure the ingredients don’t separate in the spray can
- Anti-foaming agents – usually dimethyl silicone
- Propellants – the stuff that makes sure the spray cans spray – usually not specifically named on the label, but according to Chosen Foods, the propellant is usually one of these: nitrous oxide, carbon dioxide, propane, n-butane or isobutane
As you can see, cooking sprays are not exactly natural. They have some benefits, but they are not an essential addition to your kitchen pantry.
Cooking oil, on the other hand, is just, well, an oil. A liquid that you pour from a bottle. There isn’t, or at least shouldn’t, be anything else added to it.
I am not a big fan of cooking sprays but it’s your call to make.
If you want to stay away from chemicals and still want to use a spray then you may like the Chosen Foods Avocado Oil Spray. It is pure avocado oil in an air-pressured can so no propellants or emulsifiers.
Another option is to buy an oil sprayer bottle and fill it with your favorite oil. It’s not as fine of a spray as the aerosol ones, but it will do the job.
Why Would You Use Cooking Spray on a Blackstone Griddle?
The number one reason to use a non-stick spray on your Blackstone griddle is that it creates a barrier that helps keep the food from sticking to the griddle surface. That’s what your standard cooking oil does too, right? But, there’s a catch.
Cooking sprays are much easier to apply in the thinnest possible layer. Thin application is harder to achieve with bottled cooking oil even when you are using the Blackstone squeeze bottles.
Using too much oil is not healthy for obvious reasons. Thanks to the thin layer applied, using a non-stick spray can result in quite a bit lower calorie content of the food you cook on your griddle, compared to pouring some cooking oil every time.
However, some questions have arisen about the health risks of using sprays in recent years. Nothing has been proven yet though.
Can You Use PAM Cooking Spray on a Blackstone Griddle?
Yes, you can use PAM cooking spray on a Blackstone griddle. PAM is just a brand name for cooking spray, and it works just like any other cooking spray would. It’s been around since 1959 and remains one of the most popular choices available.
PAM also comes in several different varieties, including olive oil or butter flavors.
There’s also a non-aerosol version of PAM that you can use, which is great if you want to avoid any propellants.
Blackstone Non-Stick Griddle Spray
Does Blackstone sell their own non-stick griddle spray? As a matter of fact, they do.
To some surprise, it is not available from their official online store. Don’t ask me why. But, you can easily purchase it in big stores such as Lowe’s or Walmart.
Ingredients-wise, it’s pretty standard for a non-stick spray. According to the label, it contains canola oil, soybean oil, palm oil, phosphated mono-and diglycerides, dimethyl silicone, and propellant.
It’s also mentioned on the label that it is a 3-in-1 spray, suitable for cooking, seasoning process, and surface protection.
The reviews are pretty positive, so maybe it’s worth a try.
Can You Use a Cooking Spray to Season Your Blackstone Griddle?
Regular sprays that contain soy lecithin are not a good choice for seasoning your Blackstone griddle. As mentioned, lecithin can over time result in a sticky surface. And a sticky seasoning layer is the last thing you want.
Don’t despair if your seasoning layer is already sticky though. You can still fix it with some work.
It’s better to use a non-aerosol spray without additives. Or use a cooking spray that is specifically designed for seasoning griddles, such as the Blackstone griddle spray.
In the end, though, it’s best to use standard bottled high-heat oil for seasoning. Many people prefer avocado or canola oil but the choice is yours.
Final Words
When it comes to using a non-stick spray on your Blackstone griddle, there are many different options available.
From choosing the brand to opting for an aerosol or non-aerosol version, or even trying out the Blackstone Non-Stick Griddle Spray itself. You have plenty of choices when it comes to selecting the best product for your needs.
As with any condiment, be sure to read all labels carefully and use caution when applying these sprays as they can contain additives that may not be the healthiest thing in the world.
Simply sticking to regular oil may be the healthier way to go.
FAQ
Can you use cooking spray on a hot griddle?
It is not recommended to use cooking spray on a hot griddle. The extreme heat can set the propellant in the spray on fire, creating a dangerous situation. It is best to apply a coat before you start cooking or wait until the griddle has cooled down.
It may sound overly cautious, but nasty accidents have happened in the past due to people not following the simple rule of not spraying on hot surfaces.
Do you have to use any oil on a Blackstone griddle?
No, you don’t have to use oil on a griddle when cooking. As long as you have a proper seasoning layer already established, food should not be sticking to the griddle’s surface too much. However, oil also helps in the flavor department and gives the food that nice slightly fried golden color. No need to dump a ton of oil every time, though. A light coating should do the trick.
Are non-stick sprays popular in Europe?
They are used in the UK but not nearly as much as in the US. In most of Europe, they are not traditionally used.
