What type of oil is best for Blackstone griddles? Many of us are aware that we have to season griddles with oil before cooking with it however not all kinds of oil are suitable. Oils with a high smoke point are the best choice for seasoning your Blackstone griddles.
There are many recommendations when it comes to seasoning griddles however you have to stick to one that does an efficient job and has a fairly high smoke point. The best oils for Blackstone griddles are olive oil, vegetable oil, canola oil, and avocado oils.
Blackstone’s griddles are known to heat up quickly, and it’s a durable appliance. If you are looking to maintain its cooking surface, you have to season it with oil. A Blackstone griddle needs seasoning before you cook anything in it.
A griddle has a flat cooking surface which makes it perfect for cooking breakfast like bacon, eggs, French toast, pancakes, toast, and sausages. The Blackstone griddle is the most common type of griddle, it can have both commercial and residential applications.
Everyone has a favorite oil for seasoning their pan and the same should apply to your griddle. The purpose of seasoning with oil is to smoothen out the pores of your griddle. However, before picking up any oil, read on to learn what oil works best for seasoning griddles.
Do You Have to Season A Blackstone Griddle?
The Blackstone griddle is considered one of the most popular cooking appliances these days. It has a smooth flat surface that is ideal for cooking breakfast foods like eggs or bacon. It can also be used in making grilled sandwiches and many more breakfast items.
It doesn’t matter what you plan to cook with your griddle, it is best to season it properly.
You do have to season a Blackstone griddle to create a non-stick coat, this adds some layer to your griddle and prevents it from getting scratched. You have to take care of your Blackstone griddle to prevent rusting and seasoning it with oil is one of the ways you can do that.
Seasoning is simply a maintenance technique and when it’s done right, it can keep your griddle in shape for years. Seasoning the Blackstone griddle is not a complicated process too, you simply have to spread the oil evenly on the cooking surface and let it smoke before turning it off to cool.
The Best Oils For Blackstone Griddles
Now let’s talk about the best kinds of oil for seasoning Blackstone griddles! The secret to a long-lasting griddle is seasoning and to do that, you have to choose cooking oil with smoke points, preferably high smoke points.
Seasoning with oil that has low smoke points can ruin the flavor of your food or burn it in the process. So, if you are new to seasoning griddles, here are the best oils for Blackstone griddles.
1. Vegetable Oil
Vegetable oil is often a blend of plant-based oils such as soybean oil, canola, olive, and sunflower oil. It’s the most popular cooking oil, and it is also very affordable. Vegetable oil has a high smoke point, so it is suitable for seasoning your griddles. It also has a relatively neutral flavor.
2. Peanut Oil
Peanut oil not only has a high smoke point that makes it perfect for seasoning but also a light nutty flavor if you do not mind. Depending on the brand, it has a high smoke point between 450-475 degrees F. It is also high in monosaturated fat and does not contain any trans fat either, is perfect for deep frying and grilling.
3. Extra Virgin Olive Oil/Olive Oil
Extra virgin olive oil isn’t overly processed like vegetable oil, so you can go for this in terms of nutrients. This oil gives your food a great taste and with a smoke point of 325 °F. Olive oil is similar to extra virgin olive oil but a little more processed and also good for cooking at low smoke points. Both have a neutral flavor and are great for cooking and seasoning Blackstone griddle.
4. Sunflower Oil
Sunflower oil is made from sunflower seed, and it is rich in polyunsaturated fat. This high oleic oil can be used on high heat in cooking or deep frying, it has a high smoke point of 440 °F and does not break down easily. This is superb for seasoning Blackstone griddle, although it’s a bit expensive compared to other cooking oil.
5. Canola Oil
Canola is another popular oil with a high smoke point, and it’s suitable for cooking as it won’t leave many marks on the taste of your food. It is recommended that you go for pure canola oil with no additives or preservatives. It is also cheaper than the other types of high smoke point cooking oils.
6. Grapeseed Oil
As mentioned earlier, you should go for oil with high smoke points and grape seed oil is one that is known for that. It is suitable for seasoning Blackstone griddle and can be used in cooking as well. This oil has a flavor similar to that of extra virgin olive oil, and it does contain some health benefits as well.
7. Avocado Oil
Avocado oil is another very much preferred oil for cooking and seasoning your griddle. It has a smoke point of 520 degrees and a mild taste that makes it distinct from other oil. It is lower in cholesterol and the nutrient properties are similar to that of extra virgin olive oil.
8. Flax Seed Oil
The flax seed oil has a low smoke point, but it can be used for seasoning your Blackstone griddle, and it does a great job. Blackstone highly recommends it as it is good food-grade oil, and it won’t burn off at a faster rate either.
9. Coconut Oil
Coconut oil is often used in cooking and can be easily found in your kitchen, so you can consider using it for seasoning the Blackstone griddle. It has a smoke point between 350 and 400 degrees F, so it should burn at high heat just fine. Coconut oil is best for seasoning cast iron griddles, and it has a high amount of saturated fats and antioxidants.
How Often Should You Season A Blackstone Griddle?
Seasoning the Blackstone griddle before the first initial use is what’s important, it’s not necessary to have it seasoned again.
However, you can do light seasoning after every cooking, this depends on how often you use it and want to maintain the non-stick cooking surface. Season your Blackstone griddle once a week if you do not use it regularly in cooking.
Wrapping Up
Seasoning Blackstone griddle is not as complex as most people think.
Also, if you can’t get your hands on any cooking oil suitable for seasoning, you can use other items with smoke points such as butter, ghee, lard, or Crisco.
Blackstone griddle manufacturers themselves recommend going for oil with a smoke point when cooking or seasoning your Blackstone griddle, this is because they can easily cope with high heat cooking.
