Is your Blackstone griddle flaking and peeling? Don’t panic! We’ll show you how to fix it and how to keep it from happening again.
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Blackstone griddles are made with top quality materials and they’re incredibly durable.
But that doesn’t mean they don’t need a little love and attention.
Like any other cooking surface, the Blackstone needs to be cleaned and maintained regularly. If you don’t take good care of your flattop your food will start sticking and the cooking surface will begin peeling and flaking off.
That’s gross. No one wants to see those nasty black flakes in their scrambled eggs or fried rice.
Why Is My Blackstone Griddle Flaking?
More often than not, Blackstone flaking is caused by improper care and maintenance.
If you fail to clean the surface thoroughly after each use, burnt oils, sugars, and food residue can build up and cause flaking on your Blackstone griddle.
Uneven seasoning can have the same effect. Repeated cooks on the center of the cooking surface will cause the seasoning to be uneven compared to the outer edges.
Flaking can also happen as seasoning builds up over time as you cook on it, or if you use too much oil when seasoning it.
How much oil is too much?
You want to use very thin coats of oil when seasoning your griddle. Several thin coats is always better than one thick coat.
Don't rush the seasoning process. If you see pools of oil on the griddle surface, you've used too much oil. Think of it like wiping down the griddle with an oily paper towel, rather than pouring it on.
And after each cooking session, be sure to wipe up any excess oil and clean the surface well so it will be ready for your next cooking session.
How To Fix A Peeling Blackstone
Some people go into panic mode when they notice their Blackstone griddle flaking. Trust me, I've seen the panicked posts on Reddit and Facebook a thousand times. They mistakenly think the metal surface itself is somehow peeling off, but trust me that’s impossible.
Blackstone flaking is actually very common and its a sign that your griddle needs a deep cleaning to get it back into shape.
The important thing is to stay calm and simply follow our step-by-step guide to getting rid of flaking on your flat top.
You’ll need a metal scraper, some cooking oil, a grill brick like the one below, and lots of paper towels. Heat resistant gloves are also a good idea to prevent accidental burns (I've learned that lesson the hard way!)
- Essential tool for any grill master. Makes a perfect gift or stocking stuffer.
- Lightweight and easy to use. The grill or griddle doesn't even have to be warm! Just gently scrape the surface with the grill stone and watch grease and food residue disappear like magic.
- There are no bristles or spikes to break off and get into the food. Cleans the grill much easier and more thoroughly than a brush, and you can blow off the dust particles or wipe with a wet paper towel and water after use.
Follow these simple steps to restore your Blackstone griddle and get rid of any flaking and peeling:
- Turn on your Blackstone and set the heat to high. Once the surface is good and hot, use the metal scraper to remove as much of the flaking as you can.
- Turn off the heat and let it cool down. Then you can wipe off all the dust and debris.
- Add a few tablespoons of cooking oil to the griddle and scrub the entire surface with a grill stone (one of my favorite grill accessories!) or steel wool. Take your time and keep working until you remove all signs of flaking.
- Wipe down the griddle surface with paper towels. Add some more oil and wipe it down again. You may need to use the grill stone again if you missed any spots the first time.
- Keep scrubbing and wiping down with oil until all flaking and debris is gone.
- Season your Blackstone again to create a protective coating and prevent sticking.
Here’s a pic of my Blackstone suffering from a bad case of flaky seasoning...
And here's a pic I took while rehabilitating it...
With a few simple tools and a little elbow grease, the flat top is back in shape in no time!
How To Strip And Re-Season A Blackstone Griddle
If the grill stone and oil method described above doesn’t get the job done, you’ll need to bring out some power tools.
The beauty of the Blackstone is that it’s pretty much never beyond salvaging. No matter how gross, caked on, peeling, or rusty the surface gets…you can bring it back to its former glory by blasting all that gunk away and getting down to the original surface.
A power drill or angle grinder with a paint and rust scrapper like this one will make quick work of even the worst Blackstone flaking or rust. Be patient and work the entire surface until all that nasty stuff is gone.
When you’ve gotten most of it cleaned you can use an orbital sander to get those last stubborn bits off.
Pro Tip
If possible, remove the grill plate from the Blackstone (remember it’s quite heavy, so have a friend help to be safe) and lay it down flat on a deck or in the grass. It'll be more stable and you’ll be able to use much more force without having to worry about the whole griddle shaking or moving around.
A pair of safety goggles and a face mask can be handy here because there will be lots of dust kicked up as you go.
It’s a messy and greasy job and you’ll need a shower when you’re done. And be prepared for some sore arms and shoulders the next day!
Once you’re down to the original surface you’ll need to re-season it before you start cooking on your griddle again. Just remember to use just very thin layers of oil or you’ll be sanding it down again before you know it.
Preventing Blackstone Flaking And Peeling
When your Blackstone is flaking or peeling, it usually means you’re not cleaning it correctly or thoroughly. Oil and food residue builds up and then starts peeling away and gets into your food.
To prevent flaking from happening, make sure you clean it thoroughly after each use and season it regularly.
The best way to clean your Blackstone after cooking is to use a scrapper to remove as much gunk as possible. Some warm water will help break up those stubborn spots. Don’t use soap, detergents, or other cleaners. They may be corrosive and they might actually taint the flavor of foods you cook on your flat top.
Use some warm water with a cloth or paper towels to wipe down the surface and get rid of any leftover grease or food residue.
Finally, before you cover your griddle up again, you should add a very thin layer of cooking oil and spread it evenly over the entire surface to prevent sticking when you cook.
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