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Best Oils To Season Blackstone Griddles

Norah Clark
Blackstone griddle BBQ.

Norah Clark

Norah Clark, Editor of Boyd Hampers! Norah is a food writer with over a decade of experience in hospitality as a pastry chef, sous chef, and barista; former chef at the Savoy Hotel, Ritz Carlton, Four Seasons and Plaza Hotel.

The best oils to season Blackstone griddles should have a high smoke point. It's one of the most important characteristics to look out for in oils to season your grill. The best oils to season the griddle are grapeseed oil, avocado coconut oil, canola oil, peanut oil, sunflower oil, and olive oil. 

Carry on reading if you want to know the ins and outs of seasoning your griddle, from the best seasoning method to the oils that make the best non-stick coating.

Best Oils To Season Blackstone Griddles

A durable seasoning oil is key to a durable and non-stick grid. To prepare your griddle for seasoning, you must use a proper seasoning method and the correct oil.

I’ve picked seven oils you can use to season your griddle to the perfect level.

Type of Oil Smoke Point
1. BetterBody Foods Avocado Oil 500-520°F
2. Pompeian Grapeseed Oil 420°F
3. Happy Belly Canola Oil 430°F
4. BetterBody Foods Coconut Oil 350-425°F
5. Planters Peanut Oil 450°F
6. La Española Olive Oil 395°F
7. Safya Sunflower Oil 450°F

 

1. BetterBody Foods Avocado Oil

BetterBody Foods 100% Pure Avocado Oil.
BetterBody Foods

This is among the best options out there. The refined avocado oil doesn’t contain any GMOs and is gluten-free.

Avocado oil is naturally refined, and has an extremely high smoke point, up to 520 degrees F.  There are fewer toxins as a result.

It is a rich source of monounsaturated fats and Avocado oil won’t oxidize.

Made from the pulp of avocados, the taste of avocado oil isn’t very strong particularly when it is refined. It won't really impact the taste of the food.

In addition to using the avocado oil to spice up your griddle, use it to fry and saute your food, and make salad marinades and dressings.

2. Pompeian Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Pompeian Extra Virgin Olive Oil.
Pompeian Extra Virgin Olive Oil.

This has a mild and delicate flavor that can be used to cook a variety of foods.

The grapeseed oil is made from grapes removed during the winemaking process and is rich in omega-6 fats and vitamin E.

Pompeian’s grapeseed oil helps to make your griddle non-stick.

With an average smoke point of between 470 and 510 degrees Fahrenheit, this pure grapeseed oil is 100% pure.

This oil is great for cooking at high temperatures, like deep-frying. Because of its mild flavor, it is also suitable to make marinades and salad dressings.

Pompeian grapeseed oil is non allergenic, GMO-free and doesn’t contain trans fats.

3. Happy Belly Canola Oil

Happy Belly Canola Oil.
Happy Belly Canola Oil.

If you’re not looking for difficult-to-find oils to spice your grill, opt for the most widely-available oil type – canola.

It is widely accessible, has a pleasant flavor, and is suitable for cooking with high heat.

It is also rich in monounsaturated fats.

Happy Belly Canola Oil is our top choice for oil that works as a cooking and seasoning oil. It is neutral as far as flavor is concerned and you can use eat to cook various dishes.

With a smoke point greater than 430 degrees F, applying this oil to spruce up your griddle is safe to ensure perfect polymerization.

4. BetterBody Foods Coconut Oil

BetterBody Foods Coconut Oil
BetterBody Foods Coconut Oil.

As discussed in this guide, choosing an oil with a high smoke point for seasoning your grill is essential.

Coconut oil, one of the most healthy cooking oils available, is most effective in its purest form when cooking with high heat.

Refined coconut oil has smoke points of 350-425 degrees F

You won’t get any coconut-like flavor or aroma using BetterBody Foods coconut oil . 

BetterBody Foods coconut oil is also great for baking with since it’s a healthier alternative to butter.

5. Planters Peanut Oil

Planters Peanut Oil
Planters Peanut Oil.

If you’re okay with a nutty, light flavored oil, it is one of the best oils to season the griddle.

Easily available peanut oil is known to have a high smoke point, ranging from 450-475 deg F, depending upon the brand. Therefore, ideal for deep-frying or grilling.

Planters peanut oil contains no trans fats and is rich in monounsaturated fats. 

The refined version is safer since it’s less allergenic than its refined counterparts.

6. La Espanola Olive Oil

La Espanola Olive Oil
La Espanola Extra Virgin Olive Oil.

Olive oil is an essential ingredient in any kitchen. Extra virgin olive oil gives a unique aroma and flavor to every dish. Its traditional peppery notes are typical of a high-quality cold-pressed olive oil. 

Due to its 405 degrees F smoke point, extra-virgin olive oil is a great choice for seasoning griddles and preventing them from rusting.

The health benefits of extra-virgin olive oil is one reason you should consider using the oil for cooking and seasoning.

The oil has high levels of monounsaturated fats and is rich in antioxidants.

La Espanola extra virgin olive oil has the aroma and flavor of fruit and a smoke temperature of 395 degrees F.

7. Safya Sunflower Oil

Safya Sunflower Oil.
Safya Sunflower Oil.

Sunflower oil is derived from the sunflower’s seeds. The taste of this oil is subtle and this makes it a popular choice when cooking.

High-oleic sunflower oils are one of the best oils for high-temperature cooking and deep-frying. So, it’s not unusual for refined sunflower oil to be used a lot when seasoning griddles.

The high-oleic oil has Vitamin E and is high in polyunsaturated fats. It’s 100% sunflower oil, free of added preservatives, additives, or other ingredients. It also has a smoke temperature of 350 degrees F.

What Does The Word Seasoning Mean?

If you own stainless steel and cast iron cooking equipment, it is essential to understand the definition of seasoning and how to do it right. Seasoning is a straightforward maintenance procedure that will aid in keeping your griddle well-maintained for years using some of the best cast iron seasoning oils available.

Spicing a griddle involves baking the oil into its surface. The griddle’s temperature rises, and the oils you apply are subjected to a procedure known as polymerization.

This is where the oil is carbonized, transforming from a moist and runny liquid to an emulsified coating on the grid.

After the polymerization process is finished, the oil molecules are attached to the grid. In the case of cast iron griddles with an uneven surface, seasoning is a very effective method of maintaining the griddle since oils stick to this surface very easily.

Over time, oil can fill the pores of rough surfaces of the cast iron griddles and smooth them out.

How Do You Season A Griddle? 

  1. Clean up food debris from the cooking surface with a scraper.
  2. Preheat the griddle until it darkens, then switch it off.
  3. Apply a thin layer of your chosen high-heat oil to the griddle’s surface.
  4. Spread it evenly on the cooking surface with the help of a paper towel.
  5. Switch on the grill and let it cook till it's dark and smokey.
  6. Switch off the griddle and let it rest until it reaches normal temperature.

To keep the griddle non-sticky, I recommend scrubbing and seasoning it at the end of each use. Once you’ve removed the food residue, you can clean the cooking surface with an absorbent paper towel.

If you’re having trouble removing the food debris, pour hot water over the residue to help soften it. Remove it using the help of a spatula or scraper, which isn’t made from metal. Anything too rough could damage the coating.

After the griddle has been thoroughly cleaned, turn it on to evaporate any water which may remain on the surface after cleaning. To finish, apply a thin, uniform layer of oil to the cooking surface with an old towel.

Reasons You Should Seasoning Your Griddle

There are two reasons you should prepare your griddle for seasoning. In the first place, it keeps the griddle from getting rusty and will add to its longevity. Second, spicing up the griddle will create a natural, non-stick coating.

A little seasoning periodically will help restore its non-stick surface. As time passes, the griddle will begin to develop an unattractive black finish. It’s a good thing; as you continue to use the griddle and put in the time to keep it clean, the less sticky it’ll become.

Before You Season Your Griddle

You may be a novice to cooking with a griddle, but you’ll soon learn how to season it correctly for the best non-stick coating. Here are some tips you need to know before starting to season your grill.

1. Use High-heat Oil

In the process of seasoning a griddle, it is crucial to select the correct oil. Choose an oil that has a high smoke point. The oil with a high smoke point won't burn and will form a oily layer on the griddle, making it non-stick.

Besides the smoke point, think about the price and availability of the oil you purchase to refresh your griddle.

2. Griddles Need Airflow

For your griddle to be seasoned, it is necessary to allow the oil to get extremely hot. It will become smokey, therefore, make sure the airflow is adequate.

3. First-time Seasoning May Take Several Sessions

If this is your first time seasoning your griddle, you might require a couple of sessions using the oil before heating the mixture to where it creates a dark, non-stick coating over the cooking surface.

You may need as many as three seasonings before your brand-new grid becomes dark.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best thing to season a Blackstone griddle?

Blackstone Cook Nathan Lippy recommends using flaxseed oil to flavor the Blackstone griddle.

Although you can use other high-heat oils for seasoning your grill, flaxseed oil is ideal for a first seasoning.

You can use Barlean’s Fresh Flax Oil to add flavor to your Blackstone grill. The flaxseed oil is 100% completely natural and has not been refined. It has a smoke point of around 200 degrees F.

Although it is less than the smoke level of the oil choices mentioned above, flaxseed oil is an excellent choice for seasoning griddles due to its oil-specific properties.

It is not advised to apply animal fat for the first seasoning layer of Blackstone Griddle, mainly if you are not using the griddle all day. Salty animal fats, like bacon fat, can form a brittle layer over the griddle’s surface. It will begin to crack.

Is vegetable oil OK to season my Blackstone griddle?

Yes, vegetable oil is an excellent option to season your Blackstone griddle. It has a high smoke point and a neutral flavor, making it perfect for creating a non-stick surface and enhancing the taste of your food. To season your griddle with vegetable oil, follow the same steps as any other oil, applying a thin layer and repeating the process several times.

Can I season my Blackstone with Crisco?

Yes, Crisco can season your Blackstone griddle, although it’s not the most popular option. Crisco is a vegetable shortening that contains some trans fats, which can cause it to form a sticky residue on your griddle over time. As a result, it may not provide the same non-stick properties as other oils. However, if you choose to use Crisco, apply a thin layer and repeat the seasoning process several times to create a durable, non-stick surface.

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