As one of the most popular outdoor flat top grill brands on the market, Blackstone griddles have won over home chefs with their spacious cooking surface and restaurant-grade versatility.
However, like any frequently used cooking appliance, wear and tear over time can lead to rust forming on your beloved Blackstone flat top grill.
You are watching: How To Clean Rust Off A Blackstone Griddle (Easy Guide) – 2023
While unsightly and potentially damaging long term, removing rust from your Blackstone griddle thankfully just takes a little time and elbow grease.
With the proper cleaning methods and care, you can have your flat top looking factory fresh again and ready for grilling season.
In this comprehensive guide, we will cover simple step-by-step techniques for how to clean rust off your Blackstone griddle safely and effectively.
By understanding what causes rust on Blackstone grills and learning proper preventative griddle maintenance, you can keep rust at bay and your Blackstone cooking like new. Let’s get into how to banish rust from your flat top!
What Causes Rust on Blackstone Griddles
Before digging into rust removal, it helps to understand exactly what’s causing the rust on your Blackstone in the first place. After all, prevention is the best medicine when it comes to griddle upkeep.
Rust results from iron oxidation when moisture and oxygen come into contact with the cast iron or carbon steel surface of your flat top grill.
Frequent use of your griddle naturally wears away protective seasoning over time. This leaves the reactive porous metal below exposed to the elements.
On a Blackstone, rust most commonly forms:
- In off-season storage if put away wet and left uncovered allowing moisture penetration.
- From inadequate cleaning that doesn’t remove all grease residue after cooking. Grease debris holds moisture against the metal.
- If the grill surface isn’t properly re-seasoned and conditioned between uses. This leaves it vulnerable to oxygen and humidity when idle.
- Around knobs, bolts, and edges that see frequent impact from cooking utensils and aren’t protected by oil seasoning.
- On older heavily used models where protective seasoning has gradually worn away after extensive use.
Thankfully with the right rust busting technique, you can reverse surface oxidation and restore your flat top grill to like-new condition.
When to Remove Rust from Your Blackstone Griddle
It’s smart to intervene with rust removal as soon as those first specks of orange and red oxidation appear. Don’t let rust spread uninhibited.
However, surface rust isn’t an emergency scenario requiring immediate scrubbing in the middle of dinner service! Small spots of surface rust that appear mid-cook can simply be noted and cleaned off promptly after you finish the meal at a natural stopping point.
Ideally set aside proper time for rust removal as part of periodic griddle maintenance anytime you notice oxidation starting to take hold. These instances call for thorough rust cleaning:
- At the end of grilling season as part of storing your Blackstone safely over winter. Addressing rust prevents worsening spread in storage.
- After removing your flat top grill from winter storage before the first use in spring. Tackle any new rust that formed in the off-season.
- Following coastal vacations or periods of high humidity if noticeable surface rust developed.
- Anytime you see rust forming around knobs, handles or the grill frame during the grilling season after repeat uses.
- Whenever you observe small scattered rust spots forming across the cook surface between regular deep cleanings.
Catching and removing rust promptly preserves your Blackstone and prevents damage. But for grill surfaces with heavy dense rust buildup from extensive neglect, restoration may require more extreme rust removal measures.
How to Remove Rust from Blackstone Griddles
When your Blackstone flat top grill inevitably starts exhibiting rust, don’t panic! Here are proven DIY methods and commercial rust removal products that safely banish oxidation without harming the underlying metal:
Hand Scrubbing with Steel Wool
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For light surface rust, rubbing stubborn spots vigorously with 0000 super fine or 000 very fine steel wool is effective for scrubbing away oxidation manually. Always scrub following the metal grain direction.
Steel wool’s fine abrasive quality wears through the rust layer while leaving intact seasoning in surrounding areas. Avoid using coarse grades of steel wool that could scratch the cook surface.
Baking Soda and Water Paste
Another gentle way to lift surface rust from a Blackstone griddle is mixing water and baking soda into a spreadable paste. Coat rust stains with the paste, allow to sit for 5-10 minutes, then scrub away with a non-abrasive sponge.
The baking soda introduces just enough grit to scour off rust oxidation without damaging the seasoned base metal. Rinse paste clean when finished.
Salt and Vegetable Oil
For light rust deposits, make a salt and vegetable oil mixture to gently lift and exfoliate rust away. Sprinkle salt over discolored areas, then use a halved raw potato dipped in oil to rub the salt against stains. The salt abrades while the potato padding avoids scratches.
White Vinegar
Being highly acidic, white vinegar can dissolve rust bonds. Place undiluted vinegar directly over stubborn rust spots on your Blackstone and let sit for up to 30 minutes as it reacts with the oxidation. Scrub with a plastic bristle brush and rinse clean.
Repeat vinegar applications may be needed for thick dense rust accumulation. This is best for isolated rust spots rather than large areas, as vinegar may remove some protective seasoning surrounding the immediate rust zones too.
Commercial Rust Removers
Specialty cleaners like Evapo-Rust and Krud Kutter Original are formulated specifically for dissolving rust while safeguarding the base metal.
These can be applied by either spraying over the griddle or using a saturated cloth. Let the active ingredients penetrate for 15-30 minutes before scrubbing and rinsing. Automotive rust removers are also effective for Blackstone griddles.
Low-Pressure Sandblasting
For the most extreme rust buildup where only the cook surface is affected, low-pressure abrasive blasting can remove heavy oxidation without damaging the griddle housing frame beneath.
This is best left to professionals with industrial sand blasting equipment. It provides a deep clean slate for re-seasoning very worn flat top surfaces when other methods can’t cut through severe rust penetration.
Tips for Cleaning Rust Off a Blackstone Griddle
Once you’ve selected an appropriate rust removal method, executing it effectively requires proper technique:
- Always allow the Blackstone to fully cool before any cleaning to prevent warping the metal.
- When possible, remove the griddle plate from the frame housing to make rust cleaning easier.
- Use rust removal products in a well-ventilated area. Avoid inhaling or skin contact.
- Scrub using the grain of the metal to avoid scratches. Apply minimal pressure.
- Spot test cleaners on a small inconspicuous area first to check for unwanted reactions with the metal.
- Rinse griddle thoroughly after treatment to wash away all cleaner and rust residue.
- Dry completely and re-season promptly with oil to protect newly stripped metal.
With some trial and error using these methods, you’ll get a feel for which rust removal approaches work best to revitalize your particular Blackstone model based on the cook surface material and rust intensity.
How to Remove Rust from the Seasoned Cooking Surface
When rust forms on the flat cooking surface of your well-seasoned Blackstone griddle, take care to only target the affected areas to avoid stripping away intact seasoning:
- Isolate and treat individual rust spots rather than the whole cook surface if possible. This prevents removing more seasoning than necessary.
- Opt for less harsh rust removal options like baking soda paste or fine steel wool that preserve seasoning around rust zones.
- Immediately re-oil and season any stripped areas after cleaning rust to maintain the nonstick patina.
- Avoid flood coating entire cook surface with vinegar or corrosive cleaners that will eat away seasoning beyond just the rust spots.
With a targeted rust busting strategy, you can eliminate oxidation while retaining as much intact seasoning as possible.
How to Remove Rust from Cook Surface Bolts and Knobs
Rust commonly forms around Blackstone knobs, bolts, and anything that gets contact from utensils. For treating rust in these high traffic areas:
- Remove knobs and rub with fine steel wool to preserve threading. Soak bolts in a rust remover bath.
- Tape over electronic ignition modules if present before applying any liquid cleaner. Prevent moisture damage.
- Use a small brush or cotton swabs for rust remover only on affected regions. Avoid coating nearby seasoning.
- If knobs or bolts are heavily worn, replacement may be needed from Blackstone after rust removal.
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Isolating rust on high contact points preserves the integrity of surrounding cook surface seasoning while still addressing oxidation where it tends to occur most.
How to Remove Rust from the Griddle Frame
For rust forming on the outer griddle frame and structural components:
- Light rust on stainless steel frame can often be rubbed away with steel wool and seasoning oil alone.
- Heavier rust may need a vinegar rust remover bath or commercial cleaner formulated for stainless steel.
- Remove griddle plate and thoroughly cover electronics including switches if applying liquid removers.
- For rust around welded joints, sealants or hard to reach areas, disassemble further if required for access.
Dealing with frame rust promptly prevents it spreading to the cook surface long term. And addressing any related leaks or gaps that allow moisture inside the housing prevents further issues.
How to Prevent Rust on a Blackstone Griddle
They say an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Heeding some basic griddle care and maintenance best practices helps stave off rust in the first place:
- Always clean your Blackstone thoroughly after each use, removing all debris and grease residue. This prevents moisture getting trapped on the surface.
- In addition to cleaning, apply a thin coat of vegetable oil to the entire cook surface after every use while the griddle is still warm. This rejuvenates protective seasoning.
- Avoid spraying griddle with water for cooling or cleaning while hot; only wipe with oil once cooled. Spraying water on hot metal leads to rapid oxidation as it evaporates.
- Check for gaps around bolts or any openings where water could penetrate frame, and apply high temp RTV sealant as needed.
- Use grill cover when stored outside, and bring inside a garage or shed during wet humid months if possible.
- When seasoning, slowly preheat griddle brought out of storage before applying oil to open cook surface pores fully. Cold griddle seasoning doesn’t penetrate as effectively.
With diligent care, cleaning and seasoning, you can keep your Blackstone rust-free and performing like it’s fresh out of the box for years of reliable flat top grilling.
FAQs About Removing Rust from Blackstone Griddles
Cleaning rust off Blackstone flat top grills is pretty straightforward once you know the basics. Here are answers to some frequently asked questions:
How do I remove rust from my Blackstone griddle?
Gently scrubbing rust stains away with steel wool or using a baking soda paste, white vinegar, or commercial rust removers specifically formulated for griddle plate materials all work well. Avoid anything too abrasive that can damage the underlying metal.
How can I prevent rust on my Blackstone?
Prevent rust by always cleaning thoroughly after use, removing all grease residue. Apply a thin coat of oil before and after each cook. Store covered and avoid wet conditions. Plug any frame gaps vulnerable to moisture intrusion.
Will vinegar or rust remover damage my Blackstone’s seasoning?
It shouldn’t if applied only to isolated rust spots and wiped off promptly. But excessive exposure everywhere can strip some seasoning, so isolate application only where rust is present.
Can I use sandpaper to remove rust from my Blackstone?
Generally no, as sandpaper is too abrasive. It will remove seasoning surrounding rust. Fine steel wool is safer for spot rust removal without stripping away intact seasoning around it.
Is it safe to remove rust from a hot Blackstone while in use?
Never attempt to remove rust from a hot griddle. Always allow it to fully cool after use before any cleaning or rust removal to prevent warping or damaging the cook surface.
With the right technique and maintenance, removing occasional rust from your beloved Blackstone griddle is no sweat. A little attentive care and cleaning keeps your flat top grill in peak rust-free condition for years of flawless cooking performance. Ditch those rust stains and get excited for grilling season!
Conclusion
In conclusion, restoring a rusted Blackstone Griddle to its former glory is a simple process. For surface rust, applying heat and cooking oil and then wiping it off with a paper towel will do the trick.
However, for heavy rust buildup, it’s necessary to heat the griddle plate, scrape it down with a scraper, apply oil, and use a grill stone to remove all the rust.
After removing the rust, it’s important to clean the griddle thoroughly and then re-season it before using it again.
With a little effort and time, you can have your Blackstone Griddle looking and performing like new.
Source: https://gardencourte.com
Categories: Outdoor
