How to Season a Griddle and Keep It From Rusting

OK, so you Received a yard grid. Congratulations, it is similar to joining worship – though one whose shrine is Smashburgers, Tacos and Pancakes. (View Wired’s guide to the best grids here.) Each outdoor grid -lover has their own conversion history, one of which they cannot stop telling friends and strangers.

But in particular, the grid has its own particular set of rites – a cycle of condiment and cleaning and maintenance can love, but maybe fear. On Reddit or Facebook, posters of new owners of Gridle betray keen concerns … do I do it wrong? Why can’t I get the even black surface I see in grid videos?

I tested and broke into 10 new flat grids this summer alone, so I get it. I made the mistakes. I tested the solutions. Here is a quick guide to grid and maintenance, and some gear that will help you along the way-with some tips crippled by Pros at the best manufacturers, such as Blackstone, Weber and Traeger.

Why seasoning a grid?

Photo: Matthew Korfage

To properly ascertain a grid, and to keep it condiments, is the best way to prevent your flat top of rusting-and also getting a smooth surface, which will both transfer heat more equally and prevent it from staying like that.

The processing process involves heating unsaturated fats, often high heat oils such as grape-seed oil or canolate oil, on porous metal such as carbon steel or iron. After you reach the smoke point of each oil (more about it later), the liquid fat polymerizes in a hard, non -staple surface, which chemically attaches to the surface of the metal and fills its pores.

This protects the metal from oxidation, which is good: this is rust. It also facilitates the surface of your grid and more hydrophobic, meaning it repels water. This means that food is less inclined to stay. All these things are what you want, cooking. But to get this effect, you will need a Wafer wicked, even to dress … not a gummy building of much oil. This is what to do.

First, clean your grid with soap (probably)

Check your user manual before any initial cleaning. Some gates, such as the Weber slate rust-resistant grid, come predicted with food-grade oils and already have a layer of condiment. This doesn’t mean you don’t have to restore it – but it means you don’t have to clean the condiment and restart.

But most grids arrive condiments with shipping oil intended to protect it during their trip to you, but which you do not necessarily want to keep. As a first step, you will need to throw your grid with soap and water.

Note that almost every guide of each grid -maker says not to use soap and water to clean your grid on a lasting basis: this is the first, last, and only time you will probably use soap. But do this -time.

I tend to favor Dawn Powerwash Spray ($ 5) and a sponge for this, instead of looking around with a bucket.