Griddle Guide: How to Restore Natural Nonstick (Seasoning)

If you've just done a deep clean or accidentally cooked acidic food on your griddle, it might be a good time to give it a new layer of seasoning to ensure its natural nonstick is good. Follow the simple steps below.

Grill Method / Gas Burner Method

It's important that your griddle is completely clean and free of rust before you start. So, give it a thorough scrub with hot water and soap using a coarse sponge, brush, or steel wool. You can wipe with a piece of kitchen paper to see if the griddle is clean.

Step 2: Dry the griddle

Once the griddle is clean and thoroughly dried with a cloth, we need to ensure that the last water molecules evaporate. We do this by gently heating the griddle for 2-5 minutes on the stove.

Step 3: Apply a thin layer of oil

Then, add a small amount of a neutral oil such as grape seed oil, vegetable oil, canola oil, or sunflower oil. We recommend grape seed oil because it is relatively inexpensive, flavorless, and has a high smoke point of about 220℃.

Spread the oil evenly over the surface of the griddle with kitchen paper. Feel free to use tongs to avoid burning your fingers. There should be almost no oil residue left on the surface when you're done.

Step 4: Heat the griddle on the gas stove / grill

Start by heating your griddle on low-medium heat on the gas stove or directly on the grill if you don't have a gas stove.

If necessary, you can also use an induction stove, but here the result depends a lot on the quality of the stove and the size of the cooking plate, as there is a risk that the plate may warp if heated quickly and/or unevenly.

Once the griddle is heated slowly on low heat, you can turn it up to medium-high heat and let it heat for about 5-10 minutes. It may smoke a little, so turn on the hood if you're working indoors.

Step 5: Let the griddle cool down

Once the griddle is seasoned, you can let it cool down slowly on the stove / grill. Wait until it is completely cooled before putting it in place.

Oven Method

Another method you can use to season your griddle is the oven method.

Here you'll need to use an oil again, such as grape seed oil. One challenge may be that the griddle is too large for most standard ovens. In this case, use the method mentioned first.

Your oven should be preheated to the smoke point of the oil you've chosen. Different oils have different smoke points, so it's important to set your oven to the correct temperature. If you're using grape seed oil, the oven should be set to about 220℃ or slightly higher.

Put a small amount of oil on the surface of your griddle and spread it gently with a piece of kitchen paper. Then wipe again with a dry piece of kitchen paper, leaving only a thin layer of oil.

Place a baking tray on the lower rack of the oven to collect any excess oil. Then place your griddle in the oven with the cooking surface facing down. Let it heat in the oven for about an hour.

After an hour, the oven should be turned off. Let the griddle sit in the oven while it cools down. Once the griddle is completely cooled, it's ready to use.

Why does carbon steel need seasoning?

When carbon steel is not protected with a layer of oil, it becomes vulnerable to moisture and rust due to its high iron content. By applying seasoning, a protective layer of oil is created, which seals the surface and fills the "pores" of your griddle. This results in the formation of a patina that provides the surface with nonstick properties and prevents rust. It's therefore important to give your griddle seasoning if, for example, it has been cleaned with vinegar or a coarse sponge / steel wool.

Make sure to give the griddle a layer of oil and new seasoning if it has been used for very acidic ingredients.