by The Griddle is a great choice for backyard cooking, tailgating, and anything in between. However, to keep your cooking station in pristine condition, a frying pan needs to be seasoned from time to time. This process helps prolong the life of the grill and helps lock in the flavor in every future bite. Steps to easily season your griddle are outlined in this guide.
Table of Contents
What Is a Seasoned Griddle?
A seasoned frying pan is a cast iron skillet that you rub with a thin layer of oil to protect it and maintain a non-stick surface. After oiling the frying pan, you put it in a hot oven and seal the oil on the cast iron. This process, called polymerization, will create a non-stick surface on a cast iron skillet, cast iron skillet, or cast iron skillet. This process is not effective for stainless steel pans and other types of nonstick pans.
How to Season a Griddle Before Use
Things You’ll Need
- Oil
- Clean cloth
- Baking tray
- Aluminum foil or parchment paper
- Oven gloves
Steps To Season a Griddle
Step 1
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
Step 2
Rinse the frying pan and wipe dry. Pour or scoop 1 to 2 tablespoons of any type of vegetable oil, shortening, lard, butter, or coconut oil. Wipe the oil into the frying pan with a clean cloth, making sure it covers the frying pan evenly. Only form a thin coating on all interior surfaces. Do not leave puddles, balls, or missed spots.
Step 3
Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil or parchment paper. Turn the frying pan upside down and place it on the baking sheet.
Step 4
Put the roasting pan and skillet in the oven and cook for 45 minutes.
Step 5
Remove the pan with oven mitts. Let it cool. Do not run under cold water or it will crack. Leave the oven on while the pan cools.
Step 6
Repeat the oiling, cooking, and cooling process two or three more times.
3 Tips for Seasoning a Griddle
Proper seasoning of a cast iron skillet can positively affect the flavor of the food you cook and determine how efficiently your ingredients cook on the stove or oven. When you’re seasoning your frying pan, keep these tips in mind:
- Avoid soap. To maintain the non-stick surface of your cast iron skillet for as long as possible, do not use soap when cleaning. To remove any food buildup or food residue, use a scraper, scrubbing pad, or special cast iron cleaning brush. Run the frying pan under hot water while scraping, then dry completely to prevent rust. Only clean the frying pan this way if there is visible food sticking to it. Otherwise, just wipe the pan with a dry paper towel.
- Choose the right oil. It is important to use an oil with a high smoke point (the temperature at which the oil catches fire). Neutral cooking oils like vegetable, canola, or flaxseed oil work well because they have a high smoke point and don’t add extra flavor to the frying pan. Lard or bacon grease will work, but will spoil if the frying pan is not used for a long time. A beeswax is a longer-lasting option. The smoke point of refined coconut oil is about 400-450 degrees Fahrenheit. Unrefined coconut oil and extra virgin olive oil have low smoke points, making them poor choices for seasoning skillets.
- Oil the frying pan after each use. To keep your frying pan seasoned and non-stick, you should oil your frying pan after every use or after every cleaning. Then, place the frying pan on one burner on the stove and bake on medium-low heat or in a 200°F oven for 20 minutes. At the very least, rubbing a fresh, thin layer of oil on the pan after each use or cleaning should be enough to keep its seasoning.
How To Clean A Griddle
Cleaning a frying pan can be an easy task that can help preserve precious condiments for future meals.
To shut down your cooking station overnight, go get some water and spray the cooking surface, Mitchell says. Use a spatula and paper towel to clean the frying pan to remove any food, grease, or other particles.
“After you wash it, take another paper towel. Put a thin layer of (oil) on it while it’s still hot. Cut it off, let it cool and you can cook it next time,” Mitchell said.
Condiments are a critical step in making sure your skillet is getting the most out of it. Following these guidelines will help maintain flavor throughout the grilling season.
Final Thoughts
Seasoning your flat-top grill ensures longevity and a delicious pan that won’t stick under the grill during cooking. By following this guide on how to season your flat top grill, you can easily enjoy airy cooking on your multi-purpose grill.
