Easy guide to delicious meals on your Blackstone Griddle

The Appeal and Rising Popularity of Outdoor Griddle Cooking

Outdoor cooking provides a fun, social atmosphere that feels like an event. Friends and family gather around a hot grill or griddle as appetizing sizzling sounds fill the air. The experience feels nostalgic, harkening backyard memories yet also novel in its difference from indoor stove cooking.

Griddles specifically bring people together, with meals cooked right in front of guests. The griddle’s large, flat cooking surface also enables cooking for a crowd. Portability empowers cooks to bring the heat anywhere – camping, tailgating, picnics, and more.

While grills focus on primary protein items, griddles excel at cooking full, balanced meals. The expansive griddle cooks proteins, vegetables, and even desserts side-by-side. Temperature flexibility allows both quick-cooking and more delicate foods. For these reasons, griddle popularity grows exponentially.

Overview of the Unique Benefits of Cooking on a Blackstone Griddle

Blackstone griddles lead the modern griddle movement. Their thick cold rolled steel absorbs, retains, and distributes heat evenly across the cooking surface. This consistent heat allows the griddle to mimic the functionality of a commercial flat top grill.

Specifically, Blackstone griddles provide:

• Even heating across entire cooktop
• High heat output for quick cooking
• Large surface area for cooking full meals
• Versatile temperature control
• Restaurant-quality performance
• both Portability and durability
• Social, interactive cooking environment

For home cooks, Blackstone griddles enable diner-style cooking. The griddle’s expansive surface means you can cook everything at once – meats, eggs, pancakes, vegetables, and more. Consistent heat distribution prevents burning and temperature fluctuations.

Choosing the Right Griddle

With different sizes and features available, selecting the right Blackstone griddle depends on your needs and preferences.

Size

Blackstone offers griddle tops from 17″ up to 60″. Consider how many people you cook for and your available storage space. Larger griddles allow more cooking capacity but require more space.

Portability

Stationary models must remain in one place while portable units have wheels and legs that fold up for moving the griddle. Portable griddles work well for tailgating or camping.

Burners

Multiple burners allow you to create heat zones for simultaneous cooking at different temperatures. Griddles have 1-4 burners.

Features

Added features include a rear grease management system, bottom storage shelf, side shelves, and griddle covers. Decide which features will maximize convenience.

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Select the Blackstone griddle size and functionality best suited for your typical cooking and needs.

Initial Setup and Preparation

Essential Tools and Accessories

Equipping your outdoor kitchen empowers you to get the most out of your Blackstone griddle. MUST-HAVE tools include:

Metal Spatulas

Use metal instead of plastic spatulas so they withstand the high griddle heat. Need both a straight and angled spatula.

Grease Management

A grease management system collects excess grease. Or line a metal pan with foil under the front of griddle.

Scraper

A long handled scraper cleanly and easily removes any stuck on bits after cooking.

Oil Dispenser

Apply cooking oil quickly and evenly from a squeeze bottle. Neatly coats and redistributes as needed.

Additional Accessories

• Griddle covers to retain heat or smoking accessories like a pellet smoker
• Cutting board – prep ingredients right on the workstation
• Seasoning products for pre/post cook seasoning
• Grill brushes and scrub pads – keep your griddle spotless

The right tools allow you to cook with confidence and easily maintain your griddle.

Cooking Techniques and Temperature Control

With a shiny seasoned Blackstone griddle ready for its maiden voyage, it’s time to begin cooking! Griddling does require some technique adjustments from stovetop cooking.

Temperature Regulation

• Unlike grills, griddles allow precise temperature control.
• Use a laser thermometer to monitor temps until you learn temperature visualization cues.
• Adjust heat levels incrementally, allow time for temperature to adjust.
• Establish heat zones for different temps if your griddle has multiple burners.

Food Placement

• Arrange foods strategically based on cook times. Quick items around perimeter, slower to cook in center.
• Leave room between items to access with spatula.
• Avoid overcrowding. Cook batches if needed.

Cooking Technique

• Let food cook undisturbed to get a sear before turning.
• Use metal spatulas and tongs to flip. Plastic can melt.
• Add a bit of oil/butter before cooking to prevent sticking.
• Brown meats before cooking other items.
• Close lid to melt cheeses or steam buns.

With experience, you’ll become adept at temperature control and develop custom cooking techniques.

Versatile Cooking Options

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From breakfast staples to quick weeknight meals to special occasion fare, the cooking possibilities on a griddle are endless.

Breakfast

The griddle excels at classic breakfast items. Cook pancakes, french toast, eggs, breakfast meats like sausage and bacon all at once.

• Use pancake batter to make quick breakfast sandwiches. Cook an egg inside!
• Mix up pancake batters – try adding fresh corn, blueberries, chocolate chips, peanut butter, etc.
• Cook french toast in batches. Top with fruit compotes and whipped cream.
• Use lower heat for gently frying eggs. Cook over-easy to top other items.

Lunch and Dinner

Fire up the griddle for weeknight meals or weekend cookouts. Bunch veggies, kabobs, stir frys, and more.

• Try grilled veggies like zucchini, squash, peppers, onions, potatoes
• Kabobs with meat, shrimp, or tofu and veggies can be assembled right on the griddle
• Use a pellet smoker attachment for burger perfection
• Cook stir fry ingredients in batches at high heat for char while steaming rice nearby

Snacks and Desserts

The griddle allows for quick appetizers, nachos, quesadillas, grilled fruit, and other sweet treats.

• Grill sliced fruits like peaches, pineapple, apples, pears for speedy dessert
• Use a griddle cookie pan to bake cookies, s’mores, or brownies
• Assemble and brown quesadillas, flatbreads, and nachos
• Try grilled vegetables paired with hummus or ranch dressing

Don’t limit yourself to just “breakfast” foods! Utilize the griddle for diverse menus all day long.

Maintenance and Troubleshooting

While Blackstone griddles are built to last, proper maintenance optimizes performance and longevity. Here are key tips:

• Clean after each use once griddle is cool
• Use a metal scraper to remove any stuck on food
• Season periodically with a thin coat of oil to prevent rust
• Use mild soap and water with a non-abrasive scrub pad
• Avoid harsh cleaners which can strip off seasoning
• Store indoors and covered when not in use
• Watch for flare ups, uneven heating, or rust spots indicating issues

Uneven Heating

If parts of the griddle heat faster, check that burners are lit evenly. Also season the griddle to fill any bare spots causing hot spots.

Rust Spots

Use steel wool and griddle cleaner to remove rust. Re-season with oil. Small rust spots are normal, but large spots indicate issues.

Proper griddle maintenance makes cooking more enjoyable and extends its lifespan.

Recipes and Community Engagement

Griddling opens up a world of tantalizing recipe options. Here are some resources to get started:

Beginner Recipes

• Pancakes, french toast, eggs
• Grilled cheese
• Quesadillas
• Chicken breasts
• Hamburgers
• Hot dogs

Advanced Recipes

• Pizza
• Stir fry
• Kabobs
• Panini
• Crepes
• Seafood like shrimp, salmon, or tuna

Recipe Inspiration

Check out cooking sites, blogs, and Blackstone’s website for griddling ideas. Or get creative with your own combinations!

Connect with Fellow Enthusiasts

Join the Blackstone Griddle User Group on Facebook which has over 60,000 members sharing recipes, tips, and inspiration!

Closing Remarks

Outdoor griddling brings people together through interactive, social cooking. While griddles require some technique adjustments from stovetop cooking, with a bit of practice you’ll be flipping pancakes and searing steaks like a pro. Let yourself explore all the possibilities. Hosting a crowd or making a simple weeknight dinner, griddles make cooking fun. Fire up your new Blackstone griddle and begin creating sizzling memories.