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Blackstone Griddle Grease Problem
Blackstone griddles do have a few minor grease problems where the grease from the griddle top doesn’t always make it perfectly into the grease collection cup. While it is more common with versions of the Blackstone 36 and Blackstone 28 with front grease management systems, it can also occur with rear grease management systems.
Fortunately, there are a few accessories and simple hacks that you can use to ensure that the grease flows smoothly into the grease collection cup. You can then dispose of it safely, and cleanly.
What Are Common Blackstone Griddle Grease Problems?
The most common Blackstone griddle grease problem is a front-mounted grease management system that leaks over the lip of the trough, down the front leg of the griddle.
Though a rear grease management system can also leak rendered fat and grease down the back of the griddle’s cart base if it isn’t installed properly, or too much grease is pushed to the rear port at one time.
Of course, the other grease problem that a lot of Blackstone griddle owners run into is what to do with the grease after you are done cooking. It’s not the sort of thing you should ever pour down a sink drain, and the grease collection cup itself needs to be properly cleaned to prevent odors and mold.
What Causes Problems Handling Grease on a Blackstone Griddle?
In a Blackstone griddle with a front grease management system, the leak is usually related to Vander Waals forces encouraging grease to flow from the underside of the grease trough.
It then finds the vertical surface of the front leg, and gravity takes over pulling it down to make a mess on your deck boards.
With a rear grease management system, if the rear cup isn’t properly installed it creates a small lip that the grease hits before reaching the cup. Some of the grease and rendered fat then flows to the side of the grease collection cup rather than into it.
Since you can’t easily see the grease cup when you are standing in front of the griddle, the grease problem might go unnoticed throughout an entire cook.
Should You Try to Fix Some of the Grease Problems?
Fixing grease problems on a Blackstone griddle can be relatively easy.
The most common sense thing to do is to place a wooden grill skewer to target the flow of the grease from the griddle top to the grease collection cup.
If your Blackstone griddle has a front grease management system, you have to make sure that the wooden grill skewer is touching the front of the little hole at the end of the grease trough.
There is also an aftermarket accessory that costs around $20, which fits on the end of the grease trough. It is specifically designed to funnel the grease to the collection cup on the griddle’s side table.
If your Blackstone griddle has a rear grease management system you need to make sure that the grease collection cup is properly seated and flush with the back of the griddle’s firebox.
Then place the wooden grill skewer at the lowest point of the grease port.
What Do You Do with the Grease from Blackstone Griddle?
The easiest way to deal with the leftover grease in a Blackstone griddle’s grease collection cup is to wait until it has cooled down but is still liquid, then pour it into an old can or jar.
Then you can let it cool until it is solid and simply throw it away in the garbage. This is much easier, cleaner, and less wasteful than trying to soak up a big volume of grease with a ton of paper towels.
Blackstone also offers a grease cup liner that is specifically designed to fit their collection cups. It’s meant more for rear grease management systems, but it lets you collect the grease with minimal mess in the collection cup itself.
If you do have a greasy film on your collection cup, you can easily hand wash it in warm soapy water or put it in your dishwasher.
Just make sure that as much congealed grease as possible has been wiped or washed away.
Final Thoughts
Blackstone griddle grease problems are relatively easy to deal with.
A simple wooden grill skewer can help direct grease and rendered fat directly to the grease collection cup.
If you have a Blackstone griddle with a front grease management system, you need to make sure that the skewer is touching the front of the little hole near the end of the trough. If you have a model with a rear grease management system, you just need to make sure that the collection cup is properly seated, flush with the back of the firebox.
Then the wooden grill skewer needs to be positioned at the lowest point in the rear grease port.
When you are done cooking, you should wait for the grease to cool slightly. If you have one of Blackstone’s grease liners, you can let it completely firm up. If you are using a bare grease collection cup, you can pour the cooled liquid grease into an old soup can.
Once the grease is firmed up, you can simply throw it away in the garbage can and wash the collection cup with warm soapy water.
Robert is a certified Pitmaster, with over a decade of experience in smoking the best meats you’ll ever feast upon. He also has a Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Texas at San Antonio. When he’s not researching technical topics, he’s most likely barbecuing in his backyard.