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Your outdoor kitchen is incomplete without a Blackstone griddle. It is among the most important equipment that allows you to cook your breakfast, lunch, and dinner outside and use the available resources economically.
The performance of your grill may differ depending on several factors like weather and the overall environment. This article looks at why your Blackstone griddle is not getting very hot and other essential information you need to know.
One of the main reasons your Blackstone griddle is not getting very hot is improper assembly. If you notice that your griddle is not getting hot enough the first time using it, find a licensed installer to check.
Other common reasons why the appliance might prove faulty are issues with the propane tank, tipping of the safety regulator, adverse weather conditions, and dirt.
Read on to learn more about safely operating a griddle and the critical areas to maintaining your unit for satisfactory performance.
How Hot Should my Blackstone Griddle Get?
How hot your Blackstone grill gets depends on several factors that influence how much you can cook and how long it will take. Your griddle should reach a 640-degree temperature on average when set too high.
Achieving such a temperature will require 8 to 9 minutes, and the edges take longer to become hot. If your unit delivers a lower temperature, consider reaching out to a professional. On cooler days, your unit might take longer to heat up and lose heat faster, increasing fuel consumption.
How to Get Blackstone Griddle Hotter
Cook on Low-Wind Days
Most Blackstone griddle owners already know that you need to utilize those low-wind days to get the most out of your unit. Low wind days guarantee high heat when cooking on a Blackstone griddle.
The main reason you can attain maximum temperature is that the griddle is not competing with cooler temperatures from the environment. It will prove challenging to achieve the desired temperature on a windy day, so avoid cooking with your griddle on such days.
Avoid Cooking in Winter
It will help if you keep off cooking with your Blackstone griddle in winter. The unit is still functional during this season; however, it will need more patience for you to operate.
For starters, it takes significantly longer for your griddle to heat up. And even after it heats up, the cool temperature from the existing weather conditions makes it hard for the edges of the appliance to retain heat, causing an uneven heat distribution when cooking.
If you need to use one, ensure you go through the tips of handling a Blackstone griddle in cold temperatures.
Use Wind Guards
Wind guards are a slight modification made to your unit to prevent wind from interfering with temperature distribution in your routine.
The extra protection allows your unit to focus on its other integral roles, like cooking your favorite meals and maximizing convenience.
How Do You Know When a Griddle is Hot Enough?
Modern griddles come with a fixed thermometer that effectively lets you know how hot your appliance is. However, not all units have this feature.
Anybody can use a simple technique to know how hot their griddle is for such units. The method involves placing your hand over the griddle and measuring how long it stays there.
- 5-6 seconds means low heat, around 250 degrees
- 3-4 seconds means medium heat, which is approximately 350 degrees
- 1 second is high heat, and it ranges between 450 and 500 degrees
Why Is My Griddle Not Getting Hot?
Improper Assembly
Improper assembly is the most common reason for griddles not getting hot, especially for first-time users. An instruction manual guides you through the installation process, but sometimes you can’t get everything right.
There are dozens of firms offering professional installation services at affordable prices; why not consider one for a safer procedure?
Propane Tank Issues
Another valid reason for your Blackstone griddle not getting very hot is an issue with the propane tank. The propane tank provides fuel required to provide heat, and any defect in the component will affect heat generation and distribution.
The tank may be off or empty, leading to an inadequate gas supply to the main unit.
Ignition Issues
Ignition is an essential aspect in Blackstone griddles, and it is the part that lights the flame. If your unit has a faulty ignition, chances are it will not get hot enough. The ignition unit in most griddles is battery-powered, and its common cause for failure is drained batteries. Replacing the batteries might restore functionality of your Blackstone griddle; you can read the manual for other possible ignition error causes.
Dirt
One maintenance procedure for all Blackstone griddles is regular cleaning. You will need to unscrew the propane tank and remove it from the tank to clean the valve endpiece. Use a wire to reach the little hole and tight spaces and ensure you blow the dust off using compressed air before reinstalling.
Adverse Weather Conditions
Blackstone griddles are outdoor kitchen equipment, making them vulnerable to adverse weather conditions. Although cold weather will not stop the unit from functioning, the low temperatures will affect its performance significantly.
Final Thoughts
Your Blackstone grill should provide enough heat to facilitate preparing your favorite meal. Not getting very hot is a defective sign you need to investigate and correct. The possible reasons why your unit might behave like this are discussed in our article, and you can use the content shared to solve your problems.
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.