Blackstone Griddle Problems
If you’re having a problem with your Blackstone Griddle, try not to worry too much. These awesome appliances are quite resilient, and there are plenty of steps you can take to preserve your Blackstone for the long term.
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With proper care and usage, your Blackstone can last up to 20 years or more. Some of the most common problems that users face are issues with the propane regulator, burners, rust, flaking, and warping. All of these issues are resolvable, and some are entirely preventable!
In this article, we’ll examine these common problems and discuss what you can do to avoid or resolve them.
Blackstone Griddle propane regulator problems
The propane regulator controls the flow of propane into the griddle unit, but some Blackstone owners have found that the propane regulator is too sensitive.
If your griddle isn’t lighting properly, it may be due to the propane regulator. In the case that you are having trouble with your propane regulator, you’ll want to reset it by closing the valve on the propane tank and disconnecting the gas line.
Make sure your griddle is off and cool during this process. Wait about one minute before reconnecting the gas line. Then, when you open the propane tank valve again, do so slowly and pause when you’re about ⅓ – ½ of the way through.
After taking a short pause, continue to steadily open the valve the rest of the way, and then try to ignite your griddle. You can also try igniting your griddle when the valve is part way open to see if that helps.
When you open the valve too quickly, the propane regulator can sometimes respond with sensitivity and throttle the outgoing gas. In rare instances, you may need to replace your propane regulator if you cannot fix the issue by troubleshooting.
Blackstone Griddle burner problems
If your burners are not emitting enough flame or are not lighting consistently, it could be due to an issue with airflow in the burner tubes, with the propane regulator, or with the igniter needles.
Each burner tube has an airgate at the base. When your griddle is off and cool, you can examine the airgates of the burner tubes and adjust them as needed to allow more or less airflow. Keep in mind that you do need some airflow. If you block off all airflow, it could significantly damage your griddle.
If the airflow doesn’t seem to be the source of the issue, it could be that there isn’t enough propane reaching the burner tubes and igniter needles. Follow the steps outlined above to troubleshoot with your propane regulator to see if that is affecting your burners.
Lastly, your griddle’s igniter needles may not be in the proper position to ignite the gas. Each igniter needle should be about ¼” to ⅛” away from the nearest burner tube, and the needle should be pointed at a hole on the burner tube.
When your griddle is off and cool, you can gently push the igniter needles into a better position if needed. This adjustment will help the burners light consistently.
How long do Blackstone Griddles last?
Blackstone Griddles can last up to 20 years or more, but the longevity of your griddle will depend on how well you maintain it.
One of the most important things you can do to maintain your griddle is to regularly season it. A good seasoning layer will protect the griddle surface and prevent flaking.
On top of that, you should always protect your griddle from the elements. Depending on where you live and where you store your griddle, a simple griddle lid may not be enough to keep out moisture or rain. You may need to invest in a larger, sturdy griddle cover to keep your griddle dry and rust free.
By following these preventative measures, your griddle will last you a long time.
Blackstone Griddle rust problems
If your griddle has started rusting, you can effectively resolve the issue by scraping off the layer of rust, scrubbing the griddle surface down, and reasoning the griddle.
Of course, it is ideal to prevent your griddle from rusting in the first place. You can do this by maintaining a solid seasoning layer and storing your griddle in a dry, cool location.
If you are struggling with a rusty griddle, you can fix the problem and restore your griddle. Start by heating up your griddle on high for about 15-20 minutes to loosen up the rust. Then, allow your griddle to cool before using a metal scraper to remove the rusted layer.
Once you’ve removed the corrosion, add a little oil to the griddle surface and scrub it down with a grill stone. After that, you can wipe the griddle down with a clean cloth to remove any additional rust particles.
Once your griddle is free of rust, you can re-season your griddle. At this point, the surface should be entirely renewed and ready to go!
Blackstone Griddle flaking
A Blackstone Griddle will begin flaking if the seasoning layer hasn’t been properly maintained. By following a regular seasoning regiment, you can avoid griddle flaking altogether.
The “seasoning” layer on a griddle is a layer of oil that protects the griddle and creates a non-stick cooking surface. Blackstone Griddles do come with a pre-laid seasoning layer, but it is a good idea to lightly wash your griddle after you first open it. By doing this, you’ll remove any dust or debris from the manufacturing and shipping process.
Take a paper towel and dunk it in a bowl of soapy water. Then use this paper towel to wipe down the griddle surface. You don’t need much soap or water for this process, and it is important to be gentle while you’re washing down the griddle.
This first initial washdown is really the only time that you should use soap on your griddle since soap will eat away at your seasoning layer and cause flaking. Instead of using soap, you can clean your griddle by scraping it, wiping it down with a paper towel, and applying a fresh layer of seasoning oil.
After the initial wash, you’ll need to make sure the griddle is entirely dry before starting the seasoning process. To season your griddle, you’ll essentially heat the griddle up and apply a light layer of a cooking oil like avocado oil, grapeseed oil, or canola oil.
Use heat protectant gloves, tongs, and paper towel to evenly apply the oil all over your griddle surface, sides, and edges. Then, allow the heat to smoke the oil off before applying another light layer of oil. Typically, you want to do this process a few times before adding a final thin layer of oil and turning off your griddle.
Blackstone Griddle warping
It is common for a Blackstone Griddle to show minor signs of warping in the first 10-12 uses.
Warping is normal because of the inherent ways that metal behaves. Blackstone Griddles are made of steel, which is a metal.
When metals are heated, they expand, but when they are cooled, they contract. When a metal is rapidly heated and cooled, this expansion and contraction can happen unevenly across the griddle surface, which is what creates the warp.
Blackstone is aware of the warping process, and griddle users can expect some minor warping at first. After about 10-12 uses, the warping should even out as the metal gets used to the heating and cooling process.
Still, you’ll want to avoid unnecessarily warping your griddle. Don’t overheat your griddle; this creates an extremely hot temperature, which makes warping more likely. Only heat your griddle to the exact temperature you need for the food you are cooking.
Similarly, you should avoid putting frozen foods or cold water on a hot griddle surface. The rapid cooling of the griddle metal will induce warping. By avoiding unnecessary temperature extremes and changes, you can reduce the chance of warping.
Final Thoughts
With any complex appliance, some minor issues are expected. For the most part, you can avoid these issues with your griddle with careful maintenance and preventative measures.
You can prevent your griddle from ever rusting or flaking by maintaining a good seasoning layer and storing your griddle in a cool, dry location.
If you’re having trouble with your propane regulator or burners, you can resolve these issues with some basic troubleshooting.
Lastly, remember that all griddles will warp to a certain extent, so there’s no avoiding that. However, you can limit warping by mindfully using your griddle and avoiding rapid temperature changes.
This article was written by Robert McCall, the founder of bbqdropout.com. Robert also owns and operates the BBQ dropout YouTube channel where he demonstrates his first-hand experience cooking all kinds of meats and strives to provide helpful, authoritative content for people looking how to barbecue.
He primarily hand writes the bulk of the content but occasionally will leverage AI assisted tools, such as chatGPT, to properly edit and format each blog post on this website. This ensures a pleasurable reading experience for visitors. Read more about our editorial policies here. If there are any improvements that can be made to this article, reach out to us directly at staff@bbqdropout.com