How to REALLY Clean a Commercial Flat Top Griddle or Plancha
Flat top commercial griddles and planchas are incredible pieces of commercial kitchen equipment. Whether you’re an artistic chef showing off flashy Teppanyaki skills, or just cooking in the back-of-house, this unit is a restaurant superstar. Whether you have a stainless steel or chrome surface, some proper care and routine maintenance can keep this kitchen workhorse in great shape for years to come. This guide will walk you through the proper steps for how to clean a commercial flat top griddle or grill properly.
Griddle Material Will Determine How to Care for It
Most griddles have a stainless steel steel cooking surface, while others are made of chromium, commonly called chrome. The type of griddle you have will determine how you clean it. Chrome cooking surfaces, for example, should never be subjected to abrasives like grill bricks or screens. Using abrasives may even void your warranty. Consult your service manual if you aren’t sure about the type of surface you have on your griddle.
Supplies You Need for Cleaning a Commercial Griddle
- Griddle scraper
- Griddle pad holder
- Griddle scrub pad (or palmetto brush for chrome surface)
- Stainless steel cleaning chemical
- Cloths
- Warm water (Avoid using cold water or ice, as griddles can warp or even crack from continual thermal shock)
- Cooking oil or seasoning material
- Heat-resistant gloves
Cleaning a Stainless Steel Griddle
- Step 1—Turn off the thermostat and put on heat-resistant gloves.
- Step 2—While griddle is hot, scrape surface clean of food debris and grease buildup.
- Step 3—Apply a stainless steel-safe cleaning chemical onto the surface of the griddle.
- Step 4—Scrub the surface with a non-abrasive pad.
- Step 5—Wipe down the entire surface with a wet and then a dry cloth.
- Step 6—Remove and empty the grease tray.
- Step 7—Wipe down the body of the griddle with a damp cloth.
- Step 8—Turn the thermostat up to 350° F (176° C).
- Step 9—Spread a thin layer of cooking oil or seasoning material onto the hot griddle surface, then wait 30 minutes.
- Step 10—Wipe down the surface with a clean, dry cloth.
Cleaning a Chrome Griddle
- Step 1—While griddle is hot, scrape surface clean of food debris and grease buildup.
- Step 2—Pour warm water onto the surface and scrub using a palmetto brush.
- NOTE—Do NOT use an abrasive, such as grill bricks or scouring pads.
- Step 3—Repeat if necessary for tough buildup or stock-on food spots.
- Step 4—Allow surface to cool and air dry.
- Step 5—Cover the flat top with a nonabrasive, food-safe polish.
- Step 6—Wipe surface clean with a dry cloth.
- Step 7—Use a clean, damp cloth to remove all of the polishing compound.
Cleaning a Blackstone Griddle
- Step 1—Let the griddle cool down once you’re done cooking.
- Step 2—Scrape the griddle surface with a metal scraper or spatula.
- Step 3—Wipe down the griddle surface with a paper towel or cleaning cloth.
- Step 4—Pour some water onto stuck-on food spots while the griddle is still warm. This will essentially steam off the tough food spots.
- Step 5—Using a griddle scrub pad, gently scrub the surface and stuck-on food spots.
- Step 6—Rinse the surface with water and cleaning cloths
- Step 7—Dry the surface with a dry, clean cloth.
- Step 8—Coat surface with a layer of oil, and in between each use.
Seasoning a Griddle
After you thoroughly clean a griddle or flat top grill, seasoning is crucial. By heating and oiling the grates or cooking surface, you not only prevent rusting but you also help the unit operate at peak performance. For a full step-by-step process, please refer to our guide on How to Season a Flat Top Grill.