How to Clean an Electric Griddle

Griddles are used for a wide variety of tasks like cooking, frying, and grilling. Because of their versatility, they are so popular these days and often preferred over a frying pan. Their large surface area enables the cook to prepare multiple dishes at the same time.

While cooking with the help of a griddle becomes an easy task, cleaning the griddle is also something that is to be meticulously done. Depending on the griddle that you are using, the process could differ but the basic steps remain the same. Some methods for cleaning an electric griddle have been discussed below.

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Sponge and Cloth

The first thing that generally comes to mind when cleaning a utensil is to use hot water and dishwashing soap to get rid of the grease without damaging the surface of the cookware.
So, to clean an electric griddle using a sponge and cloth, you need to follow the steps mentioned below:

Disconnect the griddle from the power supply and let it cool down. If you make haste and do not let the griddle cool down, it may result in severe burns as the surface of an electric griddle becomes very hot.
With the help of a cloth, wipe the surface of the griddle gently to get rid of the greasing done. Remove all the leftover food you can gently, so as to not damage the surface.
Run some hot water on the griddle and with the help of the dishwashing soap, rub the surface of the griddle with the sponge thoroughly. Get rid of any leftovers from all the nooks and corners. The hot water should remove any remains that were stuck to the surface of the griddle in case you had not seasoned it prior to cooking.
With a clean cloth, wipe the water off the surface of the griddle. Now, let the griddle sit for a while and dry before using it again.

Baking Soda and Vinegar

The classic homemade technique to get rid of any stains. The paste of baking soda and vinegar is neutral in nature. The bubbles formed in the reaction lift up the dirt and food particles which can then be rinsed away with water. The steps for cleaning with baking soda and vinegar are really simple as mentioned below:

Similar to the method described below, unplug the griddle and let it cool down for a few minutes. Once you are sure that the griddle has cooled down, dip it in hot water and let the plates of the griddle soak for about 15 minutes. Separate the drip tray and let that soak too.
Take a sponge and wipe off the food particles gently. If the griddle is still not clean, then create a paste of baking soda and vinegar. Dip the sponge in it and clean the griddle. You will have to do it quickly while the reaction lasts.
Rinse the plates of any remains of baking soda or vinegar.
Wipe the surface with a clean cloth and let it dry.

Degreaser and Grease-Cutting Soap

This method is to be used for har stains that are not removed by any of the simple methods that have been mentioned above in this article. It involves using a high-grade degreaser and a grease-cutting soap.

This is available in most of the cooking-oriented stores. Normally, it is used professionally, but you can use it at home too. You can clean your electric griddle by following the given steps:

The first step is always unplugging the griddle and giving it time to cool down.
The next step involves applying a light layer of the degreaser on the surface of the griddle. Leave it for a few minutes before wiping the grease off with a cloth.
Separate the drip tray and throw away its contents. Clean it and keep it aside.
Fill the sink with warm water and put grease-cutting soap in it.
Keeping the plug out of the water, put the griddle in the water and let it soak for about 15 minutes.
Rub the surface of the griddle with a sponge or a cloth gently and your griddle will be as shiny as new. Rinse the griddle and wipe off the remaining water with a cloth before leaving it to dry.

Cleaning an electric griddle can become a bigger task than it ought to be if you are not taking proper care of it and letting the food stick to it or letting the leftovers build up.

Seasoning your griddle on a regular basis is one of the ways to prevent this from happening.
Also, be careful to not scrape off the rust-resistant paint coat with your spatula. Keeping in mind these little things, would not leave you with a griddle that is troublesome to wash.
Have fun cooking!