Are you ready to elevate your grilling game to new heights? Introducing the ultimate guide on mastering the art of griddling on a Blackstone Grill or other Flat Top– the secret weapon for achieving culinary perfection in your backyard. Whether you’re a seasoned griller or just starting out, this comprehensive guide will equip you with expert tips, tricks, and techniques to unlock the full potential of your Blackstone Grill. Imagine sizzling steaks, perfectly seared vegetables, and the ultimate smash burgers – all cooked to perfection on your very own Blackstone Grill.
Say goodbye to the guesswork that you may have about the flat top grill and say hello to confidence as you unleash your inner chef with the help of your trusty Blackstone Grill. I have had so many great times cooking out on this grill that I wanted to share my knowledge and tips and tricks with you! Get ready to impress your family and friends with restaurant-quality dishes right in your backyard.
Maybe you just purchased a new flat top or are considering it, I hope some of these helpful tips and tricks will help you fall in love with your new grill like I have. We have both a Blackstone Adventure series that we take camping and also the large Traeger Flat Rock for all of our home cooks. So read on to learn on how to cook on a Blackstone Grill (or flat top).
Why I love cooking on a Blackstone grill or Flat Top surface
I love being able to cook outside which is number 1 for me! The kids can play in the driveway or yard and I can cook and watch them. And our Adventure ready Blackstone has been perfect to take camping and on the road! We have been able to cook with some awesome views!
Another advantage is having one large surface to create a meal instead of dirtying a bunch of dishes and pots/pans like you might inside the house! So you can toast buns/tortillas on one side and cook your meat and veggies etc on the other.
For our camping trips being able to cook for large amounts of people has been a bonus, too. Usually our site is the designated cooking site and then everyone wonders over to cook their meals they are in charge of. So great for batch cooking, big breakfasts, or feeding the whole crew!
I also think an advantage maybe me that you are inspired to cook up some items that you may not normally do at home…such as hibachi or other restaurant favorites like grilled sandwiches and more.
Essential tools and accessories for griddling
There are tons of great accessories that you will be tempted to buy right off the bat. But really to get started a long spatula and a scraper should be sufficient along with cooking oil. We like to use Grapeseed oil since it has a high smoke point.
They do make fun accessory kits that include items such as egg rings, steaming/melting covers, oil/water squirt bottles and more. I just use plastic squirt bottles from the Dollar Tree.
Here are some helpful items and some fun (maybe unnecessary ones as well).
- 5 pc Starter Kit from Blackstone (includes spatulas, scraper, and squirt bottles)
- 35 pc Griddle Accessory kit (all the bells and whistles)
- Burger Press Kit (great for smash burgers/grilled sandwiches)
- Extra Large Spatula for Scooping
Preparing your Blackstone grill for cooking
Upon arrival you will want to season the flat top surface according to the manufacture’s recommendations. This usually involves high heat burning off with some type of oil or conditioner and repeating several times. You will need to heat the grill up high and add a thin layer of oil to the entire surface and let it heat 10-15 minutes until it smokes. So give yourself a morning or afternoon to do so.
How to cook on a Blackstone Grill (or flat top)
Once your grill is seasoned, you will be ready to whip up fun master pieces outside with the fam! Depending on what you are cooking, you will ignite the burners and set your heat level. Let the grill heat up before beginning to cook. If you are unsure where your HOT SPOTS are, just cook over a low-medium heat for your first few cooks.
Follow the recipe and begin cooking. If the surface is not oiled, you can add some but if you follow my below cleaning method after every cook, you do no need to over oil anything.
⭐Pro Tip: When all else fails, cook bacon every few cooks to help re-season and grease it up good!
Techniques for achieving the perfect sear and char
One great feature of having the flat top surface is that it is great for quick searing or reverse searing meats. So sometime we cook things like rib eye steaks in the smoker low and slow for a few and then toss is on the flat top to achieve a beautiful char on the outside!
Another way to use the surface is by doing a quick sear on some juicy pork chops, too! Just get the grill nice and hot and sear as you would on your cast iron skillet or similar.
Griddling recipes for beginners
I have tons of EASY recipes to help you get started. But great items to start with are your typical burger, grilled sandwiches, or just a nice breakfast! Here are some of my favorite starter recipes:
- Blackstone Crunchy Queso Chicken Tacos
- Juicy Pork Chops on the Blackstone
- Blackstone Queso Mexican Pizzas
- Flat Top Sweet & Spicy Turkey Bacon Pretzel Bun Sandwiches
- Grilled Chicken Parmesan Sandwiches
Advanced griddling techniques and recipes
As you continue to cook on your Blackstone or Flat Top you will see that the options are endless! You can cook pastas, reverse sear steaks, and fancy stir-fry! Here are a few of my favorite’s….
- Blackstone Steak & Veggie Noodle Stir Fry
- Easy & Delicious Marinated Flank Steak (and how to cook it)
- Blackstone Creamy Italian Chicken Pasta
Maintenance and cleaning tips for your Blackstone grill
Cleaning and maintaining your flat top is probably one of the most sought out questions for beginners. The thing is…it doesn’t have to be overly complicated. If you keep it clean after every cook, it is very easy to maintain.
Step 1: At the end of each cook, heat the surface to a high heat and add some water to help burn off any food, grease, sauce etc.
Step 2: Use the scraper to scrape/push the liquid to the grease catch.
Step 3: Once the water is off, shut the burners off and add a little cooking oil to the surface and use a tong and paper towel combo to spread the oil around the surface so it is all ready to go for the next cook!
You won’t even have to add additional oil at the beginning of the cook with this method. Then once cooled, store covered or in your garage/etc.
Then have fun! Experiment and enjoy some outdoor grilling on your flattop. You will realize the possibilities are endless and will even be making desserts to wow your family and friends! Check out my Blackstone Strawberry Chocolate Blackstone Pound Cake.
Pro Tip- Always keep paper towel close to your cooking area! We have ours hanging in the garage with my handy little hanger paper towel dispenser! LOL
Like this BBQ tip? Check out some related content:
- Cleaning your Grill (BBQ prep & cleaning tips)
- The Perfect Marinade Recipe to Elevate your Pork Chops!
- Camping Cooking Tips & Tricks
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