Griddles are one of the best appliances you can have in an outdoor kitchen. Thanks to their flat surfaces, you can cook all sorts of dishes on them, from breakfast to dinner and everything in between. If you want to fry up some onions to top a burger or a hotdog, you can do that on a griddle. You can even cook said burger on your griddle. With how versatile many griddles are – especially considering how some models are also portable – many people want to know how long theirs will last and how many uses they can get out of it.
There are many factors you need to take into consideration when looking into how long giddles frequently last for. Simple factors like the weather where you live, the quality of the griddle and how often you take care of it play a large role. While the proper care and maintenance of your griddle can make sure it can last a long time – and sometimes even longer – you will eventually need to replace it.
In this article, we’ve covered how long a good griddle should last, some of the key factors that influence its lifespan and how you can ensure that it reaches the end of it or even further. When your griddle does eventually wear down to the point that you want to replace it, you can click here to visit Dickson Barbecue to get a new and high quality griddle and much more.
The average lifespan of a griddle
When it comes to questioning how long your griddle will last, the answer is fairly simple: 20 years. However, as with many household appliances and barbecue machines, how long the griddle can last also depends on how you take care of your griddle. Just like how your barbecue grill would wear down and break far earlier if you don’t take proper care of it and regularly maintain it, your griddle will similarly develop rust and even holes without the care it needs.
Taking care of your griddle
Cleaning up your griddle regularly can often be a big step in making sure that it lasts a long time. Often, caked-on food can absorb moisture and water, which can soak through and damage the griddle underneath. That same moisture can also create rusty spots on the surface, which can then transfer onto your food even if you clean off the burnt food around it.
Regular cleaning can help you find these areas of wear and rust before it can cause any bad damage. All you need to do is scrape off any food remains and give the cooking surface a quick wipe down after you’re done using it. Then, roughly once every other week or sooner, do a much deeper clean before seasoning it.
The seasoning process adds a layer of oil to the surface of the griddle, adding more with each time you repeat the steps. With each layer, the oil reduces the chances that the surface will rust. The recommended amount of times you should apply a layer of oil before smoking it off is three times, but you can increase it to five. Additionally, you can also buy a more professional mix of special ingredients to season the griddle with, though both mixes and ordinary oils work just as effectively.
Weather and the environment
When it comes to storing your griddle outside, make sure you know how to do it properly so that the cooking surface or the connections don’t wear down or rust. Many models of griddles frequently use gas as a method of heating the flat cooking surface. The tank and the gas inside is highly combustible, and as a result, needs to be stored outside for safety.
Between the end of summer and start of the season, it’s highly recommended to cover the grill with a waterproof tarp or specialized cover to protect it from the rain and snow. Not only does this reduce the chance of any parts rusting, but it also prevents any dust from coating it. It’s also recommended to cover the griddle whenever you aren’t using it during the summer, for many of the same reasons. A good cover will also prevent any critters from climbing onto it and making your griddle its home.
If push comes to shove, and you absolutely need to bring your griddle indoors, remove your tank – if it uses one – and simply pull it in. It’s highly recommended that you keep the tank outdoors, however.
The more common issues
A warped cooking surface
There are a few problems that simple cleanings won’t completely prevent from happening. If you frequently find yourself using higher heat on your griddle in hotter weather, there’s a reasonable chance that the flat cooking surface will warp and bend. Thankfully, this can be fixed by simply reheating the griddle and carefully evening it back out with a mallet. But too many attempts at fixing the warping increases the risk that the griddle will break.
Dirty gas tubes
One thing you should keep an eye on is the tubes and connections between the griddle’s plate and the propane tank. As you use the griddle and refill the tank, there’s a chance that your gas tubes will become dirty. In between refills, there may also be a chance that the dirt interferes with the connections, either loosening or clogging them. When you go to deep clean your griddle, be sure to give the connecting tubes a quick clean as well to prevent this from happening.
Clogged propane regulators
Another common problem that comes up is that your griddle’s flames aren’t normal or that it makes an odd noise whenever you turn it on. This is a sign that there’s a problem with your propane regulator. It’s highly likely that the regulator is clogged and needs cleaning before being reset. Many videos on the Internet show how this issue can be fixed and you can even do it yourself.
Takeaway
With the proper care and regular maintenance of your griddle, it can last for 20 years and even longer. Always cover it whenever you aren’t using it to prevent potential propane tank issues and prevent your griddle’s cooking surface from warping. The care needed to be put into your griddle can be somewhat time-consuming, but it can also be incredibly fulfilling as well.