Blackstone flaking

Csarvis3

is this normal? Had the table for 2-3 months and it’s been covered the whole time.
Wasn’t sure if this was normal or the start of rust developing

Csarvis3

Focker

What did you season it with?

SonVolt

You sure that's not the seasoning from past cooks flaking off? 

Photo Egg

If that is your griddle surface, it has to be your seasoning layers flaking off. It's rolled steel. Steel is not going to flake and it's not rust. Just scrape it with a putty knife or sharp spatula, wipe it off and keep cooking.

SonVolt

I worked the flat-top at a restaurant back in college. We used one of these grill scrapers to scrape the steel surface clean at the end of each shift.  I'm pretty sure you're just looking at food gunk and/or seasoning and not rust. 

TEXASBGE2018

Agreed looks like seasoning buildup. You can especially notice this around the drain. Do as above, just scrape off with a putty knife and fry up some bacon afterwards.

rekameohs

Focker said:

What did you season it with?

I did mine with Flax Oil, based on the info from Blackstone.  Last weekend, I pulled out the sander to remove everything and start over.  With all the issues that have been reported, I am surprised they still recommend Flax.

https://www.blackstoneproducts.com/griddle-seasoning-complete-guide/

TEXASBGE2018

I just used Crisco. 2 coats. Then after it cooled back down, the next morning I cooked a pound of bacon. Haven't had any issues at all.

JRWhitee

SonVolt said:

I worked the flat-top at a restaurant back in college. We used one of these grill scrapers to scrape the steel surface clean at the end of each shift.  I'm pretty sure you're just looking at food gunk and/or seasoning and not rust. 

I got one of these on amazon for mine, works great.

JRWhitee

@Doubleegger suggested I use Grapeseed oil which I did and it worked great, no flaking at all. 

SonVolt

This is coming from Cook's Illustrated so apparently there's some validity to using Flax Oil as a seasoning.  

Flaxseed oil is the food-grade equivalent of linseed oil, used by artists to give their paintings a hard, polished finish, and it boasts six times the amount of omega-3 fatty acids as vegetable oil. Over prolonged exposure to high heat, these fatty acids combine to form a strong, solid matrix that polymerizes to the pan’s surface.

 Keep in mind, some people use way too much oil during the seasoning process which creates a very fragile seasoning layer that's prone to flaking off. You want a very very thin layer baked on before adding more. This means wiping most of the oil off with a paper towel so it's just a hint of shine to the surface. You also want to scrape off all stuck on food and gunk after a cook... some incorrectly think leaving crap on there improves the seasoning layer.  

fishlessman

i just cooked bacon on mine and ate it   worked a hundred years ago, still works now

blasting

With all the stripping and re-seasoning it has caused, it's hard to fathom flaxseed oil is still being pushed.

As fishlessman said, bacon grease / lard has worked forever without issue.  If it ain't broke...

BobDanger

Used olive oil...then cooked a pound of bacon...no issues since. I scrap all the left overs off when done then put a light coat of veg oil.

blasting

I think that's key with these blackstones.  Keep them oiled - before, after, and during a cook.

DoubleEgger

JRWhitee said:

@Doubleegger suggested I use Grapeseed oil which I did and it worked great, no flaking at all. 

Glad it worked out for you Jim. 

fence0407

I use either vegetable or olive oil when cooking. After each cook I wipe off the heavy stuff/food remnants and while still hot/warm I apply a generous amount of grapeseed oil and spread evenly with a paper towel. No issues on next cook. Buy you a thing of grapeseed oil from Costco and use it after each cook. 

SonVolt

Grapeseed oil is relatively expensive. Personally I'd buy the cheapest generic vegetable oil that Piggly Wiggly has. 

JRWhitee

SonVolt said:

Grapeseed oil is relatively expensive. Personally I'd buy the cheapest generic vegetable oil that Piggly Wiggly has. 

This place aint Cheap! 

fence0407

JRWhitee said:

SonVolt said:

Grapeseed oil is relatively expensive. Personally I'd buy the cheapest generic vegetable oil that Piggly Wiggly has. 

This place aint Cheap! 

Agreed! I know it isn't cheap but getting a big jug at Costco will last me a while. I only have to season the 17in BS, not the 36in. 

SonVolt

I recently switched from Canola to Grapeseed as my vegetable oil of choice for general cooking when I'm not using butter or olive oil. I'll never touch Canola again, bleh. 

Focker

I'm probably the biggest cheap a$$ here, and I never considered the price of any, especially grapeseed.  I get it at Aldi.

I keep several on hand, Kerrygold, Kerrygold ghee, lard, tallow, veg oil, Colavita evoo, oo, corn for frying tortillas, peanut for stir fry.  Used to have a high end evoo, but stick with Colavita for general uses. They all have their purposes in the kitchen, both indoors and out.

And for the record let's be clear, Cooks' Illustrated is not gospel.  

Carolina Q

I haven't used my BS17 for at least 6 months. Been in my garage under its OEM canvas cover. Just went out to see how badly it was rusted and was pleased to find that it was not. I rarely use it, but that doesn't mean I want it rusted when I DO use it!

I originally seasoned it with canola as I recall, and then "stir fried" some green onions (as with a wok). Canola's also what I wipe it with after each cook. I've only cooked bacon in it a couple of times and a whole pound only once. I squirt with water and scrape it clean after each cook, then wipe on a thin coat of canola. So seasoning is mostly canola. So far, so good.

The Blackstone is one of those purchases I shouldn't have made. Glad I didn't buy a 36! I've had it a couple of years now and doubt I've used it a dozen times! But at least it seems to be well seasoned.

@Focker, I didn't know Aldi sold grapeseed oil. I'll check it out. Thanks!

SonVolt

Grapeseed sold at Aldis is probably spent motor oil. 


Cook’s Illustrated is a reliable source, never said they were gospel.