NOTE: this will be the only time that soap will be used on the cook surface.
What you’ll need: two large bowls; paper towels; cotton cloth; liquid dish soap; neutral oil (i.e. canola oil, vegetable oil, grapeseed oil)
- With the griddle assembled and gas OFF, handwash with soap and water mixture (in a bowl), rinse, and thoroughly dry the cook surface.
- Once the griddle is completely dry, pour ¼ cup of the neutral oil into a large bowl.
- Dip a paper towel or cotton cloth into the bowl, squeezing off the excess oil.
- Wipe the griddle from side-to-side, top-to-bottom, as evenly as possible.
Be sure to get the interior and exterior sides of the griddle as well. - Wipe away any excess oil with a clean paper towel or cotton cloth.
- Turn all burners to the HIGH setting and let burn for approximately 30 minutes. It is normal for the surface to smoke and darken. If needed, find ignition instructions here.
- If any oil begins to bead on the surface, use grill mitts and tongs to wipe the excess oil from the griddle. NOTE: a well-seasoned griddle will be dark from edge to edge.
- The surface should stop smoking in about 20 minutes, and that’s your sign to turn off the grill.
- IMPORTANT: Allow the griddle to cool completely. This should take approximately 30 minutes.
- The griddle now has one coat of seasoning. Repeat two more times before your first cook.