How to Clean an Electric Griddle

The electric griddle has quickly become one of the most desired kitchen appliances in modern times. Its popularity is a result of the compatibility and versatility it offers. Also, it makes an excellent camping accessory due to its portable and lightweight design.

You can make pancakes, fry just about anything, and make the perfect steak with an electric griddle. And if you are thinking of getting a new one, consider reading this review to find the best electric griddle for your needs!

Most electric griddles are made from stainless steel or aluminum. They are also dishwasher safe and designed with non-stick coating. This means they can be burdensome to clean, especially if you don’t know how to properly do it.

This article will show you how to clean an electric griddle using four different methods. All of the techniques are effective. You only need to find one that best suits your preferences.

Let’s get started.

How to Clean an Electric Griddle: Different Methods

Grease Cutting Soap and Soaking

To use this method, you will need the following:

• Grease cutting soap (or similar cleaning product)
• Warm water
• Paper towel
• Nylon scrubber

Steps

Here is how to clean an electric griddle using grease-cutting soap and soaking the unit:

1. The first step is to disconnect your electric griddle from the power source and let it cool slightly
2. Fill the sink with grease-cutting soap and hot water solution
3. Place the entire griddle into the sink in a way that the electrical elements are not submerged in water. The unit should be left to soak for about 30 minutes
4. Get your dishcloth or nylon scrubber and begin to wipe the griddle surface. This process should be a lot easier after soaking the griddle
5. Turn your griddle over and clean the exterior in case of drippings
6. Get a clean towel to wipe the electric griddle down. You should also let the unit air dry just in case some water got into sensitive areas. Make to do all you can to prevent water from getting into the connector port

Baking Soda and Vinegar

To use this method, you will need the following:

• Soap solution
• Sponge
• Baking soda
• White vinegar

Steps

Here’s how to clean an electric griddle with baking soda and vinegar:

1. Unplug the electric griddle from its power source and let it cool down. Electric griddles are known to get extremely hot, so they should be cool to the touch before handling
2. Some electric griddles come with detachable griddle surfaces, so you can remove the entire griddle plate for seamless cleaning
3. Soak your griddle plate for about 15 minutes in warm soapy water
4. Get a sponge to clean the cooking surface. You might need to add a bit of pressure to clean stubborn parts
5. If your griddle plate isn’t detachable, you can simply dip your sponge in the vinegar solution (two parts water, one part vinegar) and completely wring out the sponge
6. Next, use the sponge to clean off any grease present on the griddle plate. Be careful when doing this, as you could damage the griddle’s electrical components if they come in contact with the solution
7. For very stubborn grease, you can make a paste of warm water and baking soda. Then use a sponge or paper towel to carefully wipe the cleaning solution and cover the grease on the surface
8. Use a clean sponge to wipe the griddle down, making sure there is no baking soda or vinegar left on the unit
9. Make sure the entire unit air dries to eliminate any excess moisture

Spatula Method for Hardened Grease

Here’s a list of what you’ll need to use this cleaning method:

• Sponge
• Clean cloths
• Warm dish soap
• Heat resistant gloves
• Metal spatula

Steps

When cleaning your electric griddle with this method, make sure to always wear heat-resistant gloves to prevent hurting yourself if you accidentally mishandle the unit.

1. For this method, you need to turn on the griddle and place it on low heat until the oil and grease in it start to heat up
2. As soon as the grease becomes hot, it will loosen up. Get a flat head metal spatula and gently scrape off the grease
3. Make sure you stand at quite a distance from the electric griddle when using the metal spatula
4. Once you get rid of the excess grease, turn off the unit and allow it to cool down
5. If there is still hard grease on your griddle, you can pour a hot soapy water into the griddle and let it soak for about half an hour
6. Next, soak a sponge in the same warm soap solution to get rid of any leftover grease
7. Use a clean cloth to wipe any watermarks off the griddle
8. Soak a clean cloth in cold water and use it to gently go over the griddle. Doing this gets rid of any air marks that might have formed on your electric griddle
9. You might have to repeat this process a couple of times till you get a great result, depending on how stubborn the grease is

Soapy Water and Sponge

Source: Pexels

You will need the following items to use this electric griddle cleaning method:

• Dishwashing liquid
• Hot water
• Sponge
• Clean cloths
• Paper towels

Steps

Here’s how to clean an electric griddle with soapy water and a sponge:

1. Unplug the unit from the power source. It should also be cool to the touch before you start cleaning
2. Get rid of any oil substances from the surface of the griddle. This can be done using a paper towel
3. Gently pour the hot water into your electric griddle and add a few drops of dishwashing liquid
4. Grab a sponge and gently rub the surface of the griddle to clean off any gunk or burnt food particles stuck to the surface
5. Once this is done, dry the griddle out and clean the sponge
6. Place more hot water onto the griddle with some more dishwashing liquid
7. Use a clean sponge to clean the entire surface. If there are any leftover food particles, this process will remove them
8. Once the entire gunk has been removed, you can rinse the griddle out to get rid of any dishwashing liquid. You will be left with a shiny griddle that looks great
9. Use a paper towel or a dry cloth to wipe the griddle down
10. Make sure your clean griddle is completely dry before you connect it to a power source

Conclusion

As you can see, taking care of and cleaning an electric grill is not as difficult as it may seem. The most effective way to ensure your griddle remains clean and works in optimal condition is to clean it after every use.

Also, remember to steer clear of abrasive materials, like steel wool, to clean the surface of your griddle. The last thing you want is to damage your electric griddle just because you are trying to clean it.