Cooking on a Blackstone griddle is an experience that allows for versatility, precision, and delicious results. Whether you’re searing steaks, grilling burgers, or making breakfast on the flat top, choosing the right oil is essential. The oil you select can affect both the flavor of your food and the performance of your griddle. In this guide, we’ll break down the best oils to use when cooking on your Blackstone griddle and explain why it’s so important.

Why is Choosing the Right Oil Important?

Cooking oils vary in their smoke points, flavors, and health benefits. Using the wrong oil for your Blackstone griddle can lead to poor results, excessive smoking, or even damage to your food’s taste. Here are the three main factors to consider when choosing an oil:

1. Smoke Point: This is the temperature at which oil starts to break down and produce smoke. Cooking with an oil that has a low smoke point on a high-heat surface like a Blackstone griddle can lead to burnt oil and a bitter taste.
2. Flavor: Different oils have distinct flavors. While some oils are neutral, others can add a layer of flavor that complements or enhances your dishes.
3. Health Benefits: The type of fat found in oils varies, and some options are healthier than others. Choosing an oil that balances flavor, health, and performance is key.

Best Oils for Blackstone Griddle Cooking

When cooking on a Blackstone griddle, you’ll often be dealing with high temperatures. Therefore, choosing oils with a high smoke point is critical to prevent your food from tasting burnt. Below are some of the best oils to use:

1. Avocado Oil
   • Smoke Point: 520°F (271°C)
   • Why It’s Great: Avocado oil is one of the best options for high-heat cooking due to its exceptionally high smoke point. It’s also packed with heart-healthy fats and has a mild, neutral flavor that won’t overpower your dishes. Its versatility makes it suitable for everything from stir-frying to searing on the griddle.
2. Canola Oil
   • Smoke Point: 400°F (204°C)
   • Why It’s Great: Canola oil is another fantastic choice for griddle cooking. It has a relatively high smoke point, is inexpensive, and is widely available. Canola oil has a neutral flavor, making it ideal for dishes where you don’t want the oil to interfere with the natural flavors of the ingredients.
3. Vegetable Oil
   • Smoke Point: 400-450°F (204-232°C)
   • Why It’s Great: Vegetable oil is a common and affordable option for griddle cooking. With a fairly high smoke point, it can handle most high-heat cooking tasks without smoking or burning. While it is not the healthiest option compared to oils like avocado or olive oil, it’s a practical choice for occasional use.
4. Peanut Oil
   • Smoke Point: 450°F (232°C)
   • Why It’s Great: Peanut oil is perfect for high-heat cooking like frying or searing. It has a subtle, nutty flavor that adds a unique taste to food, without being overpowering. Its high smoke point makes it an excellent option for prolonged cooking at high temperatures on your Blackstone griddle.
5. Grapeseed Oil
   • Smoke Point: 420°F (216°C)
   • Why It’s Great: Grapeseed oil is a great all-purpose cooking oil that can handle moderate to high heat. It has a neutral flavor, making it ideal for griddle cooking where you want the food’s natural flavors to stand out. It’s also a healthier option, rich in vitamin E and omega-6 fatty acids.
6. Coconut Oil
   • Smoke Point: 350°F (177°C)
   • Why It’s Great: While coconut oil has a lower smoke point than some of the other oils listed, it is still suitable for medium-heat cooking on the griddle. It has a distinct tropical flavor that works well with specific dishes, such as shrimp, chicken, or tropical-inspired cuisine. Keep in mind that it solidifies at room temperature, so it’s best used during warm-weather griddle sessions.
7. Olive Oil (Extra Light)
   • Smoke Point: 465°F (240°C)
   • Why It’s Great: While extra virgin olive oil has a relatively low smoke point, extra light olive oil can withstand higher heat, making it suitable for griddle cooking. Olive oil adds a light, pleasant flavor to foods and contains heart-healthy monounsaturated fats. It’s a good option for lighter dishes and Mediterranean-style cooking.

Oils to Avoid for High-Heat Griddle Cooking

Some oils, though delicious for cold applications or low-heat cooking, should be avoided on a Blackstone griddle due to their low smoke points:

• Butter: Butter adds excellent flavor but has a low smoke point of around 300°F (150°C). It’s best used to finish dishes off at the end of cooking rather than as the primary oil for high-heat griddle cooking.
• Sesame Oil: With a smoke point of 350°F (177°C), sesame oil is flavorful but should be used sparingly for seasoning or lower heat cooking.
• Extra Virgin Olive Oil: While extra virgin olive oil has numerous health benefits, it has a low smoke point of around 375°F (191°C), making it unsuitable for high-heat griddle cooking.

How to Properly Oil a Blackstone Griddle

Once you’ve selected the right oil, it’s important to know how to properly apply it to your Blackstone griddle. Follow these steps to ensure even cooking and prevent food from sticking:

1. Preheat the Griddle: Always allow the griddle to preheat before applying oil. This ensures the surface is hot and ready for cooking.
2. Apply Oil Evenly: Pour a small amount of oil onto the griddle and use a paper towel or griddle spatula to spread it evenly across the surface.
3. Season the Griddle: If your griddle is new, season it by applying a thin layer of oil after cleaning it. This creates a protective non-stick layer and improves cooking results over time.
4. Reapply as Needed: Depending on what you’re cooking, you may need to reapply oil between dishes to prevent sticking and maintain a smooth cooking surface.

Conclusion

When cooking on a Blackstone griddle, choosing the right oil is crucial for achieving great results. Oils like avocado oil, canola oil, and peanut oil, with their high smoke points, are excellent choices for high-heat griddle cooking. Each oil offers different benefits, so it’s essential to pick one that matches both your cooking style and the type of dish you’re preparing. By selecting the best oil for your griddle, you’ll enhance your food’s flavor, protect your cooking surface, and create unforgettable meals every time.