How to clean rust off a commercial griddle?

Whenever you visit an open restaurant or grilled shop, you often see a large flat surface that is fulfilling the most significant task of preparation of exotic food. It is worth watching to see food preparation on a flat-surface stove. The way the butter glides on the surface and how the chicken is roasted is equally tender and flavor bursting. 

This cooking utensil which serves various purposes is a commercial griddle. It is an exclusive and versatile tool primarily abundant in restaurants, steakhouses, cafes, and other food services. The griddle performs the task of preparing food on a large scale. It consists of a flat top layer designed to make customers’ favorite items, including burgers, pancakes, grilled chicken, etc. 

How could commercial griddle rust?

A commercial griddle is a utensil that helps in cooking. Gauge steel is the most common element that allows manufacture and makes it less vulnerable to corrosion. At the same time, its top layer is made from stainless steel or iron. It is a preferable element due to its good conduction.

Iron is the main constituent that is prone to rust. It undergoes oxidation and rust readily in the presence of atmospheric oxygen. A layer of non-stick is present at the top. However, it doesn’t prevent the process of rusting. When the iron is moist, it reacts with oxygen to deposit the layer of rust. 

How can cleaning treat rust surfaces?

When a moist iron reacts with atmospheric oxygen, it deposits a rough, corroded, and heterogeneous layer over it. Getting rust off of an outdoor griddle or even an indoor griddle can be time taking process. Rusting is a natural phenomenon that occurs in the environment. However, few factors accelerate this process. Avoidance of those components will ultimately prevent or slow down rusting. Clean the commercial griddle regularly of any deposition of dust, rust, or greasy substances. For its accomplishment, follow these ways. 

Heat the Griddle

If the rust deposits on a commercial griddle, remove it by adopting these practical steps. Start the process by heating a commercial griddle for approximately 20 to 30 minutes. Heating will make the process relatively easy by breaking the chemical bonds present among the elements of the rust.

Scrap the rust

When you see the rusted layer has become mild, start scraping it off. Before doing it, wait for a few minutes to lower the temperature of the griddle. Continue doing it using a metal scrapper until the rusted layer is eliminated. Do not scrap the functional metal layer.  

Lubricate the surface

The second phase lubricates the top surface using 2-3 drops. Thoroughly spread the oil over the entire surface. Now take sandpaper and start cleaning the top surface to remove layers of rust or any other element. 

Remove the residual

After scrapping the top rusted surface, take a paper towel or any piece of cloth to clean the whole surface. It will discard all the scrapped-off grains. Try to remove all the leftover debris using a towel.

Clean the surface

Now again, clean the surface using oil. This two-fold cleaning will remove all the dirt, debris, and corroded layer to give a bolt-clean look. This final cleaning will provide your commercial grill with a brand new look. 

To prevent corrosion shortly:

  • Season the entire surface by using extra virgin olive oil. This process will create a non-stick surface over the commercial griddle top.
  • For this purpose, add a few drops of oil and heat it until it is turned graphite black.
  • Again, repeat the same process.
  • In the end, apply oil for extra protection.

Conclusion

A commercial griddle is valuable cooking equipment. It requires adequate preservation and care. If not protected well, a layer of rust will start dwelling over its entire surface. That will erode it and affect the taste of the food being cooked. Therefore, to ensure its proper functioning, it must be clean regularly to avoid rusting. 

James Wilson

Grilling expert with a passion for cooking and the outdoors, who has mastered the craft of grilling through experimentation and perfecting techniques. Provides comprehensive reviews on different types of grills and shares grilling tips to help others improve their skills. Believes in innovating while respecting the fundamentals of grilling, inspiring others to try their hand at it.