If you’re wondering how to clean a griddle pan, that means you’ve finally realized the amazing versatility these utensils offer. Griddle pans are one of those kitchen tools that just make sense. Thanks to the smooth surface and low sides, this culinary tool is great for making sandwiches, pancakes, and seared steak. And because of their large sizes, they are great time savers, allowing you to cook multiple meals at once. 

Before we get into how to clean a griddle pan, let us first point out that a griddle pan and a grill pan aren’t the same thing. Where griddle pans are flat, grill pans come with ridges to mimic the pattern meat gets when cooked on an outdoor grill. Although a lot of griddle pans are reversible with one flat side and one ridged side.

Related: How to Clean Cast Iron Cookware

Griddle Pan Cleaning Routine After Use

One quick and effective method to use for your post-cooking cleaning is the scrape-and-wipe technique. From the name, it is a process where you scrap and wipe griddle pans after usage. However, it's a bit more than that. Here's how it's done:

• Cool it down: Some people prefer washing while the griddle is hot, as the residue would be easier to remove. However, it isn’t the safest option. Wait till the pan is cool before cleaning. It’s also not a good idea to chuck your hot pan into a sink full of water to cool it down, as it could cause cracks in the material.
• Scrape off residue: Use a spatula or scraper to remove as many particles as possible from the surface. Remember to steer clear of very abrasive sponges or steel wool to avoid removing the non-stick coating (for non-stick pans) or the seasoning (for cast-iron pans).
• Wipe with a microfiber towel: The next step is to wipe the griddle pan down while it is still wet. This helps to remove excess oil. 
• Rinse and scrub: Rinse with hot water to help loosen any stubborn food particles. And rather than using soap, gentle scrubbing with a soft sponge or brush would suffice. This would help preserve the seasoned layer of the griddle. 
• Thorough drying: Dry the griddle pan thoroughly to avoid rust buildup with a clean cloth or microfiber towel. 

Deep Cleaning Your Griddle Pan

If it has been a while since you cleaned your griddle pan, these steps listed above won’t cut it. You’ll need a  bit more effort to remove grease from griddle pans. 

You’d need to make a 50/50 solution of white vinegar and water in a spray bottle and apply it to your hot griddle pan. Using vinegar for griddle cleaning is very effective due to how easily the acid cuts through grease. 

Fixing Common Issues

There are some common issues that griddle pan owners experience, and here are a few tips on how to fix them. 

1. Handling rust: Rust is a great enemy of your cast iron griddle pan. Here's a quick way to remove rust. Simply heat your griddle pan for 20 minutes to loosen up the rust. Let it cool a bit, then scrape off all the rust you can. Once you’re done, coat the pan with some cooking oil and scrub with steel wool. That should do it. 
2. Fixing sticking issues: You may notice that your griddle pan becomes too sticky to the touch. This shows that there’s too much oil in the seasoning of the pan. Simply place it upside down on the top rack of an oven, and heat it at 450-500 degrees Fahrenheit. Line the oven to collect any oil that may drip out from the pan. Once this is done, your griddle sticking issues should be sorted. 

And that's it. With the proper care, your griddle pan can keep being the durable and versatile kitchen tool it was made to be.