Blackstone griddles are among the best in the industry, and this company has built a name for itself regarding reliability, usability, and a wide range of impressive features. Blackstone griddles are very versatile, and they can be used for almost any meal.
Almost all Blackstone griddles are equipped with hoods, but can you cook with the lid closed?
You can cook on a Blackstone with the lid closed. Blackstone griddles that are equipped with hoods are designed to be used with the hood down. This makes the griddle more versatile and ideal for various cooking methods. Griddle hoods can be used for cooking, but metal covers cannot.
Blackstone griddles are excellent, but they are expensive. Purchasing a Blackstone means making a commitment to maintaining the griddle well, and the money that is put into it means that every Blackstone owner wants to take care of their griddle properly.
This leads many to wonder if these griddles can be used with the lid down, or will the heat from the griddle cause damage?
Can You Use a Blackstone with the Hood Closed?
Blackstone griddles are some of the best around, and they host some of the most useful features of any griddles from any brand. One feature that almost all Blackstone griddles are equipped with is a lid, otherwise called a hood. Is it possible to cook with this lid closed?
Every Blackstone griddle that is equipped with a hood is designed to be used with the lid closed. The hoods that are mounted on Blackstone griddles serve multiple purposes, and they are specifically designed to be heat-proof, enabling cooking with the lid closed.
Blackstone griddle lids are made from the same high-grade steel as the rest of the unit. This steel is treated to be heat-proof and painted with food-safe, heat-resistant paint. These hoods are more than capable of withstanding the heat produced by cooking on the griddle.
Every hood on a Blackstone griddle is designed to be as tough as possible, as the hoods are not only designed to be used while cooking but they are meant to protect the griddle itself from the elements as well.
These hoods are very tough, and they are safe to use while cooking. In fact, if you learn topo cook with the Blackstone lid down, it opens up a world of griddle possibilities. Learning to use the Blackstone hood as a cooking tool allows the creation of several recipes that require specific heat control, which the hood provides if used well.
Will Cooking with the Lid Closed Cause Damage?
Blackstone griddles are very well made, very versatile, and very reliable, but all of this functionality comes at a high price tag. Many Blackstone owners are concerned that cooking with the lid down may cause expensive damage to the griddle.
The truth is that the lid of a Blackstone griddle is designed to be used for cooking. Keeping the lid closed makes the griddle more versatile, rather than limiting the griddle, and not using the lid for cooking reduces the effectiveness of the appliance.
The steel and sealants used on Blackstone lids are tough enough to withstand the elements and to easily withstand the high temperatures of cooking with the griddle.
Cooking by-products such as hot oil, grease, sauces, and other hot substances that can splash onto the lid of the griddle will not cause any damage to it at all. It is safe to use the lid of a Blackstone griddle for cooking without being concerned about damaging the griddle in any way.
Be sure to clean the hood after cooking, and the hood is sure to last a very long time without suffering any consequences of being used while cooking.
What Are the Benefits of Cooking with the Lid Down?
Cooking on a Blackstone griddle with the lid closed is not only safe, it is encouraged! The lid of a Blackstone griddle is designed to add another layer of versatility to the griddle and can be used in many practical ways for cooking delicious food.
Cooking with the lid closed enables very precise temperature control for cooking, which helps provide a stable environment for more challenging food items. The lid also radiates heat down onto the food from above, which is ideal for melting cheese, the perfect fried eggs, or even toasting buns evenly.
The high-temperature environment provided by closing the lid while cooking can even turn a Blackstone into a steamer, ideal for cooking delicious vegetables without losing any valuable nutrients or fantastic flavors.
The lid of a Blackstone has many uses. Using the hood for cooking unlocks the true potential of this griddle. Take the time to explore cooking with the lid down, and you may be pleasantly surprised by the techniques that you learn along the way.
Can Any Blackstone Griddle Be Used for Cooking?
Most Blackstone griddles are equipped with a lid of some kind, but some are not. There are few smaller or less-expensive Blackstone models that do not have a hood, and for these models, Blackstone sells an optional steel cover to protect these griddles if they are left outdoors. Do all metal Blackstone lids function for cooking?
The truth is that the lids that are installed on Blackstone griddles as standard are the only lids that are suitable for cooking. The metal cover lid that is sold separately for griddles without a built-in lid is not suitable for cooking with.
This type of lid is designed to protect the griddle from the elements if it is left outdoors, but it is not meant to be sued for cooking. If your Blackstone griddle comes with a lid attached that is heat and food-safe, then you can safely use it for cooking.
If you had to buy a lid for your griddle because it does not have a standard hood, then it is not suitable for cooking with and should only be used for protecting the griddle from the outdoors.
Final Thoughts
Blackstone griddles are among the most versatile and useful griddles from any brand. Part of what makes these griddles so useful is the hoods that most Blackstone models are equipped with. These hoods are designed for use while cooking and make these griddles the cooking machines that they are.
If you have a Blackstone griddle with a hood, learning to use it for cooking is a great way to unlock more potential from your griddle. Do not be afraid to use it, do not be concerned about damaging it, but rather use the lid on your Blackstone to its full potential to cook delicious meals!
Ben has a bachelor’s degree in construction engineering. When not constructing or remodeling X-Ray Rooms, Cardiovascular Labs, and Pharmacies, you can find him at home with wife and two daughters. Outside of family, He loves grilling and barbequing on his Big Green Egg and Blackstone Griddle, as well as working on projects around the house.
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