Blackstone built its name in the industry as one of the most reliable, trustworthy, and efficient flat-top grill companies. For instance, their griddles are excellent and offer a wide range of impressive features, allowing you to use them for almost any meal.
One of the main design features of their griddles is a stylish hood that left many wondering: can you cook on a Blackstone with the lid closed?
If you’ve been wondering about it, then the answer is yes! You can definitely cook on a Blackstone griddle with the lid closed, as they designed it with that usage in mind.
Still, how can you be sure this is the correct answer? After all, Blackstone griddles are excellent, but they’re on the pricey end, and you’d want to ensure you’re not damaging it.
So today, I’ll share with you how to properly use your Blackstone griddle and answer some vital questions. Let’s start!
Can You Use a Blackstone with the Hood Closed?
One main feature that almost all Blackstone griddles have is a lid, also known as a hood. Now, is it possible to cook with this lid closed?
Well, every Blackstone griddle that’s equipped with a hood is designed for us to use with the lid closed.
The hoods mounted on Blackstone griddles serve multiple purposes, and they’re specifically designed to be heat-proof, enabling cooking with the lid closed.
This is because the Blackstone griddle lids are made from the same high-grade steel as the rest of the unit. The steel is treated to be heat-proof and painted with food-safe, heat-resistant paint.
Also, every hood on a Blackstone grill is designed to be as strong as possible, as they aren’t only there for cooking but are meant to protect the grill from the elements.
Essentially, these hoods are more than capable of withstanding the heat produced by cooking!
In fact, if you learn to cook with the Blackstone lid down, it opens up a world of cooking 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?
Many Blackstone owners are concerned that cooking with the lid down may cause extensive damage. However, the truth is Blackstone created their grill hoods for people to use when cooking!
The steel and sealants used on Blackstone lids are tough enough to withstand the elements and easily endure the cooking’s high temperatures.
Cooking by-products such as hot oil, grease, sauces, and other hot substances that can splash onto the lid of the griddle won’t cause any damage to it at all.
In short, neither the heat nor cooking ingredients can damage the closed lid. Nonetheless, be sure to clean the hood after cooking to increase its longevity and prevent any future problems.
What Are the Benefits of Cooking with the Lid Down?
Cooking on a Blackstone griddle with the lid closed isn’t only safe, it’s encouraged! The lid of a Blackstone adds another layer of versatility to the griddle that you can use in many practical ways to make 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 onto the food from above—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. This is great for cooking delicious vegetables without losing valuable nutrients or fantastic flavors.
Take the time to explore cooking with the lid down, and you may be pleasantly surprised by the techniques you learn along the way!
Can Any Blackstone Griddle Be Used for Cooking?
Most Blackstone griddles come equipped with a lid of some kind. However, there are some smaller or less-expensive Blackstone models that don’t have any.
For such models, Blackstone sells an optional steel cover to protect these griddles if left outdoors. So, does that still mean all metal Blackstone lids function for cooking?
Well, the lids installed on Blackstone griddles as standard are the only ones suitable for cooking. The metal cover lid you buy separately isn’t suitable for cooking with.
This lid is mainly designed to protect the product from the elements if left outdoors, and you’re not supposed to use it for cooking.
In short, if your Blackstone griddle has an attached lid that’s heat and food-safe, you can cook with it.
If you had to buy a lid because it doesn’t have a hood, it isn’t suitable for cooking with and should only use it for protecting the griddle from the outdoors.
How to Maintain Your Blackstone Griddle and Its Hood
Maintaining your Blackstone grill is one of the best ways to increase its lifespan with you. To do so, you’ll need to clean your grill after each use.
You can use a griddle scraper to remove food residue, then wipe the surface with a clean cloth. Of course, only do this once the griddle has cooled to a safe temperature.
Also, you’ll need to deep clean at least once monthly by heating it to burn off any residue and then scrubbing it with a griddle brush and soapy water. Once done, rinse it with warm water and dry it thoroughly.
As for the hood, you can wipe the inside and outside the hood with a damp cloth after each use to remove the grease and smoke stains.
Finally, be careful not to scratch or bang the hood, as it can damage the protective coating, leading to rust!
Safety Tips for Cooking With Blackstone Griddles
There’s nothing more important than your and your family’s safety during your cooking adventures. As a result, you need to start by preheating your griddle to avoid any overheating issues.
Also, keep any flammable material away, such as paper towels and cooking oils. Don’t forget about using long-handled, heat-resistant utensils to avoid burns. Lastly, keep both children and pets away from the griddle while cooking!
Final Thoughts
So, are you still wondering if you can cook on Blackstone with the lid closed? Hopefully not! To give you a quick recap, 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 have. These hoods are there to help us cook whatever recipes we have in mind by allowing for more options!
Don’t be afraid to use it; don’t be concerned about damaging it, but 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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