The Blackstone griddle is a versatile and easy-to-use cooking tool for grilling any dish. That said, if you’re cooking something as delicate as pancakes, you may encounter a few grilling fails.
Today, I’ll teach you how to master the perfect flip on your Blackstone griddle!
7 Tips for Cooking Pancakes on Blackstone Griddles
Are you ready to cook the perfect pancakes? Here are my top tips for preventing pancake grilling fails.
1 – Preheat the Grill
Preheating the grill is the secret to successful pancakes. It ensures uniformity, prevents sticking, and reduces the cooking time for fluffier results.
Most chefs recommend cooking pancakes at a consistent 350°F to prevent dark bottoms and raw centers.
2 – Butter Liberally
According to the great Julie Powell, you can never have too much butter, and that’s true for Blackstone grilling as well.
Butter prevents pancakes from sticking to the grill, and it makes them delicious to boot!
3 – Check the Pancake’s Consistency
The pancake batter’s consistency can make or break your final dish.
If it’s too runny, the batter will spread, resulting in flat, uneven pancakes that are difficult to flip. Meanwhile, if it’s too thick, you risk cooking dry pancakes.
Pancake batter should be thick yet pourable. You should be able to coat the back of a wooden spoon with it.
4 – Pour Carefully
Pouring the pancake can affect the success of the dish. You should pour just enough of the batter to create a right-sized pancake.
If you pour too much batter, you’ll have a hard time flipping it!
5 – Time the Flip
Timing is crucial when you’re flipping pancakes. You want to execute the flip when the bottom is golden brown – not raw or burnt.
Before flipping, there should be plenty of bubbles at the top of the pancake. You can also visually check the bottom of the pancake.
Once your spatula slides easily under the pancake, it’s ready for flipping.
6 – Do a Test Run
Whenever I make pancakes, I always cook one piece first. I do a test run to see if the Blackstone is up to temperature and the batter is the right consistency.
In case the pancake isn’t perfect the first time, you may need to make some adjustments.
7 – Clean the Surface
Cleaning the cooking surface is a must whenever you’re using the Blackstone. Proper cleaning ensures the griddle remains in top condition for the best pancake flip.
To clean the Blackstone, scrape any residue off after use. Wipe the surface down, then rinse it with soap and water.
Finally, don’t skip seasoning the grill with vegetable oil to stop it from rusting.
The Perfect Fluffy Pancakes Recipe
Here’s a pancake recipe you can use for the Blackstone griddle!
What You’ll Need
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- ¼ cup sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 2 ½ cups buttermilk
- 3 eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
How to Prepare It
- First, preheat the Blackstone to 350°F.
- Sift the all-purpose flour, sugar, salt, and baking powder together.
- In a separate bowl, combine the buttermilk, eggs, and vanilla. Whisk the wet ingredients until they’re fully incorporated.
- Combine the wet and dry ingredients just before you start cooking. Avoid overmixing it.
- Butter the grill and cook the pancakes for one to two minutes on each side. Serve with butter and syrup!
Final Thoughts
Mastering the perfect flip on your Blackstone griddle is easy. All you have to do is preheat the grill, use butter, check the consistency, and time the flip correctly.
Always do a test run and remember to clean the surface afterward. Once you follow these steps, you’ll be grilling up perfect pancakes in no time!
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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