If you own a griddle and have ever noticed an odd taste or smell when cooking, it might be more than just your ingredients. After struggling with strange flavors on my Blackstone 36-inch Griddle, I discovered that the culprit was likely rancid oil on the griddle top. Here’s my experience and what you can do to fix and prevent this issue.
Weird Smell or Taste When Griddling? It Could Be Rancid Oil. For over a year, I noticed that everything I cooked on my griddle had a weird, unpleasant flavor.
I had always seasoned and cooked with olive oil, but over time, this oil likely went bad. Even after attempting to strip the seasoning with power tools, the strange taste persisted.
I’ll be sharing more griddle tips, and updates on my “Rancid Oil on Your Griddle Top” journey. Follow along on my social channels so you can keep up with my latest discoveries to keep your griddle in top shape and your food tasting delicious!
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What is Rancid Oil
Rancid oil is oil that has broken down due to exposure to heat, light, and air, leading to unpleasant odors and off-flavors. Olive oil, in particular, has a lower smoke point and can go rancid faster than other oils, especially when used frequently for high-heat cooking or seasoning.
How Does the Oil We Apply After Cooking Not Go Rancid?
When seasoning a griddle, the oil is heated to the point of polymerization, which creates a hard, protective layer. However, if the griddle is not used regularly, or if the seasoning is exposed to moisture or air for long periods, even polymerized oil can degrade. This is especially true with oils that are more prone to oxidation, like olive oil.
Blackstone Betty — “It may not be rancid oil although if you haven’t used it in a long period of time the oil used to season the griddle, even when polymerized, can still oxidize and degrade over time, especially if exposed to air for extended periods without being properly heated and used. I have a griddle cleaning conditioning video. I slice an onion in half and rub and scrub the onion on the hot griddle to help remove rancid oil. Onion’s natural abrasiveness will help lift and absorb the old oil. Water to steam it after then a few new layers of oil”.
The Griddle Onion Trick: A Natural Fix
Thanks to Blackstone Betty’s advice, I tried cleaning my griddle top using onion halves and slices. The onion’s natural abrasiveness helped scrub the griddle while steaming helped loosen old oil. After several rounds of this process, I re-seasoned the surface using Blackstone Griddle Seasoning & Cast Iron Conditioning. Then came the test: my famous Pulled Pork Grilled Cheese sandwiches. Success! No weird flavor—just delicious, crispy results.
BBQ, Blackstone & Beer (Ryan Hoogland) — “I have always cooked with avocado oil since getting mine in 2020.”
Best Oil for Your Blackstone Griddle
Going forward, I am switching to avocado oil. It has a high smoke point of 500°F and a neutral taste, making avocado oil perfect for griddle cooking and seasoning. Other good options include grapeseed oil and the Blackstone Griddle Seasoning & Cast Iron Conditioning.
Blackstone Griddle Cooking Oil Guide
The Blackstone Griddle Cooking Oil Guide is a printable chart designed to help you choose the right oil for every griddle cook. It includes several common cooking oils along with their smoke point ranges, flavor profiles, best uses, and shelf life.
Whether you’re searing steak or frying veggies, this guide ensures you’re using the best oil for performance and flavor. Keep it handy near your griddle for quick reference!
How to Store Cooking Oil
1. Keep it Cool and Dark
Store oil in a cool, dark place like a pantry or cupboard. Avoid placing it near heat sources or in direct sunlight.
2. Seal it Tight
Always close the cap tightly to keep air out. Exposure to air can cause the oil to go rancid faster.
3. Watch the Temperature
Room temperature is fine for most oils. Refrigerate oils like walnut or flaxseed to extend shelf life. Some oils may turn cloudy in the fridge, but that’s normal and clears up at room temperature.
4. Use the Right Container
Store oil in dark glass bottles or stainless steel containers. Avoid clear plastic or glass, which lets in light and speeds up spoilage.
5. Know the Shelf Life
Write down the purchase date and use within these general timeframes:
- Olive oil: 12–18 months
- Vegetable and canola oils: up to 2 years
- Nut oils: 6–12 months
6. Use Your Senses
If the oil smells like crayons, putty, or has an odd taste, it may be rancid. When in doubt, throw it out.
How to Store Your Griddle to Prevent Rancid Oil
- Store in a dry, covered location.
- Use a griddle cover.
- Wipe with oil only when you’re using the griddle frequently.
- Re-season periodically to refresh the protective layer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Like all oils, avocado oil can eventually go rancid, but it tends to last longer due to its higher stability. Always store your oils in a cool, dark place and seal them tightly.
No, cooking with rancid oil is not recommended. Not only does it affect the flavor of your food, but rancid oil can also contain harmful compounds that are best avoided. If your food has a strange smell or taste, rancid oil could be the cause.
How to Recondition Your Griddle Surface
If your food has developed an off taste or smell, your griddle top may be holding onto rancid oil. Follow this step-by-step method using onions, steam, and high-smoke-point oil to strip away unwanted flavors and restore your Blackstone griddle to a clean, seasoned surface.
Materials
- Onions, 5 pound bag
- Avocado Oil, 3 tablespoons
- Blackstone Griddle Seasoning & Cast Iron Conditioning 2 tablespoons
Tools
- Blackstone Griddle
- Griddle Spatula
- Tongs
Instructions
- Slice a whole onion in half. Next, slice several onions and place in a large bowl. The more onions the better.
- Heat your griddle to high.
- Use a halved onion to scrub the surface.
- Pour some avocado oil across the whole griddle top.
- Add the slice onions to the whole griddle top. Spread around to create an even layer on the griddle and cook until they are golden brown.
- Remove all the onions and dispose of properly.
- Steam the hot griddle top with water to help lift off old oil. Wipe clean with paper towels. Do this step a couple of time.
- Apply a thin layer of high-smoke-point oil (I recommend using Blackstone Griddle Seasoning & Cast Iron Conditioning) and let burn off to re-season. Repeat this step if needed.
- Cook your favorite recipe.
Recommended Products
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. This page contains affiliate links. Click on the highlighted text in a post to explore a product. If you purchase through one of them, I will receive a commission (at no additional cost to you). I ONLY EVER ENDORSE PRODUCTS THAT I TRULY LOVE. Thank you for your support!
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Chosen Foods, Avocado Oil, 16.9 fl oz -
Blackstone 5195 Premium Signature Series Griddle Spatula -
Blackstone 5228 Griddle Grill Tongs Stainless Steel Heat Resistant Rubber Grip to hold your Meat and Veggies- Premium Long BBQ Grill Scraper Tongs, Dishwasher Safe 14" Black/Orange -
Blackstone 4114 Griddle Seasoning and Cast Iron Conditioner, 6.5 Ounce -
Blackstone 36 Inch Gas Griddle Cooking Station 4 Burner
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