Getting your hands on a new bbq is an exciting time, but there are some steps you may need to take before its first use. Before you start cooking your first mouthwatering meal, the barbecue cooktop (plate & grill) needs to be seasoned. The seasoning process involves four main steps; washing, drying, oiling, and heating. In this article, we discuss how to season your new BBQ plate.
Why should you season a new BBQ plate?
Seasoning a new hot plate for the first time is an important step that you should not skip. If you don’t prepare a hotplate, several things could go wrong; rust can form, food may stick, and the plate might end up needing to be replaced entirely.
It’s a good practice to season your hotplate regularly, not just before its first use. You will be surprised how long a barbecue plate can last if you continue to maintain it. Rust is the long term killer of cast iron and stainless steel, so regular oiling and heating is a good idea.
Most cooking surfaces are produced in a factory or workshop. Whilst the majority of brands provide clean hotplates, it’s still a good idea to wash them before your first cook.
How to season a new BBQ plate
Seasoning your new barbecue plate is a simple task that can save you a lot of time and effort in the future. Having an ideal surface to cook on can help you get the absolute best out of your barbecuing. .
Seasoning is essentially the oiling and heating of a grill or hotplate. You don’t need a lot of products to prepare your plates for the first time, just a sponge, paper towel, and cooking oil. Below we take a closer look at how to season new BBQ plate:
Step 1. Wash
Clean the new plates using a sponge or soft brush. It is best to use warm water and a tiny amount of dish-washing liquid. Washing your hotplate ensures you have a clean surface for cooking.
Step 2. Rinse and dry
Rinse your BBQ with clean water and then allow it to thoroughly dry. Wet plates make it difficult to apply oil. So, it’s best to ensure your BBQ plates are sufficiently dry before taking the next steps. You may consider using some paper towels to speed up the process.
Step 3. Apply Oil
The type of oil that is used, can make a difference to the seasoning technique. It’s best to use a high-temperature oil such as vegetable or canola oil. Only a small amount of oil is needed, but ensure it’s spread evenly. If you have applied too much oil, you can use a paper towel to wipe off the excess.
Step 4. Cook oil and wipe off
The final step in seasoning is to cook the oil. Bring the temperature of your barbecue to just before the smoke point of the oil you are using. This is usually close to the 180°C mark. Cook the oil for about 30 minutes with the lid open. The amount of time for cooking the oil can vary based on what type of plates you have (stainless steel or cast iron).
It’s important to note that this seasoning process can be applied to all cast iron and stainless steel grills, pans, plates and pots. Some may require additional or fewer steps (as laid out in the user manual), but in a nutshell, it’s the same method.
Wrapping up
If you’ve ever asked the question, “how to season a new BBQ plate”, we hope we’ve given you enough info to get started! If you want the best results from your barbecue, then preparing your plates and grills is essential. By preparing and maintaining your bbq, you can ensure it has a long life, and provides you with some amazing feasts.
BBQ’s and Outdoor have a dedicated team that live and breath barbecues. From bbq accessories to rubs and spices, we strive to provide a wide range of quality products to suit anyone. BBQ’s and Outdoor also offer spare parts to keep you cooking for longer!
Contact us, to find out more!
