Sticky Griddle

[Ms V]

I used the griddle for pancakes this morning.

BUT

it seemed to be very hard to get them to release. I made sure I was cooking with a low heat, they did flip, but, some left a little residue on the pan.

I re-wiped it with crisco, and tried an egg, with the heat turned off, It also flipped all right (with a lot of coaxing). I am afraid if I was in a hurry, feeding every one at once it wouldn't work.

Should I pretreat the grill like the griddle, with crisco, in a heated oven? If I spray with Pam, the heat seems to make the griddle turn yellow. I want my griddle to work too...v

[ha_asfan]

If you've scrubbed the griddle super clean and removed all of the seasoning, then yes, you need to season it again. Pam will yellow the griddle but it is easily removed with a 3M pad or such. I think your problem though is in your preheating procedure...the griddle should be pre heated to the point where drops of water "dance across the surface". If they immediately evaporate, too hot, if they just sort of sizzle, too cold. You want the dancing water and once you have reached that temperature, you can adjust the flame to maintain the heat.

[Ms V]

Thankyou, thankyou,Ha- Ha, That was probably my problem. Not 'quite hot enough'..bubbles weren't dancing

Also waiting for seasoning advise...v

[ha_asfan]

with absolutely nothing to back this up, i believe the porosity of the aluminum allows oils to accumulate within it's pores. light washing removes surface schmutz but allows the penetrated oils to remain in place until an aggressive abrasive scrubbing takes place. there is definitely a different feel to my griddle after several uses and lilght washings compared to my down and dirty scrub it to within an inch of it's life washing. you don't need a lot of seasoning to make a cook surface resistant to sticking...a little will help a lot. i liken aluminum to historic brick: when old brick is cleaned, it's porosity is greatly increased. over the years, exposure to the elements creates a "seasoning" of sorts, a protective film fills the pores and helps the brick in becoming less porous. clean the brick, remove that protective coat and in a few years, disintegration takes hold. so, if you own a historic brick structure, don't paint it and only clean it using approved methods.

[Ms V]

well...so...does that mean...after getting it clean in the first place.WHAT?
Wipe with crisco, bake at 350 for an hour, let cool and use, then wash lightly?????...v

[berlyn]

Ms. V
I use the "dancing water" test for the griddle too.

[Ms V]

WHAT ABOUT SEASONING????v

[lowracer]

How does one season an aluminum griddle? Is it like seasoning cast iron?

[Ms V]

thanks Ha...v

[ha_asfan]

hmmm, left out the important part....i do not season the griddle with crisco after i wash it, i just dry it and let it be. prior to cooking, i warm the griddle and rub with butter or olive oil then cook. if the griddle doesn't get nasty, i just wipe it off with paper toweling or maybe a bit of 0004 steelwool to get off a hunk of something. most of all, treating it gently with heat, don't overheat...