Cast Iron Griddle Bin Find!

[Mikey P]

Was at friend's for tea last night and we found a rectangular cast iron griddle plate in the bin round the back of her flats - result!

it has handles at either end, weighs a ton, is ridged on one side and flat on the other with a grease trap. There is some slight rust on it and I'm wondering if anyone has experience of cleaning these things up without damaging them?

Finally, my fried suggested using it on a BBQ. Are they suitable for something like this? Sounds like a daft question but I'm wondering if the intense flame/charcoal heat may damage/warp the plate?

Many thanks!

 

[Mesquite]

Nice find

Just scrub at the rust with a stainles steel scourer to remove it then follow British Reds tutorial on seasoning cast iron.

As for using it on a BBQ, no prob at all, I've used one over a fire many a time

 

[Ogri the trog]

Seeing as its new to you and you don't know its history, I'd suggest a good scrub with scouring pads, maybe even "Brillo" pads with plenty of soap & water to clean off any rust or nasties that might be on it.

Once you've got it clean - get it hot and wipe cooking oil/fat/lard into the cooking surface and let it soak in - just as if you were seasoning a dutch oven.

Thereafter, don't go near it with any abrasive or soap product - just wipe it clean after each use with a damp cloth or for really heavy deposits, clean it while its hot by putting water in it and boiling off any burnt on food.

Lastly, a normal barbeque can't get hot enough to damage a cast iron griddle.

ATB

Ogri the trog

 

[santaman2000]

Cleaning has already been covered so I'll move to your question about using it on the BBQ. Yes. You can indeed. However, the ridged side is for "simulating" BBQ indoors by giving the "grill marks." to whatever you're cooking.

 

[Mikey P]

Thanks guys!

 

[British Red]

I've gone a different way in the past - electrolyse the rust off. You just need a battery charger and some washing soda (cheap as chips). Totally removes all rust - no mess no fuss.

If the seasoning is shot, heat it up very, very hot directly on bbq coals and brush off with a wire brush and start from bare metal.

 

[petrochemicals]

wire brush in your drill, brass bristles, it will clean it up in no time