What Oil I Use on My Blackstone Griddle
Key Takeaways
- I mainly season and clean my griddles with avocado oil for its high smoke point and neutral flavor.
- I do not recommend seasoning with bacon fat because it will chip. Season with an oil first, then cook with bacon fat as much as you want.
- You can cook with any oil you want, but be aware of the smoke point and stay below it. Since most griddles get hot, I prefer high smoke point oils like avocado.
My Top Oils for Griddle Cooking and Seasoning
After four years of owning a griddle and making over 300 YouTube videos, I’ve tested a lot of oils. Here’s what I recommend for both seasoning and cooking.
Understanding Smoke Points
Before we get into specific oils, let’s talk about smoke point—the temperature at which oil starts to break down and burn. This gives food a rancid, burnt taste, and it’s why I recommend using high smoke point oils for griddle cooking.
Most oil bottles list their smoke points, but here’s a general rule: Griddles get hot, so you want an oil that can handle high heat.
Seasoning vs. Cooking Oils
Best Oils for Seasoning a Griddle
When seasoning a griddle, you want a thin layer of oil that polymerizes into a protective coating. I’ve used:
- Avocado oil (my go-to)
- Canola oil
- Blackstone Griddle Seasoning
Blackstone recommends these for seasoning:
- Blackstone Griddle Seasoning & Cast Iron Conditioner
- Canola oil
- Flax oil
- Vegetable oil
- Shortening
- Olive oil
Can you season with bacon fat? No, because it will chip and flake off over time. The only exception for seasoning with bacon fat is if you use it daily. It’s ok to season with bacon fat if you are cooking on it everyday, if you are not then it will definetly chip. Season first with oil, then cook with all the bacon grease you want.
For more information check out my post How to Season a Blackstone Griddle.
My Favorite Oils for Cooking on a Griddle
High Smoke Point Oils (Best for Griddle Cooking In My Opinion)
✅ Avocado Oil – My favorite because of its high smoke point (520°F) and neutral flavor. I use it 90% of the time.
✅ Peanut Oil – High smoke point (~450°F) and great for shallow frying. If I want crispy food, I use peanut oil.
✅ Canola Oil – Cheap and widely available. Smoke point around 400°F, so it works but isn’t my first choice.
✅ Whirl – A liquid butter alternative used in diners. Has a buttery flavor and works well for cooking. You can find it on Amazon or at food service stores.
✅ Beef Tallow – Some people swear by it for its flavor. I haven’t used it enough to say, but it’s worth looking into if you like extra beefy flavor and a natural animal fat.
Low Smoke Point Oils (Use With Caution)
– Butter – Delicious, but burns quickly. Use at lower temperatures or mix it with another oil.
– Ghee (Clarified Butter) – Butter with the milk solids removed, so it has a higher smoke point and is better for high-heat cooking.
– Bacon Up (Bacon Grease) – A tub of bacon grease. Adds great flavor, but has a lower smoke point, so use it at lower temps.
– Extra Virgin Olive Oil – Lower smoke point (~375°F). You can use it, but watch your heat.
– Cooking Sprays – Blackstone recommends avoiding them because of potential chemicals affecting seasoning. If you want a spray option, buy a refillable oil spritzer and use your favorite oil.
– Sesame Oil – Not for cooking! This is a finishing oil I use on dishes like fried rice. Just drizzle it on at the end for that hibachi-style flavor.
FAQ: Common Questions About Griddle Oils
Does oil go rancid?
Yes. Store your oils in a cool, dark place to prevent them from going bad. One guy told me his food tasted terrible, and it turned out he was leaving his oil bottles outside all summer. Don’t do that.
How much oil should I use to season my griddle?
Apply as thin a layer as possible—about 2 to 3 tablespoons for a 4-burner griddle.
How much oil should I apply after cooking for storage?
Same as seasoning: a thin layer (about 2 to 3 tablespoons) to protect the surface.
Can I season my griddle with bacon fat?
No, because it will chip and flake off. Season first with oil, then cook with bacon grease all you want.
Final Thoughts
Choosing the right oil for your griddle is simple:
- Use high smoke point oils for cooking.
- Season with avocado, canola, or another recommended oil.
- Cook with whatever you like, but keep smoke points in mind.
If you want 101 griddle recipes with step-by-step videos, check out my $15 eBook! And if you just got a Blackstone, my Beginner Blackstone 101 Playlist walks you through seasoning, cleaning, and cooking.
Congrats to all the new griddle owner!