Olive Oil Vs Avocado Oil: Which Is Best For Seasoning Your Blackstone?

Seasoning your Blackstone griddle is vital for lending it a non-stick capability and maximizing its lifespan. While it might sound like an intimidating job, it's actually a very simple process and is worth getting right from the start. All you need are some paper towels, a little time, and a dash of cooking oil. Olive oil is an incredible pantry staple that fits the bill, but avocado oil is even better if you have it on hand.

To season a Blackstone griddle, you need to apply a thin layer of oil on the preheated surface, rub it over the entirety of the steel top with a paper towel, turn the heat up, and wait until the griddle stops billowing smoke and blackens. During this process, the organic compounds in the oil are burnt off, leaving behind a polymer on the griddle plate that bonds to the surface and makes it non-stick. Olive oil can reach a smoke point of 390-470 degrees Fahrenheit, which means it can safely be used at high temperatures before it burns and releases an acrid smell and flavor. You can also use extra virgin olive oil, but bear in mind that it has a slightly lower smoke point of 350-410 degrees Fahrenheit and has a delicate flavor that would be better used in homemade salad dressings. Plus, a premium EVOO costs more than other cooking oils that can perform the same function.

Avocado oil has a neutral flavor profile and a smoke point of 520 degrees Fahrenheit, so it has a higher heat threshold than olive oil. While you can use olive oil for seasoning, employing avocado oil instead gives you a little more wiggle room in cases where the temperature of your Blackstone is getting closer to hitting its peak (a Blackstone griddle can actually reach a temperature of 650 degrees Fahrenheit, but it doesn't need to meet this mark for seasoning purposes).

One Redditor experienced with using a Blackstone said, "I've tried vegetable, EVOO, flaxseed, peanut, grapeseed, and avocado, and IMO avocado is my favorite," while another said, "I also use avocado oil when I'm cleaning the Blackstone and I let it smoke off at the end of the cleanup. I think that helps maintain the seasoning". Indeed, cleaning and caring for your Blackstone griddle will boost its lifespan, so be sure to season it again as needed with another layer of avocado oil if your food starts to stick. However, don't use soap on your Blackstone griddle every time you plan on seasoning it, as it can leave a bad-tasting residue behind. You only need to use soap the very first time you season it — after that, a splash of water and a metal spatula can do the job sufficiently.