How to Clean a Non Stick Pancake Griddle

One of the weekend favorites in many households is preparing a large platter of pancakes for the family. There can be great effort expended in preparing this tasty breakfast that will be consumed in only a few minutes. After a delicious family meal accompanied with good conversation, then comes the unpleasant task of cleaning up. One of the most despised items to clean up is the pancake griddle. Most pancake griddles are cast iron, aluminum, or even non stick coated. The non stick coating is a definite convenience for the home cook as it allows the cooking process to occur with less shortening as opposed to those pans that are hard metals and have potentially "stick able" surfaces. The wear and tear on a non stick griddle will be slow if one takes the right measures when it comes to maintenance and cleaning. Follow these simple easy steps to keep that non stick pancake griddle clean.

Utensils and Scrubbers

When cooking on any non stick coated surface, always use wood, plastic, or a rubberized spatula. Avoid any metallic or sharp objects that are capable of scratching the coating. That is all the more reason to be extra careful not to damage the coating which can make people very sick from the chemicals in the exposed or torn coating. Using sharp objects like a knife end or metal spatula will also ruin the pan.

Treat the Caked on Stain

No matter how careful one can be with the pan whether making pancakes or a large pan of grilled cheese, there will be circumstances for which cleaning requires more than just a little elbow grease. One way to combat these tough stains is by pre-treating them prior to a soak. Take a couple teaspoons of water mixed with water and apply to tough stains. Allow the paste to set on stain for ten to fifteen minutes and try and scrub off with wash cloth, soft brush or rubber spatula.

Sudsy Water

The next process is to clean griddle top, sides and bottom after the tough stains have been removed. Fill a sink half way full with hot soapy water, soak the pan and wipe all surfaces clean. Make sure to clean all corners well as these areas collect grease deposits. Also focus on cleaning the griddle handles as these areas also trap stubborn grease.

Rinse and Dry

Once the grill has been washed and cleaned, give it a good rinse and dry with a cloth or paper towel. Every four or five griddle uses, consider seasoning the pan. Seasoning a pan basically refers to application of a tiny amount of oil worked into the pan to avoid weathering or discoloration. Following these easy steps will give your non stick pancake griddle a long healthy life.