A flat-top griddle is one of the hardest-working pieces of equipment in any commercial kitchen. From breakfast rush to dinner service, it handles a wide range of foods—and a lot of buildup. But are you giving your griddle the care it deserves?
Commercial griddles are versatile and invaluable to many restaurants and as such, go through a lot every day. Whether you’re serving up buckets of burgers daily or flipping a few perfect pancakes for the Sunday brunch crowd, if your restaurant uses a griddle – you need to know how to clean it properly.
In this article, we’ll break down the importance of griddle cleaning, share step-by-step tips, and help you identify the best cleaning tools for your operation.
Why Griddle Cleaning Matters for Your Kitchen’s Success
Cleaning your griddle isn’t just about looks—it’s critical for food quality, kitchen safety, and equipment longevity.
Over time, grease, food debris, carbon, and oils build up on the griddle surface. This can:
- Disrupt heat transfer, leading to uneven cooking
- Cause food to stick or take on off-flavors
- Contaminate dishes and contribute to food safety risks
- Damage the unit or shorten its lifespan
- Pose fire hazards due to grease overflow or buildup
Keeping your griddle clean means better food, a safer kitchen, and fewer equipment issues down the line.
10 Steps to Properly Clean a Flat Top Griddle
Before you begin to clean and sanitize, gather the necessary items:
Materials Needed:
- Scotch-Brite™ Quick Clean Griddle Liquid 700 or 701
Supplies Needed:
- Disposable gloves
- Wet Cloth
Tools Needed:
- Scotch-Brite™ Quick Clean Heavy Duty Griddle Pad 746
- Multi-Purpose Pad Holder 405-R
- Scotch-Brite™ Squeegee 410
- Spatula
Ensure Safety First
Always begin any cleaning or maintenance procedure by putting on the necessary personal protective equipment. For cleaning and sanitizing food prep counters, safety goggles, disposable gloves, an apron, and closed-toe shoes should be worn to protect yourself.
Now let’s dive into the steps you need to follow to properly clean a flat top griddle.
Step 1: Identify the Griddle Surface Material
Step 2: Remove Loose Food Debris
Step 3: Heat the Griddle
Step 4: Apply Scotch-Brite™ Quick Clean Griddle Liquid 700 or 701
Step 5: Scour the Griddle Surface
Step 6: Squeegee the Griddle Surface
Step 7: Repeat, If Necessary
Step 8: Turn the Griddle Off
Step 9: Season the Griddle
Step 10: Rinse Pad, Pad Holder, and Squeegee
Step 1: Identify the Griddle Surface Material
Before you begin cleaning, identify the surface of your griddle. Commercial griddles are made from a handful of different materials, including steel, cast iron, ceramic glass and chromium, each with their own benefits and quirks – including how they should be cleaned.
Knowing which material you’re working with will help avoid accidental damage that could hinder productivity.
While there are many ways to get your flat top griddle gleaming, not all of them are created equal. Certain methods, such as griddle bricks or pumice stones, can be time and labor intensive and won’t necessarily get surfaces completely clean. Others can be effective but not food safe, or even dangerous, and lead to burns or metal debris. That’s why it’s important to review your cleaning methods and tools to ensure you’ve selected the best for your commercial griddle.
For example, the Scotch-Brite™ Quick Clean Griddle Cleaning System is food safe, Green Seal™ Certified and designed to make the griddle cleaning process easier, safer and more efficient. In just three simple steps, you can clean a griddle 30% faster than with a griddle brick – while the griddle is still hot.
Every piece of the system is designed to improve safety and efficiency. The optimized Scotch-Brite™ Quick Clean Griddle Liquid 700-40 loosens and lifts mess, while the Scotch-Brite™ Quick Clean Heavy Duty Griddle Pad 746 and Scotch-Brite™ Multi-Purpose Pad Holder 405-R make scouring fast and easy. Finish off with the Scotch-Brite™ Squeegee 410 , which safely removes residue for a gleaming griddle in 3-5 minutes.
Check your manufacturer’s warranty on your griddle before using.
Pro Tip: For Chromium-plated or mirror-finish griddles use the Scotch-Brite™ Non-Stick Cookware Cleaning Pad 9000 in place of the Scotch-Brite™ Quick Clean Heavy Duty Griddle Pad 746.
Step 2: Remove Loose Food Debris
Use a spatula to scrape the griddle, removing any loose food debris.
Why it matters:
- Removes burnt or crusted food that could interfere with the cleaner
- Helps prevent pads from clogging or wearing out prematurely
- Makes subsequent cleaning steps more effective
Step 3: Heat the Griddle
Bring the griddle to a medium-hot temperature of 300°F to 350°F. This is the ideal range for activating the cleaning solution.
Why it matters:
- Warm surfaces loosen stuck-on food and grease more easily
- The Scotch-Brite™ cleaner is designed to work on hot griddles for faster cleaning
- Avoids warping that could occur from rapid cooling methods like ice
Tip: Never exceed recommended temperatures—high heat can damage the pad or compromise cleaning performance.
Step 4: Apply Scotch-Brite™ Quick Clean Griddle Liquid 700 or 701
Pour Scotch-Brite™ Quick Clean Griddle Liquid 700 or 701 onto the hot (300°F–350°F) griddle. The powerful liquid loosens and lifts embedded grease and food soil on contact—no caustic soda or chemical odors.
The amount of griddle cleaner will depend on the size of the grill but typically 2-4 ounces will do the trick.
Step 5: Scour the Griddle Surface
Using the Scotch-Brite™ Quick Clean Heavy Duty Griddle Pad 746 and Multi-Purpose Pad Holder 405-R, apply light pressure and gently scrub the griddle in circular or back-and-forth motions.
Step 6: Squeegee the Griddle Surface
Use the Scotch-Brite™ Squeegee 410 to safely remove the loosened mess. Push it toward the grease trough or disposal container.
Step 7: Repeat, If Necessary
For heavily soiled griddles, you may need additional liquid. Repeat steps 4-6.
Step 8: Turn the Griddle Off
Turn off the griddle. While the surface is still warm, use a thick, wet cloth to wipe down any remaining cleaner or residue. It is not necessary to rinse the griddle.
Use the Scotch-Brite™ Multi-Purpose Pad Holder 405-R to move the cloth and avoid direct steam contact.
Step 9: Season the Griddle
Once cool and dry, season griddle with a thin coating of cooking oil. Use a dry cloth to wipe away any excess oil.
Step 10: Rinse Pad, Pad Holder, and Squeegee
Once complete, finish the job by thoroughly rinsing pad, pad holder and squeegee under warm water to remove any grease or debris.
Replace the pad after 3–4 uses or whenever it shows wear.
When to Clean a Griddle
To keep your griddle in top condition, develop a consistent cleaning schedule:
Before Use
Lightly clean the griddle surface to remove any debris or residue from previous service.
Between Dishes
Scrape between uses to prevent flavor transfer and reduce buildup. Empty the grease trough as needed throughout the day.
After Service
At the end of the shift, perform a thorough cleaning using the 3-step system. Let the surface cool slightly before cleaning—never pour ice on a hot griddle as this can warp or crack the surface.
Weekly Deep Clean
Fully cool the unit and clean all components: backsplash, sides, bottom, and grease traps.
Final Thoughts
By following this 10-step system, you’ll protect your investment, reduce safety hazards, and improve food consistency across shifts. With tools like the Scotch-Brite™ Quick Clean Griddle Cleaning System, griddle cleaning doesn’t have to be a chore—it can be fast, safe, and efficient.
At Imperial Dade, we help foodservice operators across North America find the right solutions to keep their kitchens clean, compliant, and running smoothly.
Whether you’re looking to improve your cleaning routine or stock up on certified tools and supplies, our experts are here to help.
Contact us today to learn more or to request a product demo from your local Imperial Dade representative.