There's nothing like a good ol' fashioned camping trip to get you back in touch with nature. But one of the best parts about camping is the food! Cooking over an open fire is a great way to bond with your friends and family, and it always seems to make the food taste better. But in order to get that perfect char on your burgers or that golden sear on your steaks, you need to season your griddle first.
What Is Seasoning, Anyway?
Put simply, seasoning is the process of applying a thin layer of oil to the surface of the griddle. This layer of oil helps protect the griddle from rust and adds flavor to the food cooked on it.
Benefits of Seasoning
Seasoning your griddle before you start cooking has a few benefits. First, it creates a nonstick surface that makes flipping pancakes and eggs a breeze. Second, it adds flavor to your food by imparting a small amount of the seasoning oil's flavor into whatever you're cooking. And third, it helps prevent rust by creating a barrier between the metal and the elements.
How to Season a Griddle
Now that we've gone over why you should season your griddle, let's talk about how to actually do it. The process is pretty simple, but there are a few things you'll need:
• A clean cloth or paper towel
• A small amount of cooking oil (olive or canola oil works well)
• A heat source (a campfire or portable stove will work)
Once you have all of your materials gathered, here's what you need to do:
Step One: Scrub Your Griddle Clean
Before you do anything, you need to make sure your griddle is clean. If there's any residue from previous cooks, it's going to affect the flavor of your food. So give it a good scrub with soapy water and a sponge. Once it's clean, rinse it off and dry it completely.
Step Two: Heat It Up
Now it's time to heat up your griddle. You want to get it nice and hot so that the seasoning can really adhere to the surface. Place it over medium heat and let it warm up for about 10 minutes until it's hot to the touch, being careful not to get burned.
Step Three: Coat It With Oil
Once your griddle is nice and hot, it's time to coat it with oil. You can use almost any type of cooking oil - olive, canola, etc. Just pour a generous amount onto the surface of the griddle and use a paper towel or brush to spread it around evenly. Make sure you cover the entire surface!
Step Four: Let It Cook
Now comes the fun part - let your griddle do its thing! The oil will start to smoke and become bubbly, and that's when you'll know it's ready. Let it cook for about 15 minutes, then turn off the heat and let it cool completely.
Step Five: Let It Cool
Allow the griddle to cool completely—this is important! If you don't wait for the griddle to cool completely, the heat will cause the seasoning oil to smoke and create an unpleasant taste in your food. Once it's cooled, give it one last wipe down with a paper towel just to make sure there's no excess oil.
Repeat steps 2-5 two more times for best results.
And that's it - your griddle is now seasoned and ready for cooking!
You're now ready to start cooking on your seasoned griddle. Just remember to give it a quick wipe down with some oil before each use to keep the seasoned surface intact.
Here's some things to avoids doing with your griddle:
Don't: Use vegetable oil or shortening to season your griddle. These oils can go rancid quickly, leaving your food with an off-putting flavor. Instead, use a high-quality cooking oil such as olive oil or avocado oil.
Don't: Forget to wipe off any excess oil after seasoning. Otherwise, your food will end up greasy and unhealthy.
Don't: Store your griddle in a humid environment such as a damp garage or shed. Again, this could cause rust and corrosion. The best place to store your seasoned griddle is in a dry, climate-controlled cupboard or pantry.
Seasoning a griddle is a great way to cook and to add a touch of flavor to your food! If you're planning on cooking on a griddle while camping, there's no debate—you need to season your griddle before you start cooking.
Now that you know how to season your griddle, there's no excuse not to try out some new recipes this camping season!
Whether you're cooking for a large group or just yourself, there's nothing quite like a good meal cooked over an open fire. So fire up that grill and enjoy!
But before you get started, be sure to check out the link below for the best camping griddles for your needs.
With a little bit of planning and the right equipment, you'll be sure to have a memories - and a full stomach - that will last a lifetime.
So what are you waiting for? Click the link and get cooking!
ENJOY! Bon appetit!
Thanks for Reading!
and
Happy Camping!
