Flattop Griddle Cleaning

When you are done cooking on the flattop you should always scrape off the remaining food particles with a flat metal scraper or the side of a metal spatula and then rubdown the cooking surface with a thin coat of fresh oil. After the scrape and rub, you can then condition the cook surface with the cleaning kit if you like. Because this process takes less than a minute, we do it every time we cook with our Evo.

The ability to compartmentalize cooking on the large flattop means you generally clean up after the meal. However you may want to use the cleaning kit before dessert preparations to prevent any unwanted flavors from getting mixed with the dessert.

We also recommend using the cleaning kit before making pancakes, crepes or flat-breads. Not only will the food be easier to prepare, it will also cook more efficiently.

When cooking fatty foods (e.g. bacon, duck breasts) you can place tin foil in the drip pan where you anticipate the fats to run off. The foil will catch the fats for easy disposal once the grill has cooled down.

If you are having trouble keeping the food on the slightly convex cook surface, you may want to try using two metal spatulas instead on one. The second spatula can be used as a guard to prevent the food from falling off the grill as you toss with the other spatula. Especially helpful when you have the cook surface covered with food! Two spatulas also work well for flipping fish, burgers, etc. Slide one spatula under the food while using the second spatula to prevent the food from sliding. Once foods have begun to cook or caramelize, then they are more likely to stay placed at any position on the cook surface. Remember a variety of utensils may be used when cooking on Evo – spatulas, tongs, knives, etc – as well as pots and pans.

If you have foods skimming off the cook surface when first placed on, it likely means the temperature is too hot. Moisture is vaporizing to create a hydroplaning effect. Remember the Evo Professional model can reach temperatures over 675 degrees – better for boiling water rather than cooking foods. Try starting up your Evo at a Medium setting.

Unless your steel cook surface is coated (e.g. ceramic covered), it is most important to protect the cook surface from prolonged moisture. Keeping your cook surface oiled will help to protect the flattop, just like you do with your cast iron pans.  If the raw steel is exposed to moisture and the elements (i.e. left unseasoned) oxidation may start. A cleaning and application of oil will take care of this, but extended lack of attention may cause pitting to the surface. If you plan to be away or simply not cook for weeks, you should always store the cook surface in a dry place. Remember you have a fine piece of cookware here, so treat it right and you’ll enjoy it for decades to come!

The cook surface of a good cast iron pan and the Evo flattop are designed to hold a fine layer of cooking oil on its surface. Referred to as “seasoning” in the culinary world, the term refers to the fact that the surface gets better after many applications of oil over the years. Seasoning does two things: it promotes a non stick cooking surface and prevents oxidation of a seasoned steel cook surface when not in use. Routine cleaning of the cook surface (see Use & Care section) will actually re-season the cooktop as you clean up, so we suggest you do this after every cooking session. It only takes a few seconds yet is so beneficial!