Grilling & Outdoor Cooking

Hot Liquid or Scrub Kit? The Best Griddle Cleaner for Your Flat Top

The best griddle cleaner for your flat top, with each maker's directions, temperature, food-contact wording and whether to season afterward.

A cook working over a steaming flat top in a restaurant kitchen
A cook working at a hot flat top.

A griddle is a cooking surface first and a thing to clean second, so the cleaner you pick matters more than most. Whatever you put on it sits where the next meal goes, and a deep cleaner can take the seasoning off with the grease.

This guide covers eight griddle cleaners: six liquids and two cleaning kits. For each one we give the maker’s instructions, the temperature it wants, what it says about food contact, and whether you need to season afterward.

Julia’s earns a commission on purchases made through links on this page, at no cost to you. Recommendations are based on what a restaurant kitchen looks for, each maker’s directions and product details, and Amazon listing information. We have not used these products ourselves.

Quick verdict: the best griddle cleaner for your flat top

For a full deep clean, buy the 3M Scotch-Brite Quick Clean Griddle System: liquid, pads, holder and squeegee come together. If you already own the tools, Stera-Sheen Grill Cleaner has the fullest directions. For a home griddle, the Weber Griddle Deep Cleaner is made for the job, and the Weber 8-Piece Griddle Cleaning Kit handles everyday cleanup with no liquid at all.

The others cover Blackstone owners, busy kitchens, a no-rinse option and a kit with a grease-chute brush.

Five griddle cleaners side by side

Five of the eight, one for each kind of buyer. All eight are described in full below.

Griddle cleaner Best for Format Food-contact statement Buy on Amazon
First deep clean Pouches, pads, tools Yes View on Amazon
Hot griddle, single bottle Liquid Yes, see notes below View on Amazon
Weber® Griddle Deep Cleaner

Weber Griddle Deep CleanerBest for outdoor griddles
Outdoor flat tops Liquid Not stated View on Amazon
Blackstone griddles Spray liquid Not stated View on Amazon
Weber® 8‑Piece Griddle Cleaning Kit

Weber 8-Piece Griddle Cleaning KitBest griddle cleaning kit
Everyday cleanup Pads, stones, scraper No liquid View on Amazon

Product images from Amazon. Details come from each listing or maker.

Our picks for the best griddle cleaner

The fullest systems come first, then the home products, then the commercial sizes. We say what each maker tells you to do, and where a maker is silent we say that too. We have not used these products ourselves; where we describe a strength, we say whose claim it is.

1. 3M Scotch-Brite Quick Clean Griddle System – Liquid, Pads and Tools in One Box

Best overall3M Scotch-Brite Griddle Cleaning

This is the one pick on the page that gives you the whole job in a box: 6 pouches of griddle liquid, 6 heavy-duty griddle pads, a pad holder and a squeegee. 3M calls it a three-step system, and says it cleans commercial griddles in 3 to 5 minutes while the griddle is still hot, at 300 to 350°F.

The liquid is meant to lift carbonized grease and food soil on contact with the hot griddle. The holder has an angled 16-inch handle to keep your hand away from the heat, and the squeegee has a heat-resistant rubber blade for pulling the liquid residue off the surface.

On the food-contact question, the listing is more specific than most. 3M says the products are safe for use on food contact surfaces, are certified by HACCP International as food safe, and meet Green Seal Standard GS 53. The listing title also says the system can be used on a hot or cool griddle, though the detailed steps describe a hot one, so go by the pouch directions.

Why we like it

  • Liquid and every tool you need come together
  • 3M gives a clear 300 to 350°F working range
  • HACCP International and Green Seal claims are on the listing
  • Long, angled holder keeps hands back from the heat

Key specifications

Model 710
Format Liquid pouches plus pads
Pack size 6 pouches, 6 pads
Griddle temperature 300 to 350°F, per listing
Surfaces named Griddles; steel or chrome not specified
Season afterward Not stated
Food-contact statement Safe for food contact surfaces, per 3M
Comes with Pad holder, squeegee

Why we recommend it

It suits anyone deep-cleaning a griddle for the first time who does not want to shop for a separate squeegee and pad holder, and small restaurants that want a set routine.

Skip it if you want one big bottle. Six pouches run out sooner than a quart, and the system was written for commercial griddles, not a seasoned backyard flat top.

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Complete kit
  • Fast by 3M’s own figure, 3 to 5 minutes
  • Pads are dishwasher safe, per the listing

Cons

  • Written for commercial griddles
  • Re-seasoning is not addressed on the listing
  • Pouches are a small supply

Check price on Amazon

2. Stera-Sheen Grill Cleaner, 32 oz – Clear Directions for a Hot Griddle

Best single bottleStera Sheen - Grill Cleaner - Food Safe

Stera-Sheen comes from Purdy Products, of Wauconda, Illinois, and it has the fullest directions we found. The sheet says to scrape off loose food, pour about 2 fluid ounces onto a hot griddle (325°F for best results, within a 275 to 325°F range), and spread it right away with a heat-rated brush. Then squeegee it into the grease trough.

Two details matter. The directions say not to leave the product on a hot surface for more than 2 minutes. After the griddle is off, wipe it with a damp cloth, then season it while it is still hot with a thin coat of liquid shortening. So plan on seasoning every time.

On food contact, the directions say the ingredients are generally regarded as safe as listed by the FDA, and that it is safe for use on food contact surfaces. Its NSF registration, category P1, is more exact: a cleaner of grill surfaces not intended for direct food contact, used only as the label directs, with food removed or protected first. The listing says it may be harmful if swallowed, and to keep it from skin and eyes.

Why we like it

  • Step-by-step directions
  • Product sheet names steel and aluminum surfaces
  • NSF registered as a grill surface cleaner, category P1
  • Described as non-caustic

Key specifications

Model Grill cleaner, 32 oz
Format Liquid
Pack size 32 fl oz
Griddle temperature 275 to 325°F, per directions
Surfaces named Flat grills and griddles; steel or aluminum
Season afterward Yes, per directions
Food-contact statement Safe for food contact surfaces, per directions; NSF P1
Comes with Nothing; needs squeegee and pad holder or brush

Why we recommend it

It suits the griddle owner who already has a squeegee and pad holder, and who wants to follow a written routine from a maker that sells to commercial kitchens.

Skip it if you would rather not heat a griddle to clean it, or if you don’t own a heat-rated squeegee. The product sheet requires one.

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Fullest directions on this page
  • Non-caustic, per the sheet
  • A quart goes a fair way at about 2 ounces a clean

Cons

  • Tools are sold separately
  • Griddle needs seasoning after each clean
  • May be harmful if swallowed, per the listing

Check price on Amazon

A cook pressing a patty with a turner at a stainless steel range
A cook working with a turner at a steel range.

3. Weber Griddle Deep Cleaner – Made for Outdoor Flat Tops

Best for outdoor griddlesWeber® Griddle Deep Cleaner

Most of the liquids here began in restaurant kitchens. This one comes from a grill maker, and it is sold as a griddle accessory. Weber says it loosens stubborn grease and grime so it can be wiped away, and it names three places to use it: the griddle cooking surface, the side tables and the control knobs.

Weber lists it as non-flammable, non-corrosive and phosphate free. Its product page gives no step-by-step directions and no temperature, so read the label on the bottle before you start.

The one thing Weber is firm about is seasoning. The cooking surface will need to be re-seasoned after use, so this is a deep-clean product and not one for every cook. Weber’s page makes no food-contact statement, so follow the label on how to remove it before you season the surface again. Our griddle seasoning guide covers what comes next.

Why we like it

  • Sold for griddles by a grill maker
  • Names the cooking surface, side tables and knobs
  • Non-flammable, non-corrosive and phosphate free, per Weber
  • Weber is upfront that you need to re-season

Key specifications

Model 3400076
Format Liquid
Pack size 1 bottle; volume not stated by Weber
Griddle temperature Not stated
Surfaces named Griddle cooking surface, side tables, control knobs
Season afterward Yes, per Weber
Food-contact statement Not stated
Comes with Nothing

Why we recommend it

It suits someone with a Weber or other outdoor flat top that has picked up sticky grease and needs a proper reset once in a while.

Skip it if you want a quick wipe-down after each cook. Re-seasoning makes this a job for an occasional deep clean.

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Covers the griddle’s side tables and knobs too
  • Maker claims are simple and specific
  • One bottle, not a case

Cons

  • Griddle must be re-seasoned after use
  • No directions or temperature on Weber’s page
  • No food-contact statement on Weber’s page

Check price on Amazon

4. Blackstone Griddle Degreaser and Cleaner, 5-Pack – Spray and Wipe, by the Griddle Maker

Best for Blackstone ownersBlackstone 4138 Griddle Degreaser Cleaner

Blackstone’s 16-ounce degreaser is the griddle brand’s own answer to grease on the griddle and around it. Blackstone calls it a 2-in-1 cleaner for every surface of your griddle. The directions are short: spray, wipe with a clean cloth or paper towel, and repeat as needed until the griddle is ready to cook on again.

Blackstone’s page gives no temperature and no food-contact statement, and it does not say whether to season afterward, so read the label before you use it on the cooking surface. Blackstone suggests pairing it with its cleaning kit for a deeper clean.

This Amazon listing is a pack of five bottles sold by a reseller, MaxWarehouse, and its own product details are thin. It carries part number 4138, the same SKU Blackstone shows for the single bottle, which Blackstone’s own store listed as backordered when we checked. Blackstone also lists a one-year manufacturer’s warranty on its page.

Why we like it

  • From the griddle maker itself
  • Simple spray-and-wipe use
  • Blackstone says it suits every griddle surface
  • Five bottles last a long while

Key specifications

Model 4138
Format Spray liquid
Pack size 5 bottles, 16 oz each
Griddle temperature Not stated
Surfaces named Every surface of your griddle, per Blackstone
Season afterward Not stated
Food-contact statement Not stated
Comes with Nothing

Why we recommend it

It suits Blackstone owners who cook often, want the maker’s own cleaner and would use five bottles over time.

Skip it if you only need one bottle, since this listing is a five-pack from a reseller, or if a written food-contact statement matters to you.

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Griddle maker’s own product
  • Quick to use
  • Short, clear directions

Cons

  • Sold as a five-pack only here
  • Thin Amazon listing
  • No temperature or food-contact statement found

Check price on Amazon

A chef in white working at a polished steel counter, in black and white
A chef at a polished steel counter.

5. Weber 8-Piece Griddle Cleaning Kit – Scrape, Scour and Stone With No Liquid

Best griddle cleaning kitWeber® 8‑Piece Griddle Cleaning Kit

Not every clean needs a liquid. A griddle cleaning kit does the work with abrasion, and this one from Weber has 1 detail scraper, 3 scour pads, 2 cleaning stones and 2 easy-grip handles that clip on.

Weber says the scraper’s beveled design removes debris, including from corners, and that the pads and stones can be used on warm and cool surfaces. That fits the routine most home griddles need: scrape while warm, scour what is left, wipe and oil.

The handles and scraper are dishwasher safe, according to Weber. If you already own a scraper you like, Weber’s 6-piece version leaves it out, and our griddle scraper guide covers single tools.

Why we like it

  • No liquid to clean off a food surface
  • Pads and stones work warm or cool, per Weber
  • Clip-on handles keep fingers off the steel
  • Handles and scraper are dishwasher safe

Key specifications

Model 3400021
Format Scraper, pads, stones
Pack size 8 pieces
Griddle temperature Warm and cool, per Weber
Surfaces named Griddles and flat tops
Season afterward Not stated
Food-contact statement Not applicable; no liquid
Comes with 3 scour pads, 2 stones, 2 handles, 1 scraper

Why we recommend it

It suits the home griddle owner who cleans after every cook and wants the simple everyday tools from a known grill maker.

Skip it if your griddle has thick carbon. Abrasives alone mean more scrubbing than a hot liquid cleaner.

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Everyday cleaning with no liquid
  • Scraper is included
  • Reusable handles

Cons

  • Pads and stones wear out
  • More elbow work than a hot liquid
  • Weber gives no seasoning guidance for the kit

Check price on Amazon

6. Dawn PRO Hi-Temp Grill and Griddle Cleaner, 6-Pack – Case-Size Supply for a Busy Griddle

Best for a busy kitchenDawn PRO Hi-Temp Grill & Griddle Cleaner for Commercial Use (32 oz

P&G Professional makes this cleaner for commercial kitchens, and it is sold here as a case of six 32-ounce bottles with one sprayer. P&G says it is designed for grills and griddles at about 300 to 350°F, where it loosens and dissolves carbonized grease and food residue.

P&G says it is safe on food contact surfaces, that its ingredients are G.R.A.S. listed, and that the non-corrosive formula is safe on kitchen equipment. That is a clear set of statements from a large maker.

What the page leaves out is the step-by-step part. P&G’s page does not say how to remove the product or whether to rinse, so follow the label on the bottle and the safety data sheet linked from P&G’s page. A case is a lot for a home griddle, and the listing is plain that this is a commercial product.

Why we like it

  • Stated 300 to 350°F working range
  • P&G says safe on food contact surfaces
  • Non-corrosive, per the maker
  • Six bottles and a sprayer in one case

Key specifications

Model 00030772265208
Format Spray liquid
Pack size 6 bottles, 32 oz each
Griddle temperature 300 to 350°F, per maker
Surfaces named Grills and griddles
Season afterward Not stated
Food-contact statement Safe for food contact surfaces, per maker
Comes with 1 sprayer

Why we recommend it

It suits food trucks, small restaurants and anyone who cooks on a flat top often enough to get through six quarts.

Skip it if you cook on a griddle a few times a month. A case will sit on the shelf for a long time.

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Large supply
  • Clear food-contact statement
  • Maker publishes a safety data sheet

Cons

  • Sold as a case
  • Labeled for commercial use
  • No directions on P&G’s product page

Check price on Amazon

A cook in a blue shirt working at a commercial kitchen line
A cook working a commercial kitchen line.

7. Ecolab Grease Express High-Temp Grill Cleaner – No Rinse on a Hot Flat Top

Best no-rinse liquidEcolab Grease Express HighTemp Grill Cleaner

Grease Express is Ecolab’s cleaner for hot flat-top grills in commercial kitchens. Ecolab says it cleans at 350°F, and needs no rinsing or water to remove baked-on carbon or grease.

Ecolab’s steps are short. Turn off the grill and scrape off burnt-on food. While it is hot, apply a thin coat over the whole surface and let it sit for one minute. Scrub gently with a grill pad, squeegee the grease and product into the tray, wipe with a cloth, then re-season.

Ecolab says all ingredients have clearance for incidental food contact. It also says to wear protective equipment first, and not to apply cold water, which can severely damage a hot grill. The Amazon listing is short and comes from a third-party seller, so the directions here are Ecolab’s, not the listing’s.

Why we like it

  • No rinsing or water, per Ecolab
  • Short, specific steps
  • Ingredients cleared for incidental food contact, per Ecolab
  • Quart bottle

Key specifications

Model 10127
Format Liquid
Pack size 32 fl oz
Griddle temperature 350°F, per maker
Surfaces named Flat-top grills
Season afterward Yes, per maker
Food-contact statement Cleared for incidental food contact, per maker
Comes with Nothing; needs pad and squeegee

Why we recommend it

It suits a kitchen that cleans the flat top between services and doesn’t want to carry water to it.

Skip it if you are cleaning a backyard griddle now and then. Ecolab writes for commercial flat tops, and it asks for protective equipment.

Pros and cons

Pros

  • No rinse step
  • One-minute wait
  • Maker publishes clear steps

Cons

  • Protective equipment needed, per Ecolab
  • Griddle must be hot
  • Sold by a third party, with a thin listing

Check price on Amazon

8. Camp Chef Griddle Cleaning Kit, 7-Piece – Pads, Pumice and a Grease-Chute Brush

Best for grease chutesCamp Chef Griddle Cleaning Kit

Camp Chef’s kit is built around the parts of a griddle that get skipped. You get a scraper, 4 washable nylon scouring pads, a pumice stone and a brush for the grease chute, the channel that carries fat away from the cooking surface.

The listing says the pads are washable so you can reuse them, and that the stone is for a deeper clean to help reduce stains and residue. Camp Chef doesn’t give a temperature, so follow your griddle’s own manual.

Compared with the Weber kit, this one lists no clip-on handles, and it adds that chute brush. Pumice is an abrasive, so check your griddle maker’s care advice before you use the stone.

Why we like it

  • Includes a brush for the grease chute
  • Pads are washable and reusable
  • Sold by a griddle maker
  • No liquid needed

Key specifications

Model CLSET4
Format Scraper, pads, stone, brush
Pack size 7 pieces
Griddle temperature Not stated
Surfaces named Griddles and flat tops; grease chute
Season afterward Not stated
Food-contact statement Not applicable; no liquid
Comes with 4 pads, pumice stone, chute brush, scraper

Why we recommend it

It suits owners of a Camp Chef or similar outdoor flat top who want an everyday set that also deals with the grease chute.

Skip it if your griddle has no chute, or if you want hot-liquid cleaning for carbon. This is a set of hand tools.

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Reaches the chute
  • Reusable pads
  • Scraper included

Cons

  • No temperature guidance
  • Stone is abrasive
  • Fewer stones than the Weber kit

Check price on Amazon

How to choose a griddle cleaner

Start with the griddle. The maker’s manual comes before any bottle, including any on this page. After that, a few questions sort the field quickly.

Hot or cool cleaning

Hot liquids, like those from 3M, Stera-Sheen, Dawn PRO and Ecolab, are written for a griddle at about 275 to 350°F. They save time in a working kitchen, but they need heat-rated tools. Stick to the maker’s temperature. Weber’s pads and stones work on warm or cool surfaces, which is easier on a backyard griddle.

Seasoned steel or a bare commercial top

Stera-Sheen, Ecolab and Weber all tell you to season the griddle afterward. On a seasoned outdoor griddle, that makes a deep cleaner an occasional job. In our view, a scraper and pad cover most days. If you are unsure what your griddle needs, ask its maker.

Read the food-contact statement closely

Food-contact claims differ. 3M and P&G say their products are safe for food contact surfaces. The Stera-Sheen directions say the same, while its NSF registration describes a grill surface cleaner not intended for direct food contact. Ecolab says its ingredients are cleared for incidental food contact. Weber and Blackstone make no such statement on their pages. Whatever the wording, follow the label and clear off all of the product before you cook.

A chef in white washing up at a sink in a restaurant kitchen
A chef washing up in a restaurant kitchen.

Tools you will need

A hot liquid is only half the system. Stera-Sheen’s sheet asks for a high-temperature squeegee and a grill pad holder, and Ecolab’s steps use a grill pad and a squeegee. Only 3M’s system includes them, so count those tools when you compare.

Supply

Six quarts of Dawn PRO or five bottles of Blackstone make sense for frequent griddle use. A home griddle may be better served by one bottle or a kit.

How we chose these eight griddle cleaners

We looked for products sold to clean griddles and flat tops, from identifiable makers, in stock and sold new on Amazon. We read each Amazon listing, along with pages and sheets for Ecolab, Weber, P&G, Stera-Sheen and its NSF registration. We read Blackstone’s own page too. 3M’s data sheet would not open for us, so its details come from 3M’s Amazon listing.

We searched for independent side-by-side reviews of griddle cleaners and found mostly store pages and sales-led roundups, which we did not rely on. So these picks rest on maker and listing details. We left out newer liquids and bargain kits from brands with little beyond their own listing, because a product that goes on a cooking surface should come from a maker with a public record. We checked the CPSC recall database by brand and found no recall of any griddle cleaner here. We have not used these products ourselves, and nothing here is a health claim.

Griddle cleaner questions, answered

What is the best griddle cleaner?

For a complete deep clean, we would start with the 3M Scotch-Brite Quick Clean Griddle System. For a home griddle, Weber’s Griddle Deep Cleaner or its 8-Piece Griddle Cleaning Kit is a simpler place to begin.

Do I need to re-season after using a griddle cleaner?

Follow the maker. Weber, Stera-Sheen and Ecolab all say to season after cleaning. See our griddle seasoning guide for what to use.

What is in a griddle cleaning kit?

Usually a scraper, scour pads and a stone. Weber’s 8-piece kit adds clip-on handles, and Camp Chef’s 7-piece kit adds a grease-chute brush. They clean by abrasion, with no liquid.

Can I use a griddle cleaner on a hot griddle?

Only if the maker says so. 3M, Stera-Sheen, Dawn PRO and Ecolab are designed for hot griddles, each at a stated temperature. Weber gives no temperature on its page, so go by the label.

Can I pour cold water on a hot griddle?

No. Ecolab says cold water can severely damage a hot grill. Let the griddle’s own manual guide you on cooling and cleaning.

Is a griddle cleaner the same as a grill cleaner?

Not always. Check the label for flat-top or griddle wording, and stick to products that name the cooking surface you plan to clean.

Our final pick for a clean flat top

Read your griddle’s manual, then pick by how you cook. The 3M system suits a full deep clean, Stera-Sheen suits anyone with the tools already, and Weber’s kit handles everyday cleanup. Still building your setup? See our griddle scraper guide and our Blackstone griddle accessories guide, or the best outdoor griddle if you are still choosing.

And if you would rather leave the flat top to someone else tonight, see the menu or call to order.

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