A flat-top griddle is only as good as its seasoning: the thin, hard, dark layer that heat bakes onto the steel. It is what lets eggs slide, keeps smash burgers from tearing, and stops rust from creeping in between cooks. Build it well and it cooks like nonstick; let it go and the steel turns orange in a week.
This guide covers the griddle seasonings and conditioners worth buying, from Blackstone’s paste to Lodge’s canola spray, and the plain cooking oils that do the same job for less. For spatulas, scrapers and bottles, see our outdoor griddle accessories guide.
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Quick verdict: which griddle seasoning to buy
For most flat-tops, the best griddle seasoning is Blackstone’s Griddle Seasoning and Cast Iron Conditioner: a paste made for griddle steel that spreads thin and lasts. If you avoid soy, palm oil or beeswax, choose Caron & Doucet’s plant-based griddle seasoning. And if you want to spend the least, a bottle of refined avocado oil or canola oil seasons a griddle just as well with a little more care.
Below, each pick with its ingredients exactly as the listing gives them, then how to season a griddle so the coat lasts.
Five griddle seasonings side by side
Our five standout picks, one for each kind of cook, with the form and ingredients each listing states. All nine are reviewed in full below.
| Seasoning | Best for | Form and ingredients (as listed) | Size | Buy on Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Steel flat-top griddles | Paste; contains soy, beeswax | 15.3 oz | View on Amazon | |
Caron & Doucet Griddle Seasoning and Cast Iron ConditionerBest plant-based
|
Avoiding soy, palm, beeswax | Paste; canola, rice bran wax, grapeseed | Not stated | View on Amazon |
Crisbee Stik Cast Iron and Carbon Steel Seasoning, 2.3 ozBest for cast iron
|
Cast iron and carbon steel | Stick; grapeseed oil, beeswax | 2.3 oz | View on Amazon |
| Thin coats with no fuss | Spray; 100% canola | 8 oz | View on Amazon | |
Chosen Foods Refined Avocado Oil, 16.9 fl ozBest plain oil
|
The cheaper route | Liquid; 100% avocado oil | 16.9 fl oz | View on Amazon |
Product images from Amazon. Ingredients are as stated in each listing; check the label if you have an allergy.
Our picks for the best griddle seasoning
These nine run from griddle makers’ own pastes to plain cooking oil. We list ingredients only as each listing gives them, flag soy and beeswax where they appear, and say so where a listing gives no ingredients. None of these appear in our griddle accessories, Blackstone griddle or cutting board oil guides; Caron & Doucet’s cutting board oil is a different product from the griddle seasoning here.
1. Blackstone Griddle Seasoning and Cast Iron Conditioner, 15.3 oz – Made for the Flat-Top
Blackstone makes the griddles that put flat-top cooking in so many backyards, and this is its own seasoning paste, item 4146. Blackstone calls it a two-in-one formula: it builds the nonstick seasoning layer that makes cooking and cleanup easier, and protects the steel from rust and moisture between cooks. Blackstone says it also works for seasoning or re-seasoning cast iron pans.
The listing gives the ingredients as a proprietary blend of palm oil shortening, beeswax, palm oil, canola oil and soy oil. That matters if you avoid soy or animal products: this one contains soy oil and beeswax. A solid paste is easier to spread thin than a pour of liquid oil, and thin is the point; a heavy coat turns sticky instead of hardening.
Blackstone’s directions are short: spread a thin layer evenly across the surface and let it burn off. It says one or two small scoops do the job, so a 15.3-ounce tub lasts a long time. After a cook of fajita steak and onions, scrape the top clean, wipe on a scoop while the steel is still warm, and heat it until it stops smoking.
Why we like it
- Griddle maker’s own formula
- Seasons and protects against rust, per Blackstone
- Paste spreads thin easily
- 15.3 oz; one or two scoops per coat
Key specifications
| Size | 15.3 oz |
|---|---|
| Form | Paste |
| Ingredients (as listed) | Palm oil shortening, beeswax, palm oil, canola oil, soy oil |
| Allergens/diet (as listed) | Contains soy oil and beeswax |
| Use on (as listed) | Griddles and cast iron |
| How to apply (maker) | Thin layer, then burn off |
| Made in | Not stated |
Why we recommend it
It suits anyone with a Blackstone or other steel flat-top who wants one tub for the first seasoning and the coat after every cook.
Skip it if you avoid soy, palm oil or beeswax; the listing names all three.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Made for griddles
- Large tub
- Ingredients listed in full
Cons
- Contains soy and beeswax
- Palm oil base
- Origin not stated
2. Caron & Doucet Griddle Seasoning and Cast Iron Conditioner – Plant-Based, No Palm or Soy
Caron & Doucet is a family company best known for cutting board oil; this is a different product, its griddle seasoning. The listing gives the ingredients as canola oil, rice bran wax and grapeseed oil, and says the formula contains no palm oil and is petroleum free, 100% plant-based and vegan.
That makes it the pick here for anyone who wants a griddle paste without soy, palm oil or beeswax. Rice bran wax does the job beeswax does in other blends, giving the paste body so it goes on thin. Caron & Doucet says it creates a nonstick surface and a protective layer against rust and corrosion, for griddles and also for cast iron pans, skillets, Dutch ovens, woks and grilling surfaces.
For use, Caron & Doucet says 2 or 3 tablespoons season an entire griddle: apply a thin layer, heat the griddle to high, and repeat as needed. The listing says it is made in North America and backed by a money-back guarantee. It does not state the net size, so check the listing before you order.
Why we like it
- Canola, rice bran wax and grapeseed oil only
- No palm oil, no soy, vegan, per the listing
- Made in North America
- Money-back guarantee
Key specifications
| Size | Not stated |
|---|---|
| Form | Paste |
| Ingredients (as listed) | Canola oil, rice bran wax, grapeseed oil |
| Allergens/diet (as listed) | Vegan; no palm oil; petroleum free |
| Use on (as listed) | Griddles, cast iron, woks, grills |
| How to apply (maker) | 2–3 tbsp thin layer, heat to high |
| Made in | North America |
Why we recommend it
It suits vegan cooks and anyone avoiding soy, palm oil or beeswax who still wants a paste made for the flat-top.
Skip it if you want to know exactly how much you are buying; the listing does not give the size.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Short, plant-based ingredient list
- Made for griddles
- Guarantee
Cons
- Size not stated
- Smaller maker
- Paste firms up when cold
3. Traeger Flat Top Griddle Seasoning and Cast Iron Conditioner – Sunflower Oil and Beeswax
Traeger makes this seasoning (BAC731) for its Flatrock griddle, and says it works on other cast iron and carbon steel cookware too. The listing gives the ingredients as non-GMO sunflower seed oil and beeswax, a shorter list than Blackstone’s and one without soy or palm oil.
It is a solid conditioner, sized at 3 by 1.8 by 4 inches according to the listing, which does not give the net weight. As with any wax-and-oil blend, the beeswax helps it go on as a thin film rather than pooling.
Traeger’s listing is brief on method. Follow the general rule all the makers here share: a thin coat on clean, warm steel, then heat until it stops smoking. If you own a Flatrock, using the maker’s own product keeps you in line with Traeger’s care instructions.
Why we like it
- Griddle maker’s own product
- Two ingredients: sunflower oil and beeswax
- No soy or palm oil listed
- Also for cast iron and carbon steel
Key specifications
| Size | Not stated (3 x 1.8 x 4 in container) |
|---|---|
| Form | Solid conditioner |
| Ingredients (as listed) | Non-GMO sunflower seed oil, beeswax |
| Allergens/diet (as listed) | Contains beeswax |
| Use on (as listed) | Flatrock griddle, cast iron, carbon steel |
| How to apply (maker) | Not stated in listing |
| Made in | Not stated |
Why we recommend it
It suits Traeger Flatrock owners, and anyone who wants a short ingredient list without soy.
Skip it if you want clear directions and a stated size on the listing; this one gives neither.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Short ingredient list
- No soy listed
- From a griddle maker
Cons
- Net size not stated
- No directions in listing
- Contains beeswax
4. Crisbee Stik Cast Iron and Carbon Steel Seasoning, 2.3 oz – A Stick for Spot Touch-Ups
Crisbee is a family company that makes seasoning blends in the USA, and the Stik is its best-known format: a 2.3-ounce stick you rub straight onto warm iron, like a glue stick. The Amazon listing gives the ingredients as grapeseed oil and beeswax, and says a little goes a long way. Some other retailers list the Stik as soybean oil, beeswax and palm oil, so there may be more than one formula in circulation; if you avoid soy, check the label on the stick you receive.
The stick suits cast iron skillets, comales and carbon steel pans better than a whole 36-inch griddle, because you are rubbing it on rather than scooping. It is also handy for spot work on a flat-top: the front edge that rusts first, or a dull patch after you have scraped too hard.
Crisbee also sells a griddle version in a 6.5-ounce tub, made from soybean oil and beeswax, if you want the same idea for a large flat-top. The listing gives no step-by-step directions; the general method works: warm the pan, rub on a thin coat, buff it with a paper towel until it looks almost dry, and heat it to set.
Why we like it
- Two ingredients: grapeseed oil and beeswax
- Stick format, no measuring
- Family made in the USA
- Small size travels well
Key specifications
| Size | 2.3 oz |
|---|---|
| Form | Stick |
| Ingredients (as listed) | Grapeseed oil, beeswax (Amazon listing) |
| Allergens/diet (as listed) | Contains beeswax; check label for soy |
| Use on (as listed) | Cast iron and carbon steel |
| How to apply (maker) | Rub thin on warm iron, buff, heat |
| Made in | USA |
Why we recommend it
It suits cast iron and carbon steel cooks, and griddle owners who want something for quick touch-ups between full seasonings.
Skip it if you season a large griddle from scratch; a tub or plain oil covers big steel faster.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Clean to apply
- Short ingredient list
- Made in the USA
Cons
- Small for a big griddle
- Retailers list differing formulas
- Costs more per ounce than oil
5. Lodge Cast Iron Seasoning Spray, 100% Canola Oil, 8 oz – Pure Canola, No Propellant
Lodge, founded in 1896 and still family-owned according to the listing, makes cast iron cookware, and this is its seasoning spray. The listing says it is 100% canola oil with no additives or propellants, in an 8-ounce bottle. That is plain canola in a convenient form, which is why it sits here next to the cheaper bottled oils below.
A spray makes a thin coat easy. Lodge’s care routine is: wash by hand with a little soap, dry promptly and thoroughly, then rub a light layer of the spray over the surface and wipe with a paper towel until no oil residue remains. Lodge’s seasoning guide, for a full re-seasoning, calls for a very thin layer of oil, then an hour upside down in an oven at 450 to 500°F.
On a griddle, mist the warm steel, spread it with a towel held in tongs, and heat it until it stops smoking. Because it is only canola oil, the ingredient question is simple: no soy, palm oil or beeswax is listed.
Why we like it
- 100% canola oil, per Lodge
- No additives or propellants
- Spray makes a thin coat easy
- From an established cast iron maker
Key specifications
| Size | 8 oz |
|---|---|
| Form | Pump spray |
| Ingredients (as listed) | 100% canola oil |
| Allergens/diet (as listed) | No additives listed |
| Use on (as listed) | Cast iron cookware |
| How to apply (maker) | Light layer, wipe until no residue |
| Made in | Not stated for the spray |
Why we recommend it
It suits cast iron owners and griddle cooks who want the simplest possible ingredient list in a form that goes on thin.
Skip it if you are seasoning a big griddle often; a bottle of canola oil does the same job for less.
Pros and cons
Pros
- One ingredient
- Easy thin coat
- Lodge care method to follow
Cons
- Small bottle
- Costs more than bottled canola
- Made for cast iron, not griddles specifically
6. Camp Chef Cast Iron Conditioner, 6 fl oz – From a Griddle and Stove Maker
Camp Chef makes outdoor stoves and flat-top griddles, and its Cast Iron Conditioner (model CSC8) is a 6-fluid-ounce conditioner designed to pair with its Cast Iron Cleaner. It is a familiar choice for cast iron Dutch ovens and griddles at camp.
One honest caution: the Amazon listing gives no ingredients at all, only the name and size. If you need to avoid soy, palm oil or any other ingredient, read the label or ask Camp Chef before you use it. We include it because it comes from an established griddle maker, but it is the one product here we cannot describe by ingredients.
The listing also gives no directions. The general method applies: clean, warm iron, a thin coat, and heat until it stops smoking.
Why we like it
- From an established griddle and stove maker
- Pairs with Camp Chef’s cast iron cleaner
- Compact 6 fl oz size
- Easy to pack for camp
Key specifications
| Size | 6 fl oz |
|---|---|
| Form | Conditioner |
| Ingredients (as listed) | Not stated in listing |
| Allergens/diet (as listed) | Not stated; check the label |
| Use on (as listed) | Cast iron |
| How to apply (maker) | Not stated in listing |
| Made in | Not stated |
Why we recommend it
It suits Camp Chef griddle and cast iron owners who want the maker’s own conditioner and can check the label for ingredients.
Skip it if you need to know the ingredients before you buy; the listing gives none.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Maker’s own conditioner
- Small, packable
- Pairs with cleaner
Cons
- No ingredients listed
- No directions listed
- Small size
7. Knapp Made Cast Iron and Carbon Steel Seasoning Wax, 1.5 oz – US Beeswax and Two Oils
Knapp Made is the company behind the CM Scrubber chainmail cleaner, and this seasoning wax is sold under that CM Scrubber brand. The listing gives the ingredients as grapeseed oil, canola oil and beeswax, and says the beeswax and oils come from farms and suppliers in the USA.
It is a small 1.5-ounce tin, aimed at cast iron pans, skillets and carbon steel, and the listing also mentions Dutch ovens, grills and wooden knife handles. Like the Crisbee Stik, it suits pans and spot work more than a full 36-inch griddle.
Use it the same way as any wax blend: a very thin coat on warm, clean iron, buffed until it looks almost dry, then heated to set. If you already own a chainmail scrubber for your skillet, this is the matching finish.
Why we like it
- Three ingredients: grapeseed, canola, beeswax
- US-sourced oils and beeswax, per listing
- Pairs with chainmail scrubbing
- Also for carbon steel
Key specifications
| Size | 1.5 oz |
|---|---|
| Form | Wax |
| Ingredients (as listed) | Grapeseed oil, canola oil, beeswax |
| Allergens/diet (as listed) | Contains beeswax |
| Use on (as listed) | Cast iron, carbon steel, grills |
| How to apply (maker) | Not stated in listing |
| Made in | Not stated (ingredients US-sourced) |
Why we recommend it
It suits cast iron and carbon steel owners who want a small tin of wax with a short ingredient list.
Skip it if you season a large griddle; 1.5 ounces will not go far on big steel.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Short ingredient list
- US-sourced ingredients
- Small tin
Cons
- Very small size
- Contains beeswax
- Brand name differs from maker
8. Chosen Foods Refined Avocado Oil, 16.9 fl oz – The Cheaper High-Heat Route
You do not need a branded seasoning to season a griddle. Every product above is mostly oil, and a plain high-smoke-point cooking oil does the same basic job for less per ounce. GrillGrate even lists avocado oil and canola oil among the oils it suggests for seasoning its panels.
Chosen Foods’ refined avocado oil is a good one to use. The listing says it is 100% avocado oil with no fillers or seed-oil blends, made without soy or canola, and gives a smoke point of 500°F. It is a neutral cooking oil too, so the same bottle seasons the griddle and cooks on it.
What plain oil does not have is wax, so it is runnier and easier to over-apply. Pour a little, spread it with a folded paper towel held in tongs until the steel looks almost dry, and heat until it stops smoking. Several thin coats beat one thick one.
Why we like it
- One ingredient: avocado oil
- 500°F smoke point, per the listing
- No soy or canola, per the listing
- Also a cooking oil
Key specifications
| Size | 16.9 fl oz |
|---|---|
| Form | Liquid oil |
| Ingredients (as listed) | 100% avocado oil |
| Allergens/diet (as listed) | No soy or canola; non-GMO, kosher |
| Use on (as listed) | Cooking (and seasoning steel) |
| How to apply (maker) | Thin coat, wipe, heat (general method) |
| Made in | Not stated |
Why we recommend it
It suits griddle owners who want a single, simple ingredient and a high smoke point without paying for a seasoning brand.
Skip it if you want the easy spreading of a paste; liquid oil is easier to put on too thick.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Single ingredient
- High stated smoke point
- Doubles as cooking oil
Cons
- No wax; runs if over-applied
- Not made for seasoning
- Glass bottle at the griddle
9. Crisco Pure Canola Oil, 40 fl oz – The Lowest-Cost Option
Canola oil is the base of Lodge’s seasoning spray and one of the oils in several pastes above, so a big bottle of it is the cheapest way to keep a griddle seasoned. Crisco’s pure canola oil comes in a 40-ounce bottle, and the listing describes it as a flavorless, versatile oil with a light texture.
The listing does not state a smoke point, so heat to the point where the coat stops smoking and do not push past what your griddle needs. Use the same method as any oil: thin coat on warm, clean steel, wipe until it looks dry, heat, repeat.
For a first seasoning on a new griddle, plan on several thin coats; for everyday upkeep, a light wipe after each cook is enough. Store the bottle away from the griddle’s heat between cooks.
Why we like it
- Canola oil, the base of many seasonings
- Large 40 oz bottle
- Flavorless, per the listing
- Kosher
Key specifications
| Size | 40 fl oz |
|---|---|
| Form | Liquid oil |
| Ingredients (as listed) | Canola oil |
| Allergens/diet (as listed) | Kosher |
| Use on (as listed) | Cooking (and seasoning steel) |
| How to apply (maker) | Thin coat, wipe, heat (general method) |
| Made in | Not stated |
Why we recommend it
It suits anyone who seasons often and wants the lowest-cost route with a plain ingredient.
Skip it if you want a stated smoke point; the listing gives none.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Least expensive route
- Large bottle
- Single ingredient
Cons
- No smoke point listed
- Runny; easy to over-apply
- Plastic bottle near heat
How to choose a griddle seasoning
1. Paste, stick, spray or plain oil
Every product here is oil, sometimes with wax. Pastes like Blackstone’s and Caron & Doucet’s spread thin over a big griddle without running. Sticks and small tins such as Crisbee and Knapp Made suit skillets and touch-ups. A spray such as Lodge’s makes thin coats easy. Plain bottled oil costs the least and works the same way; it just runs more, so you have to wipe it thinner.
2. Read the ingredients
Blends differ more than you might expect. Blackstone’s lists soy oil and beeswax; Crisbee’s griddle tub uses soybean oil; Caron & Doucet’s is vegan with no palm oil; Traeger’s is sunflower oil and beeswax; Lodge’s is only canola. If you cook for someone with a soy allergy, or avoid animal products, the ingredient list matters, and where a listing gives none, as with Camp Chef’s, read the label first.
3. Size against griddle size
A 36-inch griddle eats seasoning, especially in the first few coats. A 1.5-ounce tin will barely cover it; a 15.3-ounce tub or a big bottle of oil will last. Keep the small sticks and tins for cast iron and spot repairs.
4. Smoke point and wax
Seasoning works by heating a thin film of fat until it hardens onto the steel, so the oil has to reach smoking on a hot griddle. Waxes such as beeswax and rice bran wax give a paste body. Chosen Foods states a 500°F smoke point for its refined avocado oil; Crisco does not state one for its canola.
How to season a griddle, step by step
The makers’ directions all come down to the same routine. For a new griddle or a full re-season:
- Start clean. Scrape off rust or old buildup with a grill scraper and wipe the steel dry.
- Heat it. Warm the griddle so the seasoning spreads and the steel is fully dry.
- Go thin. Blackstone says one or two small scoops cover its griddles; Caron & Doucet says 2 or 3 tablespoons for a whole surface. Spread it with a folded paper towel held in tongs, over the top and the edges, until it looks almost dry.
- Burn it on. Turn the burners to high and let it smoke until the smoke stops, then let it cool a little.
- Repeat. Several thin coats build a darker, tougher surface than one thick coat, which stays sticky.
For everyday care, scrape the griddle while it is warm after cooking, wipe on a light coat, and heat it briefly before covering. For cast iron pans, Lodge’s full method is a very thin coat, then an hour upside down in an oven at 450 to 500°F.
How we chose these griddle seasonings
We started from what a kitchen that cooks on steel every day needs: a fat that takes high heat, goes on thin and comes from someone who says what is in it. We searched Amazon US for griddle seasonings, cast iron conditioners and plain high-smoke-point oils, kept only items in stock when we checked, and favored griddle and cookware makers (Blackstone, Traeger, Camp Chef, Lodge) and established small makers (Caron & Doucet, Crisbee, Knapp Made). We left out unbranded seasonings sold only through Amazon storefronts. Pit Boss does not currently sell a griddle seasoning on Amazon US that we could find, so it is not here. Ingredients, sizes and directions come from each listing, which we cite in our notes; we have not used these products for this guide, and we did not use ratings or review counts. We searched the CPSC recall site and found no recalls of these products.
Griddle seasoning questions, answered
Can I season a griddle with regular cooking oil?
Yes. Branded seasonings are mostly oil; Lodge’s spray is only canola. Plain canola or refined avocado oil works if you spread it very thin and heat it until it stops smoking.
Is griddle seasoning the same as grill seasoning?
No. Griddle seasoning protects the steel; grill seasoning is the spice rub for the meat. For rubs, see our grill seasoning guide.
Does griddle seasoning contain soy?
Some do. Blackstone’s lists soy oil and Crisbee’s griddle tub lists soybean oil, and some retailers list a soy formula for the Crisbee Stik. Caron & Doucet’s, Traeger’s, Lodge’s and the plain oils here list none. Camp Chef’s listing gives no ingredients, so check the label.
How often should I season my griddle?
Several coats when new or after rust, then a light coat after each cook. If food starts sticking or the steel looks dull and gray, add a few more coats.
Why is my griddle sticky after seasoning?
The coat was too thick or not heated long enough. Heat it again until it stops smoking, and use thinner coats next time.
Our final word on griddle seasoning
Buy Blackstone’s paste for an everyday flat-top, Caron & Doucet’s if you want plant-based with no soy or palm oil, the Crisbee Stik or Knapp Made wax for cast iron, and a bottle of avocado or canola oil if you would rather not pay for a brand. Still choosing the griddle? See our Blackstone griddle and outdoor griddle guides, and for the pan that seasons the same way, our cast iron skillet guide.
And if you would rather someone else worked the flat-top tonight, see the menu or call to order.