Burn It On Thin: Best Griddle Seasoning Blends, Oils and Sprays for Steel and Cast Iron

As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. This doesn’t change our recommendations or the price you pay.

The best griddle seasoning is the one you’ll actually apply in thin coats, burn off and repeat. A flat top or cast iron pan gets its slick, rust-resistant surface from layers of oil baked onto the metal, so the product matters less than the habit. Still, the products differ: some are beeswax blends in a tub, some are a single plain oil, one is a canola spray, and one is a coconut-based conditioner pitched as never going rancid.

We compared seven options using their Amazon listings: four seasoning blends, a seasoning spray, a plain grapeseed cooking oil for anyone asking about the best oil for a stainless steel griddle, and a rust restoration kit for a flat top that has already gone orange. Ingredients and smoke point claims are quoted exactly as each listing gives them, and we flag the listings that leave out the details you’d want.

Our Top Griddle Seasoning Picks at a Glance

Price key: $ under $50 · $$ $50–$100 · $$$ $100–$175 · $$$$ $175+. Prices change often; check Amazon for today’s price.

1. Blackstone Griddle Seasoning and Cast Iron Conditioner, 15.3 oz: Best Overall

Blackstone’s Griddle Seasoning and Cast Iron Conditioner is a paste in a 15.3-ounce tub, made by the brand best known for outdoor flat top griddles. Blackstone calls it a 2-in-1 formula that conditions and protects: it builds a nonstick seasoning layer and, per the listing, guards the cooktop against rust, moisture and other elements.

Use is simple. You spread a thin layer evenly across the warm griddle surface and let it burn off, then repeat as needed. Blackstone says only one or two small scoops are needed per application, so a tub lasts a long time. The same paste works on cast iron skillets and pans, which the listing says you can season or re-season with it.

The ingredient list is spelled out, which not every seasoning listing does: a proprietary blend of palm oil shortening, beeswax, palm oil, canola oil and soy oil. The beeswax and shortening give it a soft, scoopable texture rather than a pourable oil. The listing doesn’t state a smoke point, so judge burn-off by watching the surface rather than by a number on the label.

It suits new flat top owners doing the first seasoning, anyone maintaining a griddle between cooks, and households that want one product for both the griddle and the cast iron in the kitchen. The listing gives the tub as 4 x 4 x 5.5 inches and 0.95 pounds.

Why we like it

• Big 15.3 oz tub
• Full ingredient list
• Works on griddles and cast iron

Watch out for

No smoke point is listed, and the warranty field is only a note to get in touch within 30 days of receipt.

Check Price on Amazon →

2. Crisbee Griddle Seasoning, 6.5 oz: Best Soy and Beeswax Blend

Crisbee’s Griddle Seasoning is the flat top version of a seasoning line the company sells for cast iron and carbon steel. It comes in a 6.5-ounce container, and the title describes it as a 2-in-1 seasoning for flat top griddles, cast iron and carbon steel cookware, family made in the USA.

The recipe is short. Crisbee calls it a proprietary flat top griddle and cast iron seasoning blend of soybean oil and beeswax, and nothing else is listed. That simplicity is the appeal for cooks who want to know exactly what goes on the cooking surface. The listing’s headline promise is to help you maintain a cleaner non-stick griddle, and it calls the product very cost effective.

Crisbee names flat top griddles from brands such as Traeger and recteq as good matches, alongside cast iron and carbon steel pans. In practice, a paste like this goes on in a thin film over a warm surface and is heated until it stops smoking, building a layer each time. The listing doesn’t give a smoke point or detailed instructions, so follow your griddle maker’s seasoning steps.

It suits owners of non-Blackstone flat tops who like the idea of a small-batch, two-ingredient seasoning, and cast iron cooks who want one tub for pans and griddle. The 3.5 x 3.5 x 2-inch container is small enough for a drawer or a camp box.

Why we like it

• Two listed ingredients
• Named for Traeger and recteq flat tops
• Compact container

Watch out for

The listing is thin on detail, with no smoke point or step-by-step directions, and the container holds less than half of Blackstone’s tub.

Check Price on Amazon →

3. GriddleMATe Griddle Seasoning: Best Dry-Finish Seasoning

GriddleMATe Griddle Seasoning is a 2-in-1 seasoning sold for Blackstone griddles, cast iron and carbon steel cookware. Its pitch centers on two things: a high smoke point for hot griddle cooking and a clean, dry finish once it has been applied.

On ingredients, the listing says the proprietary formula is engineered with high oleic sunflower oil, which GriddleMATe says gives it a high smoke point that stands up to intense griddle and cast iron cooking without breaking down. It doesn’t publish a smoke point number or the rest of the ingredient list, so the high-heat claim is the brand’s own. The title adds that it is non-GMO and made in the USA.

GriddleMATe says the blend creates a strong, non-stick seasoning layer that protects a griddle from rust, corrosion and everyday wear. The finish is where it tries to stand apart: unlike oily sprays or greasy treatments, the listing says it leaves a dry, natural finish with no sticky residue. It claims to work on all griddle types and cast iron cookware.

It suits flat top owners who have fought sticky, gummy spots from over-oiling, and anyone who wants a seasoning marketed for high heat. Check the container size on the product page before you buy, because the listing bullets don’t give it, and the specs only show a small 2.88 x 2.88 x 3.1-inch package.

Why we like it

• High smoke point claim
• Dry, non-sticky finish claim
• Rust and corrosion protection claim

Watch out for

The listing gives no smoke point number, no full ingredient list and no container size in the bullets.

Check Price on Amazon →

4. Lodge Cast Iron Seasoning Spray, 8 oz: Best Seasoning Spray

Lodge’s Seasoning Spray is an 8-ounce bottle of 100% canola oil from the cast iron maker that has been family owned since 1896, according to the listing. There are no additives or propellants, so it is just oil in a sprayer, meant to protect cookware and enhance its finish.

A spray’s advantage is control. Seasoning works best in very thin layers, and misting oil onto a pan or flat top makes it hard to overdo. Lodge’s listing gives a three-step routine: wash cast iron by hand with a small amount of soap, dry it promptly and thoroughly with a lint-free cloth or paper towel, then rub a light layer of Seasoning Spray onto the surface and wipe until no oil residue remains.

Lodge’s own How to Season page goes further for a full re-season: apply a very thin layer of oil inside and out, then bake the cookware upside down at 450–500°F for one hour. It also says that when re-seasoning, you should reach for an oil with a high smoke point, and that Lodge’s test kitchen likes vegetable oil, melted shortening or canola oil, naming this spray.

It suits cast iron households that want a daily maintenance oil, and flat top owners who prefer a spray for quick post-cook coats. The listing frames it for cast iron cookware rather than outdoor griddles, so use it on a flat top the way your griddle maker’s manual describes.

Why we like it

• Pure canola, no propellant
• Easy thin coats
• Clear care steps from Lodge

Watch out for

The listing is written for cast iron cookware, and the model and warranty fields don’t give useful information.

Check Price on Amazon →

5. Caron & Doucet Cast Iron Seasoning & Cleaning Oil, 8 oz: Best Shelf-Stable Conditioner

Caron & Doucet’s Cast Iron Seasoning & Cleaning Oil is an 8-ounce bottle built on refined coconut oil. The family brand describes it as 100% plant-based and food grade, made with a solvent-less, refined coconut oil that is safe for food contact and cast iron surfaces.

Shelf life is the headline. Caron & Doucet says that, unlike canola, hemp, flaxseed or other common cooking oils, this oil will never go rancid, because the coconut base has had its long-chain fatty acids removed. For anyone who seasons a few times a year and finds a sticky, stale-smelling bottle at the back of the cupboard, that is the selling point.

Day to day, the listing says it seasons and conditions cast iron while protecting cookware from moisture that leads to damage and rust, and that the seasoning it creates is non-stick and stops food from drying on. A proprietary blend of pure essential oils is added to help eliminate food odors, with a very light scent that the brand says won’t transfer onto food.

It suits occasional cast iron cooks, people who want a dual cleaning and seasoning oil, and anyone bothered by lingering fish or onion smells in a pan. Caron & Doucet backs it with a family guarantee: if you aren’t satisfied, the listing says they’ll refund your money.

Why we like it

• Won’t go rancid, per the brand
• Cleans odors as it conditions
• Money-back guarantee

Watch out for

The listing makes no smoke point claim, and its size field can’t be right for an 8-ounce bottle.

Check Price on Amazon →

6. La Tourangelle Expeller-Pressed Grapeseed Oil, 16.9 fl oz: Best Plain Oil for Stainless Steel Griddles

La Tourangelle’s Expeller-Pressed Grapeseed Oil is an everyday cooking oil, not a seasoning product, and that is the reason it is here. Many griddle owners, especially those with a stainless steel cooking surface, simply want a neutral oil to wipe on before and after cooking, and a plain oil is the simplest answer.

The listing describes grapeseed oil as mild and easy, at its best in stir-fries and sautés, and says that when grilling or frying it is a must-have in the pantry. The mild flavor means it won’t compete with eggs, pancakes or smash burgers. The title says the oil is expeller-pressed, and La Tourangelle packs it in what it calls nature-friendly tin packaging.

What the listing doesn’t do is make any claim about seasoning, smoke point or rust. Lodge’s seasoning guidance says to reach for an oil with a high smoke point when re-seasoning, but La Tourangelle doesn’t publish a smoke point here, so treat any number you see elsewhere as outside this listing. Use it in the same thin film you would use with any seasoning, and wipe off the excess.

It suits stainless steel griddle owners, cooks who prefer a single-ingredient oil to a wax blend, and anyone who wants one bottle that covers both cooking and griddle care. At 16.9 fluid ounces, it is the largest container on this page.

Why we like it

• Neutral, mild flavor
• Big 16.9 oz tin
• Doubles as everyday cooking oil

Watch out for

It isn’t sold as a seasoning, and the listing gives no smoke point or rust claim.

Check Price on Amazon →

7. Blackstone Griddle Top Restoration Kit: Best Rust Restoration Kit

Blackstone’s Griddle Top Restoration Kit is the step before seasoning. It pairs eight ounces of Griddle Top Restorer with two heavy-duty scrub pads, and the listing says the restorer is specially formulated to tackle surface rust, grease and grime while breaking up built-up residue to leave a clean cooking surface.

It’s meant for the griddle that sat under a leaky cover all winter, or a plate with layers of carbon that won’t scrape off. You work the restorer into the cooled surface with a scrub pad, wipe it clean, and then start seasoning again from bare metal. Blackstone says it can also be used on griddle side shelves, cookware and cooking tools.

Two cautions are spelled out in the listing. Don’t use it on hot griddle surfaces, for safe and effective cleaning. And it is not compatible with Blackstone E-series or camping griddle units. If you own one of those, check your manual before reaching for any restorer.

It suits owners of steel flat tops with surface rust or heavy buildup who want a purpose-made kit from the griddle brand itself. Plan to follow it immediately with a seasoning blend or oil, since a freshly cleaned steel plate is exposed until you build the seasoning back up.

Why we like it

• Restorer plus pads in one box
• Targets rust and residue
• Clear compatibility notes

Watch out for

Use it only on a cool griddle, and not on Blackstone E-series or camping griddles, then re-season right away.

Check Price on Amazon →

How We Chose the Best Griddle Seasoning

Every pick was in stock and sold by Amazon.com or the brand’s own store when we checked. Then we compared what each listing actually says:

• Ingredients: named oils and waxes, or a “proprietary formula” with only part of the recipe disclosed.
• Smoke point and heat claims: quoted and attributed, and flagged when no number is given (none of the listings gives one).
• Rust protection: whether the listing claims moisture or rust protection.
• Surfaces: flat top griddles, cast iron, carbon steel, and which surfaces a product is not for.
• Container, rank and seller: size, Amazon sales rank and the warranty or guarantee field.

We left out spice rubs and grill cleaners. Degreasers for grates are covered in our best grill cleaner guide.

How to Season a Griddle: Thin Coats and Burn-Off

Seasoning is oil heated past the point where it bonds to the metal, layer by layer. Lodge’s How to Season guide lays out the cast iron version: wash and dry the pan completely, add a very thin layer of oil inside and out, then bake it upside down at 450–500°F for one hour. On a flat top, the stove does the baking. Blackstone’s listing says to spread a thin layer evenly and let it burn off, and the same idea applies to every blend here.

• Go thin. Lodge says you want just a thin layer, not enough to drip or run. Thick coats turn sticky.
• Burn it off. Heat until the smoke fades, let the surface cool slightly, then add the next coat.
• Repeat. Several thin coats beat one heavy one, and a light coat after each cook keeps the layer going.

Griddle Seasoning Buying Guide

Best Oil for a Stainless Steel Griddle

None of the seasoning blends on this page names stainless steel in its listing; they are written for steel flat tops, cast iron and carbon steel. If your griddle has a stainless cooking surface, follow the manufacturer’s manual first. For everyday cooking and wipe-downs, a plain, neutral oil is the simplest choice, which is why we include La Tourangelle’s grapeseed oil, a product its listing pitches for grilling and frying.

Best Oil to Season a Stainless Steel Griddle or Steel Flat Top

Lodge says to reach for an oil with a high smoke point when re-seasoning, and its test kitchen likes vegetable oil, melted shortening or canola oil. GriddleMATe is the only pick that claims a “high smoke point,” for its high oleic sunflower oil blend, but it doesn’t publish a number. Blackstone’s tub blends shortening, beeswax and several oils, and Crisbee uses just soybean oil and beeswax.

Paste, Spray or Liquid?

Pastes (Blackstone, Crisbee, GriddleMATe) are easy to spread on a warm flat top and include wax for a smoother finish. A spray (Lodge) makes very thin coats easy. Liquids (Caron & Doucet, La Tourangelle) pour onto a towel and work for both cooking and conditioning.

Rust Prevention Between Cooks

Blackstone, GriddleMATe and Caron & Doucet all claim protection against moisture or rust. Whatever you use, scrape the griddle while it is warm, wipe on a light coat and cover it once cool. If rust has already set in, the Blackstone Restoration Kit strips surface rust first, then you re-season. Our best gas griddle guide covers grease management on the griddles themselves.

Cast Iron Pans and Dutch Ovens

Every blend here also targets cast iron cookware. Bare, seasoned cast iron, like the Lodge pots in our best dutch oven guide, needs the same thin-coat routine. Enameled cast iron does not need seasoning at all.

Seasoning Smoke, Flare-Ups and Fire Safety

Burning off seasoning is meant to make smoke, so do it outside on an outdoor griddle and with the vent fan on for pans indoors. The NFPA’s cooking safety page says the leading cause of fires in the kitchen is unattended cooking and advises keeping a lid nearby to smother small grease fires. For outdoor griddles, the NFPA’s grilling page says never leave your grill unattended when in use and to remove grease or fat buildup, and the U.S. Fire Administration says to keep a 3-foot safe zone around your grill and place it out from under eaves and overhanging branches.

• Stay with the griddle through every burn-off; oil on a hot plate can flare.
• Use thin coats. Pooled oil smokes heavily and can ignite.
• Clean only a cool plate with restorers; Blackstone’s kit says not to use it on a hot griddle.
• Know your coverage. A fire that spreads from a deck or patio griddle to the house is a homeowners insurance question. Our Ohio homeowners insurance guide and renters insurance costs in Ohio explain what to check.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best griddle seasoning for a Blackstone?

Blackstone’s own Griddle Seasoning and Cast Iron Conditioner is our overall pick: a 15.3-ounce tub with a full ingredient list and the best rank among the seasoning blends here. GriddleMATe and Crisbee also name flat top griddles in their listings.

What is the best oil for a stainless steel griddle?

None of the seasoning blends here names stainless steel, so follow your griddle maker’s manual first. A plain, neutral cooking oil such as La Tourangelle’s grapeseed oil, which its listing pitches for grilling and frying, works for everyday cooking and light wipe-downs.

What oil has the best smoke point for seasoning?

Lodge advises reaching for an oil with a high smoke point when re-seasoning and names vegetable oil, melted shortening and canola. Among our picks, only GriddleMATe claims a “high smoke point,” and none of the listings gives a number.

How many coats of seasoning does a new griddle need?

Several thin coats, each heated until the smoke fades, build a better layer than one thick coat. Lodge says to use just a thin layer, not enough to drip or run, and Blackstone says to spread a thin layer and let it burn off.

How do I fix a rusty griddle?

Clean the rust off a cool griddle first. Blackstone’s Restoration Kit pairs an 8-ounce restorer with two scrub pads for surface rust and residue, but it isn’t for E-series or camping griddles. Then re-season right away with thin coats.

The Bottom Line

For most flat tops, Blackstone’s Griddle Seasoning is the best griddle seasoning to start with: a big tub, a full ingredient list and a strong sales rank. Crisbee keeps the recipe to soybean oil and beeswax, GriddleMATe pitches a high smoke point and a dry finish, and the Lodge Seasoning Spray makes thin coats easy. Caron & Doucet suits occasional seasoners who worry about rancid oil, La Tourangelle grapeseed covers stainless steel griddles and everyday cooking, and the Blackstone Restoration Kit rescues a rusty plate before you start over.

Cooking on a deck or patio and not sure how your policy treats a grill or griddle fire? Call Jeff Smith’s State Farm office at (740) 354-7747 or ask for a free coverage review.