Little Griddle · Maintenance
Cook + Clean a Little Griddle: First-Use Through Weekly Care
A Little Griddle stainless griddle needs 4-8 minutes of pre-heating + proper outdoor-only cleaning. Water on hot stainless is safe. Grease trough care is the part cooks skip.
By Reed · Updated November 10, 2026
What you need
- Warm soapy water
- Paper towels
- Scouring pad (stainless-safe)
- Hose or utility sink
Step by step
Clean before first use
Clean your griddle with warm soapy water prior to first use and wipe dry. This removes shop oils and residues from manufacturing.
Pre-heat 4-8 minutes before cooking
Little Griddle recommends 4 to 8 minutes of pre-heating. Actual time varies with outdoor temperature — you'll experiment to find your grill's sweet spot.
Cook; expect a 'seasoned' patina over time
Normal cooking will create a 'seasoned' effect over time — this is cosmetic and doesn't affect performance. Metal cooking utensils will NOT hurt stainless griddles.
Let the griddle cool before heavy cleaning
Light wipe-down can happen hot. Heavy cleaning (grease trough, bacon drippings) needs the griddle fully cooled.
Clean the grease trough with paper towels
When the griddle has fully cooled, wipe the grease trough with paper towels. If there's heavy grease like bacon drippings, use alternate method (below) to avoid injury.
Finish wash outdoors or in utility sink
Heavy cleaning will usually need to be done outside with a hose or in a utility sink — the grease volume isn't appropriate for a kitchen sink + drain.
Common mistakes
- Cleaning the grease trough while hot with heavy grease. Bacon drippings + water + hot stainless = aggressive splatter. Let the griddle cool first OR wipe the trough with paper towels before any water touches it.
- Running a Little Griddle indoors. Voids warranty AND creates smoke + CO issues. The product is designed and warranted ONLY for outdoor use on an outdoor grill.
Hands-on tips
- Keep a dedicated pack of paper towels + a squeeze bottle of soapy water in your grill cabinet for quick between-cook cleanups.
- Stainless-safe scouring pads (non-chloride) can tackle burnt-on residue. Avoid steel wool — it leaves micro-pieces that rust.
Questions people ask
How do I cook on my Stainless Steel Griddle from Little Griddle?
Clean with warm soapy water prior to first use and wipe dry. The griddle will typically be ready for cooking after 4 to 8 minutes of pre-heating. You'll experiment to determine the right grill temperature for a given outdoor temperature.
How do I clean my stainless steel griddle from Little Griddle?
When the griddle has fully cooled, wipe the grease trough with paper towels. Heavy cleaning will usually need to be done outside with a hose or in a utility sink. The griddle won't be harmed by hot steam or grease spray.
Can I use metal cooking utensils on a Little Griddle?
Yes. Metal cooking utensils will not hurt stainless griddles. Expect a 'seasoned' patina effect to develop over time — that's cosmetic and doesn't affect cooking performance.
What can I cook on a griddle?
Almost anything — breakfast (bacon, eggs, omelets, pancakes, sausage, French toast, hash browns), smash burgers, teppanyaki steak, fried rice, scallion pancakes, cilantro-pepper corncakes. Breakfast is where most owners start.
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