Flat Top Grilling for Beginners Griddle Cooking 101

This flat top grilling for beginners video will take you through some awesome griddle tips from start to finish. Learn how to cook on a griddle, starting with turning your griddle on to cleaning the griddle when you’re done cooking.

Think of this griddle cooking for beginners video as a Flat Top Grilling 101 video… a great place to start. Then, be sure to check out our other helpful griddle videos for more in-depth information on:

- Must-Have Flat Top Grill Accessories - The things you MUST have to get started
- How to Re-Season Your Griddle - How to do it and when to do it to keep your flat top grill seasoning in top shape
- How to Clean Your Griddle - Different methods for cleaning your flat top grill, depending on what you cook, and when to clean it
- Flat Top Grill Temperatures: Does It Matter? - Learn everything you need to know about griddle temperatures
- Flat Top Grill Tips and Tricks

Whether you have a Blackstone griddle, a Camp Chef flat top grill, a Pit Boss, or a different griddle, this beginners guide to flat top grilling video can help you learn how to use a griddle so you feel comfortable and you can make some awesome food!

Be sure to check us out on Facebook, too!

#griddlecooking #griddletemps #howtocook #cookingforbeginners #campchef

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FLAT TOP KING MERCH, RECIPES AND SEASONINGS

Snake River Farms American Wagyu Beef

MY FAVORITE COOKING TOOLS:
Wireless Thermometer
My Infrared Laser Thermometer
Thermpro T19 Instant Read Thermometer
The Avocado Oil that I Buy on Repeat
KitchenAid Artisan Series 5 Quart
Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro
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SEASONINGS I SWAER BY:
MY NEW SEASONINGS
SHAKE THAT, SMASH THAT, & “QUE THAT SEASONINGS

Sure Shot Sid’s Gunpowder Seasoning
Cavender's All Purpose Greek Seasoning

Heath Riles Rubs --- Save 10% when using these links
Heath Riles BBQ Garlic Jalapeño Rub Seasoning
Heath Riles BBQ Sweet BBQ Rub Seasoning
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KNIVES I USE:
HENCKELS Four Stars Chef Knife
HENCKELS Four Stars 7in Filet Knife
HENCKELS Four Star Utility Knife
VICTORINOX 6in BONING KNIFE

GRIDDLE MUST HAVES:
Traeger Bent Handle Scraper
Meat Press Stainless Steel
Grill Cart for Accessories (Mine came from Harbor Freight but this one is good also)
Squirt Bottles
Melting Dome and Resting Rack
Bench Scraper
My Favorite Flat Top Grill Spatulas
My Instant Read Thermometer
Earlywood Wood Spatulas
Silicone Fish Turner 600 deg

WEBER LINKS:
Weber Summit Kamado S6 Charcoal Grill (Newer model of mine)
Weber Griddle Insert --
Weber 28in Griddle --
Weber Genesis S-435 —

SMOKER AND GRILL MUST HAVES:
Butcher Peach Paper
Black Disposable Gloves
Weber Burger Press
Charcoal Chimney
OXO Good Grips Silicone Pot Holder
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Disclosures: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. I have a similar agreement with Pit Boss and Camp Chef. That means if you click one of the links above and make a purchase, I earn a commission at no additional cost to you. This helps to offset my costs and allows me to continue making videos. Thanks for your support!

0:00 Introduction
2:39 STICK WITH WHAT YOU KNOW TO START OFF
3:28 TURN YOUR PROPANE TANK OFF AFTER YOU'RE DON'T COOKING
3:48 ALWAYS PREHEAT ON LOW
4:12 THE GRIDDLE GROUP - BY THE FLAT TOP KING
6:02 LEARN HOW YOUR GRIDDLE TEMPERATURE CHANGES
9:14 CLEAN AS YOU GO
12:40 PAY ATTENTION TO THE COOKING "ORDER"
19:41 TURN OFF YOUR GRIDDLE A FEW MINUTES BEFORE YOU'RE DONE COOKING
21:01 YOU DON'T ALWAYS NEED TO DEEP CLEAN

[andrewmiller]

Most "for beginners" videos only cover common sense things and aren't really informative. This was genuinely helpful. well done.

[adriancooper]

Dude you awesome. My wife and I just got our first Flat Top Grill and we're so excited. I can't appreciate enough the details and the practical information that you have given in this video!!!! Dude you are awesome!!
Thank you for your hard work I thank the misses too for filming this video.

[yummyklown]

This video is 25 minutes long...but seemed like 5 minutes or less. Very informative and it grabs your attention! You're a great teacher.

[GrimaldiSound]

hahaha I absolutely love when your wife corrects you from behind the camera! It's hilarious!! Just bought my first flattop and have been watching your videos! Keep it up!

[jerryjohanan]

I love it how your wife corrects you from time to time it reminds me of my wife

[barbarahoyle]

Turn griddle on first. Pre-heat on 300 F low so that griddle does not bend.Make eggs and bacon and get comfortable with settings. Make hotdogs or hamburgers first. Dry Chicken salted on the sides, baste in BBQ sauce later. Any marinade creates a cleaning issue. Sauce cools down the heat. TIPS and TRICKS. RIGHT SIDE is hotter ? KNOW your ZONES before you cook for company.

[WILRARN]

Great video.
Things you pros take for granted, but us beginners don’t know. Very informative.
You and your wife are great together, fun to watch!

[billcurry]

My number one reason for beginners is get a back grease trap griddle, you won't have to go Through That kind of a mess in front of you. There's no mess. And those other tips he gave you were spot on😊

[boabed]

Literally, you're the only reason behind me buying my first flat-top griddle next week. I used to be focused only on pallets and kettles smokers when it comes to preparing food, not anymore because of the brilliant work you keep doing in this channel. Appreciate every info, and keep it up dude!

[Rockinrn]

I have one of those internal thermometers. I just cooked 5 chicken breasts and 4 of them were over 160 degrees, but the fifth one was only 120 degrees. I definitely agree that it’s important to check all pieces!

[BPRescue]

I have watched many of your videos now and as a result, pulled the trigger on a Blackstone. I fought this as my last miracle device was an expensive Traeger which has been disappointing at best. Moving on, after trying Freddy's Steakburgers and finding the best burger I ever tasted, but living very rural, 4 hours away with poor restaurants, I purchased the Blackstone in town from Costco for $369.

My first use was breakfast with mixed results, poor on hash browns, but excellent for scrambled eggs/bacon. As you say in many videos, it helped me learn the zones on my griddle which is helpful to move food across the griddle accordingly. And just like normal cooking, it is about trying different things until you nail it. In that regard I have found this griddle to be of great potential and excited. This was emphasized when my very first attempt at Smashburgers was shockingly successful, with my wife stating it was the best homemade burger she has ever eaten, and I will say the best I have had outside of Freddy's. Still excellent and far surpassed any burger I have done in 30 years on the grill, stove or Traeger. In short, it just justified the purchase of this Blackstone. Your videos helped immensely in timing of what to cook first, but also every aspect of cooking the smashburger itself. I bought a stainless 6" round burger press vs. the rectangular one you use and it is heavy and allows great control. My wife was talking to me when I was cooking the very 1st smashburger, and I thought I overcooked it after I turned it. But your instruction in using the spatula angled to cut it off is a game changer allowing great control, even at different sides is what allows success and once I turned it, I realized it was probably Ok, so I kept it for myself and it was perfect. The aspect I love about these smashburgers is the crispy edges, but also having this texture across the surface. My wife was surprised at the full taste, and I gave her your explanation of now with having 2 patties you have double the surface area for this Maillard reaction and juices. I still think I can improve as I like the edges a little crispier, and I think I did over pack the meatball slightly, but was shocked that my first smashburger was an incredible success. Now maybe I can do 2 burgers at once, but not worried since these are so quick and I pop it over to warm while other burgers cook.

I also struggled with griddle size given price and that my kids are 17 & 19 and with sports/school, mostly just my wife and I for dinner now. I found I could get a Blackstone 22" griddle with mandated steel cover for $350 on Amazon, but found a 36" at Costco. I thought the 36" was exceedingly large/overkill which is why I also considered the 22". Even with a couple uses under the belt I believe the smaller griddle would have been a mistake, even cooking for 2. Per your point on getting to know your zones, I found that 4 zones and a 36" griddle allows excellent control. I have found that after preheating all zones on low, then turning off the 1st zone on the left allows me to use it as a warming zone, with the middle 2 zones for high heat cooking, and the last zone used for lower heat cooking like sauteing vegetables, or slower meats like bacon. The temps of my Costco griddle vary so I can use front/right side while these 3 zones are on low, even manipulate the middle 2 zones as meat cools the griddle. It works perfectly, where I can imagine having less zones, especially 2 on the 22" model far more difficult, where you are now dealing with the different items you are cooking either have to be removed and cold, or left on to overcook. So, I will say the 36" with 4 zones allows much more control and a better result without frustration of cooling, burning, but also crowding the griddle. You can cook multiple items at the same time, often without cross contaminating if that is an issue. In the end I am happy I purchased the 36" model, and excited this will be another win/heavily used product like my Paragon Theater Pop 6 popcorn maker that is irreplaceable. Anyway, thank you for all your tips, I did subscribe which I never do...

[danstan]

This is how all cuts burn with different seasonings. You had the griddle on too high from the start. Its cooking 101. not just griddle cooking. It definitely taught me how hot these get. You are 100% right about never turning the heat up all the way. Thanks! I learned a lot

[rockerm]

Just bought a Blackstone for the hubby. We subscribed to your channel because you explain everything so clearly.

[victoriaprati]

Just got my flat top griddle yesterday! I had no idea how little I knew lol Thank you for all the tips. Can’t wait to put them all to good use.

[clearmind]

I actually won my first flattop grill from my job ( a 2 burner Blackstone at that!) and I happen to stumble onto your videos and this is a huge help thanks
😊👍👍

[ZenDreaming]

45 years ago the place I worked the cook would, between doing burgers and bacon would pour a little bit of seltzer water or club soda on the grill to clean it between cooking and then also at the end of the night, that is what she used to clean off the crud and then in the morning before she would start cooking she always sprinkled the grill down with salt lightly!!
She had the most beautiful griddle!! 👍🏼😂😁

[jrowlove]

Thank you. This should be an adventure for us. We are both 77 years old.

[briancarpenter]

I've been wanting a 36 inch Blackstone griddle for a while. Your instructions are clear, concise, and very useful. Closer to the time when I get my griddle, I'll thoroughly review all your videos. Really enjoy your channel

[cliffcross]

Thank you for your videos. I just bought my first flat top griddle last night, so I have a lot to learn. Your videos are definitely putting me at ease. Now I am going to start watching your ENTIRE library.
Be Blessed

[MsNappingcat]

My husband will be so happy finding your channel!