What is Blackstone – Understanding the Top Private Equity Firm
What is Blackstone?
Blackstone is one of the world’s largest alternative investment firms, best known for its private equity business:
- Founded: 1985 by Stephen A. Schwarzman and Peter G. Peterson
- Headquarters: New York City
- Assets Under Management: Over $1 trillion (as of 2024)
- Core Businesses:
- Private Equity: Acquiring, improving and selling companies
- Real Estate: Investing across residential, office, retail and industrial properties
- Credit & Insurance: Providing debt financing and insurance solutions
- Hedge Fund Solutions: Advising on multi‑strategy and fund‑of‑fund products
Why It Matters:
- Blackstone helped define the modern private equity model, turning undervalued or under‑performing companies into market leaders.
- Its real estate arm is the single largest global commercial property investor.
- Through its credit and insurance platforms, Blackstone offers capital solutions when public markets are inaccessible.
“Blackstone’s scale and operational expertise allow it to unlock value across asset classes—making it a bellwether for institutional investors worldwide.”
— Blackstone Annual Report, 2023
For more, see Blackstone’s own overview:
How to Season & Clean Your Blackstone Griddle?
Whether you’re new to flat‑top cooking or a seasoned griddle master, knowing how to season a Blackstone griddle and how to clean a Blackstone griddle properly is crucial for peak performance. This comprehensive guide covers everything—from initial seasoning to deep cleaning—so you get perfect results every time you fire it up.
Achieve a flawless non‑stick surface – expert seasoning in action
What Is a Blackstone Griddle?
The Blackstone griddle is a flat‑top outdoor cooker known for its versatility. Unlike a traditional grill, the Blackstone’s smooth steel surface delivers even heat, letting you sear steaks, flip pancakes, or stir‑fry vegetables on one platform. To protect that metal and build a non‑stick layer, you must know how to season Blackstone griddle and maintain it by learning how to clean Blackstone griddle.
Why You Must Season Your Blackstone Griddle
Seasoning is the process of creating a polymerized layer of oil on the griddle surface. This layer:
- Prevents rust and corrosion
- Creates a natural non‑stick surface
- Improves heat distribution
Fail to season and you risk food sticking or surface damage. Let’s dive into how to season a Blackstone griddle step by step.
How to Season a Blackstone Griddle – Step by Step
- Initial cleaning: Remove factory oils by scrubbing with warm, soapy water. Rinse and dry completely.
- Pre‑heat: Turn burners to high for 10–15 minutes until the metal glows slightly and moisture evaporates.
- Apply oil: Choose a high smoke‑point oil (flaxseed, grapeseed, or canola). Pour about 1 tbsp per 200 sq in and spread thinly using a lint‑free cloth or paper towel.
- Polymerize: Keep burners on medium‑high. As oil smokes, it bonds to the metal—burn off for 10 minutes, then wipe away excess.
- Repeat layers: For best results, apply 3–4 thin layers. Let each layer smoke and cure before adding the next.
- Cool & store: Once fully cooled, lightly coat with oil to protect overnight.
For detailed official steps, see the Blackstone Seasoning Guide.
How to Clean a Blackstone Griddle
Regular cleaning keeps your seasoning intact and prevents buildup. Here’s how to clean a Blackstone griddle effectively:
Daily Cleaning
- Scrape debris: While still warm, use a metal spatula to push food scraps into the grease trap.
- Steam‑clean: Pour a small amount of water—be cautious of steam—and scrub with a griddle pad.
- Dry & oil: Wipe dry and apply a thin coat of oil to the surface.
Deep Cleaning
- Cool down: Let the griddle cool fully.
- Steel wool scrub: Use fine steel wool to remove stubborn residue, avoiding areas you want to preserve seasoning.
- Rinse & dry: Rinse with water, dry completely, then re‑season as described above.
See the Blackstone Cleaning Guide for more tips.
Blackstone Griddle FAQ
1. How often should I season my Blackstone griddle?
Season once during initial setup and touch up after every deep clean or when food starts sticking—typically every 10–15 cooks.
2. Can I use soap to clean my griddle?
Occasional mild dish soap is OK, but avoid daily soap use as it strips seasoning. Prefer steam and griddle pad methods.
3. What oil is best for seasoning?
Flaxseed oil forms the hardest, most durable layer; canola and grapeseed also perform well.
4. How to remove rust from a Blackstone?
Scrub rust spots with steel wool, rinse, dry, and re‑season in 2–3 thin layers of oil.
5. How to season a Blackstone grill vs. griddle?
The steps are similar: clean, heat, oil, and cure. On a grill, season each grate separately and use a grill brush for oil application.
