Griddle 101: What Oil I Cook and Season With

Hello friends,

Oh boy… we’re getting into a hot topic this week: what oil to use on your griddle.

Maybe it’s not that heated in your world, but whenever I make a video about oil, I get all sorts of strong — and usually rude — opinions in the comments.

So let me say this upfront: this isn’t gospel. This isn’t “the only right oil.” This is simply what I use and why. If you like something else, use it. If you’ve got solid information I didn’t cover, feel free to reply and send it my way.

What I Personally Use

The short answer? I use avocado oil about 90% of the time for both seasoning and cooking.

Why?

High smoke point (great for hot griddles)
Neutral flavor
Works well for both seasoning and everyday cooks

Griddles get hot fast. That’s why I prefer high smoke point oils. If your oil is smoking like crazy, it’s usually a heat issue — not an oil issue.

What About Bacon Fat?

Blackstone doesn’t recommend seasoning with bacon or animal fats because the nitrates can potentially cause flaking or chipping in the initial seasoning layer. Because of that, I’ve never used bacon fat for my first seasoning.

I season with oil first.

After that? I cook bacon all the time.

Can You Use Other Oils?

Absolutely.

You can cook with whatever oil you’re comfortable using — just understand:

These griddles run hot
Every oil has a smoke point
If it burns, your food can taste bitter

I’ve got a full smoke point chart in the blog post linked below if you want the numbers.

Is Canola Oil Bad?

This is where things get spicy.

A lot of people say canola oil is terrible and causes every disease known to man. When I ask for reputable research or sources, I usually don’t get any.

I’m not saying anyone is wrong.

I’m saying I’m not a doctor, and I’m not qualified to make health claims. If you’re concerned about the health side of oils, that’s a conversation for you and your doctor — not a random guy on the internet.

And trust me… I’m one of those random guys.

Bottom Line

Use an oil that:

Has a smoke point appropriate for high heat
Doesn’t burn at your cooking temp
You feel comfortable using

For me, that’s avocado oil most of the time.

If you want the full breakdown, smoke point chart, and deeper explanation, I’ve linked the blog post and video below.

👉 Read the full bog post here:

What Oil I Use on My Griddle

👉 Watch the full video here:

Sping is almost here,
Johnny