Where do you put your griddle spatula while cooking?

[Andrrr]

Another thread reminded me of this little dilemma I encounter whenever I fire up the old griddle. It’s nothing major but it’s a stupid little issue that I’m sure someone here has solved. For reference my Blackstone griddle is on my deck in summer and in my garage in winter and I use metal utensils.
When I’m using the griddle and I’m cooking something that doesn’t need constant attention (aka I need to put a greasy, oily spatula somewhere) I always catch myself wondering where should I put them?
I can leave it on the griddle but it obviously gets REALLY hot unless I have a zone that’s “off”. Sometimes you just aren’t afforded that luxury and that’s not what this question is about.
If I hang it on a hook or magnet on the side shelf the grease will drip all over the deck, concrete, pad, or whatever is below it. The drip pad is SUPPOSED to catch drips but still, it’s going to look like crap and the wind can blow grease everywhere.
I can put them on a side shelf but that takes up some valuable real estate and again, grease or oil will settle on the shelf. Blackstone makes a silicone pad to rest them on but again, valuable real estate.
Recently I thought I had the perfect solution. Flip the spatula upside down and straddle the griddle/shelf line so the leading edge of the spatula sat on the griddle and the handle rests on the side shelf. That did a great job of keeping the grease on the griddle but I’m surprised I didn’t melt the rubber off the handle because all the heat from underneath was shooting straight at the spatula handles.

So, I reach out to the trusted Pit braintrust… where do you put your spatula so it doesn’t drip grease on something or take up valuable space?

[DavidNorcross]

I have a cabinet right next to my griddle. So I set it there, but to your point grease drips and makes a mess. I really do not have a solution here and am interested in others thoughts as well.

[realdocBBQ]

No good place. Keep a folded up towel or a couple paper towels on the side shelf, quickly slide the spatula flat along it, flip it, do the other side, and then put it on the magnet on my side shelf. This has been my 'most of the time' choice.

Bottom line is, having a griddle like this is NOT a neat, clean, tidy accessory on your deck or patio. You have to learn that you are going to get grease spatter and spray everywhere, and plan accordingly. This means just 'give up', on keeping things grease free OR invest in some kind of wide area mat to catch all the drippage. It's kinda a zero sum game, really, IMO, but the bottom line is, the end benefit is the owning and usage of a griddle and all the amazing foodstuffs that come with that awesome privilege and responsibility.

"To those whom much is given, much is expected."

Grease drippage is just part of the deal.

[Andrrr]

Yep. Right now I sacrifice a shelf and put the spatulas on there, then wipe off when I’m done.

[GolfGeezer]

I have a small, portable folding table that I can place near any of my cookers. I use a small towel on top of it for my griddle tools. It is also handy for placing anything needed - food, trays, etc. This is one that is like mine - I dont recall where I bought the one I have.

Amazon.com: GCI Outdoor Compact Camp Table 20 Outdoor Folding Table, Black Chrome : Everything Else

[Andrrr]

I’ve been planning on adding a central table between the WSCG and the griddle like you are. Basically the “add more space” solution which I think is the only real solution.

[jfmorris]

Yeah, griddles are greasy messes for the most part, especially when flipping burgers for a crowd!

I can tell you where NOT to set them on a Camp Chef, and that is at the edge of the side table closest to the griddle. I have two spatulas with melted and deformed handles because of that.

Sometimes I let them sit on the surface in an unused corner of the griddle, for the longer spatulas where the handle can hang off the front without the spatula flipping off. I.e. the spatula weight is enough to hold it down. Other times I set them in a pan or something on the side table - usually there to collect the food, or on the side table, and just know I will be wiping it off after the cook.

[Andrrr]

I remember you sharing your melted handle story, haha. I think we’ve all been pretty close to pulling that off.
I’ve kind of stuck with just putting them on a side shelf and wiping it off when I’m done. Again, it’s not the end of world but for such an obvious problem you’d think there would be a better solution.

[Jfrosty27]

I’m no different. I have all the same issues and have tried all the solutions, and I mean ALL, mentioned above with no success. Here’s hoping someone here has some answers. 🤷♂️

[Andrrr]

I think I need to just buy another side table, honestly.

[Panhead John]

Andrrr If your solution is buying something new, we’re all for it!…..🤓

[Carolyn]

Yeah, sounds like a rolling table/cart would solve your problem and give you some extra surface to work with.

[Mosca]

I set my cookers up so that I have some countertop area. The space between the BGE and the griddle is a staging area for cooks. I do the mise en place, and bring everything to the staging area; as I use stuff, empty plates go to the right of the kettle, opening room for the spatulas. The shelves nearest the griddle top are for plates as they get filled to serve. I use the edge of the griddle and a spatula to scoop and hold; I’ve found that for filling plates, the closer to the griddle the better (obviously).

[Mosca]

Carolyn It’s from JJGeorge. It comes in 4 basic pieces: the sides, the top, the shelf, plus hardware. It’s a big flat box, I cartwheeled it up the steps.

The ceramic pieces are porcelain from Home Depot. I kept up on maintaining the urethane for a few years and finally gave up, embracing the weathering. But it really does look like hell. One of these days I’ll break out the sander and refinish it.

[Carolyn]

Mosca Ha Ha. My question was ambiguous. I was talking about the cooker and how did you get that into the table. My bad. I thought maybe you built the table.

[Mosca]

If you take the BGE apart, the base is about 65lbs. My brother in law on one side, myself on the other. Lower slowly!

[Panhead John]

Like most others, I just set em on the side shelves of my griddle and clean em the next day, with the Dawn Spray. But, a great solution for needing more shelf space is just a cheap ass TV tray. I never sit at the dinner table when eating, it’s always on the couch with a TV tray. The set I bought are just the lightweight aluminum trays, came in a set of 4. I keep one inside the house and the other 3 in the garage. Whether it’s cooking on the griddle or something else, these come in handy to set next to your cooker or wherever. They clean easily and then just fold em up and put it away.

[Andrrr]

Good thinking on the table being able to collapse down.
Btw are you still loving the nautilus?

[Panhead John]

Oh yeah! 🥰🥰

[DavidNorcross]

Cheap ass TV tray next to a not so cheap ass Lincoln.

[realdocBBQ]

Here's something else I've got on my patio.




Cuisinart CPT-200 Outdoor BBQ Prep Cart


I actually have 2 of these - one of them used to be used on the patio, I bought it on Woot - it wasn't the $129 or whatever it is on Amazon, first time I paid $69.99 (Oct 24, 2022), the second time I paid $64.99 (Jan 21, 2023). They were perfect, brand new and holy CARP were these things well packaged! I would continue to buy these if they come up on Woot again, I can't recommend them enough at that price. Very handy - first one got transported out to the shop for storing tools and such. Second one is now on the patio for cooking assistance.

10 of 10 would highly recommend - especially @ the prices I got them on Woot!

[Andrrr]

Please do share that if you find it on woot again for that price. I would probably snag one of those. Thanks for sharing.

[Mosca]

A good idea for $65-$70, not so good for $130. I’ll keep an eye out for it.

[Duanessmokedmeats]

Isn't that what butt cracks are for?
Just asking for a friend...

[RonB]

I don't have a griddle, so keep that in mind.

How about a large can such as a tomato can - maybe something larger. You could either set it somewhere out of the way, or possible hang it on the griddle somehow. If you set it somewhere, you might have to add some weight in the bottom of the can to prevent tipping.

That's all I have.

[hoovarmin]

That's a great idea.

[Panhead John]

New empty paint can or coffee can would work also.

[Andrrr]

I like it👍🏻

[Steve R.]

My Blackstone's left side shelf has a built-in magnetic strip on the front, and that's where my spatula and tongs go. I just quickly wipe the utensile down with a paper towel before putting it there.

[Andrrr]

That’s usually where mine are before they get dirty But once I use them, they end up on the shelf. I suppose I could get in a better habit of wiping them off.

[xaugievike]

I use one of the silicone mats:

https://blackstoneproducts.com/products/silicone-spatula-mat

yes it takes up flat real-estate, but it is the best I've found for containing the grease (as much as you can) while being the easiest to clean. 2 out of 3 aint bad?

[Andrrr]

I think this plus another table is what I'll end up doing

[hoovarmin]

Great question for a thread. The struggle is real.

[hoovarmin]

Andrrr especially when I'm drinking and griddling.

[Andrrr]

Wait, are you saying griddling sober is a possibility? 🤪🥃

[Panhead John]

😂😂😂

[Johnny Booth]

Hmmm. I have tempered glass plates with feet on them for tool rests and for protecting my stone counter tops.
They can be cut to any size. Glass cleans up easy. I also have side tables if I need them.