How to Unwarp a Griddle

A good piece of cast iron can last a lifetime or two with proper care. Made by pouring molten metal, cast iron is very durable but almost impossible to fix when damaged. If you are lucky and your warped piece of cast iron is cooperative, you may be able to fix it.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

• a very hot stove, with two burners.
• a very hot oven.
• some flat heavy objects that are not flammable, such as bricks.

1. Place your warped cast iron griddle in a cold oven. Turn the oven on it's highest setting, usually 600 degrees.
2. Allow oven to reach the set temperature and leave it alone for one to two hours. At this time, the metal will be as hot as you can possibly get it in the oven. Open the oven (CAREFULLY) and place a brick or bricks, on the places where the griddle warps upward.
3. Allow the griddle to bake for another hour.
4. Turn the oven off and allow the griddle to return to room temperature slowly. Do not prop open the oven door.
5. If the oven does not work, you may still have success using a gas stove. Using one or two burners depending on the size of your griddle, place the griddle on the stove. Turn the burners on high. You will need to heat the griddle with direct heat until it is nearly red hot.
6. Your griddle may smoke, depending on how well seasoned it is. Once your griddle is extremely hot, usually after 15-20 minutes, place the brick(s) on the areas that warp upwards. Be careful while doing this, the griddle will be incredibly hot. Do not push on the bricks to attempt to speed the process, the griddle could crack.
7. Once the bricks are in place, continue to heat the griddle on a high temperature for at least ten minutes. Do not leave the stove, you must monitor the griddle at all times. After ten minutes you should be able to tell if the warp has improved. You can continue for 5-10 minutes if the warp is improving.
8. When you turn off the heat, leave the bricks and griddle in place. Allow them to slowly return to room temperature. DO NOT place a hot griddle in water. Do not attempt to cook on the griddle until the entire process is complete.
9. If neither method reduces the warp in your cast iron griddle, it is time to buy a new one.

Tips & Warnings

• Most cast iron cannot be repaired.
• A coil stove will not work, only a gas stove.
• This process uses very high temperatures. BE CAREFUL.
• Do NOT put the hot griddle in water
• Do NOT cook on the griddle at any point during this process.