Summer is prime plancha season, and cleaning the cooking plate properly keeps meals tasting right and helps the appliance last longer. A dirty plancha can give off unpleasant smoke and spoil food cooked on it.
Before cleaning, gather a rigid spatula at least fifteen centimeters wide, a sponge, microfiber cloths and water. A scraper or a steel wool ball, the kind used for everyday dishes, can also help. To limit staining in the first place, oil food before cooking, sear at the right temperature, rinse the plate with water between dishes, and avoid harsh abrasives or products that do not match the plancha's material.
Hot cleaning with cold water or ice
Cleaning at high temperature works best, since fats, cooking juices and caramelized sugars stay liquid and lift off more easily while the plate is hot. Pouring cold water or ice cubes onto a hot plancha creates a thermal shock that loosens residue, which can then be cleared with the spatula.
For strong food odors, a mix of three parts water to one part white vinegar can be poured onto the hot plate, scraped if needed, and drained toward the grease tray, since vinegar both degreases and deodorizes. This thermal-shock method works on stainless steel planchas but not on enameled cast iron ones.
Dish soap for a cold plancha
To clean a cold plancha, wet the plate with warm water and add dish soap if residue is light, then let it sit before scrubbing with a non-abrasive sponge. For stuck-on juices, avoid scraping directly with the spatula to prevent scratches; wrapping the area in a cloth or paper towel works better. Rinse with warm water and dry with a microfiber cloth, then empty and clean the grease tray.
If dish soap does not remove everything, a paste of three parts baking soda to one part water can be left on for up to fifteen minutes before scrubbing, rinsing and drying. Cast iron and stainless steel models each have specific cleaners, and manufacturer instructions should be checked before use. Oven cleaner should not be used on a plancha unless the instructions specifically allow it.
