the grease trap on my 36 inch is overflowing, it drips down the leg no matter how empty i keep it

Diagnosis

The issue is not a capacity problem with the grease cup, but a failure in the fluid dynamics of the rear grease management system. On the Blackstone 36-inch Griddle Cooking Station, the cooktop is engineered with a slight rearward slope. Grease flows across the surface into a narrow rear channel (the trough) before dropping into the grease trap cup. When carbonized food particles, solidified fats, and salt build up in this narrow channel, they create a "dam" effect. This blockage causes the grease to pool in the trough. Once the pool reaches the height of the trough's side walls, the grease overflows. Because the overflow typically happens at the edges of the trap assembly rather than inside the cup, the grease bypasses the container entirely and runs down the interior of the leg assembly. You can confirm this by pouring a small amount of water onto the back of the griddle; if the water pools and spills over the side instead of flowing directly into the cup, your channel is obstructed.

How to Fix It

To restore the proper flow of grease and stop the leaking, follow these steps to deep-clean the drainage system:

1. Ensure the griddle is completely cool to the touch. Attempting this while hot will result in severe burns from pooled grease.
2. Remove the grease trap cup and the retaining bracket if your specific model uses one.
3. Use a heavy-duty Blackstone scraper or a stiff metal putty knife. Insert the blade into the rear trough and scrape firmly from the outer edges toward the center drain hole. Focus on the corners where the trough meets the main cooktop, as these are prime spots for "gunk" accumulation.
4. Take a long, thin pipe cleaner or a flexible wire (like a disassembled coat hanger) and poke it directly into the drain hole leading to the cup. Push it up and down and side-to-side to break up any solidified grease plugs that have formed in the narrow neck of the drain.
5. Apply a small amount of degreaser or a mixture of dish soap and warm water to the trough. Use a stiff nylon brush to scrub the interior of the channel, pushing the debris into the drain hole.
6. Wipe the exterior of the leg and the underside of the chassis with a degreasing agent to remove the existing residue, which prevents new grease from "tracking" down the leg via capillary action.
7. Reinstall the grease cup and perform a "flow test" by pouring 1/2 cup of water across the rear of the griddle to ensure it drains instantly into the cup.

If That Didn't Work

• Check the level of your griddle station. If the unit is leaning forward or tilted to one side, the grease will not naturally migrate toward the rear trough. Use a bubble level on the cooktop surface and adjust the leveling feet on the bottom of the legs until the unit is perfectly level or slightly tilted toward the rear.
• Inspect the grease cup seating. If the cup is warped or not seated flush against the drain neck, grease will leak around the rim of the cup rather than falling into it. If the cup is bent, replace it with a genuine Blackstone replacement cup to ensure a tight seal.
• Examine the rear "V" grooves. Over time, carbon buildup (black crust) can fill in the shallow grooves that lead grease toward the trough. Use a pumice stone or a heavy-duty abrasive scrub pad with oil to remove the carbon layer, restoring the original slope of the metal.
• Verify that the grease trap is not obstructed by a misplaced foil liner. Some users line the cup with foil, which can accidentally bunch up at the top and block the entry point of the drain, forcing the grease to overflow the sides.

Heads Up

• Avoid using "cold" water to clean the grease trough; always use warm or hot water to ensure the fats stay liquid and flow out of the drain.
• Develop a habit of scraping the rear trough every single time you clean the griddle, not just when it overflows.
• Periodically check the legs for grease buildup; if left untreated, the grease can attract dirt and create a sticky residue that is difficult to remove and can eventually corrode the paint.
• Always ensure the grease cup is empty before starting a session; a full cup creates back-pressure that makes it easier for grease to overflow during high-heat searing.