Blackstone Griddle Review: Your Guide to Choosing the Best Flat Top Grill
Are you ready to take your outdoor cooking to the next level? If so, a Blackstone griddle might be exactly what you need. These versatile flat top grills allow you to cook everything from pancakes to stir fry to steak – all on one convenient surface.
As a passionate home cook, I‘ve been interested in Blackstone ever since I first heard about their high-quality yet affordable griddles. After thoroughly researching the brand and its products, I‘m excited to share my insights with you in this comprehensive Blackstone griddle review.
We‘ll dive into what makes Blackstone stand out, take a close look at some of their top models, and cover everything you need to know to decide if a Blackstone griddle deserves a place in your outdoor kitchen. Let‘s get cooking!
Why Choose a Blackstone Griddle? A Versatile Cooking Powerhouse
Before we examine specific Blackstone models, let‘s discuss what makes cooking on a griddle unique and advantageous. Griddles have been used in diners and restaurants for decades, prized for their large, flat cooking surface and consistent heat.
With a griddle, you can cook all the components of a meal on one surface. Picture sizzling bacon, eggs, and pancakes for breakfast, or grilled veggies, shrimp skewers, smash burgers and fried rice for dinner. The possibilities are endless.
Griddle cooking is more inclusive of different foods than a traditional grill. Many grills are great for meat and veggies, but can‘t handle runny batters, small food items, or delicate fish. Griddles allow you to cook almost anything you‘d make on a stovetop or in a skillet.
Blackstone has emerged as a leader in the griddle industry thanks to their thoughtfully designed, durable models offered at reasonable prices. From portable 17" tabletop models to sprawling 36" backyard griddles, they offer a range of sizes and configurations to suit your needs.
Blackstone griddles are designed with the home cook in mind. User-friendly features like multiple independently controlled heat zones, electronic ignition, and useful accessories streamline the cooking process. As Blackstone puts it, their griddles are "created with backyard heroes in mind" – folks who want a professional level cooking experience at home.
Top Blackstone Griddle Models Reviewed
Now that we‘ve covered what makes Blackstone special, let‘s take a closer look at some of their most popular models:
Blackstone 36" Original Griddle
The 36" Original is Blackstone‘s flagship model, offering an expansive 720 square inch cooking surface to feed the whole family and then some. Four independently controlled 15,000 BTU burners allow you to create different heat zones for cooking multiple foods at once.
The Original boasts a thick cold rolled steel griddle surface for excellent heat retention and distribution. Two spacious shelves provide ample room for tools and food staging. Heavy duty caster wheels allow you to easily move the grill around your yard or patio, while a built-in grease management system simplifies cleanup.
Standout Features:
- 720 sq. in cooking area
- 60,000 BTUs of cooking power
- Four independent heat zones
- Cold rolled steel griddle top
- Electronic push-button ignition
- Two side shelves and bottom shelf
Whether hosting a big backyard cookout or a poolside party, the Blackstone 36" Original Griddle is designed to wow a crowd. Cook up to 28 burgers, 16 steaks, or 72 hot dogs at once. Serve restaurant-style hibachi or fajitas. Make pancakes and eggs for a group brunch. This griddle can handle it all.
Blackstone 28" Griddle with Air Fryer
Can‘t decide between a griddle and an air fryer? With Blackstone‘s innovative 28" Griddle/Air Fryer combo, you don‘t have to choose. This model offers a 28"x16.5" rolled carbon steel griddle surface heated by two H-shaped burners pumping out 30,000 BTUs.
On the left side of the griddle, you‘ll find a built-in air fryer complete with a basket and grilling grate. The air fryer‘s 13,000 BTU burner allows you to fry up crispy favorites without the excess oil. A large capacity hood enables you to roast, bake, and grill.
Standout Features:
- 448 sq. in griddle surface with 2 heat zones
- Attached 13,000 BTU air fryer with basket
- Large hood for roasting and baking
- Side shelf and bottom shelf for storage
- Built-in igniter and grease management system
With the Blackstone 28" Griddle/Air Fryer Combo, you can sizzle up smash burgers and chicken skewers on the griddle while air frying French fries and onion rings to crunchy perfection. Juicy griddle-seared steaks with a side of healthier air-fried veggies? No problem. This unique 2-in-1 design makes it a breeze to create complete meals.
Blackstone 17" Tabletop Griddle
Fantastic food doesn‘t have to be limited to your backyard. Blackstone‘s 17" Tabletop Griddle is the ultimate portable cooking companion, great for camping, tailgating, RVing, and more. With a compact 17"x21" footprint, it fits easily in your car or camper.
Don‘t let the small size fool you – this griddle still boasts 267 square inches of cooking space across two H-style burners producing 24,000 BTUs of heat. Independently adjustable heat zones and a cold rolled steel surface provide the same exceptional performance as Blackstone‘s larger models.
Standout Features:
- 12,000 BTU H-style stainless steel burners
- 267 sq. in. rolled steel griddle surface
- Two adjustable heat zones
- Built-in grease channel and catch
- Convenient carry handle and setup
Take your Blackstone 17" Tabletop Griddle camping to fry up fresh-caught fish or serve perfectly golden pancakes right at your campsite. Use it to offer breakfast sandwiches or walking tacos at your next tailgate party. Cook tableside on your balcony or patio for an fun and interactive meal.
Accessories to Enhance Your Blackstone Griddle
To really make the most of your Blackstone griddle, consider adding some useful accessories to your toolkit. Blackstone offers a range of gear to help you organize, cook, clean and maintain your griddle:
- Accessory Toolkit with spatulas, squeeze bottles, and scraper
- Griddle Hood for 36" models to convert it into an outdoor oven
- Cutting Board with Juice Groove for food prep and serving
- Egg Rings for making perfect fried eggs, pancakes & burgers
- Cleaning Kit with scouring pad, scraper, and cleaning solution
- Cover and Carry Bag for safe storage and transport
Accessories like the Egg Rings expand your griddle‘s functionality, allowing you to make restaurant-style egg sandwiches at home. The 36" Griddle Hood unlocks baking and roasting capabilities. Proper cleaning tools help you maintain the performance and longevity of your griddle.
Cleaning and Seasoning Your Blackstone Griddle
Speaking of maintenance, let‘s discuss how to clean and season your Blackstone griddle. With proper care, your griddle will provide incredible meals for years to come.
Cleaning a griddle is different from a traditional grill. Instead of grill grates, you have a flat surface that needs to be scraped clean of debris and wiped down after each use. Blackstone recommends these simple steps:
- Let the griddle cool slightly until it is safe to touch.
- Scrape the surface with a metal spatula or scraper.
- Wipe the surface down with paper towels.
- For stuck-on food, pour some water on the griddle while it‘s still warm. Use a non-metallic scrubber to gently remove debris.
- Dry the griddle and apply a thin coat of oil to protect the surface.
Seasoning is the process of building up a protective layer of polymerized oil on the griddle surface. Much like cast iron, proper seasoning helps create a natural non-stick surface and prevents rust.
The basic seasoning process is:
- Clean the griddle surface with hot soapy water and a non-abrasive scouring pad. Rinse and dry completely.
- Heat the griddle until it begins to smoke.
- Apply a thin coat of high heat cooking oil, like canola or flaxseed oil. Use tongs to hold a paper towel dipped in oil and spread it evenly.
- Let the oil smoke and burn off. Repeat 3-4 times until you have a dark, smooth patina.
- Maintain the seasoning by cleaning per above instructions and applying a thin layer of oil after each use.
What Customers are Saying About Blackstone Griddles
Blackstone consistently receives rave reviews from home cooks and backyard chefs who appreciate the exceptional versatility and performance these griddles provide. Here are some common praises from happy customers:
"I love the large cooking area and multiple heat zones. I can cook so many different foods at once for my big family."
"The griddle arrived in perfect condition and is built like a tank! Solid and heavy duty. Heats up quickly and cooks evenly."
"We take our 17" Tabletop Griddle RV camping and it‘s perfect for cooking outdoors. Folds up easily and doesn‘t take up much space."
"I‘ve used my Blackstone more in the past month than I‘ve used my traditional BBQ in a year! It‘s so fun experimenting with different recipes. Fajitas and smash burgers are my favorite so far."
"A breeze to clean – just scrape, wipe, and oil. The large grease cup catches all the drippings. So much easier than cleaning grill grates."
Of course, no product is perfect. A few minor complaints include the heavyweight of the larger models which can make assembly and moving the griddle a bit of a task. Some folks were underwhelmed by the quality of the included accessories and felt they worked better with third-party tools.
However, the vast majority of users report excellent experiences with Blackstone‘s griddles, noting the impressive construction, even heating, and user-friendly features. Many say it has replaced their traditional grill and is their new favorite way to cook outdoors.
Final Thoughts: Is a Blackstone Griddle Right for You?
After extensive research into Blackstone griddles – scrutinizing specs, comparing models, and analyzing real customer feedback – I can confidently recommend Blackstone to anyone looking for a premium, multipurpose outdoor cooking solution.
Blackstone griddles are thoughtfully engineered to deliver a top-notch griddling experience to home cooks. Conveniences like fast and even heating, adjustable heat zones, push-button ignition, and ample workspace simplify and elevate your cooking.
Thanks to the expansive, high-heat cooking surface, foods that are difficult on a normal grill are a delight on a griddle. Smash burgers, quesadillas, yakisoba noodles, fried rice, eggs, pancakes, grilled cheese – foods that would slip through the grates or make a mess on a BBQ are easy on a Blackstone.
If you regularly cook for crowds, a 36" or 28" model will be your new best friend. Pump out piles of perfectly cooked bacon, eggs, and hash browns for a group brunch. Serve up restaurant-quality burgers and dogs at your next backyard bash. Make fajitas or stir fry for the whole block. A large Blackstone can handle it all.
For camping, RVing, tailgating, and smaller spaces, the 22" and 17" tabletop models are a fantastic fit. Enjoy the same professional griddle experience without sacrificing your entire patio or trunk space.
While Blackstone griddles are a bit of an investment, I believe the years of quality meals and the many pizza dinners out they‘ll save you make them well worth the cost. Plus, Blackstone‘s direct-to-consumer model and in-house manufacturing allow them to offer their products at very reasonable prices compared to other premium griddle brands.
Whether you‘re a seasoned pitmaster looking to expand your outdoor cooking capabilities or a griddle grill newbie, Blackstone has a model to fit your needs. With just a little time and practice, you‘ll be confidently cooking an incredible array of meals on your shiny new griddle.
Ready to experience the joy of griddle cooking? Head to Blackstone‘s website to find your perfect griddle grill and start planning your next mouthwatering menu. Happy griddling!
