Imagine the sizzle of perfectly cooked bacon or the aroma of pancakes hitting a massive, flat cooking surface outdoors. That’s the magic a Blackstone Griddle brings to your backyard. But when you look online, the choices can feel overwhelming. Do you need two burners or four? Should you get the cart model or a tabletop version? It’s easy to feel lost staring at all those steel tops and BTUs.
Choosing the perfect Blackstone can stop your backyard cooking dreams before they even start. You want the right size for your family and enough power for those big weekend breakfasts. Getting it wrong means wasted money and frustrating cooking sessions. We understand that struggle because we’ve been there too!
This guide cuts through the confusion. We break down everything you need to know about Blackstone Griddles—from size comparisons to essential accessories. By the end of this post, you will know exactly which Blackstone model fits your lifestyle perfectly. Let’s dive in and turn your patio into the ultimate outdoor kitchen!
Top Blackstone Griddle Recommendations
- Cook for a Crowd: Whether you are cooking for a large or small group this griddle is equipped to handle the load. This 28” griddle has 524 square inches of cooking space and can hold up to 21 burgers or 15 pancakes so you can get to eating faster.
- Versatile Cooking Space: Make a variety of foods for breakfast, lunch, and dinner on this griddle top. Whether you are in the mood for traditional barbecue, breakfast foods, or gourmet grilled cheese you can make it on your griddle.
- Two H-Style Burners: This griddle features two independently controlled H-style burners with a combined 34,000 BTUs so you can cook on lower heat on one side of the griddle while another part of your meal cooks on a higher heat on the other side.
- Hassle-Free Cleanup: Make grease disposal easy by using the Blackstone-patented rear grease management system. Push any food debris or grease to the back of your griddle to collect in the rear grease cup for easy cleanup and disposal.
- Counter-Height Side Shelves: Enjoy the extra meal prep and serving room provided by the dual side shelves on this griddle and work on them more comfortably at their taller counter height.
- Griddle on the Go: This griddle is compact and portable so you can take it to the beach, on a picnic, camping, to a tailgate, etc.
- Surprisingly Spacious Cooking Area: This compact griddle is more spacious than you would think. Cook up to 14 burgers at a time on the 22” griddle top with 361 square inches of cooking space.
- Versatile Cooking Space: A griddle top is a versatile cooking surface that can handle a variety of foods such as bacon, pancakes, veggies, burgers, and more.
- Two Evenly Heated Zones: Cook a few different items at different temperatures on the same griddle top thanks to two independently heated burners that put out a combined 24,000 BTUs and evenly heat the whole griddle top.
- Quick Cleanup: Guide any food debris and grease to the back of your griddle to be collected in the Blackstone-patented rear grease management system for easy grease disposal.
- RESTAURANT STYLE COOKING - With 470sq inches of flat top grilling, This griddle is perfect for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Cook eggs, pancakes, Quesadillas, grilled cheese, steak, Potatoes, Teppanyaki style foods and more. Also enjoy a bottom shelf and two side shelves for food storage and prep
- REPLACE YOUR STANDARD GRILL - Replace your grill or BBQ with a Blackstone griddle and never look back. This grill is simple to use and easy to assemble, so you'll be cooking in no time. Eliminate the hassle of kerosene, charcoal and matches; this grill includes an easy start, Battery powered push button ignition. With the simple push of a button your griddle is ready to go. Take the headache away from outdoor cooking and spend more time enjoying the outdoors
- TRANSPORT WITH EASE - Easily wheel Around your yard or transport from your backyard to the campsite thanks to the removable griddle top, fold up legs and four industrial strength caster wheels. Built with removable griddle top, foldable legs and two wheels.
- SATISFACTION GUARANTEE - If you are not completely satisfied at any point please feel free to contact Blackstone directly or return the product. Blackstone is a leader in the outdoor cooking category and stands behind their product large or small, guaranteeing your satisfaction.
- Cook for a Crowd: Make up to 47 fried eggs, 21 pancakes, 30 burgers, or 27 steaks on this spacious 768 square inch griddle. Invite family and friends over for a delicious outdoor meal and enjoy efficiently cooking for a large gathering
- Cook for a Crowd: Make up to 47 fried eggs, 21 pancakes, 30 burgers, or 27 steaks on this spacious 768 square inch griddle. Invite family and friends over for a delicious outdoor meal and enjoy efficiently cooking for a large gathering
- Omnivore Griddle Plate Technology: This griddle was designed with built-in wind guards, heats more evenly across the griddle top, has better thermal shock stability, and uses less fuel per cook
- Omnivore Griddle Plate Technology: This griddle was designed with built-in wind guards, heats more evenly across the griddle top, has better thermal shock stability, and uses less fuel per cook
- Optimal Heat Control: Cook multiple items on the griddle top at different temperatures thanks to four independently controlled burners
- Omni Griddle Plate: The Omnivore griddle plate has built-in wind guards and is designed to use less fuel to maintain high heat, have better thermal shock stability, and prevent warping
- Spacious Cook Top: Cook up to 33 fried eggs or 21 burgers on this 28” griddle. 524 square inches of cooking space provide plenty of room to cook for a group so you can invite family and friends over for a great meal
- Quick Grease Cleanup: Enjoy the Blackstone-patented Rear Grease Management System for easy grease cleanup. Simply guide any grease and food debris to the back of your griddle top to collect in the rear grease cup for easy removal
- Multitask While You Cook: Make a few different food items at different temperatures on the same griddle top thanks to two independently heated burners. Cook pancakes on one side of the griddle top while bacon cooks on the other side
- Versatile Cooking: Cook traditional grilled foods and more on this versatile flat top grill. Make breakfast, lunch, or dinner on this cooking surface that can handle fried eggs and breakfast foods, stir fry and veggies, and classic hamburgers
- Omnivore Griddle Plate: The Omnivore griddle plate with built-in wind guards is designed and tested to prevent warping, recover faster, and use less fuel to maintain high heat
- Spacious Griddle Top: Cook up to 30 burgers or 21 pancakes on this griddle top at a time. 768 square inches of cooking space provides plenty of room for cooking for a large group gathering
- Versatile Cooking Space: Cook breakfast, lunch, and dinner on your griddle top. Make an omelet, hot dogs, veggies, and more using this one cooking unit
- Multi-Task While You Cook: The four independently heated burners on this griddle make it possible for you to cook different foods at a variety of temperatures on the griddle top at the same time
- Mess-Free Cleanup: The Blackstone-patented rear grease management system makes grease disposal easy and less messy. Guide any food debris and grease to the back of your griddle top while cooking where it will collect in the grease cup for easy disposal
- 【Perfect 35pcs BBQ Accessories】This griddle accessories kit includes: 1* long griddle spatula, 1* long slotted spatula, 1* large burger turner, 1* slant edge scraper, 1* small spatula, 1* griddle flipper, 1* slotted turner, 1* griddle press, 1* grill tongs, 1* sauce brush, 1* chopper, 2* spice shakers, 2* squeeze bottles, 4* egg rings, 1* cleaning brush, 10* hooks, 1* meat knife, 2* basting cover, 1* storage bag, 1* gift box.
- 【Premium Stainless Steel】Compared with other stainless steel on the market, Our metal flat top grill is made of high quality stainless steel, heat-resistant and rust-proof, safer and more durable. So you can easy enjoy your grilling, camping or cooking without worry about your tools bending, breaking or rusting again, which is BPA free you can use it with confidence.
- 【Easy to Clean & Storage & Carry】Our griddle tool kit is dishwasher safe, or easily wash by hand with water and soap, so you can enjoy a delicious barbecue with your family without hassle. Each tool can be placed in an orderly manner and better protected in the compact storage bag. Convenient hangers are provided for easy storage and food grade grill tools are easily cleaned with warm, soapy water. Note: After washing the spatula and scraper, please make sure to dry them to avoid rust.
- 【Chef's Choice griddle accessories kit】This grill tools set with griddle scraper, spatulas and oil bottles helps you to grill as easily as a restaurant chef. Great for flipping burgers, pancakes, veggies, cutting bread,meat and sausage, scraper & chopper to dice food and scrape griddles clean. The Long Griddle Spatula can move large amounts of food quickly and accurately. Egg rings and pepper shakers to enhance your griddle cooking experience.
- 【Great Gift Choice】This practical barbecue tools set with beautifully designed gift box is ideal gift choice for Fathers Day, Thanksgiving or Christmas. It includes all the tools needed for yard, outdoor, and camping barbecues an ideal gift for friends, lovers, or family members who love cooking or barbecue and camping enthusiast.
- TLC for your griddle cooktop: Stop wasting your money on expensive soaps, scrubs, pastes, or chemicals. Blackstone griddle seasoning and cast iron conditioner is all you need to build a slick, easy-release surface that’s protected from rust and easy to work with.
- 2 in 1 formula (conditions & protects): Our cast iron seasoning formula creates a nonstick seasoning layer that makes cooking and cleanup of your cooktop easy while also protecting it from rust, moisture and other elements.
- Not just for griddles: Season or re-season your cast iron pans, carbon steel pots, skillets, dutch ovens, woks, grill grates and so much more. Our all-natural, chemical-free griddle seasoning is safe for all metal cookware and cooking surfaces.
- 100% plant-based: Made of a proprietary blend of palm oil, shortening, beeswax, palm oil, canola oil, and soy oil, Blackstone griddle seasoning and conditioner is 100% plant-based and perfect for vegans and vegetarians who don’t want to use bacon or lard grease on their griddles.
- A little goes a long way: You don’t want oil to pool on your griddle or pots and pans. Just spread a thin layer evenly across the surface and let it burn off. Since only one or two small scoops are needed, each bottle lasts a long time.
The Ultimate Blackstone Griddle Buying Guide
Blackstone griddles have taken the outdoor cooking world by storm. They offer a huge, flat cooking surface perfect for everything from pancakes to smash burgers. Choosing the right one can feel tricky. This guide will help you pick the best Blackstone for your backyard feasts.
1. Key Features to Look For
When you shop for a Blackstone, certain features make a big difference in your cooking. Think about what you plan to cook most often.
Size Matters Most
- Cooking Surface Area: Blackstone sizes range from small 17-inch tabletop models to massive 36-inch carts. A family of four might be fine with a 28-inch. If you host big parties, go for the 36-inch. Bigger is better for cooking large batches at once.
- Burner System: Look at how many burners the griddle has. More burners mean you can create different heat zones. You can sear steak on high heat on one side and keep veggies warm on low heat on the other.
- Heat Output (BTUs): BTUs (British Thermal Units) measure how hot the burners get. Higher BTUs mean faster heating. Most quality Blackstones offer 60,000 BTUs or more across the entire surface.
Convenience and Storage
- Mobility: Do you need to move it often? Cart models usually have wheels. Tabletop models are easier to store in a garage.
- Grease Management: A good grease trap is essential. It collects the oil and drippings. Make sure the cup or tray is easy to remove and clean.
2. Important Materials
The quality of the materials determines how long your griddle lasts and how well it cooks.
The Steel Surface
Blackstone griddles use thick, cold-rolled steel for the cooktop. This is the most important part. Thicker steel (usually 6mm or more) holds heat much better. Thin steel heats unevenly, leading to cold spots.
The Frame and Cart
The body and cart are typically made of powder-coated steel. This coating helps resist rust and weather damage. Check the quality of the welds and the sturdiness of the legs, especially on larger models.
3. Factors That Improve or Reduce Quality
What makes one Blackstone better than another? It usually comes down to heat control and durability.
Improving Quality
- Even Heating: High-quality burners spread the flame evenly across the bottom of the steel plate. Look for models with stainless steel burners, as they tend to last longer than cheaper alternatives.
- Ignition System: A reliable push-button or electronic ignition system saves frustration. You want it to light quickly every time.
Reducing Quality
- Thin Steel: If the steel is too thin, it cools down too fast when you put cold food on it. This causes poor searing.
- Poor Wind Guards: On windy days, low-quality side shelves or flimsy wind guards let the wind blow out your burners or lower the temperature significantly.
4. User Experience and Use Cases
Blackstones are versatile tools. They excel at high-heat cooking where you need space.
Great for Breakfast
The flat surface is perfect for breakfast. You can cook bacon, eggs, pancakes, and hash browns all at the same time without losing anything down the grates. This saves on cleanup!
Mastering the Smash Burger
For lunch or dinner, the Blackstone shines at searing. Smash burgers get that wonderful crust because the entire surface is hot. You can also stir-fry vegetables quickly, keeping them crisp.
Portability vs. Power
If you camp often, the tabletop models offer great portability. If you cook every weekend at home, the large cart models provide the power and stability you need for serious cooking.
Blackstone Griddle Buying FAQs
Q: Do I need to season my Blackstone griddle?
A: Yes, absolutely. Seasoning is the process of baking oil onto the steel. This creates a natural, non-stick surface and protects the steel from rust. Most new Blackstones come pre-seasoned, but you should always add a few extra layers yourself.
Q: Can I use a Blackstone in the rain?
A: You should never use any outdoor cooking appliance in heavy rain or storms. While the steel resists rust when seasoned, you must cover the griddle when it is not in use. Water damages the burners and ruins the seasoning.
Q: What is the difference between a 28-inch and a 36-inch model?
A: The 28-inch is great for a family of 3-5 people. The 36-inch gives you much more room—you can cook for 8-10 people easily. It also usually has more powerful burners.
Q: How do I clean the griddle after cooking?
A: For light messes, scrape food debris into the grease trap while the griddle is still warm. For heavier cleaning, pour a little water on the surface while it’s hot to create steam, then scrape. Wipe clean with a paper towel.
Q: Are Blackstone griddles hard to assemble?
A: Assembly takes time, especially for the large cart models. You usually need basic tools like a screwdriver or wrench. Follow the instructions carefully. It often takes one to two hours.
Q: What kind of fuel does it use?
A: Almost all standard Blackstone griddles use small, 1-pound propane cylinders. You can buy adapters to use larger 20-pound tanks, which is recommended for longer cooking sessions.
Q: Is the cooking surface removable?
A: On most popular cart models, the steel top surface is heavy but removable. This makes deep cleaning or moving the griddle easier, but it is not designed for daily removal.
Q: Do I need a cover for my Blackstone?
A: Yes. A proper Blackstone cover is highly recommended. It protects the burners and the steel cooktop from moisture, leaves, and dust when you are not cooking.
Q: How long does the seasoning last?
A: If properly maintained and covered, a good seasoning layer can last for many months. If you cook greasy foods often, the seasoning self-repairs. If you scrub too hard or leave it uncovered in bad weather, you might need to re-season.
Q: Can I cook frozen food on a Blackstone?
A: Yes, you can. However, cooking frozen food requires you to lower the heat slightly at first. If the heat is too high, the outside will burn before the inside thaws and cooks through.