Blackstone griddles–they’re like the superhero of outdoor cooking, swooping in to save your backyard BBQ from mediocrity and burnt hot dogs.
Imagine the sizzle of bacon, the perfect sear on a juicy steak, and the glory of an entire breakfast spread cooking harmoniously on a sleek, flat surface. No more overcrowded grills or sad, unevenly cooked meals. Just pure griddling goodness.
In this post, we’ll help you find your culinary soulmate as we rank the best Blackstone griddles available. So, buckle up, and prepare for a mouthwatering journey into the world of flat top grilling – where dreams are cooked to perfection, and pancake flipping is an art form. Scroll on, hungry adventurer, and let’s find the Blackstone griddle that’s just right for you!
Jump to Section
The Best Blackstone Griddles
When it comes to the best griddles on the market today, no other brand comes close to the quality that Blackstone represents. This is because every grill is made with high-quality materials that can stand the test of time.
Since this company only focuses on griddles and flat top grills, they have become known for some of the best products out there. Over the years they have been able to improve not only the design of each griddle but also the overall quality.
It is important to note that each Blackstone griddle is constructed using cold-rolled steel which means that the heat is evenly distributed across the entire surface. This means that instead of using it right away, you are required to season the surface first.
Wondering which Blackstone griddles made the top of the list? Keep reading to find out!
Pick #1: Blackstone 36” Cooking Station
This 36” stand-alone griddle is the largest unit made by the Blackstone brand and features a large cooking area. With 720 square inches of surface area, you will have ample room to cook for you and your family and any other guests you may have.
Not only will you have enough cooking space to accommodate your guests, but the griddle also features two side shelves, one with a removable cutting board. These features combined with a lower shelf for more storage make this the perfect griddle for your outdoor cooking needs.
The 36” Cooking station is powered by propane and is easy to turn on with a push of the ignition button. You can then turn the unit to the desired temperature based on four different cooking zones created for your convenience.
This is the perfect griddle for those who are cooking for their larger family or entertaining a larger crowd. With the additional features that you can purchase, this griddle has ample space for all of your cooking needs.
Some of the best aspects of this Blackstone Cooking Station are:
- Large cooking surface area
- Four cooking zones
- Push ignition for an easy start
- Easy portability with wheels
Pick #2: Blackstone Adventure Ready 28” Outdoor Griddle
While a bit smaller than the 36” model, the Adventure Ready 28” still features slightly less than 450 square inches of cooking space. Keep in mind that this is still ample room to cook just about anything you need for a medium to the large sized crowd.
The Adventure Ready Griddle is designed to run on propane and features 2 burner zones for your convenience. It is also important to note that because of the size of the propane tank that it can hold, you will be getting a heat output of about 34,000 BTUs.
This is the perfect griddle for those who want to save space, but still, have a versatile unit that can be used to cook for quite a few people. With a lower shelf for additional storage, you will not be disappointed with the smaller size.
Here are some of the best aspects of the Adventure Ready griddle:
- Easy portability with fold-up legs
- Good size cooking space
- Side shelf and lower shelf for ample space
- Two wheels for easy transport
Pick #3: Blackstone 1984 Original 36” Griddle Station
The 1984 Blackstone Original 36” Griddle Station is the holy grail of all of their outdoor grilling units. Out of all of the griddles they offer, this one is the largest with the most capabilities and features.
With more than 750 square inches of cooking space, this griddle is the perfect unit for those who plan to host large crowds. This large space includes four burners that can be operated independently of each other and can be used to cook a variety of different dishes all at one time.
This griddle station features quite a few elements that make it one of the most popular griddles of all. These features include two side shelves, a lower shelf, a paper towel rack, a strip that can be attached to hold your cooking tools, and much more.
Some of the best aspects of the Blackstone 1984 Griddle Station are:
- The largest cooking surface area of all units
- More than enough heat output
- Ample storage space
- Great additional features
Pick #4: Blackstone 1971 Heavy Duty TableTop Griddle
For those looking for a Blackstone Griddle but also want to not break the bank, this 1971 Heavy Duty Tabletop Griddle may be a perfect choice. Featuring just over 250 square inches of cooking surface area, it is exactly what you need to cook for 2-4 people.
This 1971 unit is the griddle that you want if you go camping or tailgating quite a bit and need something that is more portable. Since this is a tabletop griddle, you can place it on any flat surface such as your tailgate to operate it.
Keep in mind that even though this griddle is smaller than the other Blackstone products, it still comes with the same great quality the brand is known for. While you may not get the storage space that you might with the larger grills, this unit is perfect for those who do not have a lot of space.
Some of the best aspects of the 1971 Tabletop griddle are:
- Easy to use
- Easy to clean
- More affordable than other units
- Perfect portability
Pick #5: Blackstone 22” Electric Griddle
The Blackstone 22” Electric Griddle may be last on this list but it is certainly not the least of all of the products by this brand. Most people who choose this unit do so because of the electric fuel source since it makes it perfect to use either inside or outside as long as you have an electrical outlet.
With just over 350 square inches of cooking space, this griddle is perfect for cooking for small to medium-sized crowds. Since it operates on electricity, it can be instantly turned on and ready to cook your favorite foods.
This unit features two burners that work together to supply ample heat output to the entire surface. With a glass hood that can be closed while cooking, it saves you from the potential mess that certain foods may cause.
Check out some of the best features of this 22” Electric Griddle:
- Availability to use indoors or outdoors
- Glass hood to prevent messes
- Small and lightweight
- Ample cooking space
What is a Blackstone Griddle?
A Blackstone Griddle was created by the Blackstone Products company and is regarded as one of the best names in the business. This is mostly because they are created with cold-rolled steel which makes them more durable than other griddles.
Because of this, most Blackstone Griddles are made to use outdoors with others that can also be used indoors, depending on your needs. When choosing the one that will work best for you, however, it is important to make sure you know when you will use it the most.
Blackstone Griddles not only have a reputation for being durable but they also are designed to create a different cooking process than other griddles. This typically means that they are much more similar to a grill than they are a griddle.
While most griddles have a heating element that runs the entire length of the unit, the Blackstone griddle has a circular heating element which is much more reliable. In addition, the circular heating element means that the griddle can distribute heat much more evenly across the surface.
While Blackstones are the best, you can check out our list of the best flat top grills.
All About Blackstone, the Company
From a company that was already creating high-quality outdoor grills, Blackstone began to try its hand at designing outdoor griddles in 2005. This well-known brand out of South Carolina has become one of the best companies to purchase a griddle from, by far.
The reason for this is because of the high-quality materials they use to create something that is not only reliable but also made to last. These outdoor griddles come in many different sizes and price points that will fit just about any budget.
Features to Consider When Choosing Your Blackstone Griddle
As you are considering which Blackstone Griddle is the best one for you and your family, there are several features that you should keep in mind. These features are mostly personal preferences but can make or break your decision-making process.
So, which features are the most important to consider? Read on to find out!
Related >> Blackstone Griddle Recipes
Cooking Area
One of the most important features that you should consider when you are choosing which Blackstone griddle to purchase is the cooking area. This is because you want one that is designed to cook all of the food you want at one time.
Because of this, you will need to consider how many people you may be cooking for at any given time. Are you planning to cook on your griddle for only you and your family, or do you plan to entertain other people as well?
These are all great considerations when it comes to choosing the Blackstone Griddle that will work best for you. Since they come in a wide variety of sizes, choosing the one that will fit your specific situation is important.
Related >> How To Cook Steak on a Griddle
Fuel Source
Blackstone Griddles come with not only a variety of sizes to fit anyone’s needs but also two different types of fuel sources you can choose from. These fuel sources include either electricity or gas, depending on your personal preference.
As you begin to look into which Blackstone Griddle will work best for you, it is important to consider the fuel source based on what you prefer. With electricity, you will need to ensure that you have an outlet in your outdoor cooking area, whereas, with gas, you just need a propane tank.
It is important to note that while the original Blackstone griddles were only designed for gas power, they now have a line of electric units. This creates a better opportunity for those who would rather not work with propane tanks.
Number of Burners
Along with the cooking area of the griddle, you should also consider the number of burners the griddle comes equipped with. Since each burner is independent of the other, it means that you can cook multiple items at once using a different temperature.
The need for additional burners on your griddle is another choice that comes down to personal preference. The need for the additional burners depends entirely on how many different dishes you plan to cook at any given time.
Depending on the size of the unit, you may have anywhere from two to five burners that will all work independently. This means that you have many options available to you for cooking different types of food all at one time.
Type of Griddle
In addition to the size and number of burners you may be dealing with, the type of griddle you need is another feature you should consider. This is because Blackstone makes both griddles that are tabletop and others that stand alone.
If you plan to use your griddle often, you may want to consider investing in a stand-alone unit since it comes with shelves and other accessories. This is especially true if you do not need to move the unit around to cook in various places.
However, if you want your griddle to be more portable, you may want to consider a tabletop unit that can be taken just about anywhere. If you go camping or tailgating quite a bit, this is the perfect type of griddle for your needs.
Portability
Most people who are looking to purchase a Blackstone Griddle also consider the portability of the unit itself. For those who like to go camping or move their griddle around, this is especially important.
The portability of a griddle will depend entirely on a couple of factors including the size of the unit as well as whether it is tabletop or stand-alone. Keep in mind that the bigger the unit, the heavier and less portable it becomes.
It is important to remember, however, that for the most part, Blackstone has developed their griddles with portability in mind. This means that in most cases, you will be able to transport one of their units wherever you want to go with ease.
If you do a lot of camping, don’t forget your campfire cooking kit.
Ease of Cleaning
Since Blackstone griddles are created with the outdoor cooking enthusiast in mind, they have considered all of the factors that may be important. This includes how easy it is to clean the griddle after each use.
One of the factors that you should keep in mind when considering the purchase of a Blackstone Griddle is that they are developed with cold-rolled steel. This means that each unit needs to be seasoned before use.
If you follow the manufacturer’s recommendations when you take it out of the box, then your unit should be easy to clean after each use. You will need to be careful, however, that you do not remove the seasoning when you are cleaning it.
Related >> How To Clean a Flat Top Grill
Price
When it comes to the price of a Blackstone griddle, you may be interested to know that the price is something many people consider before purchasing. Since these griddles come in a wide variety of sizes and with different features, the prices can vary considerably.
In most cases, depending on which unit you choose, the price is typically anywhere between $200 to a little more than $1,000. Keep in mind that there are several reasons for the huge difference in price which is good news for most buyers.
If you are on a budget but still want to purchase a Blackstone Griddle, then choosing one on the lower end of the price range may be the best option for you. For those who have a more open budget, you may be able to choose one of the larger and higher-end units.
Related >> Griddle vs Grill: Which is right for you?
Tips on Using a Blackstone Griddle
If you have never used a Blackstone Griddle before, there are specific things that you should keep in mind to keep your unit in good condition for years to come. Since these griddles are made to last, it is important to make sure that you are taking care of them to the best of your ability.
Here are some of the most important tips about using a Blackstone Griddle:
- Make sure you season it with Blackstone’s seasoning or your favorite oil before using it for the first time
- Follow all of the manufacturer’s recommendations for the best results
- Clean your griddle carefully after each use
- Apply additional seasoning after each cleaning
- Store your griddle properly to keep it in good condition
- These things are HOT 🔥so if you put your palm directly on one, follow these steps from Healthline
