Blackstone Griddle - To buy or not to buy.....

JC in GB · Jan 16, 2023

I was shopping in my local hardware store and came upon a display of Blackstone griddles.
I didn't realize there were so many flavors of this unit. Well, now that I have seen one up close, I am contemplating just how much I need one.

I know that there are a number of Blackstone owners on the forum. Can you give me any pros, cons, or things I should be aware of with different sizes of these bad boyz when considering a purchase?

Thanks for any help....

JC

Colin1230 · Jan 16, 2023

I'm not going to be of much help JC, but I know you need one. Just ask

Steve H .

clifish · Jan 16, 2023

You will never regret buying a bigger one. I have a 28" camp chef here in NY and a36' blackstone in PA. The blackstone hands down is the best with the hard cover and rear grease trap. Once seasoned and oiled after a cook, I can go 3 months of it being outside (covered) and can cook on it without any issues.

BB-que · Jan 16, 2023

JC in GB said:
I was shopping in my local hardware store and came upon a display of Blackstone griddles.
I didn't realize there were so many flavors of this unit. Well, now that I have seen one up close, I am contemplating just how much I need one.

I know that there are a number of Blackstone owners on the forum. Can you give me any pros, cons, or things I should be aware of with different sizes of these bad boyz when considering a purchase?

Thanks for any help....

JC

I’d just say if you’re no space constrained go with the 36 or whatever the bigger one is. Being able to do 3/4 differ things in them at the same time is the run of it . Space or budget doesn’t allow it tho, the smaller ones are still worth the purchase. Never met anyone that didn’t love theirs just depends on space and budget IMO

bauchjw · Jan 16, 2023

I’m in the go bigger camp. It gives more options for hot and cold zones than a smaller one. The flattop is a blast to have and you won’t regret it. My kids especially like to help me make breakfast on it. Tons of fun!

TNJAKE · Jan 16, 2023

I have the Blackstone 28in Pro Series with the hinged lid. I can't come up with a con. Feeds my family of 6 well

New Blackstone smashburgers

Evening. Picked up a new Blackstone 28in pro series today. Skipped the 36 as 200 extra bucks for 8in wasnt very realistic. This one will work just fine for my family. Played down 4 coats of seasoning And on to the burgers......seasoned them up with a blend my local grocer mixes up. Not sure...

www.smokingmeatforums.com

Steve H · Jan 16, 2023

How many folks do you think your cooking for? The BS griddles are very nice griddles.
I have a 22"tabletop one. And for 4 people. It is plenty. The quality is really good on these. And they only take common sense care to keep them working great. I have a 17"one for the RV. Again. Great unit. I got the adapter to plug into the main propane tank on the RV. Once you have them seasoned. They are virtually non-stick.

JC in GB · Jan 16, 2023

Steve H said:
How many folks do you think your cooking for? The BS griddles are very nice griddles.
I have a 22"tabletop one. And for 4 people. It is plenty. The quality is really good on these. And they only take common sense care to keep them working great. I have a 17"one for the RV. Again. Great unit. I got the adapter to plug into the main propane tank on the RV. Once you have them seasoned. They are virtually non-stick.

Most likely cooking for 2 but would like capacity for 6.

JC

sawhorseray · Jan 16, 2023

There's just me and the wife and she only eats about 20% of the stuff I cook. Whatever you decide get one with a top, I had to make one for my 22"er. They can't be beat for breakfast and burgers. RAY

Steve H · Jan 16, 2023

JC in GB said:
Most likely cooking for 2 but would like capacity for 6.

JC

Depending on their appetites. I would say a 28"unless they eat like sparrows.

Brokenhandle · Jan 16, 2023

Like mentioned earlier...if space isn't an issue, I'd go with a 36 ". We were going to get a small tabletop one until my wife won one at her company Christmas party two years ago! I've never thought wished it was smaller! Just the two of us most of the time but if kids are home, there's more. Don't have to use all the burners, all of the time!

Ryan

chopsaw · Jan 16, 2023

I have the older 28 " . I love it . There's just something about them . They make great food . I cook for 3 most of the time , and have always had plenty of space for extra .
This might give you some idea of the cooking area on a 28 .

bigfurmn · Jan 16, 2023

I have a 28inch BS and I love it. Wish I could use it more. Usually just the little man (3yo) my wife and myself. We have done a birthday party with about 30 people that it worked fine for also, just have to keep things moving. If you get one you will not regret it.

SmokingUPnorth · Jan 16, 2023

I had a 36” camp chef flat top that I sold. I ended up getting a great deal on it and it was actually cheaper than a blackstone. The griddle part of it was kinda uneven and a pain to level it. Drive me nuts. The surface of the griddle wasn’t as smooth as a blackstone and kinda made it harder to clean. It had the front grease trap that I thought I would like but ended up not liking it in the front. All those made me decide to sell it and I plan on getting a blackstone with the hard cover once I transfer. I agree with others. The 36” is a good size. Bigger is better even if you don’t need it it was nice with the extra space to cook things at different temps especially for breakfast or roasting. In’s with burgers. Better to have the extra room than be crammed!

chopsaw · Jan 16, 2023

SmokingUPnorth said:
It had the front grease trap that I thought I would like but ended up not liking it in the front.

Mine's the older Blackstone with the front drain . It's the only Con I have for mine , but didn't mention it because they fixed it on the newer Blackstone models .

pineywoods · Jan 16, 2023

I have a 36" rear drain model but at the time they didn't offer the tops like they do now. I bought an aftermarket hard cover and it works but is not near as nice as the ones that you can buy with the unit.
It's just the wife and I most of the time but sometimes have more and as was said you don't have to light all the burners. I cook my version of a hibachi recipe and it's nice having all the burners I can keep one or two at a lower heat and cook stuff and slide it to that section to keep warm.
I would not buy smaller than the 28" model like Jake has and if space and money didn't matter a whole lot I'd get the 36" model

Brokenhandle · Jan 16, 2023

Should have mentioned as well...only con to ours is it didn't have the hard lid either. Was thinking of aftermarket one as well, but not sure if they don't fit as well. Ours stays in garage but gets dusty without a top or cover.

Ryan

motocrash · Jan 16, 2023