Blackstone Griddle Buyers Guide 2026: Every Size, Feature & Model Explained

Blackstone griddles have earned a permanent spot in backyard cooking culture, and for good reason — a flat-top surface lets you cook things an open grill simply can’t: bacon, eggs, pancakes, smash burgers, fried rice, quesadillas, and more. But walk into any retailer and you’ll find a wall of models at wildly different price points. This guide cuts through the noise.

We’ll cover the five decisions that actually matter, break down every size and feature category, and give you clear recommendations based on how you cook.

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The 5 Things That Determine Which Blackstone Is Right for You

1. Cooktop Size

Size is your first filter. Blackstone makes griddles at five standard widths:

Width	Cooking Surface	Burners	BTUs	Feeds	Best For
17”	~268 sq in	1	12,000	1–2	Solo cooking, camping, travel
22”	~330 sq in	1–2	24,000	2–4	Small families, camping
28”	~470 sq in	2	34,000	4–6	Families of 3–4, everyday cooking
36”	~720 sq in	4	60,000	6–12+	Families of 5+, entertaining, meal prep
17” E-Series (electric)	~268 sq in	—	—	1–2	Indoor/covered patio use

The 36” model is the flagship. It gives you roughly 28 burgers at once and enough surface to run four completely different foods simultaneously — bacon on one zone, eggs on another, hash browns on a third, and toast on the fourth. That’s the Blackstone experience most people are after.

If you’ll mostly cook for two people or want something to bring camping, a 22” or 28” is more than enough. Tabletop 17” models are genuinely useful for travel but too small to be your only griddle if you cook for a family.

2. Burner Count and Temperature Zones

More burners = more flexibility. With a 4-burner 36” model, you can run zones from 250°F to 500°F+ simultaneously. That matters a lot when you’re doing something like cooking steak on screaming-hot cast iron temps while keeping finished pancakes warm on the opposite side.

Single-burner models (most 17” and some 22” griddles) are one temperature at a time. That’s fine for simple cooks, but it limits the experience.

Rule of thumb: 2 burners minimum for everyday family cooking. 4 burners if you entertain or meal prep.

3. Portability

There are three categories here:

Full-size with cart (36” and most 28”): These have fold-down legs and a bottom shelf. They’re technically portable — fold the legs, roll it — but at 100–120 lbs., “portable” is relative. Plan to leave these in your backyard.

Adventure Ready series (17” and 22”): Built for camping. Folding legs, carry handles, and sometimes a hose adapter for bulk propane. The 22” with stand collapses in under two minutes and fits in most truck beds.

Tabletop (17”): No legs at all. Set it on a picnic table, tailgate, or countertop. Lightest option at around 20 lbs. Great for camping and tailgating.

If you plan to travel with your griddle more than twice a year, the Adventure Ready lineup is worth the look. If it stays in the backyard, don’t overthink portability.

4. Combo Features and Add-Ons

Blackstone has expanded well beyond a plain griddle. The main combo options:

With hood: A hinged lid that lets you trap heat for melting cheese, steaming, or cooking thicker cuts. Available on most 28” and 36” models. Highly recommended — it’s a small price bump for a lot of added versatility.

With air fryer: The 36” 4-burner with air fryer is the most popular combo. The air fryer sits below the griddle in a dedicated drawer — you don’t lose any cooking surface. Great for fries, wings, and appetizers while the griddle runs your main course.

With range top (single burner): Some 28” models include a traditional round burner next to the griddle, letting you run a pot or skillet at the same time. Good if you want to boil pasta or make a sauce.

With charcoal grill: The 1819 combo splits the unit into half griddle, half charcoal grill. Niche but useful if you want both cooking methods in one footprint.

Electric (E-Series): The E-Series runs on a standard 120V outlet, making it the only Blackstone suitable for covered patios, apartments, or spaces without propane access. Smaller surface and lower BTUs, but a legitimate option when gas isn’t available.

5. Budget

Blackstone covers a wide range. Here’s what to expect:

Price Range	What You Get
$100–$200	17”–22” tabletop, 1–2 burners, no hood
$250–$400	28”–36” full-size, 2–4 burners, often with hood
$400–$600	36” with hood, or 28” combo (air fryer, range top)
$600+	36” with air fryer and hood, ProSeries models

Cooking quality does not go up with price — what you’re paying for is size, features, and build quality (thicker steel, better handles, magnetic latches). If you won’t use an air fryer or hood, the base 36” model at $300–$350 is the best value on the lineup.

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Which Blackstone Should You Buy?

Here are our top picks by use case for 2026:

Best overall: Blackstone 36” 4-Burner Griddle with Hood — The workhorse. 720 sq in, 4 independently controlled burners, foldable legs. This is the right choice for most people cooking for a family.

Best value: Blackstone 28” 2-Burner Griddle with Hood — Significant cooking surface at a lower price. Solid pick for families of 3–4 who don’t need 36” of real estate.

Best for camping: Blackstone Adventure Ready 22” with Stand — Folds down fast, includes stand and hose for bulk propane, 2 burners. The best packable option with serious cooking capacity.

Best combo: Blackstone 36” 4-Burner with Air Fryer and Hood — If you want one outdoor cooking unit that does everything, this is it. Worth the premium.

Best tabletop: Blackstone 17” Adventure Ready Tabletop — Compact, light, easy to clean. Perfect secondary griddle for camping or tailgating.

Best electric: Blackstone E-Series Electric Griddle — The only indoor-capable Blackstone. Great for apartments or covered porches where propane isn’t an option.

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What You Need to Know Before Your First Cook

Season it first. Every Blackstone comes from the factory with a protective coating that must be burned off and replaced with a proper seasoning layer before you cook. It takes about 30 minutes and sets you up for a non-stick surface from day one. See our complete seasoning guide for step-by-step instructions.

Use the right oil. Flaxseed, canola, and avocado oil are the most common choices. See our best oil for griddle cooking guide for a full breakdown.

Keep the right tools on hand. A good spatula, bench scraper, and basting cover are the minimum kit. Read our must-have accessories guide for the full list.

Learn temperature zones. Knowing what temperature to cook at is what separates good griddle food from great griddle food. Our griddle temperature guide covers every food category.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What size Blackstone griddle should I buy? For most families of 4, the 36” is the right call. It’s the most versatile, has 4 independent burners, and isn’t that much harder to clean than a 28”. Only go smaller if storage space or portability is a hard constraint.

Is a Blackstone griddle worth it? Yes — if you cook outside regularly. The flat cooking surface opens up an entirely different category of food (eggs, pancakes, smash burgers, fried rice, stir fry) that a grill simply can’t do well. Most people who buy one say it gets more use than their traditional grill within a few months.

How long does a Blackstone griddle last? With proper cleaning and re-seasoning, a Blackstone griddle can last 10–20 years. Rust is the main enemy — see our rust removal guide if you encounter it.

Can you convert a Blackstone to natural gas? Some models can be converted to natural gas using a conversion kit. Not all models support this, so check compatibility before purchasing if natural gas is a requirement. See our natural gas conversion guide for details.

Can you use a Blackstone griddle indoors? No — propane and gas-powered Blackstones produce carbon monoxide and must only be used outdoors or in fully open spaces. The E-Series electric model is the exception and can be used indoors.

What’s the difference between the 28” and 36” Blackstone? The 36” has 4 burners and roughly 50% more cooking surface. That means more temperature zones and room for more food. The 28” has 2 burners and is a better fit for smaller families or those with limited patio space. We have a full 28” vs 36” comparison if you want the detailed breakdown.

Do Blackstone griddles come with a warranty? Yes — most Blackstone griddles come with a 1-year limited warranty. Accessories and combo attachments may have different coverage, so check the documentation for your specific model.

What accessories should I buy with my Blackstone? At minimum: a set of spatulas, a bench scraper, a basting cover, and a squirt bottle for water. See our full Blackstone accessories guide for ranked recommendations.