Are Blackstone Grills Worth It?

On this page (8 sections)

1. What makes a Blackstone griddle worth buying?
2. How much cooking space do you actually get?
3. What can you cook on a flat top that a grill can't?
4. How do the burners and heat zones work?
5. How much cleaning and care does a Blackstone need?
6. Who should buy a Blackstone, and who should skip it?
7. Are Blackstone grills worth the money compared with a gas grill?
8. So, are Blackstone grills worth it?

Yes, a Blackstone griddle is worth it for most people who cook for a crowd and want one large flat surface. The 36-inch model gives you 720 square inches and four independently controlled burners, so it earns its place if you'll use that space often.

If you cook for two most nights, a smaller griddle makes more sense.

The question of whether Blackstone grills are worth it comes down to how you cook. A flat top is a different tool from a charcoal or gas grill, and the people who love theirs use it for breakfast, burgers and stir fry rather than low-and-slow barbecue.

This guide walks through the specs, the real trade-offs and who should buy one.

What makes a Blackstone griddle worth buying?

A Blackstone is worth buying because it turns one appliance into a full outdoor kitchen for flat-surface foods. The steel top handles eggs, pancakes, fried rice, quesadillas, veggies and smash burgers that would fall through a grill grate.

The 36-inch model has four burners that total 60,000 BTU and 720 square inches of cooking space. That space and the separate heat zones are the core reasons people choose a griddle over a standard grill.

You can run pancakes on one side and bacon on the other without the flavors mixing. The front grease management system and removable grease pan also keep cleanup simple.

If those foods are a regular part of your cooking, the value is easy to see. If you mostly grill steaks and ribs over open flame, a griddle adds less to your setup.

Our look at the Blackstone 36 inch griddle covers the model in more depth.

How much cooking space do you actually get?

You get 720 square inches on the 36-inch Blackstone, which is enough to cook for roughly 8 to 10 people at once. Four burners give you that much room in separate zones.

Breakfast for a family is one pass instead of three. The same space handles a batch of smash burgers or a full stir fry without crowding.

For comparison, the Cuisinart CGG-0036 offers 760 square inches, slightly more surface on the same four-burner layout. The difference is small in practice.

What matters more is whether your patio and storage can handle a unit this size. The Blackstone measures 62.5 inches deep by 22 inches wide by 36 inches high and weighs 54 kg.

That is a large footprint, so measure your space before you buy. A smaller two-burner griddle fits tighter patios and cleans up faster for small households.

What can you cook on a flat top that a grill can't?

A flat top does best with foods that need full contact with a hot surface, like eggs, pancakes, hash browns, fried rice, quesadillas and smash burgers. A grill grate lets those fall through or cook unevenly.

The steel top also holds heat across the whole surface, so a row of burgers browns evenly at the same time. You can toast buns, warm tortillas and sear veggies in the same session.

The trade-off is that a griddle doesn't give you open-flame char or smoke flavor. Steaks, ribs and anything you want marked by fire still do better on a charcoal or gas grill.

Many people keep both: a griddle for flat foods and a grill for flame cooking. If that is your plan, our guide to a charcoal grill with offset smoker covers the other half of the setup.

How do the burners and heat zones work?

The 36-inch Blackstone runs four independent stainless steel burners for a total of 60,000 BTU. Each burner has its own control, so you can set a hot zone for searing and a cooler zone for keeping food warm.

That control is what makes a big griddle useful rather than just large. You can push burgers to one end and hold finished ones at low heat on the other.

Blackstone says the Omnivore griddle plate heats faster and more evenly, with built-in wind guards and lower fuel use per cook. Those are maker claims, and the four-zone control is the part you'll notice every time you cook.

The Cuisinart matches the 60,000 BTU total with four burners at 15,000 BTU each, so heat output is close. The real difference comes down to the surface area and the grease system you prefer.

How much cleaning and care does a Blackstone need?

Cleaning a Blackstone takes a few minutes after each cook if you stay on top of it. The front grease management system and removable grease pan catch runoff, so you scrape residue into the trap while the top is still warm.

A wipe-down finishes the job. The steel top does need seasoning before first use and occasional re-oiling to stay non-stick and rust-free.

That is normal for any carbon steel cooking surface. Compare that to a charcoal grill, where you deal with ash and startup time every cook.

The griddle is faster to start and easier to clean for everyday meals. The trade-off is that the flat top can't deliver smoke flavor.

If easy weekday cooking matters more than barbecue flavor, the griddle wins on effort. Our guide to Blackstone griddle accessories covers the tools that make cleaning and cooking easier.

Who should buy a Blackstone, and who should skip it?

Buy a Blackstone if you cook flat-surface foods often and feed a group. Families, breakfast lovers and people who host cookouts get the most from the 36-inch model.

It replaces several small appliances and lets you cook a full meal on one surface. Skip it if you mostly cook for two, have a small patio or want open-flame flavor.

A smaller griddle or a standard grill serves those needs better. Renters with limited storage should also think twice about the footprint.

The 36-inch unit folds and rolls, but it still takes up real space. For a compact option, our review of the Blackstone 17 inch griddle covers a smaller model that suits balconies and camping.

Which Blackstone griddle should most people buy?

Most people should buy the Blackstone 36-inch Griddle Cooking Station. It combines 720 square inches, four burners, folding side shelves, a grease pan and a storage rack in one freestanding unit.

The folding shelves and tool hooks keep your prep area organized. The wheeled design makes it easier to move for storage.

For the price tier, that package is the reason Blackstone grills are worth it for most buyers.

What if you want a slightly larger cooking surface?

The Cuisinart CGG-0036 is the alternative if surface area is your top priority. It offers 760 square inches on a cold-rolled steel top and four burners at 15,000 BTU each.

Two front grease cups handle runoff, and the unit folds down for storage. The trade-off is that it skips the folding side shelves and storage rack the Blackstone includes.

Pick Cuisinart for the extra 40 square inches, or Blackstone for the built-in storage and organization. Both are solid choices for a large flat top.

Which tools make a griddle easier to use?

A spatula set is the first accessory most griddle owners buy. The EWFEN 35-piece kit covers the basics: long spatulas for moving food, a scraper for cleanup, a burger press, basting covers, egg rings, spice shakers and squeeze bottles.

It also includes a storage bag and hooks. If you're starting from zero, one kit covers most of what you need.

Check that the tools fit your griddle size before buying. Our guide to Blackstone griddle accessories lists the pieces that matter most.

Are Blackstone grills worth the money compared with a gas grill?

A Blackstone is worth the money if flat-surface cooking is what you'll do most. A gas grill with grates does a different job.

It gives you flame, char and smoke, which a flat top can't match. A Blackstone gives you full contact heat for eggs, rice and burgers.

The honest answer is that the two tools don't replace each other. If you already own a gas or charcoal grill, adding a griddle expands what you can cook.

If you're choosing your first outdoor cooker and want variety, a grill is the safer start. Buy a griddle when flat foods are the meals you actually make.

For a head-to-head look, see our comparison of the Blackstone 36 inch griddle with its closest rivals.

So, are Blackstone grills worth it?

Yes, for most people who cook for a crowd and love flat-surface foods. The 36-inch Blackstone gives you 720 square inches, four heat zones and simple grease cleanup at a mid-range price.

Pick it if family breakfasts, smash burgers and stir fry are regular meals in your house. Skip it if you cook for two most nights or want open-flame barbecue flavor.

In that case, a smaller griddle or a charcoal grill serves you better. Buy the Blackstone 36-inch model as your main griddle, and add the EWFEN tool kit so you can start cooking the day it arrives.

If storage is tight, start with the 17-inch model and size up later. Either way, match the griddle to the meals you really cook and the space you really have.

Frequently asked questions

What can you cook on a Blackstone griddle?

A flat top handles smash burgers, pancakes, eggs, fried rice, quesadillas, veggies, stir fry and bacon. Anything that needs a flat surface and even heat works well.

Food that needs open flame or smoke flavor, like steaks or ribs, does better on a charcoal or gas grill.

How many people does a 36-inch Blackstone feed?

A 36-inch griddle with 720 square inches can cook for a crowd of about 8 to 10 people at once. Four separate heat zones let you run different foods side by side.

For two people most nights, a smaller two-burner model is easier to store and clean.

Do you need to season a Blackstone griddle?

Yes. The steel cooking top arrives with a protective coating and needs seasoning before first use.

Coat the surface with a thin layer of cooking oil and heat it until it darkens, repeating a few times.

A seasoned top is what gives the griddle its non-stick surface and protects it from rust.

Is a Blackstone griddle hard to clean?

No. The front grease management system and removable grease pan make cleanup simple.

Scrape food residue into the grease trap while the top is still warm, then wipe it down.

A few minutes of care after each cook keeps the surface ready for the next meal.

What is the difference between a Blackstone and a Cuisinart griddle?

Both are four-burner 36-inch gas griddles with 60,000 BTU total. Blackstone gives 720 square inches and a front grease pan, while Cuisinart offers 760 square inches and two front grease cups.

Pick Blackstone for the folding shelves and storage rack; pick Cuisinart for a slightly larger cooking surface.