Blackstone 36 Inch Griddle: Is It Right for You?

On this page (10 sections)

1. Is a Blackstone 36 inch griddle big enough for your meals?
2. How much room does a 36 inch griddle need?
3. What do four burner controls change?
4. Which 36 inch griddle fits your setup?
5. How should you compare 36 inch griddles?
6. How do you set up and use a 36 inch griddle?
7. How do you care for a 36 inch griddle?
8. What mistakes should you avoid before buying?
9. Should you choose 36 inches or a smaller Blackstone?
10. Which Blackstone 36 inch griddle should you choose?

A Blackstone 36 inch griddle can make group meals easier when you cook several foods at once and have space for a full outdoor station. Its wide surface and multiple heat zones are useful for a busy cook, but the footprint can be excessive for smaller meals or a tight patio.

The right size depends on how you cook most often, where the griddle will stand and where it will go after use. Compare those practical details with the model’s cooking area and features before deciding that bigger is better.

For a quick size overview, read our Blackstone griddle sizes guide. If you're comparing cooking styles, our flat-top griddles for outdoor cooking guide covers other setups.

Is a Blackstone 36 inch griddle big enough for your meals?

A 36 inch griddle is a strong fit if you regularly cook several foods at once or serve a group. The Blackstone Cooking Station and Cuisinart CGG-0036 each have four independently controlled burners, so you can adjust different areas for different foods.

The 36 inch label describes the general size class, not the whole station or its usable cooking area. The models in this guide have different cooking surfaces and footprints, so check the full dimensions rather than choosing by width alone.

Use this as a starting point:

These are planning cues, not serving limits. The amount of food that fits at once depends on the food, cookware and space you want between items.

A 36 inch model may be too much for a small household that cooks only a few portions at a time. If most of the cooking surface would sit unused, a smaller station can make storage and setup easier.

For a closer look at compact options, read Blackstone 17 vs 22 inch griddles. If a small setup for travel or a patio is the priority, our portable propane griddles guide may help.

How much room does a 36 inch griddle need?

A 36 inch griddle needs space for the whole station, safe placement, cooking and storage. Measure the model itself and the route it must travel before you buy.

The Blackstone Cooking Station measures 62.5 in deep by 22 in wide by 36 in high. The Cuisinart CGG-0036 is 64.6 in wide by 24.1 in deep by 32.3 in high, so their footprints are quite different despite both being 36 inch models.

Measure these spots before ordering:

• The patio or yard area where the griddle will stand.
• The clearance around walls, railings, plants and other equipment.
• Room to stand, prep, turn and serve food.
• The narrowest doorway, gate or turn on the route to storage.
• The space available when shelves or legs are folded.

Follow the model's instructions and local fire rules for safe use. Clearance needs depend on the griddle and where you plan to cook.

Also decide where the station will live between meals. The Blackstone Cooking Station has a freestanding wheeled design, while the Cuisinart folds for storage and transport.

Those features can help, but they don't replace checking the storage space and route.

What do four burner controls change?

Four independent burners let you adjust heat zones across a broad surface. That can help when one part of a meal needs a different setting from another.

The Blackstone Cooking Station and Cuisinart CGG-0036 each have four independently controlled burners. The Cuisinart provides 15,000 BTUs per burner, for 60,000 BTUs total; the Blackstone Cooking Station also has 60,000 BTUs total.

The Blackstone with Built-in Hood has four heat zones.

Burner count doesn't mean every point on the surface will heat identically. Start with the maker’s instructions, learn how the controls affect your cooking area and position food according to the heat you need.

If you usually cook one or two items at a time, several zones may not change much for you. In that case, choose based on the station’s footprint, storage and ease of setup instead of paying attention to burner count alone.

Which 36 inch griddle fits your setup?

Choose based on the features you'll use: folding storage, grease handling, a hood, prep space or a larger cooking area. The four options below serve different needs, and the Royal Gourmet is wider than the 36 inch models.

Blackstone 36-inch Griddle Cooking Station

The Blackstone Cooking Station suits buyers who want a large griddle with folding legs and wheels. Its 720 sq in cooking surface and four independently controlled burners support meals with multiple foods underway.

The front grease management system helps manage excess grease, and the station includes a storage rack. The wheeled design allows for movement and storage when the griddle is not in use.

Choose it if the folding legs and wheeled base work with your setup. Skip it if you have no place to store a freestanding station or rarely need this much cooking room.

Cuisinart CGG-0036 36-inch Four Burner Griddle

The Cuisinart CGG-0036 is a fit for cooks who want four independently controlled burners and a folding design. Its 760 sq in cold-rolled steel surface gives you a little more cooking area than the Blackstone Cooking Station.

Two removable front grease cups manage grease, and the station folds for storage and transport. The propane tank is not included, so plan to have one before you cook.

Choose it if folding storage and two grease cups matter to you. Skip it if its 64.6 in width doesn't fit your space or you want a propane tank included.

Blackstone 36-inch Griddle with Built-in Hood

This Blackstone suits cooks who want a hood and built-in prep surfaces. It has a 768 sq in surface, four heat zones, two folding side shelves, an extendable side shelf and caster wheels.

The hood protects the griddle between uses. At 127.9 lb, the station needs a plan for placement and movement before you bring it home.

Choose it if the hood and prep features suit how you cook and store the griddle. Skip it if you need a lighter station or don't have room for its full footprint.

Royal Gourmet GB6000 6-Burner Griddle

The Royal Gourmet GB6000 is for cooks who want more surface and six independently controlled burners. Its 994 sq in cooking area makes it larger than the 36 inch options, and its 76.1 in width needs a dedicated spot.

Two folding side tables provide prep space, while double-layer bottom shelves add storage. The station measures 76.1 in wide by 24.61 in deep by 36.61 in high.

Choose it if the 36 inch options feel too small and your patio can fit a wider station. Skip it if you want a compact griddle or don't have space for the full width and storage route.

How should you compare 36 inch griddles?

Compare cooking area, burner controls, footprint, grease handling and storage features. The size label by itself doesn't tell you which station fits your meals or patio.

Start with the cooking surface you can use comfortably, not the largest number in the table. More room helps when several foods are cooking at once, but it also means a larger station to place, clean and store.

Then compare how the grease system works and what folds. A model that fits your routine can be more useful than one with a larger surface and features you won't use.

How do you set up and use a 36 inch griddle?

Set up your griddle on a stable outdoor surface, with the space and clearances required by its instructions. Check that the station is level and that you can reach the controls and grease system without crowding your cooking area.

Before the first cook, read the model's assembly and use instructions from start to finish. Confirm that the folding parts are secured, the grease cup or pan is in place, and the fuel setup matches the manufacturer's directions.

Plan your cooking area before lighting the griddle. Keep uncooked food, utensils and serving plates within reach, but leave enough space to move safely around the hot surface.

Use the burner controls to create areas for different foods. Start with the food that needs more time, then add quicker items as the cooking progresses.

Keep raw and cooked foods separate, and use clean utensils for cooked food.

Avoid putting every ingredient on the surface at once. Crowding makes it harder to turn food and manage different cooking times, which can cancel out the benefit of the large surface.

How do you care for a 36 inch griddle?

Follow the care and cleaning directions for your exact model. Grease systems vary: some models use a front grease pan or cups, while the Blackstone with Built-in Hood has rear grease management.

Let the surface cool as directed before cleaning, and handle grease only when it is safe to do so. Empty and clean grease containers regularly so residue doesn't build up between cooks.

For a steel cooking surface, follow the manufacturer's guidance for cleaning and protecting it. Avoid assuming that a cleaning method or oil suitable for one griddle is right for another model.

After cleaning, make sure the griddle and grease system are dry and ready for storage. The Blackstone hood model's hood protects the griddle between uses, but all models benefit from a storage plan that suits the weather and manufacturer instructions.

The Blackstone griddle accessories guide can help you decide which tools are useful for your cooking routine. Start with tools that help you turn, move and serve food, then add accessories only when they solve a real need.

What mistakes should you avoid before buying?

The most common mistake is choosing a 36 inch model based on surface size without measuring the entire station. Check its width, depth and height, then measure the standing area, clearance and path to storage.

Another mistake is assuming that every 36 inch griddle has the same cooking area or layout. These models range from 720 to 768 sq in, while the Royal Gourmet is a wider alternative with 994 sq in.

Don't overlook how you will manage grease. Check whether the model has a front pan, front cups or rear grease management, and make sure the cleanup routine fits your space.

Finally, avoid buying more capacity than you will use. If you cook small meals most of the time, a larger surface can take up patio and storage room without making daily cooking easier.

Should you choose 36 inches or a smaller Blackstone?

Choose 36 inches if you often host, cook several foods at once and have space for a full-size station. Choose a smaller model if your meals are modest or your patio, storage spot or moving route is tight.

A 17 inch or 22 inch model may make more sense when portability and a smaller footprint matter more than cooking area. Our Blackstone size comparison covers 17, 22, 28 and 36 inch options, while the 17 vs 22 inch guide helps narrow the compact choices.

If you are deciding between a griddle and charcoal cooking, our charcoal grill vs Blackstone comparison explains how the cooking styles differ.

Which Blackstone 36 inch griddle should you choose?

Choose the Blackstone Cooking Station if you want folding legs, wheels and a front grease system. Choose the Cuisinart if folding storage and two removable grease cups matter most, or the Blackstone with Built-in Hood if you want a hood and built-in prep surfaces.

Pick the Royal Gourmet GB6000 if you need a larger surface and have room for its 76.1 in width. If no model fits your patio and storage plan, move down to a smaller size and compare it with your usual meals.

Before buying a Blackstone 36 inch griddle, measure the full station and the route to storage. Then compare its cooking area and features with the way you actually cook, and browse our flat-top griddles guide for more options.

Frequently asked questions

Is a Blackstone 36 inch griddle too big for a family?

A 36 inch griddle can suit a family that cooks several foods at once or often hosts guests. It may take more space than a small household needs, so compare your usual meal size with the station's footprint and storage route before buying.

How much space does a 36 inch griddle need?

Plan for the full station, your standing and prep space, and the route to storage. Measure the exact model's dimensions, the narrowest doorway or turn, and the intended storage spot before buying.

Follow the model's instructions for clearance and placement.

Can you cook different foods at once on a 36 inch griddle?

Yes. The Blackstone Cooking Station and Cuisinart model each have four independently controlled burners, and the Blackstone with Built-in Hood has four heat zones.

Separate controls let you adjust areas for different foods, though the result depends on your setup and the maker's instructions.

Should I choose a 36 inch griddle with a hood?

Choose the Blackstone hood model if a built-in cover and folding prep shelves fit your needs. Its cooking area is 768 sq in and it weighs 127.9 lb, so plan its footprint and moving route before you buy.