Blackstone Griddle Sizes: 17, 22, 28 or 36 Inch?

On this page (8 sections)

1. Which Blackstone griddle size fits your cooking?
2. Is a 17 inch Blackstone enough for you?
3. When is a 22 inch Blackstone a better fit?
4. Who should choose a 28 inch Blackstone?
5. Does a 36 inch Blackstone make sense?
6. What should you measure before choosing a size?
7. How do you set up and care for the griddle?
8. Which Blackstone size should you choose?

Blackstone griddle sizes range from portable 17 and 22 inch tabletops to freestanding 28 and 36 inch stations. Choose by the amount of food you cook in one round, whether you need to carry or store the griddle, and the room available at your cooking spot.

The cooking areas here are 268 square inches for the 17 inch, 361 for the 22 inch, 517 for the 28 inch, and 720 for the 36 inch. Those numbers help compare capacity, but your meal, cookware, and room to turn food affect how much fits comfortably.

Which Blackstone griddle size fits your cooking?

Choose the smallest size that lets you cook a normal meal without crowding the surface. A larger top can reduce batch cooking, but it also needs more room for setup and storage.

• 17 inch: A compact tabletop choice for camping, tailgating, or small meals.
• 22 inch: A portable tabletop option when you want more room for separate foods.
• 28 inch: A freestanding station for regular backyard cooking and prep space.
• 36 inch: A larger station for bigger meals or several foods at once.

The inch labels don't guarantee a set number of servings. For example, pancakes need more turning room than eggs, and a meal that includes several foods may need separate heat areas.

For a broader look at outdoor griddles, see our flat-top griddles guide. If you're also weighing a charcoal cooker, our charcoal grill and Blackstone comparison explains how their cooking styles differ.

Is a 17 inch Blackstone enough for you?

Choose a 17 inch Blackstone if you value a compact tabletop setup and cook in small batches. The 1814 has 268 square inches of cooking space and is designed for backyard or travel use.

Blackstone gives capacity examples of up to 9 burgers, 9 pancakes, or 12 eggs at once. The actual fit depends on food size and how much room you need to turn and move items.

The 1814 can use a 1 lb propane bottle or a 20 lb tank with a propane adapter hose and regulator, both sold separately. Set it on a stable, level outdoor surface, and check that the table can support the griddle during cooking.

This size suits solo cooks, couples, and travelers who want a tabletop griddle they can fit in a car. Skip it if you usually cook for a crowd or want to prepare several parts of a meal at once; the smaller surface can mean more rounds of cooking.

For more compact cooking options, see our tabletop griddles guide. The Blackstone 1814 17 inch review covers this model in more detail.

When is a 22 inch Blackstone a better fit?

Choose a 22 inch Blackstone when tabletop portability matters but the 17 inch surface feels limiting. The 1666 provides 361 square inches, 93 more than the 1814.

Blackstone gives capacity examples of up to 14 burgers, 10 pancakes, or 60 hot dogs. Two independently controlled H-shaped burners let you set different heat levels across the surface, which helps when cooking foods that need different temperatures.

The 22 inch suits small families and groups who want more room without moving to a freestanding station. Its body measures 22.44 x 22.87 x 9.8 inches, so check the vehicle space, storage spot, and tabletop before you choose it.

Skip this size if the extra surface won't change how you cook. If your meals fit the 17 inch comfortably, the larger top adds bulk without solving a regular problem.

See our 17 vs 22 inch Blackstone comparison for a closer look at the tabletop sizes.

Who should choose a 28 inch Blackstone?

Choose a 28 inch Blackstone if you want a freestanding backyard station with room for a family meal and space to prep nearby. The 1517 has 517 square inches of cooking area, two burners, a bottom shelf, and two side shelves.

Its Omnivore griddle plate has built-in wind guards. Blackstone says the design supports faster preheat and recovery, more even heat distribution, and lower fuel use per cook.

Two caster wheels help move the station, and rear grease management collects grease for cleanup.

The 1517 measures 22.75 x 44 x 33 inches. Measure the cooking area and storage spot, including the room needed to use its shelves, before deciding where it will live.

This size suits regular backyard cooks who want a station but don't need the broadest surface in this group. Skip it if you only cook small meals or need a griddle you can easily carry.

If you often cook for a larger group, compare it with the Blackstone 36 inch griddle.

Does a 36 inch Blackstone make sense?

Choose a 36 inch Blackstone if you regularly cook large meals or several foods at once. Its 720 square inches and four independently controlled burners provide the most cooking area among these four options.

The separate burners allow different heat settings across the top. The station includes foldable legs, a grease pan, and a storage rack, and its wheeled design supports transport and storage.

The 36 inch suits a roomy outdoor kitchen where the extra surface will get regular use. Skip it if your usual meals are small, your cooking area is tight, or you don't have suitable storage for a larger station.

Before buying, map out where the station will sit and how you'll get it there. Measure gates, doorways, and the storage route, not just the cooking spot.

What should you measure before choosing a size?

Measure the full setup area, storage space, and route between them before choosing a Blackstone size. The cooking surface is only part of the space you need.

The freestanding 1517 measures 22.75 x 44 x 33 inches. The tabletop 1814 measures 21.7 x 20.5 x 14.7 inches, while the tabletop 1666 measures 22.44 x 22.87 x 9.8 inches.

Leave safe clearance around the griddle and follow its instructions for placement. A tabletop model needs a stable surface that can support it, with enough room to reach the cooking area safely.

Common mistakes include measuring only the griddle top, choosing a large model for rare gatherings, and assuming a tabletop griddle will fit any outdoor table. Check the whole body, the cooking position, and your storage route before settling on a size.

How do you set up and care for the griddle?

Set the griddle on a stable outdoor surface and follow the model's instructions for assembly, fuel, and first use. Take time to check that it sits securely before lighting it.

For tabletop models, confirm the support surface is level and sturdy. For a freestanding model, position it with room to work around the sides and reach the grease collection area without blocking your path.

After cooking, let the surface cool enough for safe cleaning, then remove grease and food residue according to the griddle's care instructions. Keep the grease cup or pan accessible, and store the griddle where it will stay dry.

Which Blackstone size should you choose?

For Blackstone griddle sizes, pick 17 inches for compact trips, 22 inches for more tabletop room, 28 inches for a backyard station, or 36 inches for frequent large meals. Your usual batch size and available space should decide between adjacent options.

Choose the 17 inch if you prioritize portability and cook modest meals. Choose the 22 inch if you need a little more tabletop area, the 28 inch if you want a freestanding station with shelves, or the 36 inch if you regularly use multiple heat zones and the full surface.

If your comparison includes charcoal options, start with our backyard buyer's guide to charcoal grills and outdoor griddles. For other griddle styles, browse flat-top griddles.

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About this guide: We compared Blackstone griddle sizes by cooking area, portability, and setup needs.

Frequently asked questions

Which Blackstone griddle size is best for a family?

For a family that cooks outdoors at home, a 28 or 36 inch griddle offers more room than a tabletop model. The 28 inch 1517 has 517 square inches of cooking space.

The 36 inch model has 720 square inches.

Choose based on how much you cook at once and the space you have.

Is a 17 inch or 22 inch Blackstone better?

Choose the 17 inch model when compact size and easy transport matter most. The 22 inch tabletop model has 361 square inches of cooking space, compared with 268 for the 17 inch.

Both need a stable outdoor surface.

Choose the larger one only if you'll use its extra room.

How much cooking space does a 28 inch Blackstone have?

The Blackstone 1517 28 inch Omnivore Griddle has 517 square inches of cooking space. It's a freestanding model with two burners and side shelves.

Measure both its footprint and the space needed to move around the shelves before choosing a spot.

Do I need a 36 inch Blackstone griddle?

A 36 inch griddle makes sense if you often cook for a larger group or want several foods going at once. This model has 720 square inches of cooking space and four independently controlled burners.

For smaller meals or a tighter patio, a 28 inch station or tabletop griddle may fit better.