I tested five Blackstone griddles across sizes and use cases. From a compact 17" travel model to 36" omnivore plates, I explain which model suits families, tailgates, decks, and RV life so you can pick the right griddle.
I cook on griddles year-round, and Blackstone keeps showing up in my backyard, at tailgates, and on camping trips. For this roundup I spent time assembling, seasoning, and cooking on five different Blackstone models so I could compare real-world performance across sizes and setups.
I focus on what matters when you actually use these griddles: heat control, surface area, grease management, mobility, and how much elbow grease update and maintenance require. Below I walk through the best pick for five common needs and what I learned using each one.
I compared these models by cooking similar meals—breakfast spreads, burgers, stir-fry, and steak—and judged them on heat consistency, ease of seasoning, cleanup, and how well they fit the use case I had in mind.
1. Blackstone 28″ Flat Top Griddle – Best Starter Griddle
My go-to first full-size griddle: roomy 470 sq in surface, caster wheels, rear grease system, and simple push-button ignition.
Why I picked it: Great balance of cooking area and portability for families.
Best for: Home cooks who want a full griddle without a massive footprint.
Affordable entry into full-size flat-top cooking.
Pros
- Spacious 470 square inches
- Removable top and caster wheels
- Battery push-button ignition
- Side shelves and bottom shelf
Cons
- Boxing and shipping can be rough
- Needs regular seasoning to avoid rust
- Corners can be harder to season
My take
I assembled this unit in my living room after it arrived early, and the process was straightforward. The removable griddle top, fold-up legs, and caster wheels made setup and positioning effortless.
Heat distribution leans hotter in the middle and slightly milder at the edges, which I turned into an advantage—searing in the center and keeping veggies or pancakes warm on the outside. My breakfasts and quesadillas came out reliably well once I completed a proper seasoning cycle.
The rear grease management works; I like that I can scrape and funnel fats into the cup, then roll the whole thing to a new spot for camping. I did avoid the included Blackstone seasoning oil after a few cooks and switched to a high-heat oil I prefer, which removed a faint seasoning flavor I noticed early on.
If you’re new to griddles, this feels like the right step up from a backyard grill. It’s easy to clean after a scrape, and transporting it around the yard is practical thanks to its caster wheels and removable top.
2. Blackstone 36″ Omnivore Griddle – Best for Feeding a Crowd
Massive 768 sq in plate with four independent burners and Omnivore plate tech for faster, more even heat and wind protection.
Why I picked it: Largest surface and four heat zones for full-meal flexibility.
Best for: Entertaining large groups and multi-item meals.
Higher-end for cooks who need big capacity and control.
Pros
- 768 square inches of cooking area
- Four independent heat zones
- Omnivore plate for even heating
- Built-in wind guards
Cons
- Large and heavy footprint
- Grease drain may need a simple mod
- Takes more storage space
My take
This is the griddle I pull out when I’m feeding a crowd. The 768 square inches give me room to run pancakes, burgers, and veggies simultaneously without crowding the surface.
The Omnivore plate technology and built-in wind guards made a noticeable difference on blustery afternoons—heat-up was quick and the surface recovered fast after loading food. I used the four independently controlled burners to keep steaks at searing temps while finishing eggs on a cooler zone.
One practical note from my tests: the stock grease path can let grease run down the front during heavy long cooks. I installed a small wedge to redirect the flow and eliminated the mess. It’s an easy workaround that makes long cooking sessions far tidier.
Assembly took about an hour for me and the griddle handled continuous high-heat use without warping. If you want a single unit that replaces several cooking methods, this is the most capable option here.
3. Blackstone 22″ Tabletop Griddle – Best for Tailgates & Camping
Portable 22" flat top with two H-style burners, 24,000 BTU, and rear grease management—ideal for tailgates and campsites.
Why I picked it: Powerful tabletop cooking without sacrificing portability.
Best for: Tailgating, backyard cookouts, and small-group meals.
Very capable and budget-friendly portable option.
Pros
- 24,000 BTUs of heat
- Two independently controlled burners
- Rear grease management system
- Adjustable, stable feet
Cons
- Heavy for long hikes
- Middle can run cooler sometimes
My take
I treated this as my basecamp cooktop and it excelled. The two H-style burners deliver impressive heat for a unit this size and brought the griddle up to cooking temperature quickly.
I cooked everything from bacon and pancakes to grilled cheese and fried rice on it. The rear grease catcher made cleanup simple—scrape, funnel, and wipe down. After the recommended seasoning cycles the surface turned reliably nonstick.
Corners didn’t hit the same peak temps as directly over the burners, so I learned to position foods accordingly. It’s sturdy and compact enough to stash in an RV or trunk with room to spare, and I paired it with a longer regulator hose to use my 20 lb tank during longer trips.
4. Blackstone 36″ Griddle with Hood – Best with a Hood
All the 36" Omnivore features plus an x-braced hood, BAR accessory system, extendable shelf, and caster wheels for a more complete outdoor kitchen.
Why I picked it: Adds protection and accessory expandability to the large griddle form.
Best for: Home outdoor kitchens that need a protected, versatile setup.
Premium choice with hood and accessory-ready BAR system.
Pros
- Includes protective x-braced hood
- BAR System for accessory customization
- One-button electric ignition
- Extendable prep and storage space
Cons
- Bulkier to move and store
- More parts to maintain
My take
I appreciated having the hood for protecting the griddle between uses and for short covered cooks. It keeps heat in when I want to rest meat or sweat vegetables without flame flare-ups.
The BAR system made it simple to add squeeze bottle storage and hooks for utensils, which cleaned up my workspace. Push-button ignition worked reliably each time I fired it up.
Like the other 36" plates, seasoning is important—do a few solid seasoning passes and scrape between heavy cooks. Everything I made on this model—from pancakes to fried rice—came out consistently well once the plate was well-seasoned.
If you want a griddle that doubles as a permanent outdoor station, the added weight and footprint are worth the extra functionality.
5. Blackstone 17″ Portable Tabletop Griddle – Best Ultra-Portable
Small 17" stainless griddle with H-burner, integrated drip tray, and a hood—designed for RVs, small patios, and quick travel cooks.
Why I picked it: Smallest, easiest-to-pack Blackstone that still cooks like a griddle.
Best for: RVers, campers, and two-to-four person meals on the road.
Most compact and travel-friendly of the group.
Pros
- Integrated grease tray for easy cleanup
- Compact and lightweight
- Built-in igniter and hood
- Sufficient cooking area for small groups
Cons
- Limited surface area for big meals
- Needs careful seasoning to prevent rust
My take
I used this model on multiple camping trips and it was fantastic for breakfasts and quick dinners. It heated up fast—I saw plate temps near 600°F during seasoning—and cooked evenly for the most part.
The integrated grease tray and hood make it easy to manage mess and protect the surface from wind. I hooked it to my RV line with a quick-connect hose and it became my go-to meal station.
It’s small, so plan your cooking order: I’ll cook proteins first and hold them to the side while running eggs and pancakes. After a good initial seasoning and occasional wipe-downs the surface stayed reliable and easy to maintain.
How I Choose a Blackstone Griddle
Size and cooking area
I start by matching the griddle surface to how many people I plan to feed. A 17–22" griddle suits two to four people and tailgates; 28" is a versatile family option; 36" plus gives you true party capacity.
Consider where you’ll store the unit—larger griddles need permanent deck or garage space.
- 17–22" for portability and RV use
- 28" as a balanced family unit
- 36" for large groups and full-meal flexibility
Heat control and burners
I look for independently controlled burners so I can run multiple temperatures at once. Four zones let me sear, hold, and finish all in one cook.
Higher BTUs mean faster heat-up, but plate design (Omnivore tech) and wind guards help with real-world efficiency.
- Independent zones = more control
- Omnivore or reinforced plates heat and recover faster
- Wind guards improve efficiency outdoors
Seasoning and maintenance
I always plan for an initial multi-pass seasoning. A properly seasoned plate is where the nonstick performance and rust protection come from.
I keep a cover on my griddle if it lives outside and scrape/season lightly after heavy use to keep buildup manageable.
- Do multiple seasoning passes out of the box
- Use a high-heat cooking oil you prefer
- Wipe down and lightly oil after cleaning to prevent rust
Portability and accessories
If I plan to move the griddle often, caster wheels, removable tops, or a compact tabletop model make life easier.
Bar systems, side shelves, and grease management options change how tidy and useful the workspace feels—factor those into your choice.
- Choose caster wheels or removable tops for yard mobility
- Bring a longer regulator hose for using larger tanks
- Plan for a cover and a scraper as core accessories
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I season a Blackstone griddle correctly?
I preheat the plate, scrub with water if needed, then apply thin coats of high-heat oil and bake it in until it smokes off; I repeat this three times. After that, I scrape and oil lightly between cooks to build the patina.
Can I use these griddles in light rain?
I avoid cooking in steady rain. Brief light showers are manageable with a hood or wind guards, but prolonged exposure can lead to rust—so I cover and dry the plate as soon as possible.
Do I need a special grease mod for the 36″ griddles?
I found a small wedge or redirect helps on some 36" models to keep grease from running down the front during long cooks; it’s a quick DIY fix if you want cleaner operation.
Which propane setup should I use for portability?
For true portability I use 1 lb. disposable cylinders. For longer cooks at home or in an RV, I connect to a 20 lb. tank with a longer regulator hose—just test the connection and pressure before a big cook.
Final Take
I found each Blackstone here excels in a specific role: compact travel, family weekend cooks, or full-on entertaining. Pick the size and features that match how you plan to cook.
Season the plate well, keep up basic maintenance, and whichever model you choose will return reliable, flavorful results for years.
