Updated on Jun. 30, 2025
In this Blackstone griddle review, we put the flat-top to the test with a pancake breakfast and smash burgers. Spoiler: We were blown away.
Our editors and experts handpick every product we feature. We may earn a commission from your purchases.Learn more.
After months of being cooped up indoors, spring (and grilling season!) is finally almost here. There are a plethora of grills on the market, including our favorite traditional gas, charcoal and pellet options. And yet another appliance for outdoor cooking has been making waves in recent years: Blackstone griddles. With its endless cooking applications and ease of use, it’s no wonder the Blackstone has quickly become a viral TikTok product.
As someone who loves cooking outside but finds traditional grills a bit finicky, I decided to test a 36-inch Blackstone griddle myself. Here’s my honest review.
From smash burgers to fried rice, the uses for a Blackstone griddle are endless.
The creators of Blackstone griddles were determined to do all their cooking outside when weather allowed, and this is a feat that the traditional grill doesn’t necessarily allow for. So they created a cooktop that’s large enough yet straightforward enough to handle just about any food thrown its way.
Blackstone has various griddle styles from which to choose, but they all have one thing in common: a flat-top made from cold-rolled steel, which is an ideal material for even heat distribution and controlled cooking. The griddles rely on propane tanks or electricity as a heat source and are easy to control with built-in burners. You can find a mix of portable options as well as larger, permanent griddles.
As many TikTok videos have demonstrated, the possibilities are endless with a Blackstone griddle. Think breakfast spreads for a crowd, weeknight stir-fries or even blueberry cobbler. The large surface area and multiple burners allow you to prepare foods that cook at different temperatures simultaneously.
Need proof? Just take a look at this mouthwatering breakfast TikTok user grillthissmokethat cooks up. Who else is suddenly craving chocolate chip pancakes?
I tried one of Blackstone’s kitted-out 36-inch griddles in our outdoor Milwaukee Test Kitchen. The team has been using—and loving—this model for two years now, so it looks a bit different than the ones currently available, but that sweet, sweet cold-rolled steel remains the same.
Even the most basic Omnivore griddle is anything but. Some of the remarkable features include four adjustable burners, a cutting board, garbage bag hangers and a paper towel holder. Plus, it holds a whopping 72 hot dogs at once!
The swankiest option, which is most comparable to our model, boasts all the same features as the others—plus many add-ons. The ProSeries 36-inch griddle comes with drawers and cabinets, a grease-collecting system, an enclosed propane tank compartment, heat and wind guards and a heavy-duty hood.
Before I started cooking, I coated the entire surface of the griddle in vegetable oil and set all the burners to high until the oil began to smoke and burn off. This is similar to seasoning a cast-iron skillet. Seasoning ensures that the surface is nonstick and helps get rid of any leftover chemicals from production.
Once the grill was well-seasoned, I went all in and cooked breakfast for the Test Kitchen team at the office. I wanted to see just how well the Blackstone performed when cooking multiple foods at once. So, I loaded up the flat-top with pancakes, fried eggs and bacon.
I cooked the pancakes on medium heat and used a Blackstone squeeze bottle to distribute the pancake batter. Next, I cracked the eggs directly onto the griddle. I was worried the surface wouldn’t be hot enough and the eggs would run all over the place, but they held their shape and began to fry right away. Finally, I layered the bacon over the high-heat section and let everything cook.
As expected, the eggs finished first, so I moved them to a less hot area of the griddle to keep warm. I loved being able to keep an eye on everything at once and move things around as they cooked.
After I served breakfast, I had to try another classic griddle recipe: smash burgers.
I saw tons of TikToks in which people caramelized onions on the griddle, so I decided to cook those as a topping for the burgers. Because caramelization takes a long time, I laid the onions in a single layer over a third of the griddle and covered them with the attached lid.
When the onions were almost done, I started the burgers. I used two extra-wide Blackstone spatulas to smash the burgers until I heard that satisfying sizzle. When the burgers were done, I topped them with cheese and toasted some buns on the other side of the cooking surface. I built the burgers right on the flat-top, and I really did feel like a professional line cook for a moment.
We know they’re trendy among TikTokers and all the rage according to our pros, but home cooks are just as hooked on Blackstone griddles.
One Redditor on r/Grilling puts it perfectly: “Why are flat tops so popular vs say throwing a cast iron on top of your grill? I’d say the large format and versatility are the biggest reasons. You can cook a lot of food all at once very consistently. Or make a variety of things at the same time. Don’t get me wrong, I still make full dinners with my grill grates and a veggie basket, but something to be said for hanging out in the morning with a cup of coffee making bacon, hashbrowns, eggs and toast on the griddle without having to futz around with stove. Or doing 8 Oklahoma onion burgers at once. Or making potato chorizo tacos. Or cheesesteaks on toasted rolls. It’s just easier and kind of fun.”
Other buyers appreciate Blackstone, but aren’t as impressed: “I love the cooking surface of the Blackstone. My personal opinion of the rest of the unit is less than stellar,” says another Redditor. “Truth be told, if I could find any brand with as good a cooking surface with decent grade stainless surround with decent burners I would happily pay three times what I paid for my Blackstone.
As we stated above, the steel flat-top remains the same among all of Blackstone’s models. It’s the brand’s claim to fame, after all. Where the variances lie is within the size and add-ons. (In addition to the 36-inch size we tested, there are also 17-inch, 22-inch and 28-inch griddles available.)
For example, the souped-up Blackstone we use has storage, a state-of-the-art grease-collecting system and hood. Some others are countertop models without shelves, legs or storage. Others, still, are electric rather than gas-run. The swath of options (and, as a result, price points) ensures there’s something to suit everyone’s needs and space. A Blackstone griddle also makes an excellent gift for grillers who have everything.
By the way, we’ve also tried the Blackstone pizza oven. Spoiler alert: we love it!
But Blackstone isn’t the only outdoor cooking company out there. Here’s a look at how Blackstone compares to other popular options.
While Blackstone does make grills in addition to griddles, grills aren’t the company’s focus. Kamado Joe, on the other hand, currently only manufactures grills and does not have any griddle options. If you’re looking for a griddle or a two-in-one grill/griddle, go with Blackstone. If you want just a grill, Kamado Joe is worth considering. The brand has a strong and loyal fanbase thanks to its high-quality grills with smoking options. However, buyers say there’s a pretty big learning curve for beginners with Kamado-style cooking. As one Redditor puts it, “If you have no experience, they can be frustrating, however, once you figure it out it is worth it. They are sit [sic] and forget once you learn how to use it but they can be frustrating until you figure out how to use it.”
One of the longest-standing outdoor cooking companies out there, Weber makes a variety of high-performing grills. But what about griddles? The brand also produces a number of griddles and griddle accessories. In general, Blackstone’s options are more robust and have more features, while Weber’s options cater more to beginners and those who don’t care for bells and whistles (and the pricing reflects that.)
TikTok was right about this one! After putting the Blackstone griddle to work, it’s safe to say that this is one trend worth the hype. If you’re looking to step up your outdoor cooking this summer, the Blackstone is for you. The cheeseburgers were diner-quality, and the timing of the pancakes and their sides was a cinch to figure out.
Although it’s an investment, the versatility and quality of the Blackstone griddle means it’s a worthy replacement for various cooking devices, which could ultimately save you space and money. We’re totally smitten.
Hungry yet? You can't go wrong with a Blackstone griddle in any size.
Get your griddle—and all its great accessories—on the Blackstone website or online vendors including Amazon, Walmart and BBQ Guys. (G)riddle me this: What are you waiting for?!
The model and level of maintenance you perform is going to dictate how long the Blackstone lasts, but we can say ours performs swimmingly after two years.
Rust forms when the metal of the flat-top interacts with water and oxygen, so the best way to prevent rusting is through seasoning. The layer of oil that seasoning lends proves essential in this case. We seasoned our skillet (and continue to season it every time we use it) by coating the entire cooktop with vegetable oil, turning the burners to high, and allowing the oil to smoke and burn off.
The elements can affect the functionality and longevity of your griddle, so we recommend stowing away your Blackstone during winter, especially if you live in a precipitous region. If possible, keep the entire appliance in a shed, garage or even just under an awning. If none of these options are possible, at the very least, remove the steel flat-top and move that surface indoors.
![The Best Weber Grills [Tested and Reviewed]](/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/TOHA24_Webers6-copy_Napoleon-group_Taste-of-Home_01_YVedit_FT_1.jpg?resize=72,72)
