Blackstone Griddle Review: Should You Invest Your Money?

Imagine hosting the biggest barbecue in your backyard with family and friends all around you, having the most delicious food. However, this will not be possible unless you have the right appliance by your side to help you cook delicious food. This is where Blackstone griddles come in. 

We have tested different types of Blackstone griddles like, but we will review the most popular Blackstone 36" Griddle in this post. It is a large griddle that is more like a cooking station to help you serve endless guests at parties. Here is everything you must know about it. 

A Brief Overview Of The Blackstone 36” Griddle 

 

If you are looking for the biggest and best model, it doesn't get better than this griddle by Blackstone. That is because it has incredible capabilities that will allow you to cook your food in the best way possible. For example, it has wheels, four burners, heat control, 60,000 BTUs, and much more. 

You can think of it as a grilling powerhouse that will meet all your needs quickly. It has the capacity to let you cook sixteen steaks, seventy-two hot dogs, twenty-eight burgers, or much more. So, you can feed your entire neighborhood with this griddle. 

Besides that, the cooktop is made of rolled steel, with two shelves on the side, and the construction frame is also steel. One thing to remember is that it is not much of a portable grill because of its size. However, the wheels make it easier to push around and maneuver. 

An In-Depth Guide To The Features Of The Blackstone 36” Griddle

The Blackstone griddle review will be incomplete unless you understand the features that it has to offer. Here are the top features that the Blackstone 36” Griddle has to offer to users:

1. The Cooktop Surface 

Perhaps the most important feature of the Blackstone 36” Griddle is the cooktop surface that will allow you to make your favorite foods. The entire cooking surface is 720 square inches, which means you can cater to a large crowd with this surface. Besides that, the waiting food can also remain warm as you feed other people. 

The best part about the surface is that you will not have to cook the food in batches. Everyone can enjoy the incredible food simultaneously. The surface is also made from rolled steel, which means the surface will heat fast and cook your food in no time. 

Cooking will be a breeze with this surface, so consider this before purchasing this griddle. The cooktop surface is also easy to season, clean, and maintain for durability. 

2. Assembly 

When you look at the Blackstone 36” Griddle, you might think it will be challenging to assemble because of its size. However, that is not the case at all because it will not take you too long to assemble this griddle. The company has made sure that you exert minimal effort for assembly. 

All you have to do is:

• Unfold the legs of the griddle 
• Make sure that you connect the crossbar
• Use thumbscrews to attach the crossbar for the shelves
• Place the cooktop surface on the griddle
• Begin with seasoning the griddle 

Yes, that is how easy it is to assemble the Blackstone 36” Griddle, and it will not take you more than ten minutes. Many online resources will teach you how to assemble this beautiful griddle without any issues. 

3. Construction And Design 

The construction and design of the griddle will determine how long it will last and if it will provide you with the use you need. The Blackstone 36” Griddle has a frame mostly made of solid steel. This means it will not easily wither and will last a long time. 

You will know this when the griddle comes to you and you notice the quality of steel the company has used. Here are some construction and design elements that will help you understand further what you can expect from this griddle:

• Built-in ignition system 
• Cooking surface of 720 square inches
• Side shelves 
• Adjustable heat controls 
• Commercial caster wheels 
• Powder-coated steel frame 
• And more 

These elements are there to take your cooking experience to the next level. Remember that this griddle can easily feed between two and twenty people. 

4. Four Independent Burners 

The best part about the Blackstone 36” Griddle is that you can use four independent burners to adjust the heat and control the temperature. Each burner produces 15,000 BTUs, which means you have a total of 60,000 BTUs to work with. That is a high amount of heat, and you can decide how you will use each burner for heating needs. 

When you are feeding a large crowd, you can designate each section to cook something different. For example, you can have sections to cook sausages, burgers, pancakes, and eggs simultaneously. So, you can please the adults and the kids by cooking everything at once. 

You can prepare an entire meal on the surface without worrying about the heat and burners. So, make sure that you are utilizing the burners to their full potential. 

5. Cleaning And Maintenance 

It is crucial to have a solution that doesn't require too much cleaning and maintenance. That is because it hinders you from fully using the griddle, as cleaning it is exhausting. You have to clean the Blackstone 36” Griddle each time you use it so that the surface stays nonstick. 

Another important note to keep in mind is that the cooktop is made from rolled steel, which means that it is not corrosion-resistant. Because of this, you will have to clean and oil the surface every time you are done cooking. If you don't do this, it can develop rust with time, decreasing the durability of the griddle. 

You will also have to clean up the grease tray every time you are done cooking the food. Make sure you pay attention to this because it can easily lead to a mess. After that, you will also have to remove the excess debris and grease from the griddle by scraping. 

Then, you can use a wet towel to wipe down everything. Finally, you can season the griddle again with some oil so that it can be ready to use the next time you want to use it. 

6. User-Friendliness 

The griddle needs to be easy to use for you to make use of it for a long time. The best part about this griddle is that it has an electric start and individual burners for you to begin cooking. Because of this, you don't need to do much when using this griddle. 

The only extensive process that you will have to encounter with this griddle is grease management and seasoning. However, these are important steps that you need to take to ensure you are using the griddle in the best way. So, if you are looking for a user-friendly griddle with some amount of work, then this will be the ideal choice. 

7. Preparation Areas 

Most Blackstone griddles come with preparation areas in the design to make using them easy. For example, the Blackstone 36” Griddle has a large shelf underneath and two folding shelves on the side. This means you can use these areas for storing utensils, the food you will cook, and much more. 

You will not have to keep rushing back and forth from the kitchen to use your supplies. Instead, you can store whatever you need in these drawers. These are small features that can have a significant impact on how easy and convenient it is for you to use the griddle. 

8. Customer Support 

It can be intimidating to use a new griddle, especially if it is so big and bulky. Because of this, customer support is an important feature you can consider before you opt for the Blackstone 36” Griddle. You can contact the company if you have any issues with the griddle, and they will respond as soon as possible. 

On the other hand, when you visit the website, you will find many instruction manual links, accessory details, and other information to help you with your journey. All of this will come in handy when you are stuck and don't know what to do. For example, when you purchase a new griddle, you can go through their website to see relevant information. 

Besides that, the company also offers a warranty of a year that will cover all finishes, parts, and workmanship. You also have a money-back guarantee of thirty days if you are not happy with the griddle you have received. So, ensure you utilize this if anything goes wrong with the griddle. 

The Benefits Of Using A Blackstone 36” Griddle

Here are some of the top advantages you will reap if you purchase the Blackstone 36” Griddle:

Have The Best Barbecue Parties 

The most important feature of this griddle is the cooktop surface, which can feed an entire crowd. This means that you can easily feed all your loved ones and throw parties. That is why it is a great investment for people who love cooking and host many people. 

It will make cooking a breeze, and everyone will get food on time as you keep cooking it. So, if you are looking for something to take your barbecue parties to another level, then make sure you consider this option for your needs. 

Highly Durable 

The Blackstone 36” Griddle is an investment because it will last a long time to come. As long as you clean and maintain the griddle in the best way, it will last for more than a decade. These are built to last, so you will only have to spend your money once on such an appliance. 

If there are any issues with the construction or use, you can contact the company, and they will help you. All the materials, from stainless steel to rolled steel have been used to guarantee longevity. In the long run, this will prove to be a great value for money. 

Ample Storage Space 

It is a hassle to keep going back to the kitchen and get the things you need for outdoor cooking. However, this is not a problem you will face with the Blackstone 36” Griddle because it has ample storage space. There are many shelves where you can store utensils, boards, the food you will cook later, and more. 

So, you can save your trip to the kitchen and prep everything beforehand. Then, your guests will have everything ready to eat without any issues, saving you time and effort. 

Cleanup Is Easy 

Many people find cleaning to be the most tedious process after cooking, but you will not face this issue with the Blackstone 36” Griddle. That is because cleaning it is a breeze. After you are done cooking, you can clean it with water and a cloth and season it again. 

If there is a buildup of gunk or grease, then you will also have to add another step of scraping the buildup from the surface. However, even that will not take long. Don't forget to season your griddle after you are done with it so it can remain nonstick and rust-free. 

Value For Money 

The Blackstone 36” Griddle is a little expensive, but it provides users with high value for money with the features that you get. You can think of it as a complete solution for your barbecue parties or anything else that you host. On the other hand, if you are willing to shell out some bucks, you can think of the griddle as an investment.

After all, no one can put a price on the memories you will make and the fun you will have when you use this griddle for hosting. So, be sure to keep this factor in mind when you decide to purchase the griddle. 

Temperature Control 

There are four independent burners on the griddle, which means you have more control over the temperature. You can adjust the output of the heat and control the temperature in the way you like. It is also easy to start so you will not have any issues while working with the heat zones. 

Because of this, there will be no cold zones on your griddle, as you can use all of them simultaneously to heat every inch. Such control will allow you to cook the food you love without any issues. 

The Limitations Of Using The Blackstone 36” Griddle

While you will reap many benefits from the griddle, it is also just as important to understand some of the limitations you might face while using Blackstone griddle. You can easily overcome such limitations, or you don't have to factor them in. Here are some of the top limitations of the Blackstone 36” Griddle:

It Doesn’t Come With A Lid 

The first thing you will notice is that there is no lid on the top of the cooking surface of the griddle. This means you can't close and store it to protect it from weather or other elements. However, as long as you are storing the griddle inside in a cool and dry place, it shouldn't affect your cooking. 

You can also get a hood separately if you wish for the griddle. That is only useful when you want to cook outdoors in rainy or other types of weather. 

Grease Cleanup Can Be Frustrating 

One of the things you might find frustrating about the Blackstone 36” Griddle is the grease cleanup. There is a grease management system, but you will have to be careful with it, or the grease can spill or leak. You might have to come up with some DIY to drain the grease effectively. 

This can be a hassle, but once you find the correct technique for grease cleanup, it will not be such a problem. So, make sure that you go through this learning curve and figure out how you will dispose of the grease. 

You Might Require Additional Tools 

Finally, you might need some additional tools to make the most out of the Blackstone 36” Griddle. These include cleaning tools, spatulas, scrapers, and much more. All of these are necessary to keep the griddle clean and in working order. 

The most crucial part of using the griddle is the seasoning. So, invest in the right tools to get this done, and you will enjoy using the griddle for a long time to come. 

Final Verdict: Is It Worth It?

So, after reading all of this information, you might still wonder whether you should invest your money in this griddle. If you love cooking for your loved ones and throwing parties, then this is the best investment for you. It will allow you to cook a lot of food at one time and feed an entire crowd. 

However, if you don’t have such a big family or space in your home, then there are better options for you out there. So, keep all of this information in mind to make an informed decision.