Camp Chef Vs. Blackstone Griddle: A Detailed Comparison Guide

Imagine it is summer, and you are using your griddle in the pleasant weather in the evening, surrounded by family and good food. The aroma of fresh meat passes you by and tingles your senses. There is quite nothing like making food for your family and friends in good weather.

To achieve this aim, you need to invest in the right griddle for your outdoor cooking needs. So, here is a detailed comparison guide to help you decide if Camp Chef or Blackstone is the right choice for you.

About Camp Chef

Camp Chef has been in the market for a long time. They began their operations back in 1990. During that time, there was a gap in the market as there were barely any outdoor cooking grills.

So, the founder decided it was time to fill this gap and created various products for outdoor cooking enthusiasts. You will find that the company offers an extensive range of products.

These include the following:

• Pellet grills
• Flat top grills
• Griddles
• Cast iron burners
• Cast iron pans
• Attachments for grill box
• Apparel for grilling
• And much more

The best part about Camp Chef is that they know what they are doing. The company uses materials of the highest quality. So, you can count on the cooking equipment to last for more than a decade.

About Blackstone

Blackstone has been in the business since 2008, and it has been one of the top brands offering griddles. You will find that they make flat-top grills and griddles for outdoor cooking enthusiasts. The company is based in America and has between three hundred and five hundred employees.

Blackstone uses cold-rolled steel to manufacture most of its products. Such a material guarantees an even heat distribution. As a result, you will notice that you have control while cooking items on the surface.

Griddles and flat-top grills are not the only products that Blackstone sells. They also have accessories for outdoor cooking. These include the following:

• Sauces
• Seasoning
• Griddling kits
• Maintenance tools
• And much more

Who Will Get The Most Out Of A Camp Chef Grill?

Anyone that has a high budget can opt for Camp Chef because it is a little bit on the pricey side. As a result, you will enjoy some excellent features that provide versatility. The unique factor of Camp Chef is that they use advanced technology.

You can also use them on any surface, and you will not have to worry about stability and portability. The grills offer accurate temperatures, control of heat zones, and much more. BBQ experts will get the most use out of the Camp Chef because of such advanced features.

Who Will Get The Most Out Of A Blackstone Griddle?

 

 

Before we move on to the comparison, it is good to understand if Blackstone will suit your needs or not. Blackstone is ideal for anyone that wants a good and affordable griddle. So, you can get a large griddle at a price that will not break the bank.

It will enable you to cook food for large crowds and host dinner parties. That is because you can cook many items at the same time. If you are looking for portability, versatility, quality, and affordability, then this is the right choice.

Camp Chef Vs. Blackstone Griddle: Comparing Features

Blackstone's strong suit is providing griddles. However, Camp Chef offers many other things for you to benefit from. As a result, we have compared the griddles so that you know what features to look for in each.

Here is a breakdown of each feature to help you decide whether Camp Chef or Blackstone is better:

1. Design

Let’s begin with the design because that is the first thing that will catch your eye. At first glance, you will find that the design is more or less the same. Both companies have adopted a timeless design with a cart style that you can easily take from one place to another.

If you are making a decision based on looks and aesthetics, then both companies are similar. In the end, your decision will have to depend on your personal preferences. However, if you need a griddle that you can also use as a grill, then Camp Chef will take the lead in this regard.

2. Assembly

Whenever you invest in a griddle, you will need to take out some time to assemble it properly for use. Both Blackstone and Camp Chef griddles come with different parts you must assemble. Fortunately, assembling the griddle is not a challenge.

The brands offer manuals, video tutorials, and much more that you can follow to assemble the griddle. It will take you only a little while, and you don't need to be an expert. Just follow the instructions, and you will have a griddle you can use in no time.

3. Build Materials

The materials that the brands use to build the griddles can affect longevity, quality, and much more. Camp Chef and Blackstone use cold-rolled steel to create their griddles. The good thing about this material is that surface is thick, which means that heat retention is like no other.

Cold-rolled steel is a highly durable material that will ensure you can cook high-quality food. The secret is that you need to season the griddle properly to get the most out of it. Besides that, you also need to clean the griddle and season it after using it each time.

Another thing to keep in mind is the griddle body, which is made of coated steel. The material protects the griddle from dust, rain, snow, pollution, and other such elements. As a result, the griddle will last for a very long time.

Finally, the burners are created from stainless steel. The reason for this is, so the burners don't corrode. Stainless steel can withstand high temperatures, which means no rust for your burners.

4. The Cooking Area

The surface is the central aspect of the griddle because this is where all the action takes place. A large cooking area means that you can cook a lot of food at one time. If you have a big family or you host a lot of dinners, then a large cooking area will be ideal for your needs.

Let’s understand each brand based on the cooking area:

Camp Chef Cooking Area

Camp Chef’s largest cooking area comes around just a little over 600 square inches. The surface is similar to Blackstone, so you don’t have to compare the quality and heat retention. Keep in mind that even at 600 square inches, the griddle is a little bulky.

Blackstone Cooking Area

Blackstone has many griddles, and the largest one comes to around 720 square inches. This is much larger than Camp Chef, which means you can cook a lot more food. The best part is that even with such a large surface, Blackstone is lightweight and highly portable, making it the clear winner. 

5. Portability

Portability is a vital aspect because it provides you with an idea if you can move the griddle around or not. Fortunately, both brands offer wheels at the bottom to guarantee you can move them around. You will notice that Blackstone has four small wheels below, and Camp Chef has two large wheels.

On the other hand, the legs of the Blackstone are also foldable and collapsible. So, you can take it from one place to another and even store it without any issues. We will discuss storage in detail below.

6. Storage

Most of us have limited space inside our homes, and we can't store a lot of things. That is why storage is an essential factor to consider when buying a griddle. Both brands have shelves on the sides so that you can store supplies that will help you prepare food.

Blackstone Storage

Blackstone has shelves in which you can easily store a basket, and it is built for better storage and portability as compared to Camp Chef. If you want something you can move around with ease and store properly, then Blackstone will be the clear winner here.

Camp Chef Storage

The shelves on the Camp Chef griddle are much more convenient for adjustment. So, Camp Chef has a minor edge in this regard. But, overall, Blackstone has better storage.

7. Managing Grease

Grease management systems are crucial because you don't want the grease to keep building up on the griddle. It leads to a sticky surface, rust, flaking of the surface, and much more. We have compared this system below in each brand:

Blackstone Grease Management

The Blackstone griddle includes a hole that will allow the grease to drip into a bucket. While this may seem like a simple solution, it might not be so efficient. That is because the grease can start collecting on the side until it leaks from the hole.

Camp Chef Grease Management

Chef has a much more efficient grease collection solution for you. The brand has created a front collection system that makes it easy to remove grease.

You will not have to think about any clogging issues. Besides that, the grease will also not stick to the surface till it begins dripping.

8. Ignition System

Unless you are using an electric griddle, you will need propane for firing up the Camp Chef and Blackstone griddles. Firing the griddle is easy, and you can use independent burners to ensure control of heating. However, one thing you will witness is that the ignition system of Camp Chef is much easier to use.

That is because the burners of Camp Chef will not require you to use batteries, unlike some models of Blackstone. You can only use the burners in sequence in Blackstone. So, you will have less control over the ignition system when it comes to Blackstone.

9. Burners

Here is a comparison of the independent burners based on each brand:

Blackstone Burners

Blackstone provides less control over the burners, but it has a higher British Thermal Unit (BTU) output. For example, each burner has a BTU output of 15,000. This means that if the griddle has four burners, then the total BTU output will be sixty thousand.

Camp Chef Burners

In comparison, the BTU output of Camp Chef is less. There are four burners, and each burner has an output of 12,000, making it 48,000 in total. So, it is much lower than Blackstone, which means it will take more time to heat the surface.

10. Maintenance And Cleaning

Cleaning and maintenance can make or break your decision because you will have to spend some time maintaining the griddles. Keep in mind that both brands require the same procedure for cleaning. This includes the following:

• You allow the griddle to cool down after you are done using it
• Then, you can begin scraping the surface by using a metal spatula so that all the remaining food can be removed
• Use paper towels to wipe the surface completely
• You can also use hot water if you like to get rid of any stuck food remains in the cooking area
• Then, rinse the surface with some more water
• Next, you must use paper towels to dry it out
• It is time to season the surface with a light layer of oil
• Then, turn the heat up until the oil reaches the smoke point
• Let it cool down and store it in a cool and dry place to keep it safe

Keep in mind that the cleaning process of Camp Chef might be easier. That is because the grease collection system is much more efficient, so you will have fewer gunks, to begin with. However, the process of maintenance and cleaning is more or less the same.

11. Customer Support

Whenever you are purchasing a new product, you need to research the customer support of the company. If anything goes wrong, you need to know that you can rely on the brand for help and support. Keep in mind that both brands offer high-quality griddles that will not give you much trouble.

The warranty policy for Blackstone and Camp Chef is only for a year. However, Blackstone gains a little bit of edge because the coverage contains paints and finishes of the griddle, while Camp Chef doesn't. But a one-year warranty is not too much.

12. Pricing

Finally, your budget will determine the griddle that you can purchase. The budget should also depend on the size of the griddle you want. For example, a medium-sized griddle can cost you anywhere between $250 and $750.

However, if you want a large griddle, then make sure to set aside between $800 and $1,000. The features and other characteristics of the griddle will also determine the final price of the product. You will find that Blackstone is much more affordable than Camp Chef, even though they have similar features.

The best part is that you will find discounted items on their websites and stores from time to time. You can compare different models and then decide which one will be best for you, depending on your budget. If you are looking for something on a budget, then Blackstone is a perfect choice.

Pros Of Using Camp Chef

While we have provided you with detailed explanations of each feature, you still need to know the advantages. Here are some pros of investing in Camp Chef griddles:

• Managing grease is incredibly easy and much better than Blackstone
• You have the choice to use independent burners
• You can use the heating area as a grill or griddle
• You will have more control over the heat and temperature of the griddle

Cons Of Using Camp Chef

Here are some cons that you might experience while using Camp Chef griddles:

• A little bit on the pricey side
• It is a little heavy and bulky to move from one place to another

Pros Of Using Blackstone

Blackstone is an incredible company and provides various benefits to users that utilize the griddles. Some of these benefits include the following:

• The construction of the cooking surface is exceptional
• You will notice that it provides a higher number of features than Camp Chef, with similar pricing
• It has four wheels for easy manoeuvrability
• The griddles are usually lightweight

Cons Of Using Blackstone

Here are some cons of using Blackstone that you can easily overcome when cooking food:

• You will notice that you can only use the burners in sequence
• The company doesn't offer a combination of flat-top grills and griddles like Camp Chef

Conclusion

Now that you have a detailed comparison, you can decide for yourself which brand will give you the best use. Both brands are similar and focus on quality to ensure a great experience for customers. In the end, the brand you choose depends on your budget and personal preferences.

However, once you have the right griddle, you will end up making the best food for your family in no time. So, follow this guide and decide what you want today.