When most people think of a griddle, you think pancakes, sausage, and eggs, right? Well, unless you are a chef at a restaurant or a whizz around the kitchen, you probably were unaware that these appliances do so much more than making a mean breakfast, especially when a reliable and reputable company makes the griddle you own.
In this article, we will review the Blackstone Griddle. Much of our emphasis will be on the Blackstone 36 version, seeing as it is their most popular and longest product on the market to date.
If you are looking to purchase the perfect outdoor or backyard griddle, refrain from making any final decisions just yet.
Who is Blackstone?
The Blackstone company started back in 2008 with the original Blackstone 36. Since then, the company has continued to grow and improve its griddle system. While innovating the way we cook our foods today, the Blackstone business is also improving its accessories and tools, making meal prep pain-free.
Blackstone 36 Griddle
If you love cooking up large meals or hosting lots of parties, the Blackstone 36 Griddle is for you.
This 36” gas griddle has features and accessories we have yet to see in any other griddle of this kind, making it a great option for those who need an appliance of this size.
So, what exactly is the Blackstone 36 griddle, and what does it do? The Blackstone 36 griddle is a flat cooking surface heated with gas and can cook several foods from pancakes and bacon to stead and vegetables.
The griddle is often time used outside like a grill. The difference between the two is the contact your meal has with open flames.
On a grill, food cooks on cast iron or steel grates. It leaves distinctive marks on the meal consistent with the slats.
On a griddle, the surface is smooth, and the food never encounters the flame, so it is cooked evenly with no marks or chard pieces. The food cooks thoroughly and evenly every time.
There are a lot of countertop griddles made for smaller meals and single servings. However, these are usually heated through an electrical power source and would never have the ability to take on the same tasks as the Blackstone griddle.
Construction
The Blackstone Griddle comes with four separate burners, making it easy to prepare for a backyard BBQ or just a single-serve meal. Each burner has its own dedicated, heat-resistant handle, giving you total control of the entire cooking surface.
The frame is made from durable, solid stainless steel, giving you a strong yet heavy and reliable appliance. It can take on extremely high temperatures and is also odor and stain-resistant.
If you are worried about the weight, there is no need to be concerned. While it may be a massive 136 pounds, the solid, industrial-strength caster wheels lock the griddle in a place where you want it to stay but easily transport it when you go move it around.
Features
With the features included with the Blackstone Griddle, little else is required when putting together a meal. It comes with a built-in, removable cutting board with a paper towel holder attached for easy meal preparations.
On the opposite side of the cutting board is a side shelf with a trash bag hook, giving you plenty of room for all your accessories as well as easy clean-up.
Another great feature included on this griddle is the push start ignite button, making it fast and easy to light this thing up and get your food started. A quick and simple tap of the button will ignite the fuel tank, heating your griddle in no time.
Lastly, Blackstone upgraded their griddles to have a rear grease management system, keeping the mess out of sight and out of the way until it is time to empty the trap. It is an improvement from the front grease trap that always seemed to drip.
Blackstone Griddle Recipes
Now that you have a good idea of what the Blackstone griddle is and how to use it. Let us look at some delicious recipes you can try out on your own or with a crowd.
Breakfast options
Cheesy Eggs and Bacon- This one is a super simple recipe. Stir 3 eggs up with 1 tablespoon of milk until it blends perfectly, place on the griddle with the bacon until the eggs are cooked, then add the cheese of your choice over the eggs until completely melted.
Cinnamon roll pancakes- Mix 1 cup of all-purpose Bisquick baking mix with ½ cup of milk and 1 egg in a bowl (set aside). Next, melt 4 tablespoons of butter and add it to ⅓ cups, brown sugar, and 1 ½ ts of cinnamon to a small bowl. Mix until combined (this is your cinnamon swirls). Pour the Bisquick batter onto the griddle set at 350°F, then drizzle the swirl over the top of the mix.
Lunch Options
Blackstone Philly Cheese Steak- Startup on both sides of the griddle, on one half, drizzle some olive oil and place 3 pounds of thinly sliced ribeye; on the other, melt a tablespoon of butter with peppers and onions. Let this cook for about 10 minutes on medium heat. After it is cooked, top it with your cheese and allow it to melt.
Classic Grilled Ham and Cheese: Butter both sides of the bread of your choice (Italian bread works the best.) While the bread is browning, add your favorite cheese, a slice of ham, and mayo (if you choose). Add the second slice of bread and flip the sandwich until both pieces are lightly toasted and the cheese is melted and gooey.
Dinner Options
Blackstone Sirloin Cap Steak recipe: On medium heat, place a sirloin cap onto the griddle with a small slab of butter next to it, allowing it to melt around but not under the meat. Season with salt and pepper to your liking, then flip it with more butter close by allowing the opposite side to sear. You can serve it up with your favorite side dish as is.
Juicy Smash Burger Recipe: Take a few burgers. After buttering the surface, place them on the griddle at medium-high heat. Add your favorite seasonings, then flip the burger after about 5 minutes of cooking. Season the opposite side and allow the meat to cook for another 3 minutes. If you would like, add your favorite cheese, and give it a few minutes to melt before removing it.
You can find these recipes and more at Blackstone recipes.
Blackstone Griddle Accessories
Well, this grill indeed comes with everything you need on its own. However, the company makes and sells several great accessories you can purchase separately for an even better experience.
Blackstone 36 Griddle Cover– This is a heavy-duty, polyester griddle cover that is weather-resistant and attaches to the frame with durable plastic buckles.
12” Round Basting Cover– This 12-inch stainless steel basting cover can be used to help melt cheese on your burgers, cook your veggies, and so much more. It comes with a heat-resistant handle and is dishwasher safe.
Extra Large Griddle Press– With the extra-large griddle press, you can cook all your food evenly and to perfection. Smoosh those burgers like a professional with this heavy-gauge cast-iron press. The handle is heat resistant with a rubber grip giving you a slip-resistant hold.
Stainless Steel Butter Roller– Spreading cold butter is such a chore! This stainless-steel butter roller has a patent-pending pour spout and tray, collecting and storing all unused butter. This product is capable of setting right on the griddle, allowing the butter to melt quickly. It is easy to use and is ideal for large gatherings.
Culinary Series, Adjustable Warming Rack– This Blackstone griddle warming rack fits perfectly onto your griddle to keep your main dishes hot while cooking other food. The surface of the rack is slightly beveled preventing your food from slipping, while the tiny slits keep your food warm. The handles are plastic, and heat resistant which makes adjusting the rack easy.
Knit Griddle Gloves– The palm pads of these kit gloves are made from heat-resistant silicone, withstanding up to 500°F temperatures while gripping everything it encounters tightly. It has a large amount of maneuverability and is not stiff or difficult to handle. This glove is one size fits all and not specific to left or right hand.
Blackstone Griddle with an Air Fryer
This Blackstone Griddle with an air fryer is a Walmart exclusive product. With this item, you can get all the same great qualities as the Blackstone 36 griddle with the bonus of all the air frying features.
Still make perfect burgers, pancakes, and steaks, while also having the ability to create all of the greatest air frying recipes out there.
This griddle has a 756 sq. inch cooking top with four individual and separately controlled cooking zones, with two dual air frying drawers allowing you to bake, fry, and roast your food most healthily and deliciously.
This griddle doesn’t stop there. The company also included a warming drawer to keep your food ready, warm, and protected from the elements after completion.
There is a magnetic toolbar that conveniently grips your griddle tools. The kit includes storage magnets and hooks to help you out.
Like the original Griddle 36, this appliance is created from durable stainless steel and a thick carbon steel griddle top.
Our Top Blackstone Griddle Picks
While the Griddle 36 may be Blackstone’s most popular and purchased product, it isn’t their only option. Although, all their products do come in the form of a griddle. If you are looking for a great holiday gift to give or are just interested in other griddle options, here are some of our favorite Blackstone griddles picks.
● (Best Overall) E-Series 22″ Bundle
● (Best Holiday Gift) 17″ w/ Cart Bundle (portable)
● (Best Budget-Friendly) 17″ Hooded Bundle
● (Best for Tail Gating) Tail Gating Combo
These options come in bundles and combos, giving you everything you need to get started on the right foot.
Blackstone Griddle FAQs
Here is a list of the most asked questions regarding the Blackstone Griddle.
Are Blackstone 36 Griddles Worth the Money?
Blackstone griddles are top-quality, well-made, and durable. These griddles are big enough to feed an entire party but also offer the ability to make a quick meal for one. With all you can do with these griddles and the accessories and features it comes with, we feel they are definitely worth the money.
Can You Take the Blackstone 36 Griddle Camping?
While the legs do fold, these griddles are extremely heavy and are not designed for travel. However, they are perfect for vacation homes or large events.
How Much Assembly is Required to Set Up This Griddle?
Assembly is not difficult; however, it is laborious due to the size and weight. It may take a little time to complete, and you will need a small socket set and screwdrivers. While you will not have difficulty putting it together, many videos on YouTube are ready to help you out.
Can This Be Used Indoors?
It is an outdoor griddle and should never be used inside. You never want to bring a propane tank indoors, and the smoke from the griddle wouldn’t be pleasant.
Can You Connect This Griddle to an RV?
Yes, it can. The company recently came out with a connecter enabling customers to connect the Blackstone 36 Griddle to an RV or Campers quick connection adaptor.
Our Conclusion
Although the Blackstone 36 griddle is a heavy piece of equipment, it is also durable, well-made, and comes in a great design. This device can do the cooking many different appliances. It could easily take the place of the everyday backyard grill to enhance your cook-out experience.
Honestly, though, the griddle setup is a little pricey, and unless you plan on frequently feeding a crowed or own a business, it would be much cheaper to purchase a quality grill and a countertop griddle.
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