As far as useful built in features go, there are two folding side shelves and trays for extra work and serving space while you cook. Commercial grade locking caster wheels are kitted on the bottom of the cart, which makes transporting and securing your griddle super easy. We created a guide on everything flat top griddles if you want to check out as well. When it comes to all around versatility and practicality, the flat top grill is one of the best types of grills in the outdoor cooking world. One name that consistently comes up that we cover is the Blackstone Flat Top Grill. It’s one of the best selling grills in the USA regardless of type, and we thought it was well deserving of its own dedicated review.
These flat tops also have large casters that make it easier to maneuver them over flat surfaces for short distances. Though these grills are portable, moving them is a two-person operation since they can weigh upwards of 100 pounds or more. Blackstone also eliminates one end table, opting instead for a handle. This design makes it easier to lift and roll the grill, while also making it more compact by shortening its overall length. The primary reason why so many people love Blackstone griddles is because they are insanely reliable.
Frankly, that’s quite a lot of cooking surface area to come with a portable grill. It’s worth noting too that the 17″ model relies on a single burner whereas the 22″ model relies on two burners. Both are powerful enough to essentially provide the same grilling experience you’d find on a full sized grill. The company’s flagship product is its large 36-inch griddle, which can cook enough food to handle even tailgating parties. That said, the company’s 28-inch griddles are also very popular due to their more compact size, which makes them easier to transport. There are a few simple tips folks should follow before first using their Blackstone grill and after each use to ensure it lasts a long time.
Seasoning is paramount when it comes to any flat-top griddle, and Blackstone griddles are no different. Season the Blackstone’s cast-iron cooking surface before cooking with it by carefully following the manufacturer’s instructions. It’s also important to clean the grill between each use by scraping it with a spatula, scrubbing it with a scouring pad, and wiping it clean with paper towels.
Most grills and griddles will have heat spots where the grill burns hotter than elsewhere on the pan. Blackstone’s smaller tabletop grills come with single 12,500-BTU burners, while its 28-inch models come with two 17,000-BTU burners. As we said earlier, one of the best things about Blackstone griddles is that they do not suffer from heat spots, like a lot of grills do. The only other type of griddle that doesn’t suffer from heat spots are cast iron griddles, and this is why a lot of people get this confused. Second, pay attention to the oil you use to cook with and season your flat top grill with.
The key to smoking meat is good temperature control, so check the temperature beneath the cover regularly. It is also important to check the temperature of the meat that you have been smoking before you eat it to ensure that it has cooked black stone griddle through. Once it has warmed up, add around 3 tablespoons of oil to the griddle. Leave the oil to cook for around 30 minutes, and then your griddle will be seasoned. To begin seasoning your Blackstone griddle, you need to first wash it.
It features the same cast-iron cooking surface found on full-size Blackstone grill models but on a much smaller scale. Many of Blackstone’s grills come with additional features that make them easier to use. Less common additional features include bottle blackstone flat top grill openers and paper towel holders. Most notably, the 28″ Blackstone Griddle is more compact in size having only 2 burners. That’s not to say it lacks in ability though – everything you can do on the 36″ version can also be done on the 28″ version.
The griddle also comes equipped with a glass hood that traps heat for roasting or steaming foods. A tray at the back of the griddle catches grease, allowing for easy cleanup. This model sits on four large casters, two of which are lockable, which is useful blackstone flat top grill for wheeling the grill into position on a patio or deck. The best way to do this is to fill the aluminum pan with wood chips and set it alight. Then, you can put the smoking aluminum pan onto the flat top grill beside the meat you want to smoke.
The original design was great, but over time they’ve continued to make tweaks to improve the product. If you prefer cooking on cast iron, you can get a cast iron topper to go on your griddle. As we have said, Blackstone griddles are incredibly versatile, and so they work very well when a new top is placed upon the griddle.
If you choose a type of oil with too low of a smoke point, you might have a disaster on your hands, or at a minimum it can hold back the flavor of your food. Take a look at our post on the best oils for griddle cooking for some guidance in that department. There are also a few premium, paid extra features that can greatly enhance your grill set up if you want to upgrade. Our favorites include the griddle surround table (for extra shelf and serving space), wind guards, the breakfast kit, and the custom grill cover. The griddle’s controls consist of two dials with digital displays that allow the chef to set specific temperatures for each side of the griddle.