Blackstone Grill: A Complete Guide for Outdoor Cooking

A good outdoor cooker can completely change the way you prepare meals. Instead of cooking everything in the kitchen and carrying it outside, you can make breakfast, lunch, dinner, and even snacks outdoors while everyone gathers around. That is one reason the Blackstone grill has become such a popular choice for backyard cooking.

Blackstone is best known for its flat-top griddles, which provide a large cooking surface for everything from smash burgers and steaks to pancakes, vegetables, fried rice, and cheesesteaks. The company offers several sizes, including 17-inch, 22-inch, 28-inch, and 36-inch models, along with different configurations and features.

But is a Blackstone right for you? And what makes it different from a traditional barbecue grill? Let’s take a closer look.

What Is a Blackstone Grill?

When people search for a Blackstone grill, they are often referring to a Blackstone flat-top griddle. Unlike a traditional grill with open grates, a Blackstone uses a solid cooking surface. Food sits directly on the heated metal rather than over an open flame.

That difference makes the cooking experience quite different. You can cook foods that would normally fall through grill grates, such as chopped vegetables, eggs, pancakes, fried rice, and small pieces of meat. The flat surface also makes it easier to spread food around, flip it with a spatula, and cook several ingredients at the same time.

Blackstone describes its griddles as a versatile outdoor cooking option suitable for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

Why People Like Blackstone Grills

One of the biggest advantages is simply the amount of food you can cook at once. For example, a larger model can give you room to cook burgers on one side while preparing onions, mushrooms, or potatoes on another. Blackstone’s 36-inch model has four independently controlled heat zones, allowing different areas of the cooking surface to operate at different temperatures.

That can be especially useful when you’re cooking for a family or hosting friends.

Other benefits include:

• Large cooking surfaces
• Multiple heat zones on larger models
• Easy access to food while cooking
• Convenient grease management
• Outdoor cooking without needing multiple pans
• Versatility for breakfast, lunch, and dinner

The flat surface also creates plenty of direct contact between the food and the cooking plate, which is helpful when you want a browned or crispy exterior.

Blackstone Grill vs. Traditional Grill

The biggest difference is the cooking surface. A traditional gas or charcoal grill is excellent for foods such as whole steaks, chicken pieces, ribs, and anything where you want direct flame or grill marks.

A Blackstone griddle takes a different approach. It is particularly good for foods that benefit from a broad, even cooking surface. Think smash burgers, breakfast sandwiches, pancakes, cheesesteaks, fajitas, stir-fry, and chopped vegetables.

You also don’t have to worry about small pieces of food slipping between grill grates.

That doesn’t necessarily mean one is better than the other. They simply work well for different styles of cooking.

If you enjoy both styles, some Blackstone products and accessories can expand what you can prepare outdoors. The company’s current lineup includes griddles as well as other outdoor cooking equipment.

Choosing the Right Blackstone Size

Size is one of the first things to consider before buying.

17-Inch Models

A smaller tabletop model can make sense if you have limited space or want something that is easier to transport.

It can be useful for camping, tailgating, balconies where permitted, or smaller households.

22-Inch Models

A 22-inch Blackstone offers more cooking room while remaining relatively compact. It can be a practical middle ground for people who want more space without committing to a large cooking station.

28-Inch Models

A 28-inch model gives you noticeably more room for cooking several foods together. It can be a good option for families who regularly prepare outdoor meals.

36-Inch Models

If you regularly cook for a crowd, a 36-inch model provides considerably more workspace. For example, Blackstone’s 36-inch griddle has four independently controlled heat zones and enough surface area to prepare several foods simultaneously.

Before choosing one, think about where you will store it, how often you cook outdoors, and how many people you normally feed.

What Can You Cook on a Blackstone?

This is where a Blackstone really becomes fun. You are not limited to burgers and steaks. Breakfast is an obvious starting point. You can prepare eggs, bacon, pancakes, hash browns, breakfast sandwiches, and sausage on the same surface.

For lunch or dinner, try:

• Smash burgers
• Cheesesteaks
• Chicken fajitas
• Tacos
• Fried rice
• Stir-fried vegetables
• Grilled sandwiches
• Sausage and peppers
• Steak
• Chicken

Blackstone itself highlights foods such as pancakes, eggs, bacon, stir-fry, fried rice, smash burgers, cheesesteaks, and vegetables as examples of what can be prepared on its griddles.

You can also explore Blackstone recipes and cooking ideas as you become more comfortable with your griddle.

How to Get Better Results

A little preparation makes outdoor griddle cooking much easier. Start by preheating the cooking surface before adding food. This gives the surface time to reach a suitable temperature.

Avoid overcrowding the griddle. It can be tempting to put everything on at once, but leaving enough space makes it easier to move food and control cooking.

Use proper griddle tools, especially a sturdy spatula and scraper. They make flipping burgers, chopping food, and cleaning the surface much easier.

Most importantly, learn how your particular griddle behaves. Outdoor temperature, wind, food quantity, and cooking time can all affect results.

Blackstone also provides product manuals and support resources for its different griddle models, which can be useful when learning the specific controls and maintenance requirements of your unit.

Cleaning and Maintenance Matter

A Blackstone is easier to enjoy when you stay on top of maintenance. After cooking, remove food residue while the surface is still suitable for cleaning. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for your specific model and maintain the cooking surface properly.

Seasoning is also an important part of caring for a griddle. A properly maintained surface can make cooking easier and help protect the cooking plate.

Blackstone provides its own seasoning guidance and cooking resources for new griddle owners. Don’t forget the grease management system either. Keeping the grease area clean makes cleanup easier and helps keep your outdoor cooking station ready for the next meal.

Is a Blackstone Grill Worth It?

For someone who enjoys outdoor cooking, a Blackstone can be a very practical investment. It is especially appealing if you like cooking large breakfasts, smash burgers, cheesesteaks, stir-fry, tacos, or meals with several ingredients at once.

However, consider your space before buying. A large griddle takes up more room and may not make sense if you only cook for one or two people occasionally.

Think about your cooking habits first. The best Blackstone is not necessarily the biggest one. It is the model that gives you enough cooking space without becoming inconvenient to store and maintain.

Final Thoughts

A Blackstone grill can turn outdoor cooking into something much more flexible than the traditional burger-and-steak routine.

Its flat cooking surface makes it easy to prepare breakfast foods, burgers, vegetables, sandwiches, stir-fry, and many other meals. Different sizes also make it possible to choose a setup that fits your household and available space.

If you’re new to griddle cooking, start with simple meals and give yourself time to learn temperature control, seasoning, and cleanup. Once you get comfortable, you’ll probably find yourself looking for new things to cook rather than wondering what the griddle can handle.

That versatility is ultimately what makes Blackstone such an appealing option for backyard cooks.

FAQs

Is a Blackstone a grill or a griddle?

Blackstone is primarily known for its flat-top griddles. People often call them grills, but the solid cooking surface makes them different from traditional open-grate grills.

What is a Blackstone grill best for?

It is particularly good for smash burgers, pancakes, eggs, bacon, cheesesteaks, fried rice, stir-fry, tacos, vegetables, and other foods that benefit from a flat cooking surface.

What size Blackstone should a beginner buy?

It depends on your available space and how many people you usually cook for. Smaller models are easier to store, while 28-inch and 36-inch models provide more room for family meals and entertaining.

Can you cook steak on a Blackstone?

Yes. The flat cooking surface provides broad contact with the steak and can produce a nicely browned exterior when the cooking temperature and technique are appropriate.

Does a Blackstone need to be seasoned?

The cooking surface requires proper care and seasoning according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Regular maintenance helps keep the surface in good condition.

Is a Blackstone good for family cooking?

Yes. Larger models are especially useful for families because they provide enough space to cook several foods at the same time. Blackstone’s 36-inch model, for example, has four independently controlled heat zones.