Once you get past the housing, the outdoor griddles are pretty similar. They start with a thick carbon steel slab that is heated by burners connected to the familiar backyard propane tank. The Traeger comes with a gas gauge with an almost-empty alarm and flame sensors to let you know when the burners are actually lit. Weber uses end-to-end burner tubes, which light with a whoosh of flame and an audible click. Stand-up outdoor griddles, which eliminate the unpredictable heat control and flare-ups of live-fire cooking, are designed to take their place next to — or even replace — the barbecue grill.
All of the griddles we selected have burners capable of providing the output needed to reach high cooking temperatures and evenly heat the cooking surface. A compact version of the original grill station, it provides 448 square inches of cooking space over two independent, stainless steel burners. Designed for 20-pound propane tanks, the total heat output is a surprising 34,000 BTUs.
It’s a 36” griddle that’s equipped with two side shelves for extra storage and is created using the same quality materials that you’ll come to see in all of Blackstone’s grills. The 4 burners each have their own individual controls, blackstone grills so you can adjust the temperature depending on what you’re looking at the time. The stainless steel burners go hand-in-hand with the thick rolled steel surface to provide a longer life and a more even heat distribution.
However, the good thing about these two brands is that they both set their prices with their customers in mind. Your Blackstone griddle collects grease and food residues every time you cook on it. The cleaning process is simple and won’t take much of your time.
Cleaning your flat-top grill the right way enhances its functionality and longevity. The swath of options (and, as a result, price points) ensures there’s something to suit everyone’s needs and space. A Blackstone griddle also makes an excellent gift for grillers who have everything. For example, the souped-up Blackstone we use has storage, a state-of-the-art grease-collecting system and hood. Some others are countertop models without shelves, legs or storage.
This cooking station has three independently controlled, stainless steel burners to power the ample 613 square-inch cooktop — total heat output on the griddle is 48,000 BTUs. And then there are the additional two range-top burners, one of which serves as a fryer basket. Unlike their modern counterparts, traditional grills would effectively burn off extra grease, so you wouldn’t have to consider factors such as leveling for functional grease flow patterns. They were not as suitable for outdoor kitchens as the modern options, but this is one of their strongholds. Modern cooktop grills do not burn the grease, meaning you need to level the appliance. You have to set your grill in a way that excess grease flows into the grease trap.
But Blackstone got it right the first time with their original 1984 griddle. This strategy has clearly paid out as they control about 80% of the U.S. outdoor griddle market. That said, you will most likely find the Blackstone grill at relatively lower prices. One might think that the Blackstone option is less effective or less decent.
Today I will share with you the types of foods that are best cooked on a Blackstone griddle. With proper care, a gas grill can last several years, but usually not as long as a well-maintained Blackstone griddle. Choosing a Blackstone griddle may be better if durability is a primary concern. You can easily make a huge batch of hibachi chicken, fried rice, and sautéed vegetables black stone griddle all at the same time, or even cook 5-6 pounds of chicken wings on the Blackstone griddle at once. A griddle cleaning brick is your best friend when it comes to restoring the surface of your Blackstone griddle so that it looks new again! You can follow this step-by-step guide for how to use a grill brick on your griddle if you find that your surface is in need of a little TLC.
Despite its compact size, this griddle has a 362-square-inch cooktop that accommodates 12 burgers at a time. Made of the same top-quality steel as Blackstone’s larger griddles, it cooks quickly and evenly over two independent burners. Choose the one that makes your outdoor cooking as enjoyable as possible. Rust forms when the metal of the flat-top interacts with water and oxygen, so the best way to prevent rusting is through seasoning.
Charcoal grills require preheating with bunched-up newspaper or a starter chimney to light the briquettes, which can take up to 30 minutes. On the other hand, propane grills light up at the touch of a button and heat up quickly. Both gas grills and Blackstone griddles require some maintenance and cleaning, but they may be slightly easier to clean due to their removable parts and materials. While traditional grills offer that signature smokey, charred flavor, griddles are known for producing juicier, fattier meats with a unique flavor. Additionally, griddles allow conduction cooking, where the entire surface of the food comes in contact with the heat, making for a tastier result. When it comes to flavor, the main difference between a Blackstone griddle and a gas grill lies in the type of meats they produce.