{"id":1681722,"date":"2021-07-31T10:00:57","date_gmt":"2021-07-31T14:00:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.tasteofhome.com\/?p=1681722"},"modified":"2025-02-12T12:07:53","modified_gmt":"2025-02-12T18:07:53","slug":"blackstone-griddle-review","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.tasteofhome.com\/article\/blackstone-griddle-review\/","title":{"rendered":"Blackstone Griddle Review: We Tried the 36-Inch Blackstone and It’s Our New Go-To for Burgers"},"content":{"rendered":"After months of being cooped up indoors, spring (and grilling season!) is finally almost here. There are a plethora of grills on the market, including our favorite traditional gas<\/a>, charcoal<\/a> and pellet<\/a> options. And yet another appliance for outdoor cooking has been making waves in recent years: Blackstone griddles<\/a>. With its endless cooking applications and ease of use, it\u2019s no wonder the Blackstone has quickly become a viral TikTok product<\/a>.\r\n\r\nAs someone who loves cooking outside but finds traditional grills a bit finicky, I decided to test a 36-inch Blackstone griddle<\/a> myself. Here's my honest review.\r\n\r\n[SINGLE_AFFILIATE_PRODUCT superlative=\"We Tried It\" product_name=\"Blackstone Griddles\" short_description=\"From smash burgers to fried rice, the uses for a Blackstone griddle are endless.\" image=\"2114682\" pr_name=\"Blackstone\" pr_url=\"https:\/\/blackstone-products.sjv.io\/rQkLWQ\" pr_display_text=\"Shop on Blackstone\" retailers_2_name=\"Amazon\" retailers_2_url=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/stores\/page\/7DAAE556-89F6-46F4-817C-BEC1891AC031?tag=tohmke-20\" retailers_2_display_text=\"Shop on Amazon\" retailers_3_name=\"Walmart\" retailers_3_url=\"https:\/\/goto.walmart.com\/c\/1269669\/565706\/9383?veh=aff&sourceid=imp_000011112222333344&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.walmart.com%2Fbrowse%2Fpatio-garden%2Fblackstone-griddles%2F5428_8162326_9551746_7400394\" retailers_3_display_text=\"Shop on Walmart\" retailers_4_name=\"BBQ Guys\" retailers_4_url=\"https:\/\/bbqguys.sjv.io\/qz2zQN\" retailers_4_display_text=\"Shop on BBQ Guys\" \/]\r\n

What is a Blackstone griddle?<\/h2>\r\nThe creators of Blackstone griddles<\/a> were determined to do all their cooking outside when weather allowed, and this is a feat that the traditional grill doesn't necessarily allow for. So they created a cooktop that's large enough yet straightforward enough to handle just about any food thrown its way.\r\n\r\nBlackstone has various griddle styles from which to choose, but they all have one thing in common: a flat-top made from cold-rolled steel, which is an ideal material for even heat distribution and controlled cooking. The griddles rely on propane tanks or electricity as a heat source and are easy to control with built-in burners. You can find a mix of portable options as well as larger, permanent griddles.\r\n

Why are Blackstone griddles trending?<\/h2>\r\nAs many TikTok videos have demonstrated, the possibilities are endless with a Blackstone griddle. Think breakfast spreads for a crowd, weeknight stir-fries or even blueberry cobbler. The large surface area and multiple burners allow you to prepare foods that cook at different temperatures simultaneously.\r\n\r\nNeed proof? Just take a look at this mouthwatering breakfast TikTok user grillthissmokethat<\/a> cooks up. Who else is suddenly craving chocolate chip pancakes?\r\n

How We Tested It<\/h2>\r\n\"Blackstone\r\n\r\nI tried one of Blackstone's kitted-out 36-inch griddles<\/a> in our outdoor Milwaukee Test Kitchen. The team has been using\u2014and loving\u2014this model for two years now, so it looks a bit different than the ones currently available, but that sweet, sweet cold-rolled steel remains the same.\r\n\r\nEven the most basic Omnivore griddle<\/a> is anything but. Some of the remarkable features include four adjustable burners, a cutting board, garbage bag hangers and a paper towel holder. Plus, it holds a whopping 72 hot dogs at once!\r\n\r\nThe swankiest option, which is most comparable to our model, boasts all the same features as the others\u2014plus many add-ons. The ProSeries 36-inch griddle<\/a> comes with drawers and cabinets, a grease-collecting system, an enclosed propane tank compartment, heat and wind guards and a heavy-duty hood.\r\n

Blackstone Prep<\/h3>\r\nBefore I started cooking, I coated the entire surface of the griddle in vegetable oil and set all the burners to high until the oil began to smoke and burn off. This is similar to seasoning a cast-iron skillet<\/a>. Seasoning ensures that the surface is nonstick and helps get rid of any leftover chemicals from production.\r\n

Cooking Breakfast<\/h3>\r\nOnce the grill was well-seasoned, I went all in and cooked breakfast for the Test Kitchen team at the office. I wanted to see just how well the Blackstone performed when cooking multiple foods at once. So, I loaded up the flat-top with pancakes, fried eggs and bacon.\r\n\r\nI cooked the pancakes on medium heat and used a Blackstone squeeze bottle<\/a> to distribute the pancake batter. Next, I cracked the eggs directly onto the griddle. I was worried the surface wouldn\u2019t be hot enough and the eggs would run all over the place, but they held their shape and began to fry right away. Finally, I layered the bacon over the high-heat section and let everything cook.\r\n\r\nAs expected, the eggs finished first, so I moved them to a less hot area of the griddle to keep warm. I loved being able to keep an eye on everything at once and move things around as they cooked.\r\n

Cooking Smash Burgers<\/h3>\r\n

\"Blackstone<\/h1>\r\nAfter I served breakfast, I had to try another classic griddle recipe: smash burgers<\/a>.\r\n\r\nI saw tons of TikToks in which people caramelized onions on the griddle, so I decided to cook those as a topping for the burgers. Because caramelization takes a long time, I laid the onions in a single layer over a third of the griddle and covered them with the attached lid<\/a>.\r\n\r\nWhen the onions were almost done, I started the burgers. I used two extra-wide Blackstone spatulas<\/a> to smash the burgers until I heard that satisfying sizzle. When the burgers were done, I topped them with cheese and toasted some buns on the other side of the cooking surface. I built the burgers right on the flat-top, and I really did feel like a professional line cook for a moment.\r\n

Pros<\/h3>\r\n