Blackstone 36-Inch Griddle vs Blackstone 28-Inch Griddle

Blackstone

Blackstone 36-Inch Griddle

~$297

4.7★ (69,854)

Blackstone

~$227

4.7★ (48,488)

Quick take: The Blackstone 28-Inch Griddle costs $70 less; the Blackstone 36-Inch Griddle offers more cooking space (768 vs 470 sq in).

✓The massive 768 sq in flat top cooks for a crowd - dozens of smash burgers, full breakfast spreads, fajitas, and hibachi all at once
✓Four independently controlled burners create distinct heat zones, so you can sear on one side and keep food warm on the other
✓Smash burgers come out with an unbeatable crispy crust that you simply can't get on a grill grate
✓The rear grease management system funnels drippings into a rear cup for fast, clean cleanup
✓At under $400 it's an incredible value for the cooking real estate and versatility you get
✓It heats edge-to-edge quickly and the rolled-steel top, once seasoned, becomes a naturally non-stick surface
✓Casters make the big unit easy to roll around, and the side shelves give ample prep and plating space
✓The enormous owner community shares endless recipes, seasoning tips, and accessory ideas

✗The bare steel cooktop requires seasoning and ongoing rust prevention - leave it uncovered in the rain and it'll rust
✗It's purely a griddle, so you can't grill with grate marks or do low-and-slow smoking on it
✗Maintaining the seasoning is a chore - you oil it after every cook and re-season periodically
✗The base model has no lid/hood, so wind affects heat and you can't easily melt cheese or steam without a basting dome
✗Build quality is value-grade and the 1-year warranty is short; burners and igniters can need replacing over time
✗It's a big 64.5-inch footprint that takes up significant patio space and storage
✗The igniter is a common weak point that owners often end up lighting manually with a torch
✗Without a cover, condensation and humidity alone can cause surface rust between cooks

✓It delivers the full Blackstone flat-top experience - smash burgers, breakfast, hibachi - in a more patio-friendly 28-inch size
✓Two independently controlled burners still give you a hot zone and a warm zone for flexible cooking
✓470 sq in is plenty for a family of four to six, and smash burgers come out with that signature crispy crust
✓At under $300 it's an affordable, hugely popular entry into griddle cooking
✓The rear grease management makes cleanup quick, and a seasoned top becomes naturally non-stick
✓It's lighter (~75 lbs) and more portable than the 36-inch, and some models have folding legs for transport
✓It heats edge-to-edge fast and is great for weeknight dinners where the big griddle would be overkill
✓The same enormous owner community and accessory ecosystem support it

✗Like all Blackstones the bare steel top needs seasoning and diligent rust prevention or it will corrode
✗470 sq in fills up fast when cooking for a bigger group, so heavy entertainers may wish they'd gone 36-inch
✗It's only a griddle - no grilling with grate marks and no smoking capability
✗Maintaining seasoning means oiling after every cook and re-seasoning periodically
✗The base model lacks a hood, so wind affects heat and melting/steaming needs a basting dome
✗Build is value-grade with a short 1-year warranty, and burners or igniters can fail over time
✗The push-button igniter is a frequent weak point that owners end up bypassing with a lighter
✗Without a cover it can rust from rain or even humidity between cooks