Blackstone 36-Inch Griddle vs Blackstone Iron Forged 28" Griddle with Hood
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Quick take: The Blackstone 36-Inch Griddle costs $102 less; the Blackstone 36-Inch Griddle offers more cooking space (768 vs 524 sq in).
| Spec | Blackstone 36-Inch Griddle | Blackstone Iron Forged 28" Griddle with Hood |
|---|---|---|
| Price | ~$297 | ~$399 |
| Rating | 4.7★ (69,854) | — |
| Type | Griddle | Griddle |
| Cooking Area | 768 sq in | 524 sq in |
| Max Temp | 600°F | — |
| Fuel Type | Propane/Natural Gas | Propane/Natural Gas |
| Build Material | Rolled Steel | Rolled Carbon Steel (Omnivore griddle plate) |
| Hopper Capacity | — | — |
| Burners | 4 | 2 |
| WiFi / App | No | No |
| App control | No | No |
| Meat probe | No | No |
| PID controller | No | No |
| Side burner | No | No |
| Rotisserie | No | No |
| Searing | Yes | No |
| Dimensions | 64.5 x 26 x 36 in | 59 x 26.25 x 37 in |
| Weight | 141 lbs | 102 lbs |
| Warranty | 1 year | 1 year |
Pros & cons
Blackstone 36-Inch Griddle
- ✓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
Blackstone Iron Forged 28" Griddle with Hood
- ✓Omnivore ridged plate is Blackstone's own fix for the uneven heat that defines the older flat-plate 28
- ✓524 sq in holds roughly 25 burgers, enough for a family cook without the 36's footprint
- ✓Hood lets it melt cheese and hold food, which the open Original 28 cannot do
- ✓Side-shelf rail accepts Blackstone's caddies and tool hooks rather than needing clamp-on aftermarket parts
- ✗One-year warranty, against ten years on comparable Weber gas equipment
- ✗102 lbs on caster legs is awkward to move over grass or a step
- ✗Cold-rolled steel plate rusts if it is not dried and oiled after every cook
- ✗No published BTU figure on Blackstone's own page, which makes cross-shopping against Weber Slate imprecise