Blackstone 36-Inch Griddle vs Nexgrill Daytona 36" 4-Burner Griddle

Blackstone

Blackstone 36-Inch Griddle

~$297

4.7★ (69,854)

Nexgrill

~$299

Quick take: The Blackstone 36-Inch Griddle costs $2 less; the Nexgrill Daytona 36" 4-Burner Griddle offers more cooking space (792 vs 768 sq in).

Spec	Blackstone 36-Inch Griddle	Nexgrill Daytona 36" 4-Burner Griddle
Price	~$297	~$299
Rating	4.7★ (69,854)	—
Type	Griddle	Griddle
Cooking Area	768 sq in	792 sq in
Max Temp	600°F	—
Fuel Type	Propane/Natural Gas	Propane/Natural Gas
Build Material	Rolled Steel	Hot-Rolled Steel
Hopper Capacity	—	—
Burners	4	4
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	—
Weight	141 lbs	—
Warranty	1 year	—

✓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

✓Stainless-steel lid is standard, where Blackstone's comparable 36-inch griddles charge extra or omit it
✓792 sq in is larger than the 36-inch Blackstone's cooking surface at a lower typical street price
✓Four independently controlled burners allow a genuine warm zone at one end while searing at the other
✓Hot-rolled steel plate seasons to a nonstick finish the same way the category leaders' do
✓Two side shelves plus a lower storage rack, so prep space is not an add-on

✗Nexgrill's griddle accessory ecosystem is far thinner than Blackstone's — covers and tools are harder to source
✗No published warranty terms on the maker's product page
✗Sold almost exclusively through Home Depot, so price shopping and returns funnel through one retailer
✗Nexgrill publishes two different Daytona 4-burner griddles with different BTU and area figures, making spec comparison confusing
✗No rear grease channel refinements or igniter niceties that the premium griddles have