Blackstone Griddle Sizes, To Scale
Blackstone sells the same cold-rolled-steel flat top in four mainstream footprints: 17- and 22-inch tabletops and 28- and 36-inch cart griddles, all now in the hood-equipped Original series with Omnivore griddle plates. Griddle space disappears faster than grill space — smash burgers need empty steel to work against — so the size call matters more here than the spec sheet suggests.
Drawn to scale from manufacturer dimensions. Ruler marks 12", 24", and 36".
| Size | Approx. price | Cooking area | $ / sq in | Size (W×H) | Weight | Fits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 17" Tabletop Single 12,500 BTU H-burner — the whole plate runs one temperature. Runs on 1-lb canisters; 20-lb tank adapter hose sold separately. Dimensions/weight from retailer spec sheets (Blackstone page shows a diagram only); hood-less variants weigh ~30 lbs and cost less at big-box stores. | ~$149 | 267 sq in | $0.56 | 22.25" × 12.25" | 34 lbs | breakfast for 2-3: eggs, bacon, and pancakes in one go — one heat zone |
| 22" Tabletop Two independent zones, 24,000 BTU total. Dimensions and 37.5 lb weight are Blackstone's official figures. Folding-leg stands and Adventure Ready bundles (stand + adapter hose) sold separately or as big-box bundles. | ~$219 | 361 sq in | $0.61 | 27" × 13" | 38 lbs | 14 smash burgers, 23 eggs, or 10 pancakes — the tailgate standard |
| 28" Two H-burners, 34,000 BTU, on a cart with two side shelves (included). Width includes both side shelves; height includes the hood. Dimensions/weight from retailer assembled specs (96.2 lbs). Frequently under $350 street at big-box stores. | ~$399 | 524 sq in | $0.76 | 53" × 37" | 96 lbs | a family-of-four cook: 8-10 smash burgers with working room, or full fajita night |
| 36" Four independent burners, 60,000 BTU — the real reason to upsize is three-zone cooking, not raw area. Width includes side shelves. Dimensions/weight from retailer assembled specs (141 lbs). Iron Forged ($479) and Culinary trims are the same footprint with cosmetic/shelf upgrades; Walmart-exclusive versions often undercut MSRP. | ~$499 | 769 sq in | $0.65 | 64.5" × 36" | 141 lbs | 30 burgers, 21 pancakes, or 126 hot dogs by Blackstone's own count |
Which size, honestly
The 28-versus-36 debate is r/blackstonegriddle's founding argument, and the honest answer hinges on burner zones, not just square inches. The 36 ($499) gives you four independent burners across 769 square inches — that's a hot sear zone, a medium zone, and a warm-hold zone running simultaneously, which is exactly how hibachi-style cooking actually works. The 28 ($399) has two zones across 524 square inches, which handles a family of four's smash burgers and fajitas but gets tight the moment you're doing fried rice alongside protein and vegetables. The community's refrain is that nobody has ever complained about too much flat top, and at only $100 between them the 36 is the default recommendation for anyone with the patio space. The counterpoints are real though: the 36 is a 141-pound, 64-inch-wide appliance that dominates a small patio, burns more propane, and takes longer to season edge to edge.
The tabletops are their own decision tree. The 22 ($219, 361 square inches, two burners) is the tailgate and camping king — it keeps the two-zone control of the big carts in a 37.5-pound package, and plenty of owners with small households use it as their only griddle on a folding stand. The 17 ($149, 267 square inches, one burner) is the solo-cook and camp-breakfast unit: eggs, bacon, and pancakes for two or three, but its single burner means the whole plate runs one temperature, which rules out real multi-item cooking. The community consensus is to spend the $70 for the 22 unless pack weight genuinely matters. Note both tabletops run on 1-pound canisters out of the box; the 20-pound-tank adapter hose is included with some bundles and a $20 add-on otherwise.
On buying strategy: Blackstone's own site sells hood-equipped Original-series models at the prices here, but this brand is the rare one where big-box street prices routinely beat MSRP — Walmart exclusives and holiday runs put the 36 with hood near $399 and the 28 near $300 several times a year, so patient buyers save real money. Overbuying is cheaper in this family than most (a 36 costs less than a Weber kettle Master-Touch 26), but don't ignore the ecosystem tax: a fitted cover, wind guards, and a griddle tool kit add $80-150 to whichever size you pick, and wind screens matter more the bigger the plate. If you're torn between sizes for a family of four-plus who entertains, take the 36; if it's two people and weeknight burgers, the 28 or even the 22 on a stand covers you honestly.
Full reviews of these sizes
Size questions, answered
Blackstone 28 vs 36 — which size should I get?
The 36 ($499) has four burner zones across 769 sq in — enough to sear, cook, and hold-warm simultaneously, which is the whole point of a big flat top. The 28 ($399) has two zones over 524 sq in and suits families of 2-4 who mostly cook one or two items at a time. With only $100 between them, r/blackstonegriddle's default is the 36 if you have the space; the 28 wins on patios where a 64-inch-wide, 141-lb appliance won't fit.
Is the 22-inch Blackstone big enough?
For two to four people, genuinely yes — 361 sq in fits about 14 smash burgers or 10 pancakes, and it keeps two independent heat zones like the big carts. It's the consensus tailgating pick. What you give up versus the 28 is a cart, side shelves, and elbow room for multi-item cooks; many owners pair it with a folding stand and use it as a primary.
Blackstone 17 vs 22 tabletop — is the smaller one worth it?
The 17 ($149) has a single 12,500 BTU burner, so the whole plate runs one temperature — fine for camp breakfasts and solo cooking, limiting for anything multi-item. The 22 ($219) adds a second burner and 35% more steel at 5 more pounds. Unless every pound counts in your camp kit, the community steers you to the 22.
How many burgers fit on a Blackstone 36?
Blackstone rates the 36 at 30 burgers or 21 pancakes at once (technically — 27 NY strips or 126 hot dogs). In practice smash-burger cooks use half the plate for patties and keep the rest as working space for buns, onions, and pressing room, so 12-16 at a time is a realistic party pace. That working-space reality is exactly why the community upsizes.
Do Blackstone griddles come with a hood, and do I still need a cover?
The current mainstream lineup (Original series with Omnivore plates) includes a hinged hood on all four sizes here — older V1 gens often didn't. The hood doubles as a basting dome and rain lid, but Blackstone and long-term owners still recommend a soft cover outdoors, because the cold-rolled steel plate rusts if water sits on it. Budget $30-60 for the cover.