Best Blackstone Griddles: Which Model to Buy

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The short answer

For most families, buy the Blackstone Original 36″ Omnivore Griddle with Hood: four burners, the full 36-inch cooking surface that makes Blackstone famous, and a hood that keeps rain and debris off the cooktop. If you cook for two or have a small patio, the 28″ Omnivore with X-braced hood is the better fit. For camping and tailgates, the 22″ tabletop with hood is the most versatile portable model.

Which Blackstone to buy at a glance

Pick	Model	Size / burners	Best for	Amazon
Best overall	Original 36″ Omnivore with Hood (2322)	36″, 4 burners, built-in hood	Families, backyard cooks	Check price
Best value 36″	36″ 4-burner Griddle Cooking Station	36″, 4 burners, 60,000 BTU	Big surface on a budget	Check price
Best premium	Iron Forged 36″ Omnivore with X-braced hood (2310)	36″, 4 burners, hood	Buyers who want the upgraded line	Check price
Best mid-size	Original 28″ Omnivore with X-braced hood (2287)	28″, 2 burners, hood	Couples, smaller patios	Check price
Best portable	Original 22″ tabletop with hood (1813)	22″, 2 burners	Camping, RVs, tailgates	Check price
Smallest	Original 17″ Omnivore tabletop (1971)	17″, 1 burner	Solo trips, small households	Check price
Best tailgate combo	On The Go Tailgater	Griddle + grill box, wheels, hood	Tailgating with both cooking styles	Check price
Best electric	E-Series 22″ electric griddle with hood	22″, plugs in	Places where propane is not allowed	Check price

How we picked

We compared Blackstone’s current lineup using the manufacturer’s specifications, owner reviews across major retailers and published griddle reviews. We focused on what actually differs between models: cooking surface size, number of burners and heat zones, whether a hood is included, portability, and how each model handles grease and weather.

Understanding Blackstone’s lineup

Blackstone’s names can be confusing. A few terms you will see in nearly every listing:

• Original: the core line of powder-coated steel griddles in 17″, 22″, 28″ and 36″ sizes.
• Omnivore: Blackstone’s newer griddle top design, intended to heat more evenly edge to edge and recover temperature faster when you add cold food. It appears across most current models.
• Hood vs. no hood: a hinged hood lets you melt cheese, steam vegetables and protect the griddle from rain and pollen. Models without one need a hard cover or soft cover.
• Iron Forged: Blackstone’s upgraded line with heavier-duty styling and features, sitting above the Original series in price.

1. Original 36″ Omnivore Griddle with Hood — Best overall

The 36-inch Blackstone is the one most people picture: a huge flat top big enough for a dozen burgers, a full breakfast of bacon, eggs and pancakes at once, or smash burgers for a crowd. Four independent burners give you four heat zones, so you can sear on one side and hold food warm on the other. The built-in hood is the upgrade that matters most for backyard owners, since it protects the seasoning from weather between cooks and doubles as a dome for melting cheese.

Good to know: the 36″ is big and heavy. Measure your patio and leave room for the side shelves. Like every Blackstone, the steel top must be seasoned and oiled after each use to prevent rust.

Choose it if: you have a backyard, cook for four or more and want the classic Blackstone experience with weather protection built in.

Check the Blackstone 36″ Omnivore with Hood on Amazon → →

2. 36″ 4-Burner Griddle Cooking Station — Best value 36″

If you want the full 36-inch cooking area and do not care about a hood, the classic four-burner cooking station is usually the cheapest way in. It is rated at 60,000 BTU across four burners, has folding legs and a storage rack, and has been one of the most popular outdoor griddles for years, so accessories and replacement parts are everywhere.

Good to know: without a hood, budget for a hard cover or soft cover to keep the seasoned top dry. Check that the listing is the current rear-grease version if grease management matters to you.

Check the Blackstone 36″ 4-burner on Amazon → →

3. Iron Forged 36″ Omnivore with X-Braced Hood — Best premium

The Iron Forged series is Blackstone’s step-up line. You still get a 36-inch, four-burner Omnivore cooktop and a hood, wrapped in a sturdier-looking, more premium package. It makes sense if the griddle will be a permanent fixture on your patio and you want it to look like part of an outdoor kitchen rather than a camp stove.

Good to know: the cooking performance is similar to the Original 36″ with hood; you are mainly paying for build and finish. Compare current prices before choosing.

Check the Blackstone Iron Forged 36″ on Amazon → →

4. Original 28″ Omnivore with X-Braced Hood — Best mid-size

The 28-inch model has two burners and enough surface for a family of three or four, with a hood for weather protection. It takes up noticeably less room than the 36″ and heats up faster on less propane, which suits couples and small households who still want a full-size standing griddle.

Good to know: two burners means two heat zones, which is a little less flexible for big breakfasts where you want a hot zone, medium zone and warming zone at the same time.

Check the Blackstone 28″ with hood on Amazon → →

5. Original 22″ Tabletop with Hood — Best portable

The 22-inch tabletop griddle has two burners and runs on a 1 lb propane bottle, or a full tank with an adapter hose. It is the sweet spot for portability: large enough to cook a real meal for a family at a campsite, small enough to fit in a trunk. The hood protects the cooktop in transport and helps with melting and steaming.

Good to know: you need a sturdy table or the optional stand. One-pound bottles get expensive with frequent use, so an adapter hose for a standard tank is worth buying.

Check the Blackstone 22″ tabletop on Amazon → →

6. Original 17″ Omnivore Tabletop — Smallest

The 17-inch tabletop is a single-burner griddle for solo campers, couples and anyone who wants a compact flat top for breakfasts and smash burgers on the go. It is the lightest and cheapest gas Blackstone.

Good to know: one burner means one heat zone, and the surface fills up fast when you cook for more than two.

Check the Blackstone 17″ tabletop on Amazon → →

7. On The Go Tailgater — Best tailgate combo

Blackstone’s Tailgater has paired a griddle with a grill box on a wheeled cart with legs and a hood, so you can sear burgers on the flat top while cooking brats over grates. It is aimed squarely at tailgaters and campers who want both cooking styles in one portable unit. Amazon availability varies, so check current listings.

Check Blackstone On The Go Tailgater listings on Amazon → →

8. E-Series 22″ Electric Griddle — Best electric

Blackstone’s E-Series plugs into a wall outlet instead of running on propane. The 22-inch model has a 312-square-inch ceramic-titanium-coated cooktop, two independently controlled heat zones, an LCD display and a glass hood you can rotate or remove. It suits condos and balconies where open-flame or propane appliances are restricted. Expect lower peak heat than the gas models, so smash burgers will not crust quite as hard.

Good to know: check your building rules and keep it on a GFCI-protected outlet outdoors.

Check the Blackstone E-Series 22″ on Amazon → →

Sizing guide: which Blackstone size do you need?

Size	Burners	Feeds	Fuel	Best use
17″	1	1–2 people	1 lb bottle (adapter for tank)	Solo camping, small spaces
22″	2	2–4 people	1 lb bottle (adapter for tank)	Camping, tailgates, RVs
28″	2	3–5 people	Standard 20 lb tank	Small backyards
36″	4	4–10+ people	Standard 20 lb tank	Families, entertaining

Buying checklist

• Get a hood or a hard cover. Rust is the number one complaint from Blackstone owners, and almost all of it comes from moisture sitting on an unprotected top.
• Plan to season it. A new griddle needs several thin coats of oil burned on before the first cook, and a light coat of oil after every cook.
• Accessories you will actually use: two long spatulas, a scraper, squeeze bottles for oil and water, and a basting dome.
• Safety: use propane griddles outdoors only, away from walls and overhangs, and never leave a hot griddle unattended around kids or pets.

FAQ

What size Blackstone griddle should I buy?

The 36-inch, four-burner model is best for families of four or more and for entertaining. The 28-inch suits couples and small households, and the 22-inch is the best portable size for camping and tailgates.

Is the Blackstone with a hood worth it?

For most backyard owners, yes. The hood protects the seasoned cooktop from rain and debris, which is the main cause of rust, and lets you melt cheese or steam food without a separate dome.

What does Omnivore mean on a Blackstone griddle?

Omnivore is Blackstone’s newer griddle top design, intended to give more even heat across the surface and faster temperature recovery when you add cold food.

Can you use a Blackstone griddle indoors?

No. Propane Blackstone griddles are for outdoor use only because of carbon monoxide risk. The E-Series electric griddle is the Blackstone option marketed for indoor use.

How do I keep my Blackstone from rusting?

Season it properly before first use, scrape it clean and wipe on a thin coat of oil after every cook, and keep it under a hood or cover. If rust appears, scrub it off and re-season.