Blackstone vs Traeger Flatrock Griddle: Which Should You Buy?

Disclosure: TheSmokerReport is reader-supported. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. If you buy through our links we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

The short answer

Choose a Blackstone 36-inch if you want the most cooking space and accessories for your money. The classic 36″ gives you 720 square inches over four burners, and it typically costs much less than a Flatrock. Choose the Traeger Flatrock 3-Zone if you value even heat, wind resistance and easy cleanup more than price. Its recessed cooktop and three U-shaped burners create three isolated heat zones, and reviewers consistently rate it among the most even-heating griddles. Both cook a great smash burger. The difference is mostly convenience and consistency.

Blackstone vs Traeger Flatrock at a glance

Feature	Blackstone Original 36″ with hood	Traeger Flatrock 3-Zone
Cooktop size	36″ wide, 720 sq in (classic 36″)	33″ x 18″, about 594 sq in
Burners	4 independent straight burners (60,000 BTU on the classic 36″)	3 U-shaped burners, 3 isolated zones (TruZone)
Cooktop material	Rolled steel, needs seasoning	Carbon steel, needs seasoning
Wind protection	Built-in hood (older models had none)	Recessed cooktop shields the flames
Grease management	Rear grease trap with cup	Front drain into an EZ-Clean grease keg
Extras	Huge accessory ecosystem	Fuel sensor, fold-down side shelves, lockable casters
Smaller sibling	28″, 22″ and 17″ models	Flatrock 2-Zone (26″)
Price tier	Lower	Premium
Amazon	Check price	Check price

Specs are from the manufacturers’ Amazon listings and published reviews. We compared specs, owner reviews and published side-by-side reviews. We did not do our own hands-on cooks.

Heat and evenness

This is the Flatrock’s biggest advantage. Traeger uses U-shaped burners under a recessed cooktop and divides the plate into three zones that it says stay isolated from each other. In published reviews, testers repeatedly note that the Flatrock has few hot or cold spots, so you can fill the whole surface with pancakes and get them all to finish at the same time. You can also run one zone high for searing, one medium and one low for holding food, with less heat bleeding between them.

Blackstone’s four straight burners give you plenty of power and real control: each burner has its own knob, so you can create zones. But a typical Blackstone top runs hotter over the burners and cooler at the edges and corners, especially when it is windy. Experienced owners simply learn the hot spots and use them.

Winner: Traeger Flatrock for evenness and zone control. Blackstone for raw cooking area.

Wind performance

Wind is the silent enemy of every outdoor griddle because it blows flames sideways and cools the plate. Older Blackstones without a hood are known to struggle in a breeze, which is why wind guards are one of the best-selling Blackstone accessories. The current Original 36″ with built-in hood helps, but the burners are still fairly exposed under the plate.

The Flatrock was designed around this problem. Its cooktop sits down inside the body, so the flames are shielded on all sides. If your patio is exposed, on a hill or near the water, this matters more than any spec.

Winner: Traeger Flatrock.

Cooking space and capacity

The Blackstone 36″ offers 720 square inches, noticeably more than the Flatrock’s roughly 594. In practice both are big enough for a family breakfast or a dozen burgers at once. If you regularly cook for large groups, such as a youth team, a block party or a big family, the Blackstone’s extra room is useful.

Winner: Blackstone.

Grease management and cleanup

Both use a scrape-and-drain approach. Blackstone uses a rear grease trap with a disposable-liner-friendly cup. It works, but it can drip down the back if you are careless or the griddle is not quite level. The Flatrock sends grease to the front into a removable grease keg that is easy to see and empty. One caution from reviewers: hot air also exhausts through the front grease opening, so keep your hands clear while cooking.

Winner: Traeger Flatrock, by a small margin.

Build, features and accessories

The Flatrock feels more premium: it has a built-in fuel sensor that shows how much propane is left, large side shelves that fold down, and 360-degree lockable casters. The Blackstone is simpler, but no griddle brand comes close to its range of accessories: hard covers, hoods, wind guards, warming racks, bottle holders and countless third-party add-ons. If you like to customize, Blackstone wins easily.

If you want a sturdier Blackstone, the Blackstone 2310 Iron Forged 36″ adds an X-braced hood and a heavier frame.

Winner: tie. Traeger for built-in features, Blackstone for ecosystem.

Maintenance and rust

Both use a steel cooktop that needs seasoning. Neither is stainless. Both will rust if you leave them wet, uncovered or unoiled. Plan to scrape, wipe and apply a thin coat of oil after every cook, and use a cover. If rust is your biggest worry, consider the Weber Slate 36″, which uses a rust-resistant pre-seasoned carbon steel cooktop.

Winner: tie.

Price and value

We do not quote exact prices because they change often, but the Blackstone 36″ is usually priced well below the Flatrock 3-Zone. Blackstones also go on sale frequently. For most buyers, the Blackstone delivers more cooking space per dollar. The Flatrock’s extra cost buys consistency, wind resistance and convenience, not more food on the grill.

Winner: Blackstone.

Smaller options

If a 36″ or 33″ griddle is too big for your patio, Traeger sells the Flatrock 2-Zone (26″), and Blackstone offers 28″ griddles and the 22″ tabletop with hood for camping and small spaces.

Verdict

• Choose the Blackstone 36″ if you want the most cooking area for the money, you love accessories and customization, you cook for big groups, or your patio is fairly sheltered from wind.
• Choose the Traeger Flatrock if you want edge-to-edge even heat with little babysitting, your yard is windy, you value tidy grease management and a fuel gauge, and you do not mind paying more for it.

Check the Blackstone 36″ on Amazon

Check the Traeger Flatrock on Amazon

Quick buying checklist

• Measure your patio: allow room for side shelves and at least a few feet of clearance from walls, railings and siding.
• Check your fuel: both run on a standard 20 lb propane tank. If you want natural gas, check the manufacturer’s options first.
• Budget for a cover, a scraper and spatulas, and a squeeze bottle of high smoke-point oil.
• Level the griddle when you set it up so grease flows to the trap.
• Season the cooktop before the first cook, even if it says pre-seasoned, and re-oil after each use.

FAQ

Is the Traeger Flatrock worth the extra money over a Blackstone?

It is worth it if wind and uneven heat frustrate you, because the Flatrock’s recessed cooktop and three isolated zones solve both. If you mainly want maximum cooking space for the money, the Blackstone is the better value.

Which griddle is bigger, Blackstone 36 or Traeger Flatrock?

The Blackstone 36-inch is bigger, at about 720 square inches of cooking space, versus about 594 square inches on the Traeger Flatrock 3-Zone.

Does the Traeger Flatrock use pellets?

No. Despite the Traeger name, the Flatrock is a propane griddle. It does not burn wood pellets or add smoke flavor.

Do Blackstone and Traeger griddles rust?

Both use steel cooktops that can rust if left wet or unseasoned. Keep the surface lightly oiled after every cook and use a cover to protect it.

Which is easier to clean?

Owners and reviewers generally find the Flatrock slightly easier thanks to its front grease keg. Blackstone’s rear grease trap works well but can drip if the griddle is not level.