If you enjoy outdoor cooking on a warm summer afternoon, you’ll love this Blackstone Original Series 36″ Griddle. The largest size in the Blackstone griddle lineup, this griddle offers enough space for the entire family, no matter what’s on the menu. Check out this Blackstone 36” griddle review.
Blackstone Original Series 36″ Griddle At-a-Glance
Let’s take a look at some notable specs:
- Cooking Surface: 35.75” W x 21.5” D
- Cooking Area: 769 square inches
- BTUs: 60,000
- Number of Burners: 4
- Overall Dimensions: 66.5” W x 26.75” D x 36.5” H
- Weight: 137 pounds
Who Is This For?
If you’re after an outdoor cooking appliance you can use in your backyard when the weather’s nice, look no further than the Blackstone 36” Griddle. This griddle has prep space on either side and storage underneath. It’s sure to wow friends and family during your next backyard cookout.
That said, the 36” Blackstone griddle is heavy, bulky, and hard to move, even with its wheels. Unless you’re a tailgater with a toy hauler and are committed to strapping it down to transport safely, it’s likely not the best solution for all RVers.
If you want something more portable, consider the smaller, more portable 17” Blackstone or the Blackstone 22” griddle.
What are the Pros and Cons of the Blackstone Original Series 36″ Griddle?
This griddle has many benefits, but you should also learn some of its cons. Let’s review it to see if it’s right for you.
Pros
Cooking Surface Size. The larger (769 sq.in.) griddle top allows you to cook everything at once, such as during breakfast. Eggs, bacon, sausage, hashbrowns, and pancakes are all perfect choices for a griddle, and with a griddle this size, you can cook everything together simultaneously.
Versatility. Griddles are versatile and allow you to cook all different types of meals.
Side Shelves. Prep space is always limited in the backyard or campsite. However, the 36” solves this problem with two large, folding side shelves. These are great for food prep and keeping cooked and uncooked foods separated.
Cons
Wind Resistance. On windy afternoons, wind can blow out the burners, forcing us to reposition our griddle. This is largely due to the space between the frame and the griddle top. You can, however, purchase covers that prevent this, but it’s still something to keep in mind.
Rust Prevention. The cold-rolled steel cooktop makes Blackstones worth it, but it’s a more natural material than the pans you use at home in your kitchen. No chemicals or coatings are applied, which can allow rust to form on the surface between uses. That said, it’s just minor surface rust, so it’s not affecting the integrity of the metal. It will have to be cleaned before use, though.
We had a hard cover over our griddle top and a soft cover over the entire griddle. It would still rust between uses. However, we only use ours a few weekends a month. If you fire up your griddle every weekend, you likely won’t have surface rust during active grilling season.
Blackstone Original Series 36″ Griddle Features
These are some additional noteworthy features of the Blackstone 36” griddle:
- Bottom Storage. Underneath the griddle is a very large storage shelf. This is handy when you want to keep your griddling accessories together so you don’t lose them.
- Utensil Holders. Metal hooks that hang your utensils when not in use are attached to the side shelf. This keeps things organized and looking nice.
- Magnet Strip. You’ll find a magnet strip on the front of the side shelf. This holds your griddle tools in between burger flips. That way, you don’t take up space on the shelves or risk knocking them off.
Is the Blackstone Original Series 36″ Griddle Worth It?
You’ll love this griddle if you have a family that likes to grill in the backyard. The large cooking surface has enough space for all your favorite meals, and the durable cold-rolled steel lasts many years.
If you’re committed to transporting it safely and you have the right type of RV for it to fit, it can also level up your tailgate cooking ability in a major way. In fact, it’s hard to believe you wouldn’t inspire jealousy at your next race or festival if you wheeled one of these Blackstone griddles out of your toy hauler to prep burgers and dogs for your campground family.
How Does the Blackstone Original Series 36″ Griddle Compare to the Competition?
The Pit Boss 4-Burner Ultimate Lift-Off Griddle is another great option for a large backyard griddle. Like the Blackstone, it has some great features, like four burners for even grilling and extra storage space on the sides and underneath.
However, the similarities end here, as they each have some unique features. For starters, the cooking surface is a different material. Pit Boss uses a non-stick armored ceramic cooking surface. I haven’t used one yet, but I imagine it’s easier to clean and cook on than Blackstone’s cold-rolled steel.
I don’t see this as an advantage, though, as it seems less natural. Like non-stick pans, the coating may wear off over time and likely get into your food. Yes, you’ll have an easy-to-clean cooktop, but is the risk to your health worth it?
Pit Boss’s main advantage over Blackstone is the removable cooktop for easy campsite cooking. At 143 pounds, it’s a bit heavier than Blackstone. However, the main burner unit can be removed and loaded into the truck bed for campsite meals.
In the end, it comes down to what you value more. If you want an easy-to-clean-and-use cooktop and value taking your griddle to the campsite, the Pit Boss might be a better option. However, if you value durability and price, the Blackstone won’t let you down so long as you are okay with a bit more effort when cleanup comes around.
There’s no shortage of outdoor cooking appliances to choose from. However, if you want a griddle top due to its versatile design, it’s hard to argue against Blackstone, and the Original 36” checks all the right boxes.
Check out these other Blackstone reviews:
Let us know in the comments below if you have a Blackstone 36” and what you like or would change about it.
