After months of being cooped up indoors, summer (and grilling season) is finally here. There are a plethora of grills on the market, including our favorite traditional gas and charcoal options. And yet another appliance for outdoor cooking has arrived on the scene: the Blackstone Griddle. With its endless cooking applications and ease of use, it’s no wonder the Blackstone has quickly become a viral TikTok product.

As someone who loves cooking outside but finds the grill a bit finicky, I was especially excited about the Blackstone Griddle and decided to test it out for myself.

What is a Blackstone Griddle?

The creators of the Blackstone Griddle were determined to do all their cooking outside when weather allowed, and this is a feat that the traditional grill doesn’t necessarily allow for. So they created a cooktop that’s large enough yet straightforward enough to handle just about any food thrown its way.

Blackstone has various griddle styles from which to choose, but they all have one thing in common: a flat-top made from cold-rolled steel, which is an ideal material for even heat distribution and controlled cooking. And this is just the thing that’s making the Blackstone Griddle such an internet success.

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Why are Blackstone Griddles trending?

As many TikTok videos have demonstrated, the possibilities are endless with a Blackstone griddle. Think breakfast spreads for a crowd, weeknight stir-fries, even blueberry cobbler. The large surface area and multiple burners allow you to prepare foods that cook at different temperatures simultaneously.

Need proof? Just take a look at this mouthwatering breakfast TikTok user grillthissmokethat cooks up. Who else is suddenly craving chocolate chip pancakes?

@grillthissmokethat Do you guys like videos with no commentary? I’m thinking about mixing in some of each style. #baconuppartner #brunch #pancakes #blackstone #breakfast #eggs #griddlebreakfast #blackstonebreakfast ♬ Good Day – Nappy Roots

How We Tested It

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I tried one of Blackstone’s kitted-out 36-inch griddles. We’ve been using—and loving—this model for two years now, so it looks a bit different than the ones currently available, but that sweet, sweet cold-rolled steel remains the same. (By the way, we’ve also tried the Blackstone Pizza Oven. Spoiler alert: we love it!)

Even the most basic 36-inch griddle is anything but. Some of the remarkable features include four adjustable burners, a cutting board, garbage bag hangers and a paper towel holder. Plus, it holds a whopping 72 hot dogs at once!

The swankiest option, which is most comparable to our model, boasts all the same features as the others—plus many add-ons. The professional 36-inch griddle comes with drawers and cabinets, a grease-collecting system, an enclosed propane tank compartment, heat and wind guards and a heavy-duty hood.

Before I started cooking, I coated the entire surface in vegetable oil and set all the burners to high until the oil began to smoke and burn off. This is similar to seasoning a cast-iron skillet. Seasoning ensures that the surface is nonstick and helps get rid of any leftover chemicals from production.

Once the grill was well-seasoned, I went all in and cooked breakfast for the Test Kitchen team at the office. I wanted to see just how well the Blackstone performed when cooking multiple foods at once. So, I loaded up the flat-top with pancakes, fried eggs and bacon.

I cooked the pancakes on medium heat and used a Blackstone squeeze bottle to distribute the pancake batter. Next, I cracked the eggs directly onto the griddle. I was worried the surface wouldn’t be hot enough and the eggs would run all over the place, but they held their shape and began to fry right away. Finally, I layered the bacon over the high-heat section and let everything cook.

As expected, the eggs finished first, so I moved them to a less hot area of the griddle to keep warm. I loved being able to keep an eye on everything at once and move things around as they cooked.

After I served up breakfast, I had to try another classic griddle recipe: smash burgers.

I saw tons of TikToks in which people caramelized onions on the griddle, so I decided to cook those as a topping for the burgers. Because caramelization takes a long time, I laid the onions in a single layer over a third of the griddle and covered them with the attached lid.

When the onions were almost done, I started the burgers. I used two extra-wide Blackstone spatulas to smash the burgers until I heard that satisfying sizzle. When the burgers were done, I topped them with cheese and toasted some buns on the other side of the cooking surface. I built the burgers right on the flat-top, and I really did feel like a professional line cook for a moment.

Pros

• Large cooktop for prepping high-yield recipes or various foods at once
• Versatile cooking surface grills everything from pancakes to burgers
• Nonstick
• Adjustable burners for independently controlled cooking zones
• Easy to clean, thanks to single flat surface and convenient grease trap
• Multiple Blackstone grill accessories available

Cons

• Cold spots between cooking zones

FAQ

How long do Blackstone Griddles last?

The model and level of maintenance you perform is going to dictate how long the Blackstone lasts, but we can say ours performs swimmingly after two years.

Do Blackstone Griddles rust?

Rust forms when the metal of the flat-top interacts with water and oxygen, so the best way to prevent rusting is through seasoning. The layer of oil that seasoning lends proves essential in this case. We seasoned our skillet (and continue to season it every time we use it) by coating the entire cooktop with vegetable oil, turning the burners to high, and allowing the oil to smoke and burn off.

Can you leave a Blackstone Griddle outside in the winter?

The elements can affect the functionality and longevity of your griddle, so we recommend stowing away your Blackstone during winter, especially if you live in a precipitous region. If possible, keep the entire appliance in a shed, garage or even just under an awning. If none of these options are possible, at the very least, remove the steel flat-top and move that surface indoors.

What Other Reviewers Had to Say

We know they’re trendy among TikTokers and all the rage according to our pros, but home cooks are just as hooked on Blackstone griddles.

Blackstone reviewer Jgs37468 isn’t reserving his Blackstone for warm weather—it’s a year-round winner at his house. He received the griddle in March and dove in right away: “So much good food has come off this griddle already and it’s not even summer yet!”

Many Blackstone customers are repeat buyers, and that’s a statement in and of itself. 5-star reviewer Hoppy says, “Everything I have purchased from Blackstone has been good quality and, in my mind, a good value for the price.”

And Bigjoejr99 is delighted by the thoughtful details—from the big to the small—including the propane-tank drawer, lid, storage and wind guards. “Definitely going to take care of this one because I want it to last a long time,” he says. “I really love it.”

Product Comparison

As we stated above, the steel flat-top remains the same among all of Blackstone’s models. It’s the brand’s claim to fame, after all. Where the variances lie is within the size and add-ons. (In addition to the 36-inch size we tested, there are also 17-inch, 22-inch and 28-inch griddles available.)

For example, the souped-up Blackstone we use has storage, a state-of-the-art grease-collecting system and hood. Some others are countertop models without shelves, legs or storage. Others, still, are electric rather than gas-run.

The swath of options (and, as a result, price points) ensures there’s something to suit everyone’s needs and space. A Blackstone griddle also makes an excellent gift for grillers who have everything.

Is a Blackstone Grill Worth it?

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TikTok was right about this one! After putting the Blackstone Griddle to work, it’s safe to say that this is one trend worth the hype. If you’re looking to step up your outdoor cooking this summer, the Blackstone is for you. The cheeseburgers were diner-quality, and the timing of the pancakes and their sides was a cinch to figure out.

Although it’s an investment, the versatility and quality of the Blackstone Griddle means it’s a worthy replacement for various cooking devices, which could ultimately save you space and money. We’re totally smitten.

Where to Buy a Blackstone Griddle

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Get your griddle—and all its great accessories—on the Blackstone website or online vendors including Amazon, Walmart, Home Depot and Dick’s Sporting Goods. (G)riddle me this: What are you waiting for?!

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Additional research contributed by Taste of Home writer, Audrey Rompon.