8 Blackstone Griddle Facts To Know Before You Buy
If you have any interest in outdoor cooking, chances are you've heard of a Blackstone. These versatile appliances are popular with smash burger enthusiasts and barbecue fans, and have become a sought-after grill following their release in 2008.Despite making its mark on the world of outdoor cooking, there are still some things you might not know about a Blackstone that we think you should.
The idea behind the revolutionary Blackstone griddle is to switch the mentality from cooking certain foods outdoors to making everything possible outside, and the wide variety of models it offers makes this easy. Compared to a regular barbecue grill, a Blackstone allows you to make three meals a day outside if you wish, without worrying about half of the food being lost between grates.
Choosing an outdoor appliance can be a challenge, and if you are considering a Blackstone, there are a few important things to understand before making that commitment. From which size grill to opt for to whether you need an air fryer built in, let's take a look at eight Blackstone facts to know before you buy.
1. Blackstone products are often referred to as grills, but they're actually griddles
People may commonly refer to Blackstone products as grills, but they're a completely different appliance: griddles. This may seem like a technicality, but there is a big difference between the two types of devices. With an outdoor barbecue grill, the food is placed directly onto grates which have a naked flame below them, usually fuelled by charcoal or gas. This means the food cooks over direct heat or radiation from the coal, which doesn't happen with a griddle.
Instead, a Blackstone griddle is one large solid cooking surface that lies between the food and the heat source. Cooking on a Blackstone griddle is similar to using a huge frying pan, with the entire surface of the food being in contact with the griddle, unlike on the slats of a barbecue grill. This has some tasty benefits, as the increased contact makes cooking by conduction easier than on a grate over an open flame. This contact means more chance of delicious browning and searing, which is why smash burgers are a brilliant option on a Blackstone griddle.
Another benefit that Blackstone mentions on its website is the ease of using an outdoor griddle compared to a grill. Almost any home cook who is proficient with a skillet on the stove can expand that skill to the griddle. Cooking over an open flame is a different prospect altogether, and while many people relish the challenge, it can be daunting if you have never done it before. If you're worried about grilled meat tasting like ash, a griddle is a great alternative that helps avoid this.
2. There is a large selection to choose from
If you have your heart set on a Blackstone griddle, the decision isn't quite made yet. There is a wide range of appliances to choose from, and which model you need will depend on how you plan to use it.
Blackstone griddles come in various sizes, from the smallest at 17 inches right up to a huge 36-inch appliance. The smallest ones are ideal if you want portability, as they are perfectly suited to camping or moving around for storage. They have only one burner and can cook enough food for up to four people. The medium-sized griddles give you more space to cook and have the advantage of multiple burners, meaning you can cook at different temperatures on the same griddle surface, ideal for preparing a large meal. The largest model gives you the ultimate outdoor griddling experience, with considerably more space for food and four burners that can be controlled separately, giving you four different temperature zones to work with.
In addition to the size difference, there are a few specialist versions that have added features. One has an air fryer built in, allowing you to cook food outdoors that would generally be reserved for the oven. There is also a range top version, complete with an open flame if you think you will be boiling or simmering food regularly alongside the griddled ingredients. The wide variety of Blackstone appliances means you can buy one that suits your specific needs, even if it may take longer to choose.
3. Both electric and gas griddles are available for purchase
Blackstone is known for its propane-fueled griddles that are the cornerstone of the brand, but the recent E-Series electric griddles mean there are more options for you to consider before you buy. The traditional gas Blackstone griddle uses propane-powered burners below its metal griddle plate, which heat the metal until it is hot enough for cooking. These appliances are an excellent alternative to charcoal or gas barbecue grills, with all the advantages of skillet cooking on the stove, but outdoors. The new electric griddles provide an alternative option, though you will need access to a power source. Starting at 17 inches, with the largest current model measuring 30 inches, these electric appliances allow you to enjoy the feeling of griddle cooking, inside or out.
The electric griddles from Blackstone come in both tabletop versions and those with a stand for portability, and can be used anywhere there is a power source. They can still be used to cook virtually any food that can be made on a stove, and are just as easy to clean and maintain as the propane version. Whether you opt for gas or electric will be a personal choice, but the flexibility makes finding the ideal griddle an easier task.
4. You can cook a wide variety of food on a Blackstone griddle
When you think of stereotypical barbecue food, the main candidates are usually steaks, sausages, and burgers. As fantastic as they are cooked on an outdoor grill, using a Blackstone griddle instead dramatically improves the variety of food that can be cooked in the garden. Without the limitations of the grates that give way to the fiery flames below, small and delicate foods are suddenly given the chance to play their part at a garden party or cookout.
The surface of a Blackstone griddle being like a large skillet means that anything you can cook indoors on a frying pan can now feature in your outdoor culinary adventures too. The Blackstone website highlights that you can cook breakfast, lunch, and dinner on the griddle, meaning that making brunch for a crowd is a piece of cake. Speaking of cake, you can even make desserts, from brownies to apple crumble and even popcorn.
Lighter meals are an easy option on a Blackstone griddle, too, whether you want to sear fish or seafood or grill fresh veggies without worrying about them falling between the grates. You can even use a Blackstone griddle for steaming by adding a few squirts of water onto the cooking plate around the items, then covering with a lid to allow the steam to cook the food. The size of the griddle also makes meal prep a breeze, meaning you can sort out a whole week of nutritious meals in one cooking session.
5. A Blackstone griddle gives you more control over temperature than a grill
If the thought of working over a naked flame and not being in control of the temperature is what puts you off the idea of outdoor cooking, a Blackstone griddle could be the solution. Even though the appliances have one large cooking surface, they have individual burners with independent temperature dials, meaning you can control the temperature in a similar way to having multiple pans on the stove.
The largest Blackstone griddles have four individual burners, giving you greater control over the food you are cooking and allowing different needs to be met at once. For items needing to be cooked slowly at a low temperature, such as vegetables, you can turn down the dial for that section, while cranking up a different space to cook a juicy steak. This is very different from a regular outdoor grill, where the unpredictable nature of the flames and coals makes precise temperature control more difficult.
Thus, a Blackstone griddle is ideal for entertaining groups, where multiple different foods need to be cooked at once. Instead of constantly moving food around on the grill to prevent it from burning or to keep it warm, you can simply turn the dials up or down and have precise control over each area of the cooking surface.
6. Some pots and pans can be used on Blackstone griddles
Cooking directly on the griddle is great fun, allowing you to recreate the experience of your favorite Hibachi restaurant in the comfort of your own garden. With a versatile Blackstone griddle, however, you also have the option of using certain pots and pans, which increases the range of this appliance significantly.
So many foods can be cooked directly on the griddle, but creating your signature sauce is going to be a challenge directly on the cooking surface. Sturdy-bottomed pans can be used atop it, with the metal heating them up just like an electric stove. Blackstone recommends cast-iron cookware, which will create even heat distribution, helping you keep control as you cook.
While it is unlikely that you are going to use the Blackstone griddle every time you need to boil potatoes, the ability to use pots is ideal for cooking or heating ingredients to go along with your burgers, steaks, or veggies at your next barbecue. It lets you keep everything centered in one spot and will save you constant trips back to the kitchen to check on your baked beans.
7. You need to season your griddle before you use it
Every home cook knows that seasoning food is crucial, but with a Blackstone griddle, you also need to season the cooking surface. This doesn't involve salt, pepper, or herbs, but it is a vital step in maintaining your griddle and ensuring it stays non-stick for as long as possible.
Seasoning the Blackstone griddle starts by cleaning it, especially when the appliance is brand new and may have been delivered with dirt or dust on top. Hot, soapy water will do the trick; then rinse to remove. The next step is to heat the surface for around 15 minutes, turning it off once it turns dark brown.
Oil such as canola or olive oil can then be applied in a thin layer across the plate before being wiped across the entire griddle with paper towels. As the oil heats up, it polymerizes, creating a non-stick layer which will help food to slide off smoothly the next time you use it. Once the oil has been applied, turn the griddle back on for 30 minutes, after which time it will look dark and ready for action. You can repeat this process a few times, adding an extra non-stick layer each time you do.
8. Cleaning and maintaining the griddle after each use is crucial
Cooking meals on a Blackstone griddle is exciting, and of course eating them is even more fun, but your job isn't quite finished when you sit down to enjoy dinner with family and friends. Looking after a Blackstone means cleaning and conditioning it soon after cooking, and fortunately it is pretty easy to do.
The first step is to remove any stuck-on food by using a flat spatula and simply scraping it off. A little water can be sprayed onto the still-warm surface if you have any stubborn residue that is determined to linger. Wipe the griddle down, then season by reapplying a layer of oil. This will help to create a barrier between the metal cooking plate and the moisture in the air, which is especially important if you plan to keep the appliance outdoors year-round.
If you do get a rusty patch on the metal, don't worry, as the rust can be removed from the griddle. Scrape the cooktop with a metal scraper or dedicated grill stone before wiping clean and adding another layer of oil. Repeat until all of the rust is gone. Ideally, cover your Blackstone griddle with a well-fitted cover during the winter months, or store it in a shed or garage if possible. Your Blackstone can last you a long time, but it needs to be well maintained after every cook to ensure the surface stays non-stick and rust-free.