Blackstone Griddle 28 vs 36: What Should You Choose?

No BBQ party or backyard dining is complete without a grill. Blackstone saves the day by offering high-quality tools for your party.

What should you choose between Blackstone Griddle 28 vs. 36? They have the same material, grease management, and warranty.

However, you can consider the difference in size, the number of burners, and other aspects to determine the better one.

Sunset Bar and Grill will give you a side-by-side comparison right here. Let’s read through and determine what to use for your next party!

Comparison Chart: Blackstone Griddle 28 vs. 36

Product names	Product Highlights	Editor's rating	Price
Blackstone Flat Top Gas Grill Griddle 2 Burner 28 inch	1. Brand: Blackstone 2. Material: Alloy Steel 3. Color: Black 4. Item Dimensions LxWxH: 44.5 x 19.5 x 33.5 inches 5. Item Weight: 69 Pounds	5/5 (Best Seller)
Blackstone 1554 Cooking 4 Burner Flat Top Gas Grill, 36 Inch	1. Brand:Blackstone 2. Material: Alloy Steel 3. Color: Black 4. Item Dimensions LxWxH: 62.5 x 22 x 36 inches 5. Item Weight: 120 Pounds	4.5

Before going any further, let’s take a look at this comparison. It helps you summarize the differences between those griddles.

CriteriaÂ	Blackstone Griddle 28	Blackstone Griddle 36
Dimensions	44.5 x 19.5 x 33.5 inches	62.5 x 22 x 36 inches
Cooking area	470 sq. inches	720 sq. inches
Number of burners	2	4
BTUs	30,000	60,000
Material	Alloy steel	Alloy steel
Weight	75 pounds	120 pounds
Cleanup	Easy	Easier with larger grease capacity
Assembly timeÂ	Around 12 minutes	Around 15 minutes
Heat distribution	Good	Good
Fuel source	Propane tank	Propane tank
Price
Best ForÂ	Camping and family gatherings	Big parties

About Blackstone Griddle

There are tons of manufacturers of griddles in the world. Yet, Blackstone has a solid position in the industry thanks to its exceptional products.

Blackstone has been introducing an improvement to grilling since 2005. Their griddles are among the most prominent and most-loved outdoor cooking items.

Traditional grills have a certain appeal, but there is a limit to what you can do with them. Hence, they’re more suitable for preparing hot dogs than waffles.

What makes Blackstone griddles unique?

These griddles have various features that make them an exciting alternative (or supplement) for your propane and charcoal grate barbecue.

• Flexibility

Since there are no spaces for foodstuff to sneak through, the flexibility of a griddle appears unmatched.

This feature eliminates the risk of tasty treats being destroyed by fire and helps you prepare more dishes.

On a skillet, you can make a meal of eggs, potatoes, bread, and bacon in one session. You can also prepare wonderful dinners such as fried rice and cheesesteaks.

• Temperature control

Another benefit of these griddles is that you won’t need to worry about grease-related flame breakouts. Instead of spilling into the flame, griddles drain fat into an oil container.

At the same time, you can try various cooking oils, which you couldn’t do with a traditional barbecue. Imagine enriching each of your griddle-cooked dishes with a distinctive flavor profile.

You can also make different temperature areas using a griddle. While the entire upper will be hot, you can adjust the temperature in a specific zone.

Then you can cook many dishes correctly at the same time or keep certain dishes warm while cooking others.

1. Blackstone products are famous for their quality (Link)

Buying guide

There isn’t anything to worry about when it comes to this brand. However, based on your culinary needs and preferences, it’s best to filter some factors to get the ideal one.

• Cooktop size

The size of the cooktop varies depending on who is using the grill and why. Consider how much stuff you’ll be cooking on it, and then choose the exact fit.

A 17-inch top barbecue can suffice for a small group or individual cooking requirements. Please remember that the size may not be large enough to cook many dishes at once.

• Number of burners

This standard is essential in terms of size. Griddles may have one to four burners, depending on their size.

Consider how many people you’ll cook for and get a set with the appropriate number of burners. You don’t need to spend more money to get the extra burners if you’re traveling or cooking for yourself.

More burners help you cook many dishes at the same time. As a result, the campers and your guests at the event will not have to wait too long for the food.

There are other more versatile Blackstone units available for grilling. You may even cook other stuff on a separate burner.

• BTU

The griddles do not burn at the same time. The heating times differ depending on the BTU ratings. More BTU indicates that the item can generate more heat, whereas a low rating means only producing little heat.

If you want a bigger version, make sure it has a BTU of 15,000 or higher. With 12,000 BTU capacities, smaller models will suffice.

This number also shows how quickly the skillet can cook food. If you’re going to simmer anything, the BTU rating shouldn’t be too high.

Overview of Blackstone 28″ Outdoor Flat Top Griddle

Features

• Two heating zones
• Electric ignition
• Built-in grease catcher
• Two heavy-duty castors
• One cantilevered shelf
• Folding legs

Highlights

The 28-inch griddle delivers exceptional value for the money by creating a robust and well-built structure.

The griddle has a powder-coated steel frame that will last for years. Its heavy-duty rolled steel cooktop adds to the value too. Stainless steel burners come in to increase efficiency and durability.

Consider the time and effort put into its operation, as well as the high-quality components used in its construction. It’s fair to assume that this cooking unit will last you for many years while working efficiently.

The griddle’s construction leaves plenty of room for the grilling surface, which is ideal considering its small size.

The design is quite simple. You have a flat top as a cooking area and two knobs to regulate the two burners.

The knobs allow you to control the heat completely. But how to fire it up? There is an igniter on the left. You can check the manual for any confusion.

There is a shelf under the knobs and the cooking plate. While cooking, this feature makes it simpler to keep any tools or ingredients.

The adjustable heating zones are one of the major selling factors of this griddle’s makers. It comes with two heat zones that you can adjust easily.

These zones make it easy to cook and serve different dishes with different degrees of heat simultaneously.

There are two stainless steel burners in the equipment. You can set two grilling zones on the cooking tray.

Pros:

• Compact
• Affordable
• Excellent build quality
• Resistant to wear and tear
• Nice construction

Cons:

• No lid
• Only one shelf included

Bottom Line

This product is of excellent quality. Some people may find it small, but its cooking surface is larger than other tiny versions.

Overview of Blackstone 36″ Gas Grill Griddle Station

Features

• Four heating zones
• Electric ignition
• Built-in grease catcher
• Four heavy-duty casters
• Two extendable shelves
• Folding legs

Highlights

The cookware has a 36-inch steel cooking area instead of stainless steel. It has two foldable side shelves, a massive shelf under the center grill, and an oil trap on the back.

Its strong steel frame structure isn’t light, weighing over 120 pounds. Although it is not mobile, you can move it around thanks to its locking wheels.

Each of the four burners can produce up to 15,000 BTUs. This rate is very high, and because each portion works individually, you can decide how you use it.

You can serve everyone and keep the unserved food warm with the 720- square-inch cooking area this unit offers. You don’t have to cook in batches, and half of the food becomes cold when served.

The primary material for this unit is stainless steel, guaranteeing durability. You may also like this product because of the reliability and quality of excellent materials.

Using this equipment is a breeze. Simply click and then go, just like you often do with your burner. The difference is that you have a big pan to cook in.

As a result, the options for what you can do with it are unlimited. Anything you’d cook on a regular grill, including eggs, pancakes, and little bits, can turn out delicious meals after cooking on this equipment.

The setup is also simple. You just need to unfold its legs and assemble the sides as the manual book instructs. Then, insert the plate on the top.

You will notice the stainless steel gas grates included in the kit. The manufacturer doesn’t use cast iron for this part to cut down the production cost and the price.

However, even if it employs cheaper material, it can produce as high output as cast iron.

Cleanup after each usage is also simple. There is an oil tray that collects the fat draining. This addition helps you clean your equipment quickly.

Pros:

• A lot of cooking surface
• Easy setup
• Four burners working separately
• Extendable side plates
• Durable
• Nice design

Cons:

• No lid included

Bottom Line

This product remains among the top picks for BBQ lovers. Even if you don’t throw parties often, this unit can work well for home cooking.

4. This item has gained a lot of recognition (Link)

Blackstone Griddle 28 vs 36: Side-By-Side Comparison

You’ve narrowed it down to two griddle grills from hundreds of options. Now, without further hesitation, let’s compare these top products.

Similarities

These units share some features in common, making people confused about what the better one is.

• Grease management solution

Both have a new grease management solution. You can pick between the rear and the front drain.

• Heating

Both griddles include a push-button, battery-powered ignition for a fast start. You don’t need a match or propane torch to ignite the grill. Simply press the button mounted on the front, and there you go.

Moreover, you can choose which burners to work on because both grills have separately operated burners.

• Fuel supply

Another similar feature between these units is the fuel supply. Both have a 20-pound propane tank.

Each piece of equipment features a convenient gas cylinder clip tucked away underneath the left side to secure the gas cylinder.

• Warranty

The one-year warranty applies to these gridded models from Blackstone. The policy covers parts, material, and finish.

• Shelves

Both units come with a bottom bracket to store food. They also have side racks for placing cooking sauces, spices, and griddle tongs.

These shelves are great additions to your grill since they eliminate the need for a tabletop to carry all of the stuff.

5. The units have many similar features (Link)

Differences

Although both are products from Blackstone, they still differ in size, weight, and more. Check these highlights carefully and make your choice based on them.

• Size

The size of the tray is essential to consider, and you may select between a larger or smaller one.

We feel a griddle should have an adequate cooking area to feed 4 to 10 people or big parties depending on your requirements.

When you’re alone at night without your buddies, on the other hand, you’ll like the mobility of being able to take it out to the yard.

Depending on how you want to use your grill, you may choose between the large 720-square-inch patio or the smaller 470-square-inch one.

When buying a tiny one, such as the 28, the advantages would be that they would be convenient to store. You’ll have no trouble moving it around.

On the other hand, if you choose the 36, you’ll get a lot more bang for your buck. However, you’ll have more cooking space and food for your guests. It’s excellent for a BBQ get-together.

6. The 28″ model handles less food (Link)

• Number of burners

Blackstone has invented the ultimate flame, which will quickly sear the foods. With up to four burners, the 36-inch pan can provide 30000 BTUs of high temperatures, ensuring food cooks properly.

The four burners can work separately. As a result, if you want to reduce the heat where you’re cooking crispy fries, you can.

Furthermore, you may raise the heat on the opposite side of the pan where you’re grilling the meat.

The smaller griddle has two H-style burners half the size of its competitor. It indicates that the cooking areas on the 28-inch unit are less flexible.

The fuel source for each of them is a propane tank. It’s also easy to use additional propane to lengthen the cooking time.

7. The 36″ have more burners so that it can cook more food (Link)

• Material

Blackstone uses the same material to manufacture these products. These stainless steel units are heavy-duty. They also have a coating of black powder for rust resistance.

The cooking area is also rigid. It can withstand high heat and last a long time. You can grill your food on it for hours without worrying about the fire.

Other components included in the grease control systems, like the burners and the oil cup, are all stainless steel.

Both come with a solid steel base, adding to the durability. Moreover, the tops are steel to maintain a steady heat distribution and the griddle’s endurance.

8. Stainless steel is the main material (Link)

• Cleanup

A flat-top grill surpasses the conventional grill when it comes to cleaning.

Furthermore, the Blackstone has an easy-to-clean advantage because of its excellent dripping function, allowing oil to run through readily.

Both of these tools have grease tubes that easily send oil to the drips. You don’t need to worry about the mess after your party ends.

Some individuals noticed the grease control with the bacon frying because it collects more residue on the surface, which ultimately runs down to the container.

In this term, the 36-inch model overweighs its competitor a little bit thanks to its larger grease capacity.

9. The oil management system allows for easier cleanup (Link)

• Assembly

Both units come with nearly identical gear. However, if you unbox them each, you’ll notice that the differences are dependent on the size of the cooking area, the burners, and the BTUs.

Generally, both of these items appear to be simple to set up, taking no more than 15 minutes.

Those griddles come in a single container. After cutting the plastic straps, the box lid will lift straight off. All of the parts have bubble wraps to protect them from colliding.

All you need is a 10mm screw with an extendable wrench and a screwdriver to put them together.

The bigger patio will take around 15 minutes, and the smaller one will take about 12 minutes.

Please keep in mind that the 36-inch model is heavier, at 120 pounds. If necessary, call for help from your friend. You can learn how to set it up from this video.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ft94N0WZDr8

• Portability

The 36-inch unit has more features, making it harder to move around. Meanwhile, the smaller patio is lighter so that you can carry it anywhere easier.

Both products feature secure footing and caster wheels. The bigger model has four caster wheels. When you take the griddle out, remember to lock their wheels first.

• Heat

Is your griddle able to maintain heat on both low and high heat? Also, does it conduct heat equally throughout the entire grilling surface? Remember that only the worst tools have these two flaws.

With their own burners, both of these products offer uniform cooking. So, rather than scrunching up pieces, you can see the nice and long strips of bacon.

Whether you’re cooking bacon for a group or a few people makes a difference. The effects of cold-rolled steel for heat retention are mostly dependent on it. Both griddles, fortunately, have this feature.

10. Both products can maintain heat well (Link)

• Batches

When each group member has different needs, preparing food in batches makes much more sense.

It’s also apparent that the 36-inch tool can feed more people in a single batch. The quantity on the 28-inch version is about ten people at a time.

Now the problem is, how often do you hold BBQ parties and how many people usually join?

The larger the group, the more food you need. As a result, the 36-inch unit appears to be a better option.

Moreover, no one likes standing next to the heat for hours. You may use this barbecue to make all of your food in one batch, giving you extra free time to enjoy the party atmosphere.

11. Choose the model that fits your group size (Link)

• Price

We can’t tell the difference between these units in terms of cost. Both are modern in terms of the features they offer.

Compared to the 28-inch model, the 36 features a more costly cooktop. It includes a larger surface area and more burners. However, the reliability of each burner remains the same.

The difference between food quality that each unit prepares is minimal. Only capacity matters.

With a larger grilling surface and more burners, the 36-inch model is more expensive than its competitor. It can feed more people at a time.

The lower price doesn’t imply poor performance. The 28-inch unit can work well at its job at a more reasonable price.

Final Verdict: Which Is Better?

Each unit has its own set of benefits and drawbacks. The 36-inch unit seems to be more efficient in terms of grilling food. However, the smaller model can still work well.

Here are some cases when you may choose one over the other.

Big parties

The 36-inch griddle is a clear winner in this battle. It has a larger grilling surface that helps you feed up to 20 people.

There are four burners in the equipment, allowing for more heat and zone to cook up your dishes.

Camping

The rule of thumb for any camping trip is to pack lightweight stuff. In this case, go for the 28-inch griddle.

Even if you camp in a car, the more compact tool ensures that you have more space for other gear.

Family gatherings

You may need to consider the size of your family. Some nuclear families need a small grill to feed all the members. However, large families require a bigger tool.

Home cooking

You can grill meat and veggies to make your dinner. The large equipment is still OK, but it seems obvious to go for the smaller one.

12. Choose the right tool that can work best in your case (Link)

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some frequently asked questions about the difference between 28-inch and 26-inch Blackstone griddles. Let’s check!

1. Is 28 Blackstone big enough?

The cooking area of the 28-inch unit is 448 square inches, which is less than the 36-inch model.

However, this size still allows you to grill up to 44 hot dogs, which is still a significant number given it’s a small edition.

If you’re cooking for a large group, though, you shouldn’t go for this option. You’ll spend the entire day standing next to it, making sure everyone has enough food.

2. Are all 36 Blackstone griddles the same?

The cosmetics of the foundations are the only difference. The first is black powder-coated steel, while the second is stainless steel.

Other than these features, nothing is different. The tops of the griddle are all cold-rolled steel.

3. What size Blackstone should I buy?

The answer depends on several factors, including:

• The number of eaters: How many people do you feed? How is their appetite?
• The amount of food: Go for the bigger model if you want to cook a lot of food at the same time.
• Price: The bigger unit also comes with a higher price tag.

4. How much food can you cook on a 28 inch Blackstone griddle?

A chef can cook for around ten people at once on this griddle. Meanwhile, the 36-inch model can feed 15 to 20 people in a single round.

5. Which Blackstone model is best?

All Blackstone products are of high quality. It all comes down to your personal preference and cooking needs to determine the best one.

Here are some things to consider when buying the griddle from this brand:

• Size
• Weight
• Cooking area
• Number of burners
• BTU
• Fuel supply
• Ease of cleaning

6. How big is a 28-inch griddle?

Its dimension is 44.5 x 19.5 x 33.5 inches with a grilling area of 470 square inches. The unit also has two separately controlled grilling zones, a side shelf, a bottom tray, and an integrated oil management system.

Conclusion

Both devices are well worth picking up since they offer excellent value for money. For the final decision, think about your requirements.

The 36-inch griddle appears to be the best choice for individuals who frequently cook for larger groups.

The 28-inch model, on the other hand, is a perfect pick if you won’t be using it often and will only be catering to four people or fewer. It’s also an excellent item for tailgating and camping.

Hopefully, the comparison we have shared will help you choose the ultimate kitchenware for your needs. If you have any questions, please feel free to ask.

Thank you for reading, and see you in the next post!