Sizzling Innovation: The Blackstone 36″ Griddle

In the world of outdoor cooking, traditional barbecues have long reigned supreme. But a new contender has entered the ring, challenging our perceptions of what backyard cuisine can be. The Blackstone 36″ Griddle is not your average grill – it’s a versatile cooking station that promises to revolutionize your outdoor culinary adventures. Let’s fire it up and see if it lives up to the sizzle.

First Impressions: A Culinary Command Center

As you approach the Blackstone 36″ Griddle, the first thing that strikes you is its imposing presence. This isn’t just a grill; it’s a full-fledged outdoor kitchen. The expansive 36-inch cooktop dominates the unit, promising enough space to feed an army – or at least a very hungry family reunion.

The addition of the hood sets this model apart from its open-top brethren. It’s not just for show – this hood transforms the griddle into a versatile cooking machine, capable of baking, roasting, and steaming in addition to its primary griddle functions.

The black powder-coated steel body exudes durability and no-nonsense functionality. It’s clear from the outset that this is a serious piece of cooking equipment, designed for those who take their outdoor culinary pursuits to heart.

Features That Sizzle

Expansive Cooking Surface: The Heart of the Beast

The star of the show is undoubtedly the 36-inch x 20-inch cooking surface. This vast expanse of cold-rolled steel offers a whopping 720 square inches of cooking area. To put that in perspective, you could comfortably cook 28 burgers, 72 hot dogs, or 16 steaks simultaneously. For the breakfast lovers, imagine a sea of pancakes, eggs, and bacon all sizzling in perfect harmony.

The flat top design is a game-changer for outdoor cooking. Unlike traditional grill grates, nothing falls through the cracks here. This opens up a world of culinary possibilities – stir-fries, fried rice, fajitas, and even delicate foods like eggs and pancakes are all fair game.

Four Burner Power: Precision Heat Control

Beneath the impressive cooktop lie four independently controlled 15,000 BTU stainless steel burners. This quad-burner setup allows for precise temperature control across different zones of the griddle. Want to sear steaks on one side while gently cooking vegetables on the other? No problem. The ability to create multiple heat zones on a single cooking surface is a versatility that traditional grills can only dream of.

The Hood: More Than Meets the Eye

The addition of the hood transforms this griddle into a multi-functional cooking powerhouse. When closed, it turns the Blackstone into a pseudo-oven, perfect for melting cheese on burgers, steaming vegetables, or even baking pizzas. The hood also serves a practical purpose, protecting the cooktop from the elements when not in use and helping to retain heat during cooking.

Grease Management: Keeping It Clean

Blackstone has put thought into making cleanup as painless as possible. The slightly angled cooktop funnels grease into a removable drip tray at the rear of the unit. This smart design keeps your cooking surface clean and prevents flare-ups, a common issue with traditional grills.

Portability Meets Stability

Despite its substantial size, the Blackstone 36″ Griddle is designed with mobility in mind. Four industrial-strength caster wheels allow you to easily move the unit around your patio or deck. Two of these wheels lock, ensuring the griddle stays put once you’ve found the perfect cooking spot.

Side Shelves and Magnetic Strip: The Little Things That Count

Two folding side shelves provide valuable prep space, while a magnetic strip offers convenient storage for your metal cooking utensils. These thoughtful additions transform the Blackstone from a mere cooking appliance into a true outdoor kitchen workstation.

Performance: Where the Rubber Meets the Griddle

Features are all well and good, but the true test of any cooking appliance lies in its performance. We put the Blackstone 36″ Griddle through its paces, testing it across a range of cooking styles and foods.

Breakfast Bonanza

We started our testing with the ultimate griddle challenge – a full English breakfast. The vast cooking surface came into its own here, allowing us to cook eggs, bacon, sausages, mushrooms, and tomatoes all at once. The ability to create different heat zones meant we could give the sausages a head start while keeping a cooler area for the eggs.

The results were impressive. The bacon crisped up beautifully, the eggs were perfectly over-easy, and the sausages had that ideal combination of crisp exterior and juicy interior. The flat top’s even heat distribution meant no hot spots or cold corners – everything cooked uniformly.

Burger Bliss

Next up, we tested the Blackstone’s burger-making capabilities. The high heat output of the burners allowed for a fantastic sear, creating a crisp, caramelized crust on the patties while keeping the interiors juicy. The spacious cooking surface meant we could toast the buns right alongside the burgers, a convenience that shouldn’t be underestimated.

The hood came in handy here too. Closing it for the last minute of cooking allowed the cheese to melt perfectly over the patties, creating that gooey, Instagram-worthy cheese pull.

Stir-Fry Sensation

To test the Blackstone’s versatility, we moved on to a chicken and vegetable stir-fry. This is where the griddle truly shines compared to a traditional grill. The flat top allowed for easy movement of ingredients, and the high heat output meant we could achieve that coveted wok hei – the smoky flavor prized in Chinese cooking.

The result was a stir-fry that could rival any you’d get from a restaurant – crisp-tender vegetables, perfectly cooked chicken, and a sauce that caramelized beautifully on the hot surface.

Pizza Perfection

Finally, we pushed the boundaries of what you might expect from a griddle by attempting to cook a pizza. We preheated the griddle with the hood down, essentially turning it into an outdoor oven. The result was surprisingly good – a crisp bottom crust and perfectly melted cheese on top. While it might not replace a dedicated pizza oven, it’s a fun and tasty option to have in your outdoor cooking arsenal.

Ease of Use: User-Friendly or User-Frustration?

One of the Blackstone’s strongest suits is its simplicity. The learning curve is relatively gentle, especially compared to mastering a charcoal grill or smoker. The straightforward controls make it easy to adjust temperatures, and the large, flat cooking surface is forgiving for novice cooks.

Cleaning, often the bane of outdoor cooking enthusiasts, is surprisingly straightforward with the Blackstone. The grease management system does a good job of containing mess, and the flat top can be cleaned with nothing more than water, a scraper, and some paper towels. A quick seasoning after cleaning keeps the surface in top condition and prevents rust.

The Price of Innovation: Is It Worth the Investment?

At around £739, the Blackstone 36″ Griddle with Hood represents a significant investment. It’s priced competitively with high-end gas grills, but it’s important to remember that you’re getting a different cooking experience altogether.

For those who frequently cook for large groups, or who love the versatility of a flat top cooking surface, the Blackstone offers excellent value. Its ability to handle everything from pancakes to pizzas means it could potentially replace several other outdoor cooking appliances.

Size Matters: Considering Space Constraints

With its 62.5″ x 22″ x 36″ dimensions, the Blackstone 36″ Griddle is not a small appliance. It requires a fair amount of outdoor space, which might be a consideration for those with limited patio or deck areas. However, if you have the room, the large cooking surface and side shelves make it a true outdoor kitchen station.

The Competition: How Does It Stack Up?

In the UK market, the Blackstone faces competition from traditional gas and charcoal grills, as well as other flat top griddles. Where it stands out is in its size and versatility. Few other outdoor cooking appliances can offer the same combination of cooking space and multi-functionality.

Compared to traditional grills, the Blackstone offers a different cooking experience. You lose the charcoal flavour and grill marks, but gain the ability to cook a wider variety of foods with more precise temperature control.

User Experiences: The Verdict from the Trenches

To get a broader perspective, we reached out to several Blackstone owners who have been using their griddles for at least six months. The feedback was overwhelmingly positive.

John, a weekend warrior when it comes to outdoor cooking, said, “The Blackstone has completely changed how I think about cooking outdoors. I used to be all about burgers and hot dogs, but now I’m doing stir-fries, fajitas, even pancakes for the kids on weekend mornings.”

Sarah, who frequently hosts large family gatherings, was particularly impressed with the griddle’s capacity. “I can cook for my entire extended family without having to do everything in batches. It’s made entertaining so much easier and more enjoyable.”

Some users did mention the learning curve associated with seasoning and maintaining the cooktop. Tom, who switched to the Blackstone from a traditional gas grill, noted, “It took me a few tries to get the seasoning right, but once I did, it’s been smooth sailing. The cooking surface just gets better with age.”

Conclusion: A Flat Top Revolution?

The Blackstone 36″ Griddle is more than just another outdoor cooking appliance – it’s a versatile culinary tool that can transform your backyard into a gourmet kitchen. From its expansive cooking surface and powerful burners to its thoughtful design features like the hood and grease management system, the Blackstone offers a compelling package for serious outdoor cooking enthusiasts.

Is it perfect? No cooking appliance is. The size might be prohibitive for some, and those deeply committed to the flavor of charcoal grilling might miss that smoky essence. The initial investment is also significant, although the versatility arguably offers good value over time.

But for those willing to embrace a different style of outdoor cooking, the Blackstone 36″ Griddle with Hood opens up a world of culinary possibilities. It’s not just about cooking food; it’s about creating experiences. Whether you’re flipping pancakes on a lazy Sunday morning, searing steaks for a dinner party, or stir-frying vegetables for a healthy weeknight meal, the Blackstone handles it all with aplomb.

In the end, the Blackstone 36″ Griddle isn’t just a cooking appliance – it’s a statement. It declares that outdoor cooking can be more than just grilling burgers and sausages. It invites you to expand your culinary horizons, to try new recipes and techniques, to make your backyard the heart of your home’s culinary adventures.

So, is it time to join the flat top revolution? If you’re ready to take your outdoor cooking game to the next level, to explore new culinary territories, and to become the undisputed champion of backyard chefs in your neighborhood, then the Blackstone 36″ Griddle might just be the game-changer you’ve been waiting for. Fire it up, and let the culinary adventures begin!