Blackstone invented the modern backyard griddle category.
Since 2017, Blackstone has grown from a niche outdoor cooking brand to the default answer when someone asks “what is a flat top griddle?” Their lineup in 2026 covers portable 17″ tabletop units all the way to 36″ ProSeries stations. This guide covers every major Blackstone size, who each is for, and the honest choices at each price tier.
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Why buy a Blackstone (vs a griddle insert)
A dedicated Blackstone gives you:
- Significantly more cook area than any grill insert
- Dedicated grease management system
- Full outdoor kitchen ergonomics (storage shelves, side tables, wind guards)
- Consistent heat across the entire cook surface
If you already have a grill and cook flat-top less than 3-4 times a month, a griddle insert (see our Best Griddle for Gas Grill 2026) is more space-efficient. If you cook flat-top weekly, a dedicated Blackstone is the right call.
The Blackstone lineup in 2026
- 17″ Tabletop — portable single-burner, $150-200.
- 22″ Tabletop — portable dual-burner, $200-280.
- 28″ Original — 2-burner freestanding, $300-400.
- 36″ Original — 4-burner freestanding, $400-550.
- Pro Series 28″/36″ — upgraded features (rear grease, side burner, air fryer), $500-900.
- Culinary Pro 36″ — hood, storage cabinets, integrated air fryer, $1,000-1,400.
- OmniVore — hybrid griddle + grill grate system, $550-800.
Best all-round: Blackstone 36″ Original
The 36″ 4-burner Original is the sweet spot for most households. 720 square inches of cook surface handles 8-10 smash burgers, family breakfast for 6, or full teppanyaki dinner for 8. 4-zone heat control lets you sear on one end while eggs cook gently on the other.
What you give up vs Pro Series: no rear grease management (still front-drain), no air fryer, no side burner. What you keep: the same cast iron cooktop that made Blackstone famous.
Best for smaller households: Blackstone 28″ Original
2-burner, 470 sq in. Fits 5-6 smash burgers or breakfast for 4. Better for smaller patios and couples. Same cast iron surface, same build quality.
Best premium: Blackstone Culinary Pro 36″
The Culinary Pro line adds a hood (for retaining heat and steaming), integrated air fryer drawer, propane storage cabinet, rear grease management, and hidden cord routing. Effectively a full outdoor kitchen station. $1,000-1,400.
Best portable: Blackstone 22″ Tabletop
Best portable flat top on the market. 2-burner, 330 sq in, integrated legs, fits in a car trunk. Perfect for tailgates, camping, RV cooking, small patios.
Best hybrid: Blackstone OmniVore
Innovative combo — standard Blackstone griddle surface plus a removable grill grate insert that sits over one burner. Grill steaks on the grate side, cook smash burgers on the griddle side simultaneously. Best for cooks who want both griddling and traditional grilling in one appliance.
Blackstone lineup comparison
| Model | Burners | Cook Area | Special Features | Approx Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 17″ Tabletop | 1 | 270 sq in | Portable | $180 |
| 22″ Tabletop | 2 | 330 sq in | Portable | $250 |
| 28″ Original | 2 | 470 sq in | Freestanding | $350 |
| 36″ Original | 4 | 720 sq in | Freestanding | $500 |
| Pro Series 36″ | 4 | 769 sq in | Rear grease + side burner | $700 |
| Culinary Pro 36″ | 4 | 769 sq in | Hood + air fryer + cabinet | $1,200 |
| OmniVore | 4 | 720 sq in | Griddle + grill grate | $700 |
Essential Blackstone accessories
- Blackstone hard cover (weather protection)
- Bench scraper + spatula kit
- Blackstone conditioning oil
- Smash burger press
- Pancake dispenser + breakfast tools
Bottom line
First Blackstone for most cooks: 36″ Original at $500. Sweet spot of cook area, price, and everyday usability.
Small household or tight patio: 28″ Original at $350. Full outdoor kitchen: Culinary Pro 36″ at $1,200. Tailgates/camping: 22″ Tabletop at $250.
Whichever you buy: season the cast iron on day one (3-4 layers of high-smoke-point oil), keep it covered when not in use, and clean while warm with a bench scraper. A well-cared-for Blackstone lasts 15+ years.
About this guide
Our recommendations synthesize manufacturer specifications, published editorial reviews (AmazingRibs, Wirecutter, Serious Eats, Meathead), and community feedback from BBQ forums (r/smoking, r/BBQ, Smoking Meat Forums), cross-checked against real-world reports. We do not accept payment for recommendations.
Last reviewed: July 2026