Cheaper alternatives to Blackstone Original 36" Griddle with Hood (2322)

Is the Blackstone 36-inch Griddle worth it?

The Blackstone Original 36" Griddle with Hood (2322) ($499) is worth it if you regularly cook for a crowd and want several temperatures going at once. Blackstone lists four independent heat zones, an Omnivore griddle plate, rear grease management and a BAR System accessory rail on a cart that measures 64.5 x 30 x 36.5 inches and weighs 135 lb. Food Network lists a 768 sq in cold-rolled steel cooktop, and Blackstone rates the 36-inch top at 30 burgers or 21 pancakes per load.

When a cheaper swap makes sense

If the 36-inch is more griddle than you need, the Blackstone Original 28" Griddle with Hood (2287) ($399) keeps the Omnivore plate, rear grease management, hood and BAR rail, with two heat zones and a 524 sq in surface per WebstaurantStore's listing. For camping or a small patio, the Blackstone 22" Tabletop Griddle with Hood (2205) ($219) weighs 37.5 lb per Blackstone and sits on a table, with 361 sq in and 21,000 BTU. The Royal Gourmet GB4000 4-Burner Propane Griddle fits buyers who want four burners at 52,000 BTU total without Blackstone's accessory system, but Royal Gourmet sells several GB4000 versions from 582 to 766 sq in, so check the exact model.

What to compare

• Cooking area: 768 sq in on the 36-inch (Food Network, WebstaurantStore), 524 sq in on the 28-inch (WebstaurantStore) and 361 sq in on the 22-inch tabletop (PC Richard); Royal Gourmet lists 766 sq in for the GB4000P, 748 sq in for the GB4000F and 582 sq in for the hooded GB4000PB.
• Heat zones and output: Blackstone lists four independent zones on the 36-inch and two on both the 28-inch and the 22-inch, with 21,000 BTU on the 22-inch; Royal Gourmet lists four 13,000 BTU burners (52,000 BTU total) on its GB4000 models.
• Footprint and weight: Blackstone lists the 36-inch at 64.5 x 30 x 36.5 in and 135 lb, the 28-inch at 59 x 26.25 x 37 in and 102 lb, and the 22-inch tabletop at 27 x 24.5 x 13 in and 37.5 lb.
• Fuel hookup: PC Richard's listing says the 22-inch tabletop uses a one-pound propane regulator with no adapter hose included; Blackstone sells a separate 3-foot hose with regulator that connects its 17- and 22-inch griddles to a 20-pound tank.
• Warranty: Blackstone lists a 1-year warranty on its griddles, and Food Network listed the short warranty period as a con for both the 28-inch and 36-inch models it tested.

Watch out for

• Rust: Food Network notes that carbon or rolled steel cooktops need seasoning and dry storage to prevent rust, and Blackstone says to wipe a very thin layer of oil on the top after every cook.
• Cleaning: Blackstone says to treat the top like cast iron, using minimal water, never soap, and a light coat of oil at the end to protect the seasoning.
• Low heat: Food Network's tester found the 36-inch's low setting still too hot for eggs and had to turn that burner off; the tester also listed 'damages easily' as a con.
• Model names: Royal Gourmet sells GB4000P, GB4000F, GB4000PB and GB4000PY versions with different surface sizes, hoods and covers, so match the full model number to the specs you want before buying.