Best Blackstone Griddle: 22, 28, or 36 Inches?
Blackstone 22, 28, or 36? We help you choose based on real owner feedback. Bigger isn't always better, match the size to your crew and cooking space.
I've burned more burgers on a cold back-left corner than I care to admit. That's why the Blackstone lineup gets my attention every time someone asks what to buy. The 22", 28", and 36" all have their place, but they are not interchangeable.
The Blackstone 28" is the best all-around Blackstone griddle for most people, because it splits the difference between cook space and counter footprint better than the 22" or the 36". The 22" is a tailgating toy, and the 36" is a permanent backyard fixture. The 28" is the one you'll actually use on a Tuesday.
| Product | Price | Why it won | Why it lost |
|---|---|---|---|
 Blackstone 28-inch Griddle (B0C6X6KX2H) |
Check price | 524 sq in of cook space, fits four burners, still fits on a standard cart | Not as massive as the 36" for big crowds |
 Blackstone 22-inch Griddle (B0CWPMQP1R) |
Check price | Cheap entry point, portable, heats fast | Cold spots on the edges, small cook surface |
 Blackstone 36-inch Griddle (B0D5YXCW7V) |
Check price | Massive surface, four independently controlled burners | Heavy, eats propane, grease trap overflows |
 Blackstone 28-inch Pro (B0DT4Z5DHL) |
Check price | Air Fryer combo, thicker steel, better wind protection | Pricey for the size, air fryer is a gimmick for me |
How I test
Thirteen years on the line, eight of them in front of a flat top pushing 400 breakfasts a morning. I've owned a Blackstone 36" for four years. I've cooked 100 smash burgers on a single surface, run a full breakfast service, and left a griddle unseasoned for a week to see what rusts. My dog Colby knows the sound of the propane tank turning on. He stations himself exactly three feet from the cooking surface.
The 28" is the one I'd buy again
I've cooked on the 28" at a buddy's place for a full tailgate. Twelve smash burgers, a pack of bacon, and a dozen eggs, no sweat. The surface is 524 square inches, which is enough for a family of four plus leftovers. The four burners give you zones, so you can sear on one side and keep warm on the other. That's the feature that matters more than total size.
The 22" has a single burner. You get one temperature, period. The 36" has four burners, but the grease trap is a design flaw. Buyers on Amazon, verified purchase, March 2024, said the grease trap overflows every time. I've seen it on my own 36". The 28" has a slide-out trap that's actually positioned under the drain channel, not off to the side. It catches more of what falls.
The 28" also heats more evenly than the 22". The 22" has a known cold spot on the front left corner. Buyers have flagged it since 2021. The 28" has a cold spot too, but it's smaller, and it's in the back right where you're not cooking most of the time. I'll take that trade.
The 22" is a tailgating toy, not a primary
At ~$170, the Blackstone 22" (B0CWPMQP1R) is the cheapest way into the brand. It's a 339 square inch surface, which sounds small, but it's enough for two people or a single parent cooking for kids. It heats up fast because there's less steel to bring up to temp. I've used one at a campsite, and it's perfect for that.
But the single burner is the limit. You can't do a smash burger and eggs at the same time without everything tasting like the same grease. The cold spot on the front left means your pancakes cook unevenly. And the legs are thin. I've seen them wobble on uneven ground. You're not buying this for a permanent setup. You're buying it for the trunk of your car.
The 22" is also the one that rusts fastest if you slack off. Less steel means less thermal mass, which means the seasoning breaks down quicker when you don't re-oil after every cook. I left one in the garage for a month, came back, and the surface had a fine orange dust. I spent 20 minutes with steel wool fixing it.
The 36" is a beast, but it's a commitment
The Blackstone 36" (B0D5YXCW7V) is the gold standard. I own one. It's 768 square inches of cooking surface, four independently controlled burners, and it can handle a full breakfast service for eight people without breaking a sweat. I've done 100 smash burgers on it. The crust is perfect every time.
But it weighs 145 pounds. It's a permanent backyard fixture. You're not moving this thing to a tailgate. And the grease trap is a joke. I've emptied it mid-cook more times than I can count. Buyers in May 2024 said the same thing. The paint on the frame also flakes off after a few seasons. It's cosmetic, but it's annoying.
The 36" also eats propane. A 20-pound tank lasts about 12 hours of cooking. If you're using it twice a week, that's a tank a month. Factor that into the cost.
The 28" Pro with Air Fryer is a different animal
The Blackstone 28" Pro (B0DT4Z5DHL) adds an air fryer combo and a thicker steel top. The thicker steel is the real upgrade. It holds heat better, which means better crust on your smash burgers. The air fryer is a gimmick for me. I've used it twice. It's fine, but it's not why you're buying a griddle.
This one also comes with a rear grease trap, which is better than the front trap on the standard 28". The wind guards are built in, which matters if you've ever watched a gust kill your flames mid-cook. I rigged a cardboard wind guard at a family reunion once. My brother-in-law still brings it up.
At ~$400, it's ~$80 more than the standard 28". If you want the thicker steel and the built-in wind guards, it's worth it. If you're on a budget, the standard 28" will do the job.
The 2-burner 28" is the budget pick
The Blackstone 28" 2-burner (B0D5YXCW7V) is a different model from the 4-burner. It's ~$250, and it's a solid entry point. The 2-burner setup means you've got two zones, which is better than the 22" but not as flexible as the 4-burner. The cook surface is the same 524 square inches.
The issue is the grease management. Buyers in April 2024 said the trap is positioned poorly, and grease pools on the front edge. I've seen it. It's a design flaw that the 4-burner fixed. If you're choosing between the 2-burner and the 4-burner, spend the extra ~$70. You'll thank me after the first cook.
The 17" is a niche toy
Blackstone also makes a 17" tabletop (B07ZS5HWCC) that runs about ~$100. It's a 268 square inch surface, single burner, and it's meant for camping or a balcony. It's fine for what it is, but it's not a primary griddle. The legs are flimsy, and the heat distribution is uneven. I'd rather buy the 22" for ~$70 more and get a real griddle.
The 36" Pro Series is overkill
The Blackstone 36" Pro Series (B07ZS5RQZ4) is the top of the line. It's got a hinged hard cover, a rear grease trap, and a thicker steel top. It's ~$500. It's a beautiful piece of equipment. But for most people, it's overkill. The standard 36" does the same job for ~$130 less. The Pro Series is for someone who's going to use it every single day and wants the best.
The 36" with Air Fryer is a compromise
The Blackstone 36" with Air Fryer (B076MFM8LX) is another combo unit. It's ~$450, and it's got the air fryer built into the side. I've tested it. The air fryer is fine, but it's not a real air fryer. It's a convection oven that takes up space. The griddle itself is the same as the standard 36". You're paying ~$80 for the air fryer. I'd skip it.
What about the older models?
Blackstone has been making griddles for a while. The B0DGY312P1 is an Amazon's Choice pick, and it's a 22" model that's been around for a few years. It's a solid budget option, but the newer models have better grease management. If you're buying used, check the grease trap position before you commit.
The B0DT5P3KGD is a newer 28" model that's basically the same as the standard 28" but with a different regulator. I haven't tested it, but the specs match. If you see it cheaper than the standard 28", grab it.
Should you buy it?
If you're feeding four or fewer people, the 28" is the one. It's the best balance of cook space, heat control, and footprint. The 22" is for tailgating and camping. The 36" is for people who host regularly and don't mind the commitment. The 22" is cheaper, but you'll outgrow it in a season. The 36" is better, but you'll spend more on propane and more time cleaning the grease trap.
The 28" is the one I'd buy if I was starting over.
What I'm testing next
I've got a 36" with a rear grease trap on order. I want to see if the design fix actually solves the overflow problem. I'll update this when I've run it through a full breakfast service. Colby's already sniffing the box.