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Blackstone 36" Iron Forged Griddle with Hood Review

There’s a reason Blackstone griddles have become so popular. Once you start cooking on a flat-top, it’s pretty easy to understand the appeal.

The Blackstone 36" Iron Forged Griddle with Hood takes that idea and turns it into a legitimate outdoor cooking station.

The 36-inch cooking surface is the biggest advantage. There is a ton of room to work, whether you’re making breakfast for the family, cooking burgers for a crowd, or throwing down a bunch of steaks and vegetables at the same time. I especially like having enough space to keep different foods separated while still having room to move everything around as it cooks.

It feels built to live outside

The Iron Forged design also gives the griddle a more substantial feel than some of the cheaper flat-tops. It feels like something built to live outside and get used regularly rather than a lightweight appliance you’ll be afraid to beat up a little.

The hood is another feature I wouldn’t want to give up. It protects the cooking surface when the griddle isn't being used and gives you the option to cover food while it cooks. It also makes the whole thing feel more like a permanent outdoor kitchen setup.

The surface is the job

Of course, the biggest learning curve with any Blackstone is taking care of the cooking surface. You need to properly season it and keep it clean and protected between uses. Once you get into that routine, though, maintenance is pretty straightforward. It’s one of those things where a little work up front pays off with a cooking surface that gets better with use.

You will actually use it on a Tuesday

And the versatility is hard to beat. Pancakes, bacon, eggs, smash burgers, cheesesteaks, fajitas, fried rice, grilled cheese, and pretty much anything else that benefits from a flat cooking surface can go on it. There’s also something about cooking breakfast outside on a Saturday morning that makes the whole experience better.

The tradeoffs

The main downside is the size. This thing takes up a fair amount of space, and once you add the hood and the cart, it isn't exactly something you’re casually moving around the patio. It’s also more maintenance than a traditional gas grill because the griddle surface needs to be cared for.

But if you’re looking for one outdoor cooker that can handle everything from a quick family breakfast to a backyard cookout, the Blackstone 36" Iron Forged Griddle is an easy recommendation. The huge cooking area, sturdy construction, and versatility make it the kind of grill you can actually use several times a week rather than something that only comes out when company is over.

Category	Rating
Cooking surface	10/10
Build	9/10
Versatility	9.5/10
Maintenance	7.5/10
Footprint	7/10
Overall	9/10