Elevate your outdoor cooking experience with the best griddle cooking station. Among others, Blackstone is one of the brands worth considering. They have two popular models – the 28 and 36-inch griddle cooking station. From mouthwatering steaks to juicy burgers, it is versatile.
While the two models may seem alike, many differences exist. It is crucial that you are familiar with the latter as you decide what to buy. Read on and learn from some of the insights we’ll be sharing.
Table of Contents
Comparing Blackstone Griddle 28” vs 36”
To help you pick the better option between the two, this section will have a rundown of some of their similarities and differences.
Size
The most obvious difference between the two is their size. The 28” griddle cooking station has a length of 44.5 inches, height of 33.5 inches, and a width of 19.5 inches. This is a better option if you have limited space to spare in your patio or outdoor kitchen. It is great for small families who occasionally invite a small group for dinners and parties at home.
If you are looking for a larger griddle cooking station, however, you should go for the Blackstone Griddle 36”. It has a bigger cooking area, making it a good investment for large families with a big outdoor space to spare for the cooking equipment. Looking at its technical specifications, the griddle has a length of 62.5 inches, height of 36 inches, and width of 22 inches.
Speaking of size, it is also important to look at the overall cooking area. The 28-inch griddle cooking station has 448 square inches of cooking surface. This is large enough to fit 18 burgers, 12 steaks, or 44 hotdogs. The food that you can cook in this griddle is good for up to ten people.
Meanwhile, you have 720 square inches cooking area for the 36-inch model. It is spacious enough for 28 burgers, 16 steaks, or 72 hotdogs. If you are cooking for up to 20 people, it is hard to go wrong with this griddle.
Weight
With the difference in size, it is obvious as well that they have different weights. The smaller 28-inch griddle cooking station is lighter, which weighs approximately 75 pounds. On the other hand, the larger 36-inch model is heavier, weighing 120 pounds.
Wheels
While both models are heavy, you don’t have to worry about moving them around because of their wheeled construction. The 28-inch griddle has two wheels on the side. This means that you have to lift it slightly from the other side. Meanwhile, the bigger 36-inch griddle cooking station has wheels on all sides, so it will be a breeze to change location when necessary. The wheels of both models are lockable, so you can keep them stable when you are cooking.
Materials
When you are looking for a griddle, one of the most important considerations is the material used. It is indicative of the overall quality, including the longevity and performance. The 28-inch griddle uses rolled carbon 10-gauge steel for the cooking surface. Meanwhile, its larger counterpart has rolled carbon 7-gauge steel. This means that the 36-inch griddle is thicker, which makes it slightly better. Nonetheless, overall, both materials are great, especially in terms of heating efficiency.
As for the frame, they are both made of powder-coated steel. The latter provides the necessary support. More so, the material is known for its longevity. They are constructed in such a way that they protect against external damages that can speed up wear.
BTU
Aside from the material, the BTU is another important consideration when you are evaluating the performance for griddle cooking stations. The British Thermal Unit refers to the heat output. The higher the BTU, the more powerful the unit is. The 28-inch model has 34,000 BTU while the 36-inch model has 60,000 BTU.
Burners
The number of burners is important if you will be cooking a lot at the same time. This will let you put more on the cooking surface while making sure of consistent heating. The 28-inch model has two H-style burners. Meanwhile, the 36-inch models come with four burners.
Heat Control
With convenient controls, it is easy to set the heat level depending on what your cooking requires. The number of the controls correspond to the number of the burners. That said, the 28-inch griddle has two heat controls with a built-in igniter. Meanwhile, the 36-inch griddle has four heat controls with a built-in igniter as well.
Grease Management System
Managing grease is crucial for healthy and delicious food. Not to mention, it minimizes mess and makes the clean-up effortless. One thing that both models share is the rear grease management system. This means that it is designed to channel the grease in a container at the back to prevent the accumulation on the cooking surface.
Shelf
It is important for a cooking station to have shelves, which will maximize the available space. The Blackstone 28-inch griddle has one side shelf, which is also foldable. This will give you an area for keeping the food and condiments. It also doubles as a warming rack. Plus. There is a shelf under the cooking surface.
More so, the 36-inch model also comes with a shelf under the cooking area. Plus, it has two side shelves. They are also foldable, so you can stow them when they are not necessary. This means that you will have more space compared to what the other model offers.
Price
Blackstone griddles are known for their superior quality, so the price should not be an issue. With their overall performance, they are worth every dollar. Nonetheless, if you are after the more affordable option, you should go for the 28-inch griddle. It is obviously cheaper because it is smaller.
Which Blackstone Griddle Size Do I Choose? 17 vs 22 vs 28 vs 36
Review of Blackstone Griddle 28” vs 36”
28 inch Outdoor Flat Top Gas Grill Griddle Station
Features
- Cooking: 470 sq. inches
- BTUs: 30,000
- Material: Stainless Steel
- Dimensions: 44.5 x 19.5 x 33.5 inches
- Weight: 75 Pounds
Blackstone 28 inch Outdoor Flat Top Gas Grill Griddle Station is one of the best-selling grills on the market from this brand. It was built for backyard use and has four caster wheels for easy transporting of the grill.
The griddle top is removable, and the legs are foldable for convenient storage. This model comes with a push button that ignites the grill. You don’t have to worry about getting matches, coal, or kerosene before putting on the burners.
Thanks to the extra side shelves and a bottom storage shelf, it is convenient for storing your ingredients and having them handy as you cook.
The side shelves also serve as worktops for food preparation. This grill is perfect for making all kinds of dishes such as pancakes, steak, eggs, grilled cheese, chicken, and teppanyaki-style foods.
This gas griddle is of commercial-grade quality with approximately 4700 square inch which is generous enough to cook in large quantities. It is easy to operate and simple to assemble even without the help of a professional. This model can serve as a replacement for your standard grill.
Things We Like:
- Adjustable temperature zone
- Integrated grease pan
- Budget-friendly
- Ample cooking surface
- Powered coated base
Things We Dislike:
- The grease collector is quite small
Blackstone 36 Inch Cooking 4 Burner Flat Top Gas Grill
Features
- Cooking: 720 sq. inches
- BTUs: 60,000
- Material: Alloy Steel
- Dimensions: 62.5 x 22 x 36 inches
- Weight: 120 Pounds
This grill is the largest model with 36 inches cooking surface and four burners with independent heat control. It is fueled by propane gas and is easy to regulate.
The temperature control can be adjusted to the bare minimum for low and slow cooking or the highest for high and fast cooking.
With its ample cooking surface, you can prepare a meal for many people in less than the regular cooking time.
This model is perfect for tailgating parties, picnics, camping, and for your outdoor kitchen. It is equipped with a bottom shelf for storing your grilling tools and ingredients with two side shelves for holding the cooked foods.
Igniting the grill is a seamless task as it comes with a simple push-button powered by a battery. Although this model is quite heavy, the top of the griddle is detachable after use, and it is transportable.
Thanks to the caster locking swivel and wheels. The four stainless steel burners conduct, retain and distribute heat evenly across the cooking surface without hot or cold spots.
Things We Like:
- Electric push-button igniter
- Easy to assemble
- Versatile cooking options
- Suitable for preparing large meals
Things We Dislike:
- The weight is quite heavy
- Poor grease drainage system
Conclusion
Now that you have reached the end of this Blackstone Griddle 28” vs 36” comparison, it is time to make a decision. Nonetheless, picking a winner isn’t that easy.
They are both exceptional, and your needs will dictate which is the right fit for you. If you are on a budget and you often cook only for a small group, then go for the 28-inch griddle.
On the other hand, if you do not mind a bit of a splurge and you need a griddle that can cook for a large group, then the 36-inch version is the better choice.
Regardless of which one you choose, they are both from Blackstone, so you can be confident that the performance is unmatched.
[…] roasting, and braising because it has walls. It is typically used for slow cooking methods. A griddle, on the other hand, is used mostly for grilling steaks. It is also good for pancakes and eggs. It […]