The Pros And Cons Of The Blackstone Electric Griddle

Grilling is more than just cooking; it’s an art. And like any artist, you need the right tools to bring your creations to life. While any day is a good day to fire up the grill, the absolute joy comes from eating the finished meal and the process itself. After all, there’s something special about hearing the sizzle as juicy cuts of meat hit the hot surface or watching fresh vegetables transform into perfectly charred, flavorful sides. 

Of course, if you’re curious about griddle cooking, chances are you’ve looked into getting one for your backyard setup. Currently, there are many new cooking appliances on the market (think outdoor pizza ovens, pellet grills, and fire pits), making it easier to experiment with different cooking styles. Still, if you want to explore favourites like burgers, hot dogs, and pancakes, you might be wondering if there’s an appliance with that versatility. Luckily, the Blackstone Electric Griddle is a must-have for indoor cooks and outdoor enthusiasts. In fact, Blackstone has become a reputable flat top grill for durability and performance. But does the hype really hold up?

Reasons you should get the Blackstone Electric Griddle

The Blackstone Electric Griddle is versatile and convenient. Unlike traditional propane models, the electric design has one of the main advantages that it can be used indoors on kitchen countertops and outdoors on patios or campsites. Actually, this flexibility makes it an all-season cooking option. And beyond its placement options, the griddle is versatile in what it can prepare. You can use it for breakfast staples like pancakes and eggs to lunch and dinner favourites such as burgers, fajitas, and stir-fry. Plus, its consistent heating and spacious cooking area make it easy to cook multiple items simultaneously.

Part of the art of grilling is reliability and consistency. Fortunately, the surface of the Blackstone Electric Griddle distributes heat evenly, minimizing hot or cold spots that can lead to unevenly cooked food. The griddle also has adjustable temperature settings that let you control the cooking process, whether you’re simmering vegetables or searing steaks. This flexibility allows you to handle delicate foods at lower heat to prevent overcooking, while still offering the high-heat performance needed for achieving the perfect sear on meats. 

If you love a clean griddle, the Blackstone Electric Griddle also simplifies the cleanup process. For starters, its non-stick cooking surface reduces food sticking, making wiping down the surface quick and hassle-free after use. Also, the rear grease management system efficiently collects grease and food residue during cooking, saving you time and effort during post-cooking maintenance.

Drawbacks you should be aware of

However, while the Blackstone Electric Griddle is versatile, its compact design does come with a few trade-offs. In fact, the cooking surface is smaller than what you’d find on Blackstone’s larger propane griddles, which means you may struggle to prepare meals for bigger crowds. The Blackstone Electric Griddle is available in the 17” and 22” sizes. While the 22-inch griddle, like this one on Amazon, offers a generous cooking surface (307 square inches), its tabletop footprint (20 by 24 inches) can take a lot of counter space. This is problematic in smaller kitchens or tight indoor areas. Also, it weighs 26.7 pounds, which, while manageable for occasional movement, isn’t portable for those who need to frequently move or store the griddle.

And since the electric griddle is in the E-Series brand, you need access to a stable electrical outlet, limiting where and how you can use it. The griddle draws 1,600 watts, which is demanding during camping trips, off-grid locations, or tailgating. Actually, it also takes noticeably longer (10 to 12 minutes) to preheat compared to gas or propane griddles. And in some cases, you might notice slight heating unevenness at the edges or during high-heat cooking. 

Perhaps the most important consideration is the price. The Blackstone E-Series Griddles are costlier compared to other griddles, due to features like ceramic-titanium coatings, dual-zone heating, and the glass hood. That said, some users have reported durability concerns with certain components, such as power cords or internal wiring, since you should never plug an electric grill into a power strip.