Blackstone 17 Vs 22: Best Griddle Comparison 2026

Both are excellent, but the 22 adds space while the 17 wins portability.

Picture this: tailgate morning, hungry friends, and a tiny picnic table. That’s where the blackstone 17 vs 22 choice gets real. I’ve cooked dozens of breakfasts and smash burgers on both. The 17 is light and simple. The 22 brings two-zone control and extra room. I tested both in my backyard and on the road. Here’s what I learned so you can pick the right griddle for your life.

Is Blackstone 17 Good?

Yes—especially if you value portability and simplicity. The Blackstone 17 is great for small patios, camping, and quick cooks for 2–4 people. It heats fast, sips propane, and packs easily. If you don’t need two zones or a big cooking surface, it hits the sweet spot.

On a weekend road trip, I set up the 17 on a folding table and cranked out bacon, eggs, and pancakes in one go. Another time, I did four smash burgers and charred onions for family lunch in under 15 minutes. Cleanup was easy, and the griddle fit right back in the trunk with room to spare.

What Makes It Stand Out / Key Features

• About 267 sq in cooking area; ideal for 2–4 servings
• Single burner around 12,000 BTU for simple heat control
• Cold-rolled steel cooktop; rear grease management
• Compact, tabletop design with powder-coated steel body
• Runs on 1 lb propane; works with 20 lb tank via adapter hose

What I Like

• Lightweight and easy to carry to campsites and tailgates
• Quick preheat and even heat for a one-zone griddle
• Perfect size for breakfast runs and small burger batches
• Simple controls—great for beginners
• Low propane use compared to larger griddles

What Could Be Better

• No true two-zone cooking; single burner limits flexibility
• Less space for big groups or multiple items at once
• Usually sold without a hood; wind can affect heat a bit

My Recommendation

If you’re cooking for couples, small families, or camping light, the 17 is a smart buy and often the best value.

Best For	Why
Camping and tailgating	Small footprint and easy transport
Beginners	Simple controls and quick setup
Small patios	Fits tight spaces yet cooks fast

Is Blackstone 22 Good?

It depends on your needs, but for most home cooks, yes—the 22 is fantastic. It adds a larger 362 sq in cooktop and two burners (about 24,000 BTU total). That means real two-zone cooking and capacity for families or small parties. If you want flexibility, it’s worth the bump in size.

I hosted a backyard brunch using the 22 with the hood. I seared sausage on one side while holding pancakes warm on low on the other. Another night, I ran fajitas: peppers and onions on medium, steak ripping hot on high. The control felt like a flat-top diner, and cleanup stayed quick thanks to the rear grease cup.

What Makes It Stand Out / Key Features

• About 362 sq in cooking area; serves 4–6+
• Two independently controlled burners (~24,000 BTU total)
• Integrated hood on many models for wind and heat control
• Rear grease management and sturdy tabletop build
• Uses 1 lb propane or 20 lb tank with adapter hose

What I Like

• True two-zone cooking for sear and hold at once
• More space for family meals or entertaining
• Hood helps with melt, steam, and wind
• Strong heat output for smash burgers and steaks
• Still portable enough for tailgates with a sturdy table

What Could Be Better

• Heavier and bulkier than the 17; less packable
• Uses more propane on full blast
• Costs more; overkill for single or couple cooks

My Recommendation

Pick the 22 if you want two zones, more room, and a hood for versatility at home or on the go.

Best For	Why
Families and hosting	Bigger surface cooks full meals fast
Meal variety	Two burners for sear and hold
Windy areas	Hood improves heat control

blackstone 17 vs 22: Side-by-Side Test

I cooked the same meals on both to see real differences. Here’s how the blackstone 17 vs 22 stack up when you need to choose one for your setup.

Cooking Capacity: How Much Can You Cook?

A bigger top means fewer batches. Here’s the difference I noticed.

Spec/Meal	Blackstone 17	Blackstone 22
Surface area	~267 sq in	~362 sq in
Smash burgers per batch	3–4	6–8
Pancakes at once	4–5 medium	8–10 medium
Breakfast for	2–4 people	4–6+ people

Ratings: Blackstone 17 – 7/10 | Blackstone 22 – 9/10 > “The 22 wins on volume. It cuts batches and feeds more people in one go.”

Heat Control: One Zone vs Two Zones

Separate zones change how you cook mixed meals.

Heat Factors	Blackstone 17	Blackstone 22
Burners	Single (~12,000 BTU)	Dual (~24,000 BTU total)
Two-zone cooking	No	Yes
Preheat to sear	Fast	Fast
Wind handling	Fair (no hood)	Good (hood helps)

Ratings: Blackstone 17 – 7/10 | Blackstone 22 – 9.5/10 > “The 22 offers real control. Sear one side, hold or simmer the other.”

Portability & Size: Which Is Easier to Carry?

When space is tight, every pound counts.

Portability	Blackstone 17	Blackstone 22
Weight (approx.)	Lighter, very portable	Heavier, still portable
Footprint	Small; fits tiny tables	Larger; needs sturdy table
Best use	Camping, couples	Backyard, tailgates, families
Storage	Trunk-friendly	Takes more room

Ratings: Blackstone 17 – 9.5/10 | Blackstone 22 – 8/10 > “The 17 is the easy traveler. It wins if you pack light.”

Build & Maintenance: Durability and Care

Both are tough and simple to clean.

Build & Care	Blackstone 17	Blackstone 22
Cooktop	Cold-rolled steel	Cold-rolled steel
Body	Powder-coated steel	Powder-coated steel
Grease system	Rear cup	Rear cup
Hood	Often sold without	Often included

Ratings: Blackstone 17 – 8/10 | Blackstone 22 – 8.5/10 > “Both are sturdy. The 22’s hood gives it a small edge for control and care.”

Fuel Use & Runtime: Which Sips Propane?

Bigger burners use more fuel, especially at high heat.

Fuel Use	Blackstone 17	Blackstone 22
Typical BTU	~12,000	~24,000
1 lb bottle runtime	Longer	Shorter
20 lb tank	Great economy	Recommended for long cooks
Efficiency sweet spot	Small meals	Big batches

Ratings: Blackstone 17 – 9/10 | Blackstone 22 – 7.5/10 > “The 17 is thriftier. The 22 trades fuel for power and space.”

Cooking Results: Sear, Evenness, and Speed

Both deliver tasty results; power and space affect speed.

Results	Blackstone 17	Blackstone 22
Sear quality	Strong for its size	Excellent; more heat headroom
Evenness	Good across the plate	Very good; two zones help
Batch speed	Best for small runs	Fast for groups
Wind performance	Fair	Better with hood

Ratings: Blackstone 17 – 8/10 | Blackstone 22 – 9/10 > “The 22 cooks more, faster, and with better control when juggling foods.”

Value for Money: Which Is the Smarter Buy?

Price depends on what you need.

Value	Blackstone 17	Blackstone 22
Upfront cost	Lower	Higher
What you get	Simple, portable griddle	More space and two burners
Who benefits	Solo/couples, campers	Families, hosts, frequent cooks
Overall value	Great if you cook small	Excellent for versatility

Ratings: Blackstone 17 – 9/10 | Blackstone 22 – 8.5/10 > “For tight budgets and small cooks, the 17 wins. For flexibility, the 22 pays off.”

Final Verdict: Which Should You Buy?

If you travel light, cook for 2–4 people, and want the best fuel economy, the Blackstone 17 is the smarter pick. It’s simple, compact, and budget-friendly. It shines for camping, quick breakfasts, and small patios.

If you cook for family or love two-zone control, go with the Blackstone 22. In the blackstone 17 vs 22 debate, the 22 is better for variety, bigger batches, and wind control with the hood. It’s my choice for home and hosting.

FAQs Of blackstone 17 vs 22

What is the main difference in the blackstone 17 vs 22?

The 17 has one burner and a smaller surface. The 22 has two burners and more room. That means the 22 supports true two-zone cooking and larger batches.

Does the 22 heat faster than the 17?

Both heat fast, but the 22 has more total BTU. It reaches and holds high heat better when loaded with food.

Which is better for camping: blackstone 17 vs 22?

The 17 is lighter and easier to pack. Pick the 22 only if you need to feed more people and have a sturdy table.

Do I need a hood in the blackstone 17 vs 22 choice?

A hood helps with wind, melting cheese, and steady temps. Many 22 models include a hood. The 17 often does not, but you can add one.

How many people can each griddle serve?

The 17 is ideal for 2–4. The 22 comfortably serves 4–6+, depending on what you’re cooking. For frequent hosting, the 22 is easier.