Blackstone 28 Vs 36: Which Griddle Wins In 2026
Both cook great; the 28 fits tight spaces, the 36 handles big groups.
Saturday mornings at my house used to be a juggling act—pancakes on one pan, bacon on another, eggs somewhere in between. A flat-top griddle fixed that. If you’re split between the blackstone 28 vs 36, I’ve cooked on both in my yard and at tailgates. Both are excellent, but one favors compact patios while the other rules big gatherings. I’ll share what actually mattered, so you can choose the right size, heat, and setup for your life.
TOP PICK
Blackstone 1883 Original 28” Griddle…
Cook for a Crowd: Whether you are cooking for a large or small group this griddle is equipped to handle the load. This 28” griddle…
Griddlewith
Check Amazon Price
VS
RECOMMENDED
Blackstone Omnivore Outdoor Flat Top…
Expansive Cooking Surface: Prepare breakfast, lunch, and dinner for the whole family on this spacious 36″ flat top griddle with 4 independently controlled burners. Omnivore…
FlatGriddle
Check Amazon Price
Is Blackstone 28” Griddle Good?
Yes—for small patios, couples, and weeknight cooks, it shines. The 28 gives you real flat-top power without taking over your deck. It heats fast, handles a family breakfast, and the integrated hood is a win for melting cheese or keeping food warm. If space and budget are tight, this size hits the sweet spot.I’ve used the 28 at a townhouse cookout and for midweek dinners. One night I did smash burgers for four, plus onions, all on one side, then toasted buns on the other—simple and fast. On another weekend, I cooked fajitas without smoking out the neighbors. The 28 is easy to wheel out, season, and clean. For the blackstone 28 vs 36 debate, this is the “easy-to-own” pick.
What Makes It Stand Out / Key Features
- Approx. 28” rolled steel griddle top (about 500+ sq. in. cooking area)
- Two independent burners for dual heat zones (fast preheat, even sear)
- Integrated protective hood for steaming, melting, and wind protection
- Rear grease management for simple scrape-and-done cleanup
- Counter-height side shelves and push-button ignition
What I Like
- Compact footprint that still cooks a full family meal
- Great heat for smash burgers and crispy hash browns
- Hood helps with cheese melts and heat retention
- Easy to move and store on a small patio
- Uses less fuel than larger models
- Simple cleanup with the rear grease cup
What Could Be Better
- Limited surface if you host big groups
- Only two zones, so fine control is less than on the 36
- Front-to-back heat can vary a bit on windy days
My Recommendation
If you have limited space or cook for 2–5 people most nights, the 28 is a smart, valuable buy with fewer compromises.| Best For | Why |
|---|---|
| Small patios and balconies | Compact size with real flat-top power |
| Weeknight family dinners | Fast heat, easy cleanup, low fuel use |
| New griddle owners | Easier learning curve and setup |
Is Blackstone 36” Griddle Good?
Yes—for big families, parties, and serious weekend cooks, it’s a beast. The 36 offers a huge cooking surface and four burners, so you can sear, sauté, and toast all at once. If you host often, or want better heat control across more zones, it’s worth the extra size and cost.I used the 36 for a tailgate—brats, peppers, onions, and quesadillas going all at once. Having four zones let me keep food warm on one side while searing on the other. During a birthday party, I knocked out 16 smash burgers in one go. If the blackstone 28 vs 36 question comes down to volume and control, the 36 wins by a mile.
What Makes It Stand Out / Key Features
- Approx. 36” rolled steel top (about 700–760+ sq. in. cooking area)
- Four independent burners with wide zone control
- Hard cover for protection and quick setup
- Folding side shelves and sturdy frame
- Rear grease system and push-button ignition
What I Like
- Room for big batches and full menus
- Four zones give precise heat control
- Great for parties, tailgates, and holiday cooks
- Handles sear and low-temp zones at the same time
- Hard cover keeps the surface clean and ready
- Feels stable and solid when fully loaded
What Could Be Better
- Bigger footprint; needs more patio space
- Heavier to move and store
- Uses more fuel than a 28
My Recommendation
If you cook for crowds or want top control and capacity, choose the 36. It’s the long-term, do-it-all pick.| Best For | Why |
|---|---|
| Large families and parties | Huge surface and four heat zones |
| Meal prep and tailgates | Cook multiple items at once with ease |
| Experienced grillers | Precise control and room to experiment |
blackstone 28 vs 36: Side-by-Side Test
I cooked the same meals on both griddles several times. Here’s how the blackstone 28 vs 36 compare where it counts in real use.Cooking Space & Power: How Much Can You Cook?
More space means more food and better staging during peak moments.| Feature | Blackstone 28 | Blackstone 36 |
|---|---|---|
| Cooking area | ~500–524 sq. in. | ~700–760+ sq. in. |
| Burners | 2 zones | 4 zones |
| Typical output | ~34,000 BTU (approx.) | ~60,000 BTU (approx.) |
| Batch capacity | 6–8 burgers | 12–16 burgers |
Heat Control & Zones: Fine-Tuning Your Cook
More zones help you run hot sear and warm hold at once.| Feature | Blackstone 28 | Blackstone 36 |
|---|---|---|
| Independent zones | 2 | 4 |
| Low-to-high range | Good | Excellent |
| Hot spot control | Moderate | Strong |
| Wind resistance | Good with hood | Good; more mass helps |
Portability & Footprint: Will It Fit Your Space?
Size and weight decide how easy it is to move and store.| Feature | Blackstone 28 | Blackstone 36 |
|---|---|---|
| Footprint | Compact | Large |
| Weight | Lighter | Heavier |
| Storage | Small patio friendly | Needs more space |
| Mobility | Easy for one person | Easier with two |
Accessories & Covers: Ready for Real Life?
Covers and shelves change how fast you can set up and cook.| Feature | Blackstone 28 | Blackstone 36 |
|---|---|---|
| Hood/cover | Integrated hood | Hard cover |
| Side shelves | Counter-height shelves | Folding shelves |
| Tool storage | Basic | Often more hooks/space |
| Prep area feel | Adequate | Roomy |
Cleanup & Grease Management: Fast or Fussy?
Rear grease systems keep cleanup simple on both.| Feature | Blackstone 28 | Blackstone 36 |
|---|---|---|
| Grease system | Rear cup | Rear cup |
| Scrape path | Straight back | Straight back |
| Surface area to clean | Smaller | Larger |
| Time to clean | Faster | Longer |
Speed & Results: From Cold Start to First Bite
Heat-up time and searing power shape your weeknight flow.| Feature | Blackstone 28 | Blackstone 36 |
|---|---|---|
| Warm-up time | Fast | Fast to moderate |
| Searing | Strong | Excellent |
| Multi-dish timing | Good for small meals | Great for big menus |
| Wind handling | Good with hood | Very good due to mass |
Value for Money: What Do You Get for the Price?
Think about how often you host and how much room you have.| Consideration | Blackstone 28 | Blackstone 36 |
|---|---|---|
| Price vs capacity | Great for small families | Great for large groups |
| Fuel use | Lower | Higher |
| Long-term fit | Best if space-limited | Best if you host often |
| Upgrade need | May outgrow | Grow into it |
Final Verdict: Which Should You Buy?
The Blackstone 28 is the right pick if you want a compact, weeknight-friendly griddle that still sears like a champ. It saves space, fuel, and time. It makes the blackstone 28 vs 36 decision easy for small patios.The Blackstone 36 is the move if you host big groups or want four true zones. It handles volume, staging, and control better. If you can fit it, you will not regret it. For the blackstone 28 vs 36, choose space-smart 28 or party-ready 36.
