In this edit we’ll provide you with an in-depth review of the American made BBQ brand Blackstone. Blackstone has recently seen a record number of sales in the UK and is fast becoming one of the most sought-after flat top grills in the market. These heavy duty griddles are a great way to enjoy the benefits of healthy grilled food without the risk of sacrificing half of your cook between the grill grates of a conventional barbecue. Blackstone specialises in superior griddles that provide value and versatility so keep reading to learn more about Blackstone barbecues and what you should know before buying one.

Contents

What is the cooking performance like on a Blackstone?
Which Blackstone flat top grill should I buy?
What are the key benefits of a Blackstone grill?
Can a Blackstone Griddle be left outside in the winter?
Seasoning a flat top grill is a must
Elevate your grilling game with Blackstone accessories

Blackstone griddles are equipped with a sturdy cart, powerful gas burners, and a rolled steel cooking surface for perfect grilling. This dynamic flat top barbecue could be the perfect addition to your outdoor kitchen or cooking setup thanks to the amazing cooking results it provides you with. The rolled steel cooking surface provides excellent heat retention and even heating across the entire surface, this makes it easy to get a nice sear on burgers, steaks, vegetables and more. The grill works incredibly well at lower temperatures too so you’re not restricted to cooking at high heat alone. On a standard BBQ your food can stick, fall through the grates or burn quickly if you're not paying attention. A Blackstone griddle is much more forgiving especially when properly primed with a good dose of cooking oil. The increased surface area on a Blackstone griddle allows more contact between the cooking surface and your food. This becomes favourable for steaks or smash burgers, as it produces an incredible Maillard browning and a crispy crust, all whilst keeping your meat moist and juicy on the inside.

When you choose a Blackstone griddle, you can select from various sizes, heights, and price ranges to suit your needs. There are gas and electric powered table top barbecues as well as large freestanding griddles within the range. The larger models come with the cart included and you can opt for a grill with or without the hood depending on your preferences. For outdoor chefs looking for a show-stopping piece you could go all out with the new 36” grill with hood and air fryer! No matter the Blackstone grill you choose you’ll benefit from the built-in patented grease management system that makes cleaning up after cooking a breeze.

You might be asking yourself if a Blackstone grill is really worth buying or which might be the best one for your to purchase. Well, the main benefit of a plancha griddle is that it provides you with an even heating surface to cook your food on which is more consistent than cooking on a traditional grill. A Blackstone flat top griddle allows you to easily prepare and cook your meals across the entire surface which is considerable, here are some of the reasons to buy and top benefits of a Blackstone grill you may not know.

1. Clean up is easy! - Blackstone griddles include the convenient and patented grease management system, cleaning up is a doddle. The grease tray that is located under the griddle surface can easily be removed for cleaning and the griddle surface itself is also easy to clean, thanks to its non-stick surface. Cleaning up grease can be messy, but Blackstone does most of the work for you. You can wash the removable drip tray between uses or as part of your spring or end of season clean up.
2. Blackstone are built to last - The Blackstone cast-iron and rolled steel materials used within the construction of a Blackstone grill create a sturdily well-built barbecue. Its hefty square-shaped legs and robust casters provide a sturdy base for the heavy cooktop. The frame of the grill features thick black powder coated paint later that helps prevent rust down the line. Not only are premium materials used to built this grill but it is also backed by a no-quibble 2-year warranty.
3. Price is right for a Blackstone griddle - Although a Blackstone grill is a considerable investment, the cost of table top grill will cost you less than £200 and a larger grill and cart start at around the £400 mark. The versatility and quality of a Blackstone griddle makes it worthy replacement for lots of different types of BBQ. We’ve also found that Blackstone grills are higher quality than lots of other flat-top griddles, the price and the substantial cooking surface is capable of cooking a lot of food at one time, which also adds to its overall value.
4. Large cooking top is incredibly versatile - Adjustable gad burners that can independently control the different cooking zones makes the grill incredibly versatile. The large cooking surface is a winner too, more surface area means you can accommodate cooking for larger groups of people. Another perk of the Blackstone griddle is you can easily re-produce a perfect sear on your meats. Top restaurants will use a flattop griddles over a standard grill to make give meat an even and delicious sear.

If you’re looking to leave your grill outside then we’d always recommend that you use a protective cover when it is not in use. Protecting your grill from the elements is essential as the UK weather can be extremely harsh, especially in the winter time. The elements can affect the functionality and longevity of your Blackstone griddle, so if it is possible for you to keep the appliance in a shed or garage then this makes perfect sense. If this is not possible, at the very least we recommend removing the steel flat-top surface indoors during the winter month.

Any flat top griddle, whether this be Blackstone, Bonfeu, Pit Boss or Dragonfly requires seasoning before and after use. When you season the griddle, you’re protecting the top non-stick layer that aids in cleanup and prolongs life expectancy. Seasoning your grill is super easy, once your grill has reached a decent temperature, simply apply cooking oil to the griddle top and using  cooking tongs and a wad of paper towels spread the oil evenly across the entire cooking surface including the edges and sides. Keeping your griddle well-maintained and clean is necessary for the overall safety and performance of your Blackstone but regular is seasoning can be a forgotten task that is essential for keeping the cooking surface in tip-top condition all year round.

Choose which barbecue accessories to buy can be challenging, but with Blackstone they only offer the essentials so you may wish to bite the bullet and buy them all. To help you achieve juicy flavours, Blackstone offer essentials like a hamburger spatula, burger press, and basting dome so you can up your cooking game with ease. Each item is dishwasher safe so it makes an already easy clean-up even quicker. Cleaning tools including spatula blades and greasing/seasoning equipment are also part of the offering, checkout the full range below.