VerdictAI
#3 in Best Flat-Top Griddles

BLACKSTONE Original 36" Griddle, Portable Outdoor Grill with Built-In Hood, Black - Includes Extendable Side Shelves and Caster…

Best for

Best Blackstone 36-inch

Amazon rating

★★★★★4.6(71)

Amazon aggregate, one input among many in the Verdict Score

Verdict scoreGreat
85/ 100

Based on 1 trusted source

Current price

$499.00

Check Price

Updated Jun 27, 2026 · 1 min read

BLACKSTONE Original 36" Griddle, Portable Outdoor Grill with Built-In Hood, Black - Includes Extendable Side Shelves and Caster…

Sources behind this verdict

10 reviewers weighted by source trust

Methodology →

The consensus

What reviewers found

Synthesized across the trust-weighted source mix below.

Across the reviewers we read, the Blackstone Original 36-inch with built-in hood is the consensus pick for cooks who need maximum surface, with four independently controlled zones across 768 square inches per blackstoneproducts.com. An r/blackstonegriddle thread calls the hood '100% worth it,' noting it effectively turns the griddle into an oven, and another community member who upgraded reports better build quality, built-in wind deflectors, and the ability to cook at cooler temps. Outdoor-cooking sites love2bbq.co.uk and smokeandsear.world both frame the 36-inch as a tank-like, versatile workhorse.

What reviewers liked

  • Huge 768-square-inch surface with four independent heat zones
  • Community reviewers call the hood and windguards genuinely worthwhile
  • Built like a tank per multiple outdoor-cooking write-ups

Where it falls short

  • An r/Costco owner reports it's hard to clean and rusts too easily
  • Thin Amazon rating sample for this exact listing
  • Large footprint and weight make it impractical for small spaces

Embed our score

Sell this product? Show off the rank.

Free badge for the brand, retailer, or anyone covering this product. Copy the snippet and paste it anywhere HTML works. Updates automatically when the ranking changes.

VerdictAI score badge for BLACKSTONE Original 36" Griddle, Portable Outdoor Grill…

Includes a credit link back to this page. No tracking; no JavaScript.

Across the reviews

Synthesis · not our verdict

Across the reviewers we read, the Blackstone Original 36-inch with built-in hood is the consensus pick for cooks who need maximum surface, with four independently controlled zones across 768 square inches per blackstoneproducts.com. An r/blackstonegriddle thread calls the hood '100% worth it,' noting it effectively turns the griddle into an oven, and another community member who upgraded reports better build quality, built-in wind deflectors, and the ability to cook at cooler temps. Outdoor-cooking sites love2bbq.co.uk and smokeandsear.world both frame the 36-inch as a tank-like, versatile workhorse.

The contradiction worth flagging comes from r/Costco, where an owner says these are terrible to clean and rust too easily, a complaint that echoes the brand-wide rust theme. The Amazon rating sample for this exact listing is thin (~71 ratings at 4.6 stars), so the heavier signal comes from community sentiment and the broader model-line rating cited by the manufacturer rather than independent labs.

For large families and entertainers, the consensus is positive on capacity and the hood, with maintenance and cleanup the main reservations.

Key specs

Source: Amazon listing
36-Inch Flat-Top Griddle
Large 36" Omnivore griddle plate delivers fast heating, even heat distribution, and improved fuel efficiency. Built-in wind guards help maintain heat for reliable outdoor cooking performance.
4 Heat Zones, Ultimate Control
Four independently controlled burners let you cook multiple foods at once at different temperatures, perfect for preparing full meals like burgers, veggies, and breakfast favorites. Large cooking surface of 768 square inches allows you to make up to 30 burgers at once.
One-Button Ignition
Electric push-button ignition provides a quick, reliable spark so you can start cooking instantly without matches, making outdoor meal prep faster and more convenient.
Large Prep Space
Dual folding side shelves and an extendable side shelf create generous prep space, while built-in hooks keep tools close by and fold-down shelves allow compact storage when not in use.
Cook Anything, Anywhere
Features the BAR System for accessory customization, rear grease management for easy cleanup, caster wheels for mobility, plus a hood to protect the griddle between uses.

What customers say

2 verified voices
The Blackstone 36" Griddle at Costco now for $549.00 CAN doesn't look like a great product imo, but it has been getting solid reviews. 4.4/5 ...
Trustedvia r/blackstonegriddle
100% worth it. Hood kind of let's you use it as an oven and the griddle mat is fantastic for keeping moisture off.
Trustedvia r/blackstonegriddle

Trust tier reflects our editorial assessment of the source, not the individual quote. Hover for the rationale. See how we tier sources →

Video review

0 views

Blackstone 36" griddle review” · the new outdoor cooking experience

If the consensus convinced you

Check current price on Amazon

Pricing and availability change frequently. Tap through to confirm before buying.