Blackstone vs Griddle Insert: The Ultimate Decision

For most people, a Blackstone griddle is the better choice if you have the space and budget. It offers superior, even heating and a massive cooking surface perfect for big meals. A griddle insert is a great, budget-friendly option if you already own a grill, want to save space, and cook for smaller groups.

Thinking about diving into the world of outdoor griddling? You’re in for a treat! The sizzle of bacon, the perfectly seared burgers, and the stacks of fluffy pancakes are calling your name. But first, you face a big decision: should you get a dedicated Blackstone griddle or a simple griddle insert for your existing grill? It can feel like a tough choice, but don’t worry. I’m here to walk you through it. We’ll break down everything you need to know, making it easy to pick the perfect tool for your backyard feasts. Let’s find your perfect match.

What is a Blackstone Griddle?

A Blackstone griddle is a standalone outdoor cooking appliance. Think of it as a flat-top grill. It consists of a large, flat, heavy-duty steel cooktop surface mounted on its own cart or stand, which usually includes legs, wheels, and shelves. Underneath the cooktop, there are powerful propane burners that provide the heat. They are famous for their large cooking areas and consistent, even heat distribution across the entire surface.

These units are designed from the ground up specifically for griddling. Everything from the burner placement to the grease management system is built for this one purpose. This specialized design is what makes them so popular for cooking everything from breakfast classics to hibachi-style dinners for a crowd.

Pros of a Blackstone Griddle

• Massive Cooking Space: Blackstone griddles, especially the popular 36-inch models, offer an enormous amount of cooking real estate. You can cook bacon, eggs, hash browns, and pancakes for the whole family all at the same time.
• Excellent Heat Control: Most models come with multiple independent burners. This allows you to create different heat zones on the cooktop. You can keep pancakes warm on one side while searing steaks on high heat on the other.
• Consistent, Even Heating: The thick, rolled steel surface heats up evenly and holds that temperature well. This means no surprise hot spots or cold spots, giving you predictable and reliable cooking results every time.
• Dedicated Appliance: Since it’s a separate piece of equipment, you don’t have to choose between grilling and griddling. You can have your grill set up for burgers while the Blackstone is handling the onions and peppers.
• Superior Grease Management: They feature a well-designed system to channel grease away from your food and into a rear-mounted collection cup, making cleanup much easier and cooking a lot less messy.

Cons of a Blackstone Griddle

• Requires More Space: As a standalone appliance, a Blackstone griddle takes up significant patio or deck space. If you have a small outdoor area, this can be a major drawback.
• Higher Initial Cost: A dedicated griddle is a bigger investment than a simple insert. You are buying a complete cooking unit, not just an accessory.
• Less Portable (for larger models): While some smaller tabletop models are portable, the full-size 36-inch griddles are heavy and bulky. They aren’t something you’d easily pack up for a weekend camping trip.
• Requires Assembly: Like most outdoor cookers, a Blackstone griddle will require some assembly out of the box.

What is a Griddle Insert?

A griddle insert is a flat piece of heavy metal, usually cast iron or steel, designed to sit directly on top of the grates of your existing gas or charcoal grill. It’s an accessory that transforms a portion (or all) of your grill into a flat-top cooking surface. They come in many shapes and sizes to fit different types of grills.

The idea is simple: you heat up your grill as you normally would, and the flames heat the insert from below. This gives you a griddle surface without needing to buy a whole new appliance. It’s a versatile solution that lets you get more use out of the grill you already own and love.

Pros of a Griddle Insert

• Space-Saving Solution: An insert doesn’t take up any extra patio space. When you’re done using it, you can store it away easily inside a cabinet or on a shelf. This is perfect for people with small balconies or limited storage.
• Very Affordable: Griddle inserts are significantly cheaper than a full Blackstone griddle. It’s a low-cost way to get into griddle cooking without a big financial commitment.
• Uses Your Existing Equipment: You don’t need another propane tank or a new spot in your backyard. It works with the grill you already have, which is convenient and efficient.
• Portable and Versatile: Most inserts are small and light enough to take camping or to a tailgate. You can use it on your grill at home, a park grill, or even over a campfire.

Cons of a Griddle Insert

• Smaller Cooking Area: An insert will almost always be smaller than a dedicated griddle surface. You are limited by the size of your grill, and you may only be able to convert half of it to a griddle at a time.
• Uneven Heating and Hot Spots: A grill’s burners are designed to heat grates, not a solid flat surface. This can lead to significant hot spots directly over the burners and cooler spots in between, making it tricky to cook evenly.
• Less Effective Heat Control: While you can control your grill’s burners, adjusting the surface temperature of the insert isn’t as precise as on a Blackstone. The heat is indirect and can be inconsistent.
• Messy Grease Management: Most inserts have a small, built-in grease trap or none at all. Grease can easily spill over the sides and onto your grill’s burners and interior, creating a big mess and potential flare-ups.

Head-to-Head Comparison: Key Differences

Seeing the details side-by-side can make the decision much clearer. Here’s a breakdown of how a typical full-size Blackstone griddle compares to a standard griddle insert for a grill.

Who Should Buy a Blackstone Griddle?

A Blackstone griddle is the perfect choice for certain types of outdoor cooks. If you find yourself nodding along with these points, a dedicated griddle is likely your best bet.

• The Entertainer: If you love hosting backyard parties, family gatherings, or cooking for the neighborhood, the massive cooking surface of a Blackstone is a game-changer. You can whip up dozens of burgers or a massive breakfast feast with ease.
• The Breakfast Lover: If your ideal weekend involves cooking bacon, eggs, pancakes, and hash browns outside, nothing beats a Blackstone. The even heat is perfect for delicate items like pancakes.
• The Aspiring Hibachi Chef: If you dream of making your own fried rice, stir-fries, or teppanyaki-style meals, the large, flat surface is exactly what you need.
• Someone with Ample Space: You need a decent-sized patio, deck, or backyard to comfortably accommodate a standalone griddle alongside your regular grill.
• The Cook Who Values Performance: If you want the absolute best griddling experience with perfect heat control and predictable results, a dedicated unit designed for the job is the way to go.

Who Should Choose a Griddle Insert?

A griddle insert is an amazing and practical tool for a different kind of user. If these situations sound more like you, an insert is probably the smarter choice.

• The Space-Conscious Cook: If you live in an apartment with a small balcony or have a cozy patio with no room for another large appliance, an insert is the perfect solution.
• The Budget-Minded Beginner: If you’re curious about griddling but aren’t ready to invest several hundred dollars, an insert is a low-risk way to try it out.
• The Occasional Griddler: If you only plan to make smash burgers or sautéed veggies once in a while, a full griddle might be overkill. An insert gives you that capability when you need it without the commitment.
• The Camper or Tailgater: The portability of a griddle insert is unmatched. You can easily pack it with your gear and turn any campfire or portable grill into a functional griddle.
• Someone Who Loves Their Grill: If you’re a die-hard fan of your gas or charcoal grill and just want to add a bit more versatility, an insert enhances the tool you already love.

Important Considerations: Seasoning and Care

No matter which option you choose, you’ll need to care for the cooking surface. Both Blackstone griddles (which are rolled steel) and most griddle inserts (often cast iron) require “seasoning.”

Seasoning is the process of baking oil onto the metal surface to create a non-stick, rust-resistant layer. It’s what gives seasoned cast iron and steel that beautiful, black, slick finish. This isn’t a one-time job; the seasoning improves every time you cook with oil or fatty foods.

Here’s a very simple breakdown of the process:

1. Clean it: Start by washing the new griddle surface with hot, soapy water to remove any factory coating. Dry it completely.
2. Oil it: Apply a very thin layer of a high-smoke-point oil (like canola, grapeseed, or flaxseed oil) over the entire cooking surface.
3. Heat it: Turn on your griddle or grill to high heat. Let the griddle heat up until the oil starts to smoke, then let it continue for about 15-20 minutes until the smoke stops. The surface will start to darken.
4. Repeat: Turn off the heat and let it cool. Repeat the oiling and heating process 3-5 times until you have a dark, even, and slick surface.

For ongoing care, always scrape your griddle clean after cooking, wipe it down with a thin coat of oil while it’s still warm, and store it in a dry place. For expert advice on maintaining seasoned cookware, reputable manufacturers like Lodge Cast Iron offer fantastic, detailed guides.

Safety First: Griddling Like a Pro

Outdoor cooking is fun, but safety should always be your top priority. Griddling, especially with fatty foods, produces a lot of hot grease.

• Manage Your Grease: On a Blackstone, empty the grease trap regularly during long cooks. On a griddle insert, be extremely mindful of grease overflow. Don’t let it drip onto your grill’s burners, as this can cause a dangerous grease fire.
• Keep it Level: Make sure your Blackstone or grill is on a flat, level surface. This ensures that grease flows correctly toward the trap and doesn’t pool or spill over the edge.
• Use the Right Tools: Long-handled spatulas, tongs, and scrapers will keep your hands safely away from the hot surface.
• Cook to Safe Temperatures: A flat-top is great for getting a nice crust, but it’s still important to ensure your food is cooked through. Use a meat thermometer to check for doneness. The USDA provides a clear chart of safe internal temperatures for all types of meat.
• Never Leave it Unattended: This is a rule for any type of outdoor cooking. A hot griddle should never be left unsupervised, especially if children or pets are around.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Can a griddle insert damage my grill?

It’s unlikely to damage your grill if used correctly. However, be very careful about grease management. Excessive grease dripping onto your grill’s burners and interior can cause flare-ups and lead to a difficult cleaning job. Always choose an insert that fits well and has some form of grease channel if possible.

Is cleaning a Blackstone easier than cleaning an insert?

Yes, cleaning a Blackstone is generally much easier. Its dedicated rear grease trap is highly effective at catching grease, so you mainly just need to scrape the flat top clean and wipe it down. With an insert, you have to clean the insert itself and often the grill grates and interior underneath it where grease may have spilled.

What kind of food is best for a griddle?

Griddles excel at cooking foods that would fall through traditional grill grates or that benefit from full-surface contact. This includes things like bacon, eggs, pancakes, chopped vegetables (onions, peppers, mushrooms), Philly cheesesteaks, smash burgers, and fried rice.

Do I need a separate propane tank for a Blackstone?

Yes, a standard Blackstone griddle is a standalone propane appliance and requires its own standard 20 lb propane tank, just like a gas grill.

Can I use a griddle insert on a charcoal grill?

Absolutely! Cast iron griddle inserts work wonderfully on charcoal grills. Just build your fire, place the insert on top of the grate to preheat, and you’re ready to cook. The charcoal can provide a very even and consistent heat source for the insert.

Does a Blackstone griddle get hotter than a griddle insert?

A Blackstone griddle is designed to get very hot, very evenly across its entire surface. While a griddle insert can get extremely hot right above a grill’s burner, it often struggles to maintain that high heat evenly across the whole surface. For consistent high-heat searing, the Blackstone usually performs better.

Is seasoning a griddle difficult?

Not at all! It might sound intimidating, but it’s a very simple process. It just involves wiping on a thin layer of oil and heating the griddle until the oil bakes into the metal. It takes a little time initially, but it’s easy to do and crucial for a non-stick, long-lasting cooking surface.

Conclusion: Your Perfect Griddle Awaits

So, what’s the final verdict in the Blackstone vs. griddle insert debate? The truth is, there is no single “best” answer—only what’s best for you. Your choice comes down to your space, your budget, and how you plan to cook.

If you have the room and budget, and you envision yourself hosting big cookouts and making elaborate meals, the Blackstone griddle is a fantastic investment that will deliver incredible performance. It’s a specialized tool that excels at its job.

If you’re tight on space, want to keep costs down, or are just looking to dabble in the world of griddling, the griddle insert is an incredibly smart and practical choice. It enhances the grill you already own and gives you the flexibility to cook your favorite griddle recipes without committing to a new appliance.

Either way you go, you’re unlocking a whole new style of delicious outdoor cooking. Trust your gut, pick the one that fits your life, and get ready to create some amazing food and even better memories.