Blackstone Griddle vs Grill: Which One Should You Actually Buy?
The Blackstone flat top griddle has exploded in popularity over the last few years, and for good reason — it's incredibly versatile, fast, and produces consistent results for a wide variety of foods. But it's not a replacement for a grill. It's a different tool.
Here's the honest comparison to help you decide which one fits your situation — or whether you want both.
What a Blackstone Does Better Than a Grill
Everything cooks evenly. A flat top griddle has no hot spots, no grates that cause uneven contact, and no flare-ups from dripping fat. Every inch of the cooking surface produces consistent heat. This is especially noticeable with foods like smash burgers, eggs, and hash browns — things that need full surface contact to cook properly.
Food variety is much wider. A traditional grill can't cook scrambled eggs, pancakes, fried rice, quesadillas, or stir fry without special accessories. A Blackstone handles all of these natively. For a backyard brunch or a cookout with guests who want varied food, the griddle is dramatically more versatile.
Cooking for large groups is easier. The entire 720 square inches of a 36-inch Blackstone are usable simultaneously. No rotating batches, no indirect zone for keeping things warm — everything can cook at once. For 10-15 people, a flat top griddle is faster and more practical than most traditional grills.
No flare-ups. Fatty foods like burgers and bacon cause flare-ups on traditional grills that can char food unevenly or create fire hazards. On a flat top, fat drains to the grease trap without touching the flame.
What a Traditional Grill Does Better
Smoke flavor. This is the non-negotiable advantage of charcoal and wood cooking. The compounds created by smoke infusing into meat over high heat create a flavor profile that no flat top can replicate. If smoke flavor matters to you — and for ribs, brisket, chicken, and steaks, it usually does — a traditional grill or smoker is the right tool.
Grill marks. Purely aesthetic, but people like them. A flat top produces a fully seared surface with excellent browning, but no marks.
Low-and-slow smoking. You can't smoke ribs or brisket on a flat top. A kamado, a charcoal kettle with the right setup, or a pellet grill are the tools for slow, smoked cooking.
Higher searing temperatures. A charcoal grill can hit 700°F. A flat top griddle typically maxes out at 500-550°F. Both produce a good sear, but charcoal's extreme heat creates a more intense crust.
Who Should Buy a Blackstone Griddle?
- You want one outdoor cooking tool that handles the widest possible variety of foods
- You cook for large groups regularly and need speed and capacity
- You want clean, consistent results without managing fire or flare-ups
- Smoke flavor is not a priority for your style of cooking
Who Should Buy a Traditional Grill?
- Smoke flavor and traditional BBQ results matter to you
- You want to smoke large cuts (brisket, ribs, pork shoulder)
- The ritual and flavor profile of charcoal cooking appeals to you
- You want grill marks and high-heat searing for steaks
The Honest Answer: Many Serious Outdoor Cooks Own Both
A charcoal kettle grill costs $150-180. A Blackstone 22-inch costs $227. For around $400, you can have both — and they genuinely complement each other. Use the Blackstone for weeknight smash burgers, weekend brunch, and large group cooking. Use the charcoal grill for steaks, ribs, and anything where smoke flavor matters.
It's not an either/or decision unless budget or space forces it.
Looking for the best grill for large groups? Read our best BBQ grills for hosting friends guide. Trying to decide between charcoal and gas? See our charcoal vs gas grill comparison.
About the Author
Derek Hollis has spent the last 12 years testing grills, smokers, and outdoor cooking gear for a living — first as a backyard hobbyist who couldn't stop buying grills, then as a full-time product reviewer. He's fired up and broken down more than 150 grills across every price range. When he's not testing gear, he's hosting backyard cookouts for friends and family in Austin, Texas.
