Blackstone 17" Table Top Griddle

From the time we started full-time RVing in 2005, we've been using a small Olympian propane grill.

 

 

It is the perfect size, less than $100, and has a "smoker plate" that helps make the results great. But we've bought three or four of them as they would wear out every three or four years.

When we cleaned the rig out before leaving it to be repaired, I tossed the last Olympian in the dumpster. So, when we got our rig back, I needed a new grill.

Ultimately, after looking at all the portable propane grills, I decided to go in a little different direction. I bought the Blackstone 17" Table Top Griddle. 

 

 

 

I ordered it through Amazon and added the cover/carry bag option and the griddle kit. At the link above, it gives you the option to buy them as a package.

 

 

 

I have to say, I like to grill, but I'm not a fanatic about it. However, I was really looking forward to the arrival of this griddle. I read reviews, watched videos, and thought I might like to cook a little more on the Blackstone.

Here are the boxes just before I tore into them.

 

 

The Blackstone 17" has a bigger footprint than our old grill, but it's still nice and compact at 17.5 inches wide by 18 inches deep. It weighs 25 pounds in the box, and about 22 pounds when set up. The griddle cooking surface is 17 inches by 15 inches.

Out of the box, it's very simple - the base with the single H-shaped 12,000 BTU burner, removable grease drawer, the steel griddle, screw-in feet, and a regulator.

 

 

Here's a video on the set-up.

 

 

The video title says "Assembly" but that's over-stating it a bit. It's basically taking everything out of the plastic, turning the base over to screw in the feet, ....

 

 

turning it back over and setting the griddle on top of the base. The griddle also has little "feet" that fit into holes on top of the base. It's very easy.

Oh, while you have the base upside down, take a picture of the serial number so you'll have it when you register the product for your warranty.

Then you attach your propane source and the regulator. It's shown using the 1-pound propane bottles, but with an adapter hose (we have one), it also can be used with a regular 20-pound propane cylinder (used with most backyard grills).

So, here is the Blackstone 17" set up and ready to go.

 

 

Notice the little hole on the front left of the griddle? That allows grease and cooking "debris" to be funneled into the removable grease drawer making clean-up easy. It's like a mini Japanese restaurant grill table.

I attached our adapter hose and turned on the 20-lb cylinder. It took three or four clicks of the igniter and then the flame came to life on the burner.

Now, before using this griddle, the instructions say you have to "season" it.

From the Blackstone Products "Griddle Seasoning & Care Guide":

What is Seasoning?
Seasoning is a process by which oil is baked into metal to
create a stick resistant surface and protect against oxidization.

 

And here is a video of the process (just posted by Blackstone on August 3).

 

 

They recommend flax seed oil, but any oil will do. We happened to have an over-abundance of vegetable oil.

I followed instructions, and soon the griddle looked like this.

 

 

And after doing the process a couple more times, it looked like this.

 

 

When completely seasoned, it's supposed to be black all over.

And with that, I cooked a couple of burgers that turned out quite well. Now, I'm looking forward to trying out other meals. It should be great for my favorite - breakfast.

The bottom of the Blackstone never got too hot. The sides certainly did, but I wanted to know if it could be used on surfaces other than a wooden picnic table without harm. I think it can, but I'll be careful before putting it on our hard plastic folding table.

After dinner, I cleaned it up and put on the cover. It certainly cleans up much better than the old grill.

Then I carried it over and put it in the storage area of the RV (the "basement") to see how it would fit compared to the Olympian.

 

 

Not bad at all, and the towel I used to use under the old grill isn't really necessary, as there is no residual grease dripping out of the bottom.

 

 

I haven't yet tried out the carry bag, but it may come in handy down the road. From what I've seen and read, you turn the griddle over and store it on top of the base upside down in order for it to fit in the carry bag.

I've only used the Blackstone 17" Table Top Griddle once, but so far I'm very pleased and looking forward to honing my griddle skills. 

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Comments

[Ron]

We are camp hosting at Blackfoot Reservoir just outside of Pocatello, ID and I checked and Dick's Sports has one left in stock. They will hold it for me so going to get it tomorrow.
We weren't using our old big table top grill and this will be a nice change.