Blackstone 22-Inch Tabletop Griddle Review: Is It Worth Buying?

After cooking several meals on the Blackstone 22-Inch Tabletop Griddle, I can say that I love it!

It’s a compact flat-top griddle that can still handle a proper meal.

Here’s why I’ve enjoyed using it:

• ✅ Quick and easy setup – I had it assembled and ready for seasoning in about 30 minutes.
• 🔥 Excellent for high-heat cooking – The flat cooking surface works especially well for foods like smash burgers and fajitas.
• 🍳 Plenty of cooking possibilities – In addition to burgers, I’ve used it for fried potatoes and chicken fried rice. It’s also great for eggs, bacon, pancakes, breakfast potatoes, and breakfast burritos.
• 🧽 Easy seasoning and cleanup – Preparing the cooking surface was straightforward, and the rear grease system helps keep cleanup manageable.
• 🏕️ Compact and portable – It’s a practical option for patios, camping trips, RVs, and smaller outdoor cooking spaces.

It does need around 10–15 minutes to preheat, and you’ll want to protect it from strong wind.

Keep reading, and I’ll explain how the Blackstone performed, what I cooked on it, and why this compact griddle is worth buying.

Specifications:

• Fuel Type: Propane gas
• Number of Burners: 2
• Total BTU: 24,000
• Cooking Area (sq.in): 362
• Weight: 38 lbs
• Build Materials: Painted steel, stainless steel, and cold-rolled steel
• Dimensions: 23.6″ x 23.6″ x 13″ (W x D x H)
• Warranty: 1 year

Why the Blackstone 22-Inch Is Such a Useful Tabletop Griddle

A regular grill is great for steaks, chicken, and anything that benefits from open flames. But some foods are simply easier to cook on a wide, solid surface.

That’s where the Blackstone 22-Inch really earns its keep.

It works like a large outdoor skillet, giving you plenty of room to spread out ingredients and cook several things at once.

Here’s what it does best:

• Smash burgers: The beef makes full contact with the hot steel, creating a dark, crispy crust.
• Breakfast foods: Eggs, bacon, pancakes, sausage, and breakfast potatoes can all share the same surface.
• Fried rice: Rice, vegetables, and small pieces of meat stay safely on the griddle.
• Potatoes and vegetables: You can spread them out for better browning instead of crowding a skillet.
• Quick family meals: It’s easy to cook meat, vegetables, buns, and side dishes at the same time.

Setup, Assembly & First Seasoning – Ready in About 30 Minutes

Let’s be honest—assembling a new grill can sometimes take the fun out of buying it.

Fortunately, that wasn’t the case here!

The Blackstone arrived mostly put together, and I had it ready in around 30 minutes. There were no confusing piles of hardware, and the instructions were easy enough to follow.

The setup was refreshingly simple:

• Minimal assembly: Most of the main components were already in place.
• Clear instructions: I didn’t have to guess where everything went.
• Quick gas connection: Attaching the propane supply was straightforward.
• Stable construction: The griddle felt solid once placed on a sturdy table.
• Easy ignition: The burners started without any trouble.

Before cooking, the steel plate needs to be seasoned.

This creates a protective layer that helps prevent rust and gradually makes the cooking surface smoother and less prone to sticking.

I cleaned the plate, heated it, and applied several very thin coats of oil. Each layer was allowed to smoke off before I added the next one. The whole process was easier than I expected.

A few seasoning tips:

• Use thin layers: Too much oil can create a sticky surface.
• Cover the whole plate: Don’t forget the corners and outer edges.
• Let it smoke: Allow each layer to finish smoking before adding more oil.
• Ignore patchy color: The surface will darken and even out with regular cooking.
• Oil it after cleaning: A light protective coat helps keep rust away.

The first seasoning doesn’t have to look perfect.

Every time you cook burgers, bacon, or other fatty foods, the surface will continue to improve.

Compact but Solid Design – Hood, Portability & Cooking Space

Although Blackstone calls this a tabletop griddle, it doesn’t feel like a flimsy camping stove.

The steel cooking plate has some real weight to it, and the entire unit feels solid once it’s sitting on a level surface.

The design is simple but practical:

• 22-inch cooking surface: There’s enough room for several burger patties or different breakfast ingredients.
• Two burners: Each side can be controlled separately.
• Hinged hood: It keeps dust, leaves, and debris off the cooking plate.
• Rear grease system: Oil and food scraps can be pushed into the removable cup.
• Stainless steel front: It looks good and is easy to wipe clean.
• Compact footprint: It takes up much less space than a full griddle station.

Heat-Up Time, Temperature Control & Two-Zone Cooking

My first experience with the heat output was a little confusing.

The griddle seemed slow to warm up, and the flames looked weaker than I expected. At first, I thought the Blackstone itself might simply be underpowered.

It turned out that the real problem was the gas regulator.

After changing it, the flames became noticeably stronger and the cooking surface started heating properly.

Check these first if the heat seems weak:

• Propane level: Make sure the tank isn’t nearly empty.
• Gas connection: Check that everything is securely connected.
• Hose condition: Look for kinks, restrictions, or damage.
• Regulator function: A faulty or low-quality regulator can greatly reduce the flame.
• Tank valve: Open it slowly before lighting the burners.

Once everything was working correctly, I found that the Blackstone needed around 10–15 minutes to preheat.

That gives the thick steel plate enough time to warm through instead of leaving you with one hot patch and several cooler areas.

Wind makes a noticeable difference. In a cold and exposed location, the griddle can take longer to heat and may struggle to maintain a high surface temperature.

A sheltered spot works much better, as long as the griddle is still used outdoors with proper ventilation and safe clearances.

Once mine was protected from strong wind and connected to a good regulator, it delivered all the heat I needed.

Real-World Cooking Performance – What I’ve Made on It

So far, I’ve cooked smash burgers, American breakfast, fried potatoes, and chicken fried rice on my Blackstone.

Everything turned out nicely, but the smash burgers were the clear winner.

For my Blackstone smash burger recipe, I preheated the surface to around 400–450°F.

As soon as the beef hit the steel, it started sizzling and forming the deeply browned crust you want from a proper smash burger.

Also, it’s easy to see why breakfast is so popular with Blackstone owners.

These breakfast items should work especially well on Blackstone:

• Bacon and sausage: Plenty of space and easy grease management.
• Eggs: No gaps for the egg white to drip through.
• Pancakes: A large, evenly heated surface for cooking several at once.
• Hash browns: Direct contact with the steel helps create crispy edges.
• Breakfast burritos: Cook the filling and toast the tortillas on the same griddle.
• Breakfast sandwiches: Eggs, meat, cheese, and buns can all be prepared together.

Grease Management, Cleaning & Everyday Maintenance

Cleaning the Blackstone is easy once you get into the routine.

I let the plate cool slightly after cooking, but I clean it while the surface is still warm. That makes it much easier to remove stuck food and greasy residue.

My cleanup routine is simple:

1. Scrape the surface: Remove browned food and stuck-on bits.
2. Push everything back: Move grease and scraps toward the rear opening.
3. Add a little water: Use a small amount if something is stubborn.
4. Wipe it clean: Dry the surface with paper towels or a cloth.
5. Apply oil: Spread a very thin protective layer over the steel.
6. Empty the cup: Dispose of the grease after it has cooled.

There’s no need to scrub the plate until the steel looks brand new.

The dark seasoning layer is something you want to keep. It protects the surface and makes cooking easier over time.

What Other Reviewers Say About the Blackstone 22-Inch

My experience is broadly in line with other reviews of this Blackstone griddle.

Most owners and reviewers seem to like the balance between cooking space, portability, and everyday versatility.

The feedback is mostly positive:

• Cooking space: Reviewers generally find the 22-inch surface large enough for couples, families, and small groups.
• Two-zone control: The separate burners make it easier to cook different foods at once.
• Strong performance: Once properly preheated, the griddle handles burgers, breakfast, and high-heat cooking well.
• Easy cleanup: The rear grease system and flat surface receive plenty of praise.
• Solid construction: The steel cooking plate feels sturdy and retains heat well.
• Useful portability: It’s easier to transport and store than a full-sized griddle station.

The same small complaints come up repeatedly.

Wind can affect the burner performance, and the unit is heavier than some buyers expect from a tabletop model.

Several long-term owners also say their only regret is not buying a larger Blackstone. That’s worth thinking about if you regularly cook for a crowd and don’t really need portability.

For my needs, the 22-inch size feels like a good middle ground.

It offers much more cooking space than a small camping griddle without taking over the entire patio.

Final Verdict – Should You Buy It?

The Blackstone 22-Inch Tabletop Griddle has been a very good purchase. It was quick to assemble, easy to season, and enjoyable to cook on from the start.

Most importantly, the food has turned out the way I wanted it to. So I can definitely recommend it!

This is why it’s a great buy:

• Excellent smash burgers: The steel surface produces a crisp, deeply browned crust.
• Versatile cooking: It works for breakfast, fried rice, potatoes, sandwiches, and much more.
• Two heat zones: You can sear, cook gently, and keep food warm at the same time.
• Compact size: It fits smaller patios and can be transported when needed.
• Easy cleanup: The rear grease system keeps the routine simple.
• Useful hood: It helps protect the cooking surface between uses.
• Fast setup: Mine was ready in around 30 minutes.

It’s especially well suited to couples, small families, campers, RV owners, and anyone who wants a flat top without dedicating half the patio to it.

A larger Blackstone makes more sense if you regularly cook for a big group. See my roundup article with the best Blackstone griddles here.

And if your main goal is smoky barbecue, whole chickens, or indirect cooking, you’ll still want a traditional grill or smoker. But that isn’t what this Blackstone is trying to be.

It’s a compact and capable outdoor cooking surface that makes smash burgers, breakfast foods, fried rice, and quick family meals easy.

Once I fixed the regulator issue and kept it away from strong wind, it performed exactly as it should.

I’d happily buy it again!

–Joonas