A griddle is an excellent alternative to a standard grill when it comes to cooking outside. With a griddle, you can simultaneously prepare multiple foods, making for an epitome of where innovation meets versatility.
If you are planning to buy a griddle, there are two brands you cannot go wrong with: the Pit Boss and Blackstone. Both brands are known for making some of the best griddles in the industry.
While Blackstone is arguably the leading company in the griddle industry, Pit Boss, famous for its pellet grills, has ventured into the griddle-manufacturing industry and claims to have some of the best griddles.
This post will compare Blackstone and Pit Boss griddles to help you see which is better for you and your needs.
What is Blackstone Griddle?
Blackstone has been producing griddles since 2005 and is undoubtedly the most recognized brand for outdoor griddles. The brand makes lots of griddle styles, allowing buyers to have a vast range of options from which they can choose.
However, there is one thing in common: Blackstone griddles come with a flat-top made from cold-rolled steel, perfect for even heat distribution.
Cooking on a Blackstone griddle is fantastic. The possibilities are endless, plus the griddles come with a large surface area and multiple burners, allowing you to prepare foods that cook at different temperatures at once. For instance, You can cook pancakes, eggs, bacon, patties, chicken, and hash browns at the same time.
As for sizes, Blackstone griddles come in four main configurations: Blackstone 36 inches, 28 inches, 22-inch griddle, and 17-inch tabletop griddle.
- Blackstone 17-inch griddle: If you want a portable griddle surface, the Blackstone 17-inch griddle is a perfect solution. It is designed with enough surface to cook for up to four people. It is also an ideal option for space-conscious homeowners. Besides being a portable option, it is easy to use and clean.
- Blackstone 28-inch griddle: If you are planning to feed small to medium groups, a 28-inch cooking surface from Blackstone could be a good option for you. Blackstone griddle in this category comes with a rear grease management system that makes cleaning up a breeze. With several adjustable heat zones, griddles at this configuration are suited to cook different foods at their optimum temperatures simultaneously.
- Blackstone 36-inch griddle: Designed to become the centerpiece of your patio, this is the ultimate griddle for feeding crowds. It comes with everything you need to conquer your outdoor cooking. With any Blackstone griddle of this size, you are sure to cook outdoors without compromising on flavor or versatility.
If you love cooking outside but find a grill a bit intimidating, a Blackstone griddle can be an exciting solution. Depending on the configuration you pick, you are getting a large cooktop to prepare multiple foods at once.
The adjustable burners allow you to create independently controlled cooking zones, making it easy for you to prepare each food at optimal temperatures.
Overall, Blackstone griddles are excellent and worth the hype. Even if you have a tiny patio, you will find a Blackstone griddle to up your outdoor cooking game.
What is Pit Boss Griddle?
Pit Boss is one of the fastest-growing brands in the grilling industry that continue to deliver innovative products that disrupt the market. While it is popular for making world-class pellet grills, the brand is now having a full line of griddles that promise to take your outdoor cooking experience to the next level.
Pit Boss griddles perfectly blend power, portability, and precision, ultimately creating a one-of-a-kind cooking experience. Although the Pit Boss griddles are new in the market, they are a true game-changer, continually shaking the leading brands, including Blackstone. Their units come with a non-stick armored ceramic cooking surface that is sure to deliver an unrivaled, user-friendly cooking experience.
The ceramic coating not only makes it easy to clean your griddle but also protects it from scratches and rush, effectively helping it retain its good-looking features.
Despite being new in the griddle industry, Pit Boss griddles offer the best value per square inch. They have a wide range of griddles that come with similar sizing to the Blackstone griddles.
Things to Consider Before Buying a Griddle
Buying a Pit Boss or Blackstone griddle may not be a one-time decision to many people. Like any other pricey kitchenware, there are several things you need to consider before going out to the market to buy one.
Here are some of the things to consider when choosing the griddle to bring home:
1. Do You Have Enough Space to Store the Griddle?
Besides ensuring you have enough patio space for your griddle during the summer, you should identify a safe place to store your griddle when not using it. If you don’t have space in either the garage or patio, you need to create space for your griddle.
A griddle has a large base that will cover large space even when the shelves are folded down.
Proper planning and preparation of storage space is very key and will save you the stress of ensuring your griddle is stored safely between sessions. Of significance, if you are planning on keeping it outside, then you need to have a cover that you will use to keep moisture away from the cooking surface.
2. Griddle Surface
The kind of finish and metal used to make the griddle plate should also be a consideration before buying the griddle. Some are cast iron, while others are aluminum and other types of steel. The plate material determines the ease of cleaning it and is key in ensuring even heating.
The right material for you depends on what you are comfortable with when it comes to cleaning. Make sure to pick a griddle that is built to last.
3. Compare Brands
Find different brands in the market and choose which one impresses you. Consider the brand’s reputation, price, and other vital features of each griddle before making the big decision.
In most cases, you won’t go wrong picking Blackstone or Pit Boss griddles. The two brands have an excellent reputation in the griddle industry.
4. The Thickness of the Plates
Once you decide on which metal is to be used, then you also need to consider the thickness of the plates because they have varying extents of success.
The thinner plates respond faster, especially when adjusting the temperature. Unfortunately, they can easily warp when preheated at higher temperatures and distribute heat unevenly.
The thick plates conserve a lot of heat over a long time and distribute it more evenly. The downside is that they respond too slowly to temperature change, meaning they require a lot of energy to heat to the desired temperature. The right option for you will depend on your budget and preference.
5. Do You Want an Electric or Gas Griddle?
The most significant decision you can make as a buyer will depend on whether you want an electric or gas griddle. Gas griddles are more responsive and will easily detect a change in temperatures that are easy to control.
In comparison, the electric one is easy to install even without a technician, and it is also easy to move it to different locations when using it.
6. Consider the Kitchen Requirements for the Grill
This will help you to decide the best size that suits your kitchen needs. Additionally, you will be able to identify the extra tools you require and other kitchen accessories that you may require when using the griddle.
7. Ease of Cleaning
This will help you save time for other serious matters. Choose one made with material that can easily clean. Thankfully, Blackstone and Pit Boss griddles come with grease management systems, making for easy clean-up.
8. Choose the Size
Depending on your needs and space, you can buy the most suitable for good. Larger units should offer the flexibility and energy-saving capacity of multiple heat zones. However, larger does not always mean better. For this reason, choose one which you believe will suit your needs.
Blackstone vs Pit Boss Griddle: Which is Better?
Deciding between Blackstone and Pit Boss griddles can be very tough. You definitely want to ensure that you are getting the best offer and won’t regret having bought it later when using it.
For comparison purposes, we will use highly regarded griddles from both brands, particularly the Blackstone 1666 Tabletop Griddle and the Pit Boss PB336GS Table Top LP Gas Griddle.
Cooking Performance
Blackstone happens to have a larger cooking space compared to Pit Boss. Typically, you can cook more food with Blackstone than you would have with pit boss griddles. In addition, Blackstone produces more power of about 24,000 BTUs, thus cooking faster, evenly, and efficiently. Pit Boss can output up to 18,000 BTUs and can only prepare food relatively slower.
If you are lucky enough and find the Blackstone model with a hood, be ready for the best food since the hood ensures even heat that later produces evenly prepared food.
Design and Build
Pit Boss measures 20.47 × 17.32 × 10.83 inches and weighs 27 pounds. This is relatively lighter than Blackstone, which is 32 pounds and measures 22.5 × 19 × 9 inches. They are easier to carry along with when camping. Both griddles have a large cooking space and are made of stainless steel though Blackstone is slightly larger.
The significant difference between the two is that Pit Boss has its grease trap at the side while that of a Blackstone is located at the rear. Another major design difference is that Pit Boss only has the uncovered variant while Blackstone has a hood.
Griddles from both brands have great materials and very sturdy construction to withstand high temperatures when cooking. They can withstand outdoor elements and other factors.
Cleaning and Maintenance
Cleaning either of the two is very simple as long as it was first seasoned with oil on the cooking surface. You can use a scraper or spatula to scoop out the sticking food remains. The grease tray of Blackstone is at the back with a handle, while that of the Pit Boss has no handle.
You can remove your griddles and clean them with water and soap, but remember to season again before reusing.
Final Verdict
Pit Boss griddles are relatively cheaper than Blackstone options, but they perform pretty poorly. Blackstone has the best features, and you do not doubt that it will cook a lot of food evenly. Even though the Blackstone is quite expensive, the services it offers are with the price.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a Blackstone Griddle Worth It?
Blackstone griddles are certainly worth the money. They are high-quality and durable pieces of equipment and come with large cooking surfaces. The most important thing is to ensure that you buy a Blackstone griddle that perfectly caters to your needs.
What is a Pit Boss Griddle Made of?
Pit Boss griddles are made from either cast iron or stainless steel. The material of your griddle will depend on the option you buy.
Are Pit Boss Grills any Good?
Pit Boss makes some of the best and budget-friendly grills out there. They have a good rap for making high-quality grills with accurate temperature control and overall great value for money.
Is Pit Boss Worth the Money?
Pit Boss continues to deliver innovative products that are market disruptors. The brand stands out because its products deliver great value for money.
How Long Do Pit Boss Grills Last?
Pit Boss grill comes with a sturdy grilling surface that can last you anywhere between 6 and 10 years with regular use. However, with proper care and maintenance, your grill can last for over 10 years.
Are Steaks Good on a Griddle?
For many, cooking steaks on a griddle is one of the favorite ways to prepare steaks. With a griddle, you can make perfect, juicy steaks.
Conclusion
If you love cooking outside, a griddle is an excellent option for you. These instrumental pieces of equipment come with larger cooking surfaces and adjustable heat zones, allowing you to cook different foods at the same time.
If you are confused between Blackstone and Pit Boss, hopefully, this post helps make an informed decision before buying one.