BLACKSTONE 36″ Omnivore Griddle Folding Shelves Review: The Ultimate Backyard Cooking Station?

For years, my backyard cooking ritual was the same. I’d fire up the traditional propane grill, carefully place burgers or chicken on the grates, and inevitably watch in frustration as a rogue asparagus spear or a handful of shrimp fell through into the fiery abyss below. Flare-ups would char one side of a steak while the other remained undercooked, and cooking a full breakfast for the family was an impossible dream. I, like many outdoor cooks, had evolved. My tastes shifted towards more vegetables, delicate fish, and complex meals like stir-fries and hibachi-style dinners—things a standard grill just isn’t built for. I was hitting a wall, realizing that my equipment was limiting my culinary creativity. This frustration is what sends many of us on the hunt for a more versatile, capable, and enjoyable outdoor cooking solution.

What to Consider Before Buying a Propane Griddle

A propane griddle is more than just an item; it’s a key solution for unlocking a whole new world of outdoor cooking. It transforms your deck or patio into a short-order kitchen, capable of handling anything from a massive pancake breakfast for a dozen people to delicate seared scallops, Philly cheesesteaks, and perfectly smashed burgers with crispy edges. The solid, flat cooking surface eliminates the problem of food falling through grates, provides incredibly even heat distribution, and allows you to cook with sauces, oils, and small ingredients that are impossible on a traditional grill. It’s about control, capacity, and culinary freedom.

The ideal customer for this type of product is someone who loves to entertain, cook for large groups, or simply desires more versatility than a standard grill can offer. If you’re the designated cook for family gatherings, camping trips, or tailgating events, a large-format griddle will feel like a superpower. However, it might not be suitable for those with very limited patio space or for individuals who only cook for one or two people, as the large surface area might be excessive. For them, a smaller tabletop griddle or a portable grill might be a more practical choice. The commitment to seasoning and maintaining a steel cooktop, much like a cast-iron skillet, is also a factor to consider.

Before investing, consider these crucial points in detail:

• Dimensions & Space: A 36-inch griddle is a significant piece of equipment. With side shelves extended, the BLACKSTONE 36″ Omnivore Griddle Folding Shelves measures 62.5 inches wide. You need to ensure you have adequate, level space on your patio or deck, with safe clearance from siding and railings. Measure your intended area twice before you buy.
• Capacity/Performance: The cooking surface area, measured in square inches, dictates how much food you can cook at once. The 768 square inches on this model is massive, enough for dozens of burgers or eggs. Also, look at the number of burners—four independent burners, in this case—which allow you to create different temperature zones for cooking multiple types of food simultaneously at their ideal heat.
• Materials & Durability: The frame is typically powder-coated steel for weather resistance, but the star of the show is the cooktop. Blackstone uses heavy-duty rolled steel that, when properly seasoned, develops a fantastic non-stick surface. Pay attention to the gauge of the steel and the overall sturdiness of the cart, including the quality of the casters for mobility.
• Ease of Use & Maintenance: Features like folding side shelves, tool hooks, and a paper towel holder dramatically improve the cooking experience. Maintenance is non-negotiable; the steel griddle top must be cleaned after each use and kept lightly oiled to prevent rust. A well-designed grease management system is crucial for easy cleanup, though as we’ll see, this can be a point of contention. You can see its full feature set and user reviews to gauge if the maintenance routine fits your lifestyle.

While the BLACKSTONE 36″ Omnivore Griddle Folding Shelves is an excellent choice, it’s always wise to see how it stacks up against the competition. For a broader look at all the top models, we highly recommend checking out our complete, in-depth guide:

First Impressions: Unboxing and Assembling the Blackstone Behemoth

The arrival of the BLACKSTONE 36″ Omnivore Griddle Folding Shelves is an event. The box is substantial and heavy, tipping the scales at 120 pounds. As several users noted, it’s highly advisable to have a friend help you move it into position. Upon opening the box, we found the components were well-packed and secured, though we’ve seen reports of shipping damage, which isn’t surprising for an item of this size and weight. Our unit arrived unscathed. Assembly was refreshingly straightforward. With a few common hand tools—an adjustable wrench and a Phillips screwdriver—we went from unboxing to a fully assembled griddle in about 45 minutes, working at a casual pace. Many users report even faster times, some as quick as 15-20 minutes. The instructions are clear, and the main components (the cart base and the burner assembly) are largely pre-assembled. The final step is lifting the heavy steel griddle top into place, which definitely requires two people. Once built, the unit feels solid and substantial, ready for serious cooking. The black powder-coated finish gives it a professional, no-nonsense look that means business.

Performance Deep Dive: Putting the Blackstone Omnivore to the Test

A griddle lives or dies by its cooking performance. It’s not just about getting hot; it’s about how it heats, how it retains that heat, and how it empowers you as a cook. We spent several weeks putting the BLACKSTONE 36″ Omnivore Griddle Folding Shelves through its paces, cooking everything from delicate breakfasts to hearty hibachi dinners, to see if the real-world experience matched the hype.

The Omnivore Cooking Surface: A Masterclass in Heat Control

The heart of this machine is its 768-square-inch rolled steel cooktop, powered by four 17.58 Kilowatt burners. The first thing we did, and the most critical step for any new owner, was to season the griddle. Following Blackstone’s recommended process, we applied thin layers of oil and heated the griddle until it smoked off, repeating the process several times until a dark, slick, non-stick patina began to form. This is not optional; it’s essential for performance and longevity, just like with a cast-iron pan.

Once seasoned, the performance was spectacular. The “Omnivore” technology isn’t just marketing jargon; we found the griddle heated up remarkably fast and, more importantly, incredibly evenly across the surface directly above the burners. We cooked a batch of 24 pancakes and achieved consistent golden-brown color across the board, something impossible on our old grill. The four independent heat zones are the real game-changer. For a full breakfast feast, we had one side on low for holding scrambled eggs and pancakes, a middle zone on medium for frying bacon, and the far side on high for searing sausage patties. This level of control is liberating. One user noted that the corners can be “cold zones,” a finding we confirmed. However, we quickly began using these cooler spots intentionally as perfect warming areas for finished food, keeping everything at the perfect temperature until it was time to serve. This is a massive advantage when orchestrating a large, multi-component meal. The sheer size meant we could cook an entire 16-person fajita dinner—peppers, onions, chicken, and steak—all at the same time, a feat that previously would have required multiple pans and trips back and forth to the kitchen. For anyone who cooks for a crowd, this cooking capacity alone is worth the investment.

Assembly and Build Quality: Sturdy Frame with Minor Quirks

The overall build quality of the BLACKSTONE 36″ Omnivore Griddle Folding Shelves is impressive for its price point. The powder-coated steel frame feels robust and stable, providing a solid foundation for the very heavy cooktop. The four industrial-strength casters, two of which lock, make moving the 120-pound unit across a deck or patio surprisingly easy, though it’s not designed for rough terrain. As mentioned, assembly is a breeze. The parts fit together well, and we didn’t encounter any of the alignment issues that can plague lower-quality outdoor cookers. We echo the sentiment of one long-time user who found it to be an “outstanding value,” stating you’d have to spend significantly more to find a noticeably better-built griddle.

However, it’s not without its minor imperfections. We’ve seen several user reports, and experienced this on other models, where small components like pop rivets on non-critical parts might be missing or broken upon arrival. On our test unit, one of the thumb screws for the bottom tray was threaded at a slight angle, requiring a bit of care to screw in without cross-threading. These are minor quality control issues that don’t affect the griddle’s cooking performance but are worth noting. They seem to be occasional manufacturing quirks rather than universal design flaws. The core components—the burner tubes, the igniter, and the griddle plate itself—are well-made and durable.

Design & Usability: Smart Features and One Glaring Flaw

Blackstone clearly put a lot of thought into the user experience, and it shows in the thoughtful design features. The two folding side shelves are a godsend, providing ample space for prep trays, seasoning, and finished plates. When you’re managing a full griddle, having that workspace right at hand is invaluable. The integrated tool hooks and the dedicated paper towel holder are simple additions that make a huge difference, keeping your essential gear organized and within arm’s reach. Everything feels like it’s part of a cohesive, well-designed cooking station.

Unfortunately, this thoughtful design has one infamous, almost legendary, flaw: the grease management system. On this model, grease is channeled to a small hole at the rear of the griddle, which is meant to drip into a suspended catch pan. In theory, it works. In practice, especially with fatty foods like bacon or burgers, the system is easily overwhelmed. We found, as countless users have, that grease has a tendency to miss the small catch cup, instead running down the front right leg of the griddle and creating a messy puddle on the deck. This is a well-documented problem, and an entire cottage industry of “grease mod” tutorials exists online. Many users fashion a small trough or extension out of copper or aluminum to better guide the grease. It’s a frustrating oversight on an otherwise excellent product. While it doesn’t ruin the cooking experience, it does detract from the cleanup process and is a necessary modification for almost any serious user. Despite this issue, the sheer joy of cooking on the griddle makes it a flaw many, including us, are willing to work around. You can check the latest price and availability to decide if the trade-off is right for you.

What Other Users Are Saying

After extensive testing, our findings align closely with the broad consensus from fellow users. The overwhelming sentiment is positive, with people raving about the griddle’s versatility and capacity. One user perfectly captured this by saying, “We have been making everything on this Blackstone griddle. Chicken shawarma, cheesesteaks, smash burgers, veggie stir fries… We have not used our grill in over a month.” This shift from traditional grilling to the more versatile griddle cooking is a common theme.

Another echoed our experience with assembly and value, noting, “It was extremely easy to assemble. From opening the box to turning it on in just over ten minutes… Shocked with how happy I am with this product.”

However, the negative feedback is just as consistent and almost universally focuses on the same two points. The most prominent complaint is the grease management system. As one user bluntly put it, “Only reason I knocked off a star is because of the lame grease drip arrangement… it still causes most of the grease to miss the tray and make a mess.” The other common issue revolves around shipping, with several reviewers mentioning their unit arrived with dents or minor damage due to the product’s sheer weight and the rigors of package handling. These criticisms are valid and important for potential buyers to be aware of.

How Does the BLACKSTONE 36″ Omnivore Griddle Folding Shelves Compare to Alternatives?

While the Blackstone is a dominant force in the griddle market, it’s important to understand how it fits into the broader outdoor cooking landscape. Depending on your specific needs, one of these alternatives might be a better fit.

1. Weber SPIRIT E-325 3-Burner Propane Grill

If you’re a traditionalist who can’t part with grill grates and the distinct flavor of flame-broiling, the Weber Spirit is a legendary choice. This is the classic, high-quality propane grill experience. It excels at creating perfect sear marks on steaks, burgers, and chicken, and its enclosed design makes it better for indirect cooking or smoking than a flat top griddle. However, you lose the Blackstone’s versatility for breakfast foods, chopped vegetables, or liquid-based cooking like stir-fries. The Weber is for the grilling purist, while the Blackstone is for the versatile outdoor chef who wants to cook everything outside.

2. PIT BOSS Two-Burner Portable Grill

For those whose primary need is portability, the Pit Boss offers a compelling alternative. This compact, stainless steel two-burner grill is designed for tailgating, camping, or use in small spaces where the massive 36″ Blackstone simply won’t fit. Its cooking area and heat output are significantly smaller, making it unsuitable for large crowds. It’s a trade-off: you sacrifice the Blackstone’s immense capacity and four-zone cooking for the ability to easily pack it in a car and take it anywhere. If your outdoor cooking happens away from home, this is the more practical choice.

3. BLACKSTONE 1971 Original 17” Tabletop Griddle

If you love the griddle concept but don’t need the gargantuan size of the 36-inch model, its smaller sibling is the perfect solution. The Blackstone 17″ Tabletop griddle offers the same excellent flat top cooking experience in a much more compact package. It’s ideal for couples, small families, or as a portable companion for an RV. You get the same benefits—even heating and versatility—but for smaller-scale meals. It’s the perfect entry point into the world of griddling without committing the space and budget required for the full-size model.

The Final Verdict: Should You Buy the BLACKSTONE 36″ Omnivore Griddle Folding Shelves?

After weeks of cooking everything we could think of, our conclusion is clear: the BLACKSTONE 36″ Omnivore Griddle Folding Shelves is a truly transformative piece of outdoor cooking equipment. It fundamentally changes what’s possible on your patio, turning it into an incredibly capable outdoor kitchen. The massive, evenly-heated cooking surface and four independent zones provide a level of control and capacity that a traditional grill simply cannot match. It’s an absolute powerhouse for entertaining and feeding large groups with ease.

Yes, the flawed grease management system is a significant annoyance that you will likely need to address with a simple DIY fix. But in our expert opinion, this one drawback is heavily outweighed by the sheer performance, versatility, and outstanding value the griddle offers. If you’re ready to move beyond the limitations of standard grilling and unlock your full outdoor cooking potential, this is the machine to do it. For its ability to bring friends and family together over incredible food, we wholeheartedly recommend it. If you’re ready to revolutionize your backyard cooking, you can find the best price and order yours today.