Blackstone 36" 4-Burner
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The Blackstone 36" is responsible for converting millions of traditional grillers to flat-top cooking. Once you make smash burgers on 720 square inches of seasoned steel, there's no going back.
What We Love
- +Massive 720 sq in flat cooking surface
- +Four independently controlled burners
- +Incredibly versatile — breakfast to dinner
- +Easy to season and maintain
- +Fold-down side shelves for storage
- +Rear grease management system
Watch Out For
- −Requires proper seasoning and maintenance
- −No lid — can't do indirect cooking
- −Wind significantly affects heat
- −Rust is a concern without regular care
Specifications
Cooking Area
720 sq in
BTUs
60,000 (4 x 15,000)
Burners
4 independent zones
Material
Cold-rolled steel top
Fuel
Propane
Weight
120 lbs
Warranty
1 year
The Full Review
The Blackstone 36" changed how I cook outdoors. I'm not exaggerating. The versatility of a properly seasoned flat-top griddle is something you don't understand until you've used one.
Smash burgers are the gateway drug. Two ounces of ground beef, smashed thin on a screaming hot griddle with a metal press. Crispy lace edges, melted cheese, done in three minutes. Restaurant-quality every time.
But it goes so far beyond burgers. Weekend breakfast for the whole family — eggs, bacon, pancakes, hash browns, all cooking simultaneously across four zones. Stir fry with proper wok-level heat. Philly cheesesteaks. Hibachi-style fried rice. The flat surface handles anything a pan can handle, but bigger.
The four independent burners let you create multiple heat zones. I run the left two on high for searing and the right two on low for holding. Zone cooking on a griddle is genuinely game-changing.
How Does It Compare?
At a glance against its closest flat top griddle rivals.
| Grill | Rating | Price | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blackstone 36" 4-Burner (this) | 4.6 | $349 | Flat-top grilling is exploding and Blackstone owns the category. |
| Camp Chef Flat Top Grill 475 | 4.6 | $299 | The best mid-size portable griddle. |
| Blackstone 28-Inch Griddle | 4.5 | $249 | The compact Blackstone that fits smaller spaces without sacrificing flat-top performance. |
Who Is It For?
Anyone who loves smash burgers, breakfast cooking, or Asian-style stir fry. Families who want to cook a full meal simultaneously. Grillers looking for something completely different from their charcoal or gas grill.
Final Verdict
The Blackstone 36" is the most fun I've had cooking outdoors. At $349, it's an absurd value. Buy one, season it properly, and I guarantee it'll become your most-used outdoor cooker within a month. If you're still sizing the right Blackstone for your space, read the [Blackstone 28 vs 36 comparison](/compare/blackstone-28-vs-36) — and if you need something that travels, the [Best Tabletop Griddles guide](/guide/best-tabletop-griddles) covers the portable lineup.
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