Camp Chef vs. Blackstone – How to choose the best griddle?
This article helps to choose the best griddle grill. The most popular grills Camp Chef vs. Blackstone, are compared based on the main technical parameters and cooking experience
The exceptional taste of the food prepared on fire makes a grill a popular cooking preparation device. The popularity of grills is only increasing as it is also entertainment during family and friend gatherings. You can find grills of different sizes and shapes working on electricity, charcoal, pellets, or gas. Some versatile models can be used for eight different cooking methods, including smoking and baking.
A flat-top grill is the best proposal for those gourmets who prefer juicy food with all moisture. You can prepare on such grills not only meat but also eggs, pancakes, fajitas, and other dishes that are impossible to cook on cooking grates. Most of such grills have large metal cooking surfaces evenly heated, allowing you to prepare more food types at the same time. This article will compare four flat grills – Camp Chef vs. Blackstone.
Camp Chef and Blackstone products are the most popular flat top grills; these reliable grills are among bestsellers on Amazon.
Camp Chef vs. Blackstone – Brand comparison
Camp Chef, founded by Ty Measom, created the first Pro60 grill. The company headquarters are in Cache Valley, Utah, where all grills are designed and tested.
Production facilities are located in China, while all parts are purchased worldwide. Nowadays, you can purchase Camp Chef pellet grills, flat-top grills, and smokers.
They also produce several stove systems and portable ovens. In addition, all required accessories, seasons, pots, pans, and even branded clothing is available on the Camp Chef website.
Blackstone is a young grilling company that started to produce its first griddle 36” grill in 2008. The company specializes in flat griddles, pizza ovens, and outdoor kitchens.
All required accessories, including covers and carry bags, are available on the official website. The company headquarters is in Logan, Utah, where all grills are engineered and designed.
The company promises to produce the most functional and efficient griddles on the market. A detailed receipt book is available on the website for each grill user.
Camp Chef vs. Blackstone – Comparison table
Main differences between Camp Chef and Blackstone grills
We can’t state that these four grills are identical; models have some differences. The main ones are described here; the rest are in detailed review and face-to-face sections.
- Blackstone has a separate ignition button, while a matchless system is built-in for Camp Chef grills.
- Blackstone burners produce more heat than Camp Chef – 17.000 and 15.000 BTU/hour vs. 12.000 BTU/hour.
- Camp Chef 600 is portable, while Blackstone 1883 is not actually portable but can be easily disassembled.
- Camp Chef grills have better wind protection for the burners than Blackstone.
- Camp Chef’s griddles for grills are delivered already pre-seasoned; Blackstone’s ones you need to pre-season by yourself.
- Camp Chef and Blackstone grills have different cooking areas, from 524 sq. inches to 877 sq. inches.
A detailed review of Camp Chef and Blackstone grills
After a brief comparison of models and their differences, let’s have a closer look at the detailed review of these four outstanding flat-top grills.
Camp Chef Portable Flat Top Grill 600
This Camp Chef flat-top grill is the only portable grill in this review. It is designed for easy transportation and storage. It has collapsible legs and two side folded shelves, so you need only several minutes to assemble it on a patio, forest, camps, or party. The grill is equipped with four powerful gas burners; each one is 12.000 BTU per hour (in total, 48.000 BTU per hour) and ignites automatically with a click after you start to rotate a dedicated knob.
Each red knob has four positions for controlling the burner heat. On the body near each control knob, there is a “spy” hole to check if your burner is on. The large pre-seasoned (604 sq. inches) and not-stick removable griddle is suitable for outdoor breakfast, lunch, meat, or vegetables. The griddle is made from cast iron, and you may cook on it food for 20 people at a time as the griddle heats evenly. All grease produced during cooking is collected in the channel in front of the griddle and flows to a grease drip pan. For easy cleaning, a grease pan should be used with disposable aluminum catch cups.
For transportation, the side shelves are folded to cover and protect the burners and locked by latches. The griddle should be taken out and transported separately. Unfortunately, the legs have no wheels, so you can’t easily move the grill on your patio. Also, there are no storage shelves, as it is supposed that the grill will not stay in one place for a long time. The grill works from a standard 5 lbs propane tank connected by a hose. During transportation, you need to disconnect the tank.
The grill is delivered in one box. For assembling, you need only one person. You do not need to assemble this grill, as the legs are already attached. You only need to place handles on both sides of the grill. The flat top and a drip pan are installed without any additional screws or bolts, just placed into a dedicated spot.
Portable model Camp Chef Flat Top 600 comes with a cart and a steel grate that allows you to choose a cooking device between a flat griddle and a grate.
- Portable model
- Two folded side tables
- Separate control knob for each burner
- Matchless ignition system
- Two handles left/right
- Four adjustable collapsible legs
- Built-in a bottle opener
- Grease management system for easy cleaning
- Pre-seasoned griddle
- Body with wind guards
- Too heavy for easy transportation
- No wheels
- No storage shelves and hocks for accessories
- No installation place for a propane tank
- Expensive model
Camp Chef Flat Top Grill 900
Camp Chef 900 is a standing-alone grill with two side folding tables and a cart. It looks similar to Flat Top 600 but is non-portable and has six burners. Six stainless steel burners in the stainless body under the griddle ensure even heating. You can light all burners separately. They are equipped with a matchless ignition system, but if you can’t use it, a hole near each one should be used for lighting with a match. The griddle is made from 7 gauge hot-rolled steel, pre-seasoned, non-stick, and ready for cooking. You can cook, grill or boil meat and vegetables simultaneously. The grill is versatile for preparing pancakes, eggs, pizza, bacon, burgers, and more.
Even though the grill comes pre-seasoned, you need to take care of the griddle. The grease management system is organized only with a small hole in the griddle and a grease pan below. The hole can be easily clogged with food pieces, so keep a look at it to prevent grease from collecting in the griddle’s channel. You can purchase separate hocks for holding a paper towel and accessories. Unfortunately, the side tables are hot during cooking because of the heat under the griddle. Some owners recommend using a separate table for cooking.
The grill body has a built-in wind deflector, so you should not worry about losing the fire in windy weather. On the bottom side of the griddle, the patented deflector is located to keep the heat longer and distribute it evenly. However, they will constantly work after you turn on gas burners, and the grill construction will not allow you to control temperature significantly (especially at low temperatures). This you should keep into account while preparing eggs or pancakes.
The grill comes in one box, but the griddle is placed inside separately in a special box. Two people might be required to put the griddle in place as it is heavy during assembling. For transportation, it is recommended to take it off. This model is equipped with special bolts under the griddle to level it. You need to assemble only legs, handles, shelves, and side tables.
- Large cooking surface with even heating (877 sq. inches)
- Separate knobs for burners
- Matchless ignition
- Durable construction
- Possibility to level the grid
- Two shelves for storage
- Built-in wind deflectors
- Two locking casters and two wheels for moving on the legs
- Grease management system for easy cleaning
- Heavy griddle
- Small hole for grease in the griddle
- No cover in the package
- Not possible to constantly maintain a low temperature
- Side tables get very hot during cooking
Blackstone 1883 Gas Hood & Side Shelves Heavy Duty Flat Top Griddle Grill Station
This grill is another significant investment for the whole family gathering and unique food preparation. It has enough cooking space to prepare breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Its griddle fits 21 burgers, 18 steaks, or 15 pancakes. This grill is the smallest reviewed in this article but with the most powerful burners – 17.000 BTU/hour each. Blackstone 1883 has two gas burners that work from a propane tank. The grill has two side tables and one shelf for convenient food preparation and accessories storage. The grill has heavy gauge steady construction that ensures even heat distribution. Between the griddle and the body, there is space where you can check if your burners are on or off.
This 28” griddle has two burners; one is controlled with a separate knob with five temperature settings. For ignition, a separate button is located on the left; it works from a 1 AA battery. Before cooking, you need to season the griddle properly following the manual (to heat the griddle with several layers of oil). After seasoning, food will not stick to the cooking surface. This grill is the only one reviewed with the hood; it helps to protect from grease splashes and the wind. The grease management system is organized with a larger hole in the middle of the grill and a drip tray. This system is advanced compared to old models of Blackstone with a small hole in the front. You may use aluminum disposable cup liners to reduce cleaning time.
Even though this model is not announced as portable, you can detach a propane tank, remove the bottom shelf and fold the legs. After that, moving it around or taking it to the campsite will be easy. For transportation on two legs, there are small wheels.
You can purchase several modifications of this 28” top flat griddle grill on Amazon. The budget version includes only heavy-duty hoot for griddle protection; other versions may include a cover, cup liners for a grease management system, a griddle kit, or a toolset for cleaning. A model with a front shelf and hooks are also available on the official website.
For assembling, you may need two people and about 30 minutes because you need the separate griddle part is heavy. All parts come in one box, perfectly packed. For assembling, you need only separate tools and about 30 minutes. You need to unlatch the legs and put on the wheels, stabilize the grill with a bottom shelf, and install a propane hanger, knobs, side shelves, a hood, and a griddle.
- Affordable price
- 2 side tables and 1 bottom shelf
- Powerful two 17.000 burners
- Dedicated control knobs
- Large cooking area 524 sq. inches
- Easy to clean
- Excellent customer service
- Advanced grease management system
- Protection hood for a griddle
- Holder for a propane tank
- Separate electronic ignition button working from 1 AA battery
- No meat probe
- No grill marks
- Griddle is not pre-seasoned
- No accessories in the package
- Side shelves are not folded
Blackstone 36 Inch Gas Griddle Cooking Station
Blackstone 36 Inch griddle station looks very similar to the 1883 model. This model is still popular since 2005. Meanwhile, it has some improvements from the original version. It also has two fixed side tables, one bottom shelf, the same grease management system with a hole at the back, a drip tray below, and a rolled steel griddle plate. This model has a large cooking area of 720 sq. inches, heated with four powerful burners (15.000 BTU/each). Each stainless steel burner has a separate control knob, so you have four independent heating zones on the griddle. You have two locking casters and two wheels to move the grill on two legs.
You can cook vegetables, eggs, pancakes, steaks, burgers, and many more on an evenly heated griddle from solid steel. Before food preparation, you need to pre-season the griddle. Next, you need to spread the oil on the hot griddle several times and boil the oil off. On the griddle, you can prepare up to 30 burgers and 27 steaks. The ignition system is standard for Blackstone’s grills – a separate button works from 1 AA battery (not included). No other fuel apart from a 20 lbs propane tank is required for cooking; a tank has a hook on the left side under the side table. The grill construction is built to last for a long time with a powdered black steel frame.
You need almost the same steps as for Blackstone 1883 to assemble the grill. All details also come in one box. First, you need to unpack all details from cartons and plastic. Then you need to take out the cart from the box, and unfold the legs; on two legs, two wheels are pre-installed, and you need to install the other two. After that, you put the bottom shelf and two side tables. This model has one handle on the left side for moving the grill.
The next step is to put the griddle into a pinhole; this piece is heavy, so that you might need people. Finally, you need to install knobs in their place and put the drip tray on the back. You receive one aluminum liner as a bonus. The whole process is super easy and takes not more than 30 minutes.
- Easy installation
- The large cooking area of 720 sq. inches
- For moving, there are two locking casters and two wheels
- Four individual heating areas with individual control knobs
- A hook for a propane tank
- Two side shelves and one bottom shelf
- Easy to clean with an advanced grease management system
- Side shelves are not folded
- For electronic ignition, you need 1 AA battery (not included)
- Griddle is not pre-seasoned
- No hood in the package
- The handle is not only on one side
Face-to-Face comparison of Camp Chef and Blackstone grills
This part of the article compares the main parameters of the grill – design, cooking experience, maintenance, and assembly. We will study which model out of the four is the best one.
Design
The design of Camp Chef and Blackstone grills is typical for top flat griddles. Four models differ in the number of wheels and bottom shelves, but all have two side tables. As Camp Chef 600 is a portable model, it does not have a cart with wheels, only folded legs; it does not have a hook for a propane tank. The Camp Chef grills have silver bodies and black side tables, griddle, and legs, while Blackstone is entirely black. Only Blackstone 1883 has a protective hood for the griddle.
verdictThe combination of silver and black makes Camp Chef a more preferable choice compared with total black Blackstone. Even though both grills are very well constructed from fine materials, Camp Chef looks more durable. Also, the side shelf of Camp Chef can collapse to minimize storage space.
Cooking experience
Even though these four grills have different manufacturers, they are very similar in cooking experience. All presented models have more than one burner; this allows the preparation of food under different temperatures on one griddle.
You can set the desired temperature under each type of food using the dedicated burner’s mode. One difference between Camp Chef and Blackstone – is the ignition system. Camp Chef burners are ignited from a built-in matchless system, while Blackstone has a separate ignition button that works from a 1 AA battery.
Another difference is pre-seasoning. Camp Chef is sold with an already pre-seasoned griddle, while the Blackstone griddle requires pre-seasoning. Finally, these grills differ by the number of burners and BTU of each one.
verdictThere is no winner between Camp Chef vs. Blackstone. You will have similar cooking experience on all these four models. They differ only by the number of burners, correspondingly the number of individual heating zones, and how you ignite the stainless steel burners.
Assembling
The assembling process is easy for all four models. For assembling, you need only a wrench and a Phillips screwdriver.
These tools are not included in any package of these grills. The assembling process takes about 30 minutes and may require two people as all steel griddles are heavy.
The assembling steps include unfolding legs, installation of wheels and handles (if any), side tables, and a bottom shelf. The last step is placing the griddle and a drip tray.
Camp Chef’s grills are the most convenient in leveling; you can adjust the legs or the griddle.
verdictCamp Chef wins as you can level the top flat griddle for more convenient cooking during assembling.
Buying Guide – How to choose the Best Flat Top Grill?
If, after reading our article, you are interested in how better to choose the best griddle, this part is for you. We provide here a small questionnaire that you should fill out to find a griddle that matches your needs.
- Do you actually need a griddle? You can’t receive sear marks on such grills, and the food keeps more grease than regular grills with cooking grates.
- What is the size of your family? This determines the cooking area size.
- How many individual cooking zones do you need? This determines the number of burners if you have a gas grill. Also, they differ per BTU number of each one.
- What type of fuel do you prefer? The fuel could be traditional fuels, propane, natural gas, or electricity.
- Do you need a portable model? Or a stand-alone large cooking station?
- Do you need a hood, side tables, a bottom shelf, and other accessories?
- Do you need a durable model? With a high-quality steel griddle? Or you need a budget model.
We hope this guide will help you choose between the presented Camp Chef and Blackstone grills.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main difference between the griddle and traditional grills?
What is the hottest temperature of Blackstone grills?
Can griddle rust?
Does Camp Chef product only griddle?
Conclusion
Even though the construction of both grills is simply different, all four grills are good, durable grills with almost the same cooking performance. The minor differences in cooking area size, side tables and bottom shelf, ignition system, color, and wheels do not impact either maintenance or cooking procedure.
These four grills are versatile; you can prepare steaks, burgers, and vegetables for their breakfast. The presented Camp is slightly more expensive and a little bit better quality, and the Camp Chef Portable Flat Top Grill 600 model is claimed to be portable.
But you can remove the griddle from all models, disassemble the cart, and take the grills to the campsite. We can’t recommend the specific model out of these four; all are good. It would be best to choose based on the required cooking area and the number of burners. You will have a perfect cooking experience with all these models!
