If you’re looking for an all-in-one grilling solution that provides everything you need to cook up a feast, then you’ll want to check out the Blackstone Griddle & Charcoal Grill Combo. This versatile grill and griddle combo is perfect for those who love to entertain, as it features a flat top surface for cooking up a variety of foods, as well as a built-in charcoal grill for all your BBQ needs.
In this review, we’ll take a closer look at the Blackstone Griddle & Charcoal Grill Combo to see what it has to offer. We’ll also give you a few tips on how to get the most out of it and make the most of your outdoor cooking experience.
What is Blackstone?
Blackstone is a company specializing in outdoor cooking units, particularly griddles and portable propane-powered cookers. The iconic 36″ Griddle is their most popular product, but they offer a range of other sizes and styles as well. They are based in the USA, and their products are available nationwide.
Blackstone Griddle & Charcoal Grill Combo Overview
The Griddle & Charcoal Grill Combo gives you the best of both worlds – a charcoal grill and a griddle – in one unit. This versatile cooker is perfect for cooking multiple items at once, or for giving your food that perfect sear on the grill grate.
Main Features
- Dimensions: 51″D x 22″W x 36″H
- Weight: 30 pounds
- Grill Grate Dimensions 16” 15.75”
- Griddle Dimensions 17” x 15.75”
- Adjustable 12,000 BTU ‘H’ Style Stainless Steel Burner for the Griddle
- New Rear Grease Management System for the Griddle Top
- Charcoal Grate Hook
- Propane Adapter Hose
- Additional Hooks on the Front for Cooking Utensils
- Wheels and Handle for Easy Maneuverability
- Side Shelf to Support one-pound Propane Tank and Prep Space
What comes in the box
The Griddle & Charcoal Grill Combo comes with everything you need to get started, including the griddle surface, grill grate, charcoal tray, and ash catcher. There is a hook-type tool for adjusting the height of the grill grate. It also includes a set of tongs and a spatula, an adapter hose for connecting to a 20-lb propane tank, and a user manual.
Design and Build Quality
1819 Griddle and Grill Combo, also called Blackstone Duo, is not the most beautiful thing in the world, but it is a very well put together product. It features a 17″ wide griddle top made out of thick cold rolled steel and stainless steel H-style burner. The burner has a heat output of 12000 BTU, which is good enough for searing and fast cooking. You can use it with a little propane can on the side, or you can hook it up to a 20 lb propane tank using an adapter hose included in the package.
The grill portion of the 1819 consists of a cast iron grate with an adjustable height charcoal tray. The sides of the griddle are raised and the grease is channeled towards the back, to a container. The rear grease management system solves the notorious grease dripping problem that older griddles have. Overall, we liked the design, minus a couple of issues, the main one being the lack of any kind of hood.
The build quality though left us a little disappointed. This is not a cheap grill, and it’s got the name to live up to, so we were a little taken aback by some of the corners that were cut. The black powder coat finish on the steel frame is not very good. It tends to chip and flake off easily, which makes the grill look old and beat up. Also, some parts really could use a couple of more screws or rivets, like the base that holds the coal. The little side table looks like it will bend under anything heavier than 2 lbs.
Ease of Use
The Blackstone Duo is very easy to use. It comes with electric ignition, so it lights up quickly and evenly, and the H-shaped burner provides good heat coverage. The grill side is just like any other charcoal grill, with adjustable height. The lack of a hood is a bit of a downside, and makes it harder to control the temperature. The griddle side is where this grill shines. The thick cold rolled steel heats up quickly and evenly, and the grease management system takes all the hassle out of dealing with the grease. The cooking surface is big enough to cook multiple items at once, and the raised sides make it easy to keep things from sliding off.
Cleaning and Maintenance
Cleaning this griddle grill combo is easy. Both the griddle surface and the grill grate are removable so you can clean them thoroughly. The grease trap is accessible and easy to unload. The ashtray is also easy to remove and clean.
It is a bit more demanding regarding the maintenance because it’s very likely to start rusting if you do not clean it regularly, keep it covered when not in use, and season it BEFORE and AFTER every use.
Seasoning
Seasoning the grill is the important part to make sure you have a non-stick surface. Seasoned grill masters recommend seasoning your grill or griddle before and after every use, to protect it from corrosion and ensure your food doesn’t stick. This is a simple process and only requires you to brush on a layer of oil with a high smoke point and heat the surface to the highest temperature. There are even special products for seasoning a griddle that make the whole process easier.
Grilling and Griddling Test
The Griddle Grill Combo does exactly what it’s supposed to do, and it does it well. We found that it does not run hot as some other grills do, but it’s still hot enough to do some serious searing.
Burgers
We grilled some quarter-pound burgers on the grate, and we were more than pleased with the results. The burgers cooked evenly, with nice grill marks., reaches a temperature of about 700F within 10 minutes, which is hot enough to cook most things very quickly.
Bacon
There is nothing better than bacon on the griddle. We were able to cook 14 strips at a time, and they came out nice and crisp. The grease management system did a great job of dealing with all the grease, and we didn’t have any problems with it.
Pancakes
The griddle side is where this combo really shines. We were able to make 12 pancakes at a time, and they came out nice and fluffy. The griddle heats up quickly and evenly, so you don’t have to worry about hot spots. The raised sides make it easy to keep things from sliding off, and the grease management system takes all the hassle out of dealing with the grease.
This combo is so practical, that you can use it to cook almost anything. Take a look at this video, to see how Blackstone griddle & charcoal grill combo can fix up a whole, delicious charred meal.
Griddle Grill Pro Tips
- If you’re using a charcoal grill, you’ll want to let the coals burn down to white-hot embers before cooking.
- Season the grill and griddle before and after every use. You can use any type of oil, but we recommend using vegetable or canola oil.
- Be sure to oil the food, not the griddle! This will help prevent sticking and ensure even cooking.
- Use tongs to turn the food on the grill so you don’t puncture the meat and let all the juices escape.
What can Blackstone 17″ Combo be used for?
This grill is a full outdoor cooking unit that can be used to cook many, many different foods. You can sear steaks, cook burgers, hot dogs, chicken, fish, and vegetables, and even do some breakfast griddling. The griddle side is perfect for pancakes, bacon, eggs, and grilled cheese sandwiches.
Duo Griddle Grill vs Tailgater
Blackstone Tailgater is a similar concept to a Blackstone Duo, with few improvements. It seems like with the Tailgater, they tried to fix all the problems that the customers had with the Blackstone Duo, like the portability and not having a hood over the grill. The Tailgater’s legs can be folded, and they are also adjustable, so you can level the grill on uneven surfaces. It also has a hood that can be used for smoking or slow cooking. The Tailgater is also double the price of the Duo, so it ultimately depends on what you need vs your budget.
Final Verdict
The Blackstone Griddle & Charcoal Grill Combo is a great way to get the best of both worlds. It’s very versatile and can be used for a variety of foods. The grill heats up quickly and evenly, and the griddle is great for pancakes, bacon, eggs, and grilled cheese sandwiches. The grease management system is very efficient and takes all the hassle out of dealing with the grease.
What we liked about Blackstone
- It is affordable compared to other similar setups.
- The rear grease management system is functional, much better than what Blackstone products used to have.
- It is easy to set up.
- It is lightweight and has two wheels so it can be moved around, though it is not exactly what we would call ‘portable’
What we didn’t like
- It doesn’t come with a cover, you have to buy one separately.
- There is no lid and the standard Blackstone hardcovers are not compatible with the rear grease collectors. We found this one that might do the trick, though it’s not cheap. Alternatively, you could use a basting cover or a baking pan lid.
- There is no easy way to convert the griddle to natural gas. The Blackstone offers their own conversion kit, but there is an issue with removing the H burner that you will have to improvise around.
Should you buy the Blackstone Griddle Grill Combo?
All things considered, we believe that the Blackstone Griddle Grill Combo is a great value for the money. It’s a versatile cooker that will come in handy for many different occasions. If you want to replace your old charcoal grill, but also appreciate the convenience of having a flat top, then this is the grill for you. Just be sure to season it well, clean it regularly, and keep it covered when not in use. Whether you’re cooking daily for your family, or hosting a backyard BBQ, this grill will make sure no one is left hungry.
