Griddles are only getting more popular as a versatile cooking tool. They offer a lot of the advantages of a traditional grill, like high-heat cooking and the option to cook outside, while also doing a lot of things a grill can’t. After all, when was the last time you made a batch of delicious pancakes on a grill?
Of course, with increased interest in griddles, more and more brands are coming out with griddle options for consumers. That means that it’s up to the savvy consumer to find the best models for their needs.
Blackstone griddles and Traeger grills both have an impressive reputation for high-quality performance, durability, and the effectiveness of their options and settings.
So, since Traeger has released a direct competitor for Blackstone griddles, it only makes sense to compare them head-to-head, Blackstone vs. Traeger, to see which griddle comes out on top.
As always, we’re taking a close look not only at the features and design behind each griddle but also their real-world performance and practicality. Kitchen appliances are tools, not decoration, so let’s see how these griddles really work!
All About The Blackstone Griddle
Blackstone is a well-known and established name in the griddle world, and they have a range of different models and designs to give even the pickiest griddle chef all the selection they could ask for.
These griddles are versatile, durable, long-lasting, and generally well-designed for their intended uses. One of the biggest brand features of a Blackstone griddle is that they heat up quickly and maintain higher temperatures well.
If you’re a high-heat chef, this is a great feature to look for in your griddles, and Blackstone is here to deliver.
However, some people do note that, while higher temperatures are a clear benefit, Blackstone griddles have a little less temperature control than some griddles. You don’t want to overshoot your heat goals too much because it takes a little while for these griddles to cool down again.
Blackstone griddles use propane primarily, which makes them portable and relatively affordable to run. Propane is cheap and widely available for grilling use, and some of the smaller models of Blackstone griddle are perfect for taking on the go.
One note with Blackstone griddles is that they do need regular maintenance, and regular use, to stay in good condition. That’s going to be true of the Traeger grills as well, which we’ll discuss in a moment, but it’s a little more important here. Pitting and other kinds of damage can be a big problem with these griddles if you forget the maintenance requirements.
Fortunately, if you cook on your Blackstone griddle often enough, it will build up a seasoned layer that is more resistant to wear and tear and damage. But, if you’re looking for a griddle that will hold up in outdoor conditions, especially an uncovered deck or patio, you might be better off with a different brand.
In terms of durability, this is a place where Blackstone griddles really shine. Assuming you keep up with the maintenance requirements of your griddle they will last for years or decades without changing in efficiency or effectiveness.
Once you buy one of these griddles you can reasonably expect to use it for years.
Want to know more? We’ve written a more focused Blackstone review that can help!
All About The Traeger Griddle
The Traeger griddle is a little different from the Blackstone in a few respects. For one thing, Traeger has decided not to go for the portability of a Blackstone, instead letting their griddles get a little heavier and building a larger more comprehensive frame around the griddle.
That’s nice for people who want a standalone appliance that works for truly everything you need from a griddle. The additional table space on either side of the griddle top is particularly effective since you can keep pre-prepped ingredients or plates of finished food right next to you.
However, there are some trade offs here. For one thing, Traeger’s griddle doesn’t have as much heat separation between the griddle and the rest of the frame. As a result it doesn’t heat up quite as quickly, and you also shouldn’t expect this griddle to maintain the same high temperatures as a Blackstone.
On the other hand, a larger cooking area and larger grease catch are big advantages if you like to entertain or are feeding a large family.
In terms of maintenance, Traeger is pretty similar to Blackstone. The carbon steel griddle top can get well-seasoned with regular use, just like a cast iron griddle, but it’s also prone to corrosion and other kinds of damage that can cause serious defects over time.
Regular cleaning and seasoning, especially if you aren’t using the griddle as often, are a must.
That said, there is a significant price difference as well. Traeger’s griddle is the much more expensive of the two. While it does have some notable advantages, there are also downsides to this design, not least of which is that Traeger, while experienced with grill design, is still relatively new in the griddle world.
Head To Head: Blackstone Vs. Traeger Griddle Strengths And Weaknesses
There are a lot of things to consider when you’re comparing two griddles side by side like this. Here are some of the most important strengths and weaknesses of each griddle.
Blackstone reaches higher temps faster than the Traeger. That’s nice when you’re in a hurry, or if you’re looking for a griddle that’s ready to go as quickly as possible.
That said, there is a size difference between these griddles. The Traeger Flatrock is just a little larger than Blackstone’s closest competitor griddle. That means there is more room for your ingredients, less risk of accidentally overcrowding food, and you can cook for a larger group all at once.
Additionally, Traeger griddles have a larger grease trap, and the trap is on the front of the griddle so you don’t have to reach around back and potentially burn yourself removing it. That said, the grease catch in the back of the Blackstone griddle makes it a little easier and more natural to clean. But leaning over the hot griddle can be a problem for some people.
With the Traeger, cleaning you’ll be pulling things toward yourself instead of pushing away. That helps reduce heat exposure but might feel a little strange for people who are used to pushing away to clean.
The Trager griddle also has its heat source fully enclosed in the griddle stand, which means that wind won’t blow out the fire, while the Blackstone has a more exposed heat source. Fortunately, the Blackstone is fast and easy to reignite, but it can get blown out in windy conditions.
Both of these griddles have different heat zones, so you have the flexibility to cook different kinds of food at the same time, with slightly different temperatures on that cooking surface.
If you like making all of the components of a meal at once on your griddle, those heat zones are a real game changer. But, when it comes to head-to-head performance, Blackstone vs. Traeger, there really isn’t a performance difference here.
Where there is a difference is that Blackstone offers 22 different models of flat top griddles, while Traeger is really just breaking into this niche with the Flatrock. So you have more options, sizes, and additional features to choose from if you decide to go with Blackstone.
At the same time, the Flatrock really seems to have learned from the best design choices of other brands like Blackstone, which has given Traeger the opportunity to create a great all-in-one model that should work for just about anyone.
Thinking about a different griddle brand? Here’s a closer look at Camp Chef griddles.
Who Is It For?
Both of these brands are solidly premium griddles. If you’re looking for a more affordable alternative, Blackstone has more options, but none of them are going to be bargain-priced. That’s not a problem for most people who want a dedicated griddle cooktop, but you should remember that these are priced like full-time appliances.
That means that you should really think about how often you’re going to use your griddle before you invest.
In this case, that’s not just about spending your money well, either. Griddles have a tendency to rust or corrode when they aren’t used often enough. While that can be cleaned up and taken care of if it happens, you risk pitting or changes in how the griddle handles heat every single time it happens.
If you’re looking for a full-size professional quality griddle, you should be planning to use it regularly.
That said, Blackstone offers a range of more affordable options, and their Flatrock equivalent model is slightly more affordable than the Traeger version. Neither of these griddles are intended for more casual users, but the Blackstone is a little more in reach for the average user.
If you love grilling, but want a more versatile cooking surface, both of these griddles are for you.
If you’re looking for an occasional use griddle and don’t plan on using it very often, you might be better off with a countertop electric griddle or an accessory griddle for your existing grill.
Thinking about getting another outdoor cooking appliance? Our review of Pit Boss Smokers will give you more insight into this beginner friendly smoker brand.
Final Thought: Blackstone Griddles Vs. Traeger Griddles
Both of these griddles offer top of the line performance, top design features, and the speed and ease of high heat cooking in the comfort of your own home.
Traeger might be a slightly better option for people who are cooking for large groups or really need the added space of the cooktop, but Blackstone’s more affordable design offers a lot of the same advantages for less money.
We’d say that Traeger is a fantastic option for people who love griddle cooking and will get a ton of use out of their griddle. But for people who love griddle cooking, but aren’t going to be doing it all the time, the Blackstone’s more affordable design is almost as effective, and probably a better fit.
Blackstone is a much lesser quality product than traeger. I’ve had two black stones and both have had flaking issues which they refuse to resolve. Traeger on the other hand, what was our issues quickly and care about customer satisfaction.