Grills and Griddles
Best 36 Inch Griddles (2026): With and Without a Hood
Quick answer
The best 36 inch griddle is the Blackstone 36 in. Original with Built-in Hood: 768 sq in, four heat zones and a hood that keeps rain off the steel. A 36 inch top plates 6 to 7 full meals at once, or about 30 burgers, and feeds 12 or more when you cook in rounds.
Thirty-six inches is the full-size griddle: four burners, roughly 750 to 770 sq in of steel and enough room to run pancakes, bacon and eggs side by side. The real decision at this size is not brand, it is whether you want a hood, a hard lid or no cover at all, and how much you care about grease routing and wind.
Our top pick, the Blackstone 36 in. Original Griddle with Built-in Hood ($539.99), gives the most area with a hood for the money. The hoodless Blackstone 36 in. 4-Burner Griddle Cooking Station ($399.00) is the lowest-cost 36 inch. Check your crowd size in the griddle size calculator first; many families are better served by a 28 inch.
On this page
- What is the best 36 inch griddle?
- How many people does a 36 inch griddle feed?
- Should I get a 36 inch griddle with a hood or without?
- How long does a propane tank last on a 36 inch griddle?
- Beginner pick: the lowest-cost 36 inch griddle
- Intermediate pick: a lid, a thick top and room for the neighbors
- Expert pick: a 36 inch outdoor line station
- How do the 36 inch griddles compare on specs?
- Which accessories fit a 36 inch griddle?
What is the best 36 inch griddle?
The Blackstone 36 in. Original with Hood is the best all-around choice. Blackstone lists a 768 sq in Omnivore plate with built-in wind guards, four heat zones, one-button electric ignition, rear grease management and the BAR accessory system on the side shelves. Owners commonly praise the cooking area and the ease of pushing grease to the rear cup, and the usual complaints are the upkeep that any bare steel top needs.
The alternatives each solve something specific. The Camp Chef Gridiron Pro 36 Flat-Top Grill with Side Burner adds an open-flame Sidekick burner. The Pit Boss Deluxe Fold & Go 4-Burner Griddle has the thickest listed top (4.7 mm) and folds for travel. The Nexgrill Daytona 4-Burner Gas Griddle has a steel lid and a side grease drain. For the brand showdown, see Blackstone vs Camp Chef griddle.
How many people does a 36 inch griddle feed?
A 36 inch griddle plates about 6 to 7 full meals at one time, planning 100 to 130 sq in per person for protein plus sides. For burgers alone, Blackstone's figure is 30 on 768 sq in, about 26 sq in each. Parties of 12 to 20 are easily fed by cooking in rounds of 8 to 10 minutes. The griddle size for a party of 12 page models that in detail.
| Griddle | Cooking area (sq in) | Total BTU | Lid or hood | Full meals at once | Burgers (maker figure) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blackstone 36 in. with Hood | 768 | not published | Hood | 6 to 7 | 30 |
| Blackstone 36 in. with Air Fryer | 768 | not published | X-brace hood | 6 to 7 plus fryer sides | not published |
| Nexgrill Daytona 4-Burner | 756 | 60,000 | Steel lid | 6 to 7 | 12 to 15 |
| Pit Boss Deluxe Fold & Go | 753 | 62,000 | Hard lid | 6 to 7 | not published |
| Blackstone 36 in. 4-Burner | not published | 60,000 | None | about 6 to 7 | not published |
| Camp Chef Gridiron Pro 36 | not published | not published | Hinged lid | about 6 to 7 plus side burner | not published |
Full meals at once = cooking area divided by 100 to 130 sq in per person. Nexgrill's burger figure is lower because it assumes larger patties and spacing.
Should I get a 36 inch griddle with a hood or without?
Get a hood or lid if the griddle lives outside uncovered, if your yard is windy, or if you like to melt cheese and steam vegetables. A hood keeps rain and leaves off the steel, which is the main cause of rust, and it shields the top when not in use. Skip the hood if you store the griddle in a shed between cooks, want the lowest price, or plan to add a separate cover.
Two cover facts matter. The Blackstone 5856 steel hood is made for 36 inch Omnivore griddles with rear grease management, so it is not listed for the front-grease 4-burner station. The HECASA 36 in. aluminum hard cover is sized for 36 by 22 inch tops, weighs 8 lb, will not rust and hangs off the back while you cook. Whatever you choose, open the hood before lighting and follow the manual on cooking with it closed, because trapped heat can damage finishes and parts.
How long does a propane tank last on a 36 inch griddle?
A 20 lb tank holds about 4.7 gallons of propane, roughly 430,000 BTU. Hours = 430,000 divided by the BTU per hour you actually use. Four burners at full high is rare; most cooking runs two burners high and two low, or all four at medium.
| Burner setting | BTU per hour used | Hours per 20 lb tank | Typical 45 minute cooks per tank |
|---|---|---|---|
| All 4 burners on high | 60,000 | 7.2 | 9 |
| 2 high, 2 low (about half) | 37,500 | 11.5 | 15 |
| All 4 at medium | 30,000 | 14.3 | 19 |
| 2 burners at medium | 15,000 | 28.7 | 38 |
| Pit Boss Fold & Go all high (62,000) | 62,000 | 6.9 | 9 |
Medium assumed to be about half of rated output. Cold weather and wind raise gas use. See the propane tank burn time chart.
Beginner pick: the lowest-cost 36 inch griddle
You want the full 36 inch surface at the lowest price and can store it under a roof or add a cover.
Blackstone 36 in. 4-Burner Griddle Cooking Station
$399.00The classic Blackstone station: four independent stainless burners totaling 60,000 BTU, foldable legs, a front grease pan and a storage rack. There is no hood, so budget for a hard cover or shed space.
Best for: cooking for crowds at the lowest 36 inch price
Check price on AmazonIntermediate pick: a lid, a thick top and room for the neighbors
You host often, the griddle lives outside, and you want a lid or hood built in.
Blackstone 36 in. Original Griddle with Built-in Hood
$539.99A 768 sq in four-zone Omnivore plate with wind guards, a hood, rear grease management and extendable shelves. It is the most proven 36 inch griddle for the money.
Best for: feeding 8 to 12 people
Check price on Amazon
Pit Boss Deluxe Fold & Go 4-Burner Griddle
$493.85A 37 by 20 inch, 4.7 mm top with 753 sq in, 62,000 BTU across four burners, a hard lid that doubles as a windscreen, four locking casters and a fold-and-go frame for tailgates.
Best for: the most area that still folds for travel
Check price on Amazon
Nexgrill Daytona 4-Burner Gas Griddle
$399.77A hot-rolled steel top with 756 sq in and 60,000 BTU, a heavy steel lid and a side grease drain with a removable trap, which keeps grease away from the cook at the front.
Best for: batch cooking for gatherings
Check price on AmazonExpert pick: a 36 inch outdoor line station
You cook the entire meal outside: boiling, frying, air frying and griddling at the same time.
Camp Chef Gridiron Pro 36 Flat-Top Grill with Side Burner
$599.99A pre-seasoned 36 inch griddle with a hinged lid, flamethrower ignition and an included Sidekick open-flame burner for a pot of corn, a wok or a sear grate beside the flat top.
Best for: a griddle plus a real side burner
Check price on Amazon
Blackstone 36 in. Original Omnivore Griddle with Air Fryer
$1,074.29The 768 sq in four-zone Omnivore top plus two 4-quart air fryer drawers, a 4-quart warming drawer, an X-brace hood and four locking casters.
Best for: cooking fries and sides at the griddle
Check price on AmazonWho should not buy this tier: Skip this tier if you cook for six or fewer most of the time or already have a gas grill with a side burner. The air fryer drawers add weight, cleaning and cost that only pay off with frequent large meals, and a side burner is redundant if your grill already has one. The top pick does 90% of the job for less.
How do the 36 inch griddles compare on specs?
| Model | Price | Burners | Output | Cooking area | Width | Hood | Side burner |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blackstone 36 in. 4-Burner Griddle Cooking Station | $399.00 | 4 | 60,000 BTU | - | 36 in | - | - |
| Blackstone 36 in. Original Griddle with Built-in Hood | $539.99 | 4 | - | 768 sq in | 36 in | Yes | - |
| Pit Boss Deluxe Fold & Go 4-Burner Griddle | $493.85 | 4 | 62,000 BTU | 753 sq in | - | Yes | - |
| Nexgrill Daytona 4-Burner Gas Griddle | $399.77 | 4 | 60,000 BTU | 756 sq in | 36 in | Yes | - |
| Camp Chef Gridiron Pro 36 Flat-Top Grill with Side Burner | $599.99 | - | - | - | 36 in | Yes | Yes |
| Blackstone 36 in. Original Omnivore Griddle with Air Fryer | $1,074.29 | 4 | - | 768 sq in | 36 in | Yes | - |
Which accessories fit a 36 inch griddle?
A 36 inch griddle is a big investment in steel; these add-ons protect it and the surface under it. For the full list see best grill accessories.
HECASA 36 in. Aluminum Griddle Hard Cover
$59.99An 8 lb powder-coated aluminum lid sized for 36 by 22 inch tops that stops water pooling on the steel and hangs off the back while cooking.
Best for: hoodless 36 inch griddles
Check price on Amazon
Blackstone 5856 Omnivore 36 in. Steel Griddle Hood
$128.23A powder-coated steel hood that installs without tools on Blackstone 36 inch Omnivore griddles with rear grease management.
Best for: hoodless rear-grease Blackstones
Check price on Amazon
Cuisinart 65 x 36 in. Non-Slip Grill Mat
$59.99A heavy 65 by 36 inch PVC mat that stays put under a griddle and catches grease splatter on wood, composite or concrete.
Best for: griddles on decks
Check price on Amazon
Blackstone Pro 22-Piece Griddle Tool Kit
$58.99Long spatulas, scrapers, tongs and squeeze bottles in one kit, sized for a full 36 inch top.
Best for: outfitting a new griddle
Check price on AmazonHow we chose
We did not test these products in person. Picks are researched from manufacturer specifications and owner manuals, engine and safety certifications where they apply, warranty terms, public recall records, and the recurring themes in verified owner reviews. We favor established brands with large review counts and parts support, match each pick to a real yard size or task, and place it in the tier where its price and capability actually belong.
Frequently asked questions
Is a 36 inch griddle too big for a family of 4?
For daily family meals, often yes. A 36 inch griddle with about 768 sq in plates 6 to 7 full meals at once, so a family of four uses half of it and heats all of it. A 28 inch griddle with 524 sq in fits four comfortably and uses less gas. Buy the 36 inch if you host groups of eight or more several times a season.
Do I need a hood on my griddle?
You need some kind of top protection if the griddle lives outside. A built-in hood or a hard cover keeps rain off bare steel, which prevents rust, and blocks wind while cooking. A soft cover alone can trap moisture on the plate. If your griddle has no hood, an aluminum hard cover under a soft cover is the low-cost fix.
What is the difference between rear and front grease management?
Rear grease systems, used on Blackstone Omnivore hood models, collect grease in a cup behind the plate, keeping the front edge clear for spatulas. Front grease systems place the trap near the cook, making it easy to see when full but easier to bump. Side drains, like the Nexgrill Daytona, route grease to one side. Empty any design before every cook to prevent grease fires.
How thick should a griddle top be?
Thicker tops hold heat more evenly and recover faster when you add cold food. Pit Boss lists 4.7 mm on the Deluxe Fold and Go, one of the few makers to publish thickness on this list. Many 36 inch tops use similar rolled steel without publishing a number. Wind guards, a hood and good seasoning affect day-to-day results about as much as a fraction of a millimeter.
Can I put a 36 inch griddle on a wood deck?
Many owners do, with precautions. Follow the manual's clearances from railings and siding, set the griddle on a heavy non-slip mat that catches grease, lock the casters and keep a baking soda box or suitable extinguisher nearby. Check your deck material and HOA rules, and never place a griddle under a low roof or overhang on the deck.
How do I store a 36 inch griddle for winter?
Clean the top while warm, apply a thin coat of oil, let it cool and cover it with a hood or hard lid plus a soft cover. Disconnect the propane tank and store the tank upright outdoors, never in a garage or basement. If the griddle goes into a shed, the tank still stays outside. Inspect for rust at the start of the season and re-season if needed.
Researched, not professional advice. This page is compiled from published specifications, manuals, labels and owner-review consensus, not hands-on testing. Follow the manufacturer's instructions and product label, and consult a qualified professional where safety, chemicals, fuel or structures are involved. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.