If you’re looking to get into the world of griddle cooking, chances are you’ll come across the grilling industry giants — Blackstone and Pit Boss.
Blackstone is known for its reliable griddles, whereas Pitboss makes some of the best pellet grills out there.
Today, we’re sharing a detailed Blackstone vs Pit Boss griddle comparison to help you choose the right candidate for your grilling needs and budget. Let’s get to it!
Blackstone vs. Pit Boss Griddle: Tabletop Griddles
We’re starting our Blackstone vs Pit Boss griddle comparison with tabletop models from both brands. These units are a fantastic option for cooking enthusiasts who don’t have enough space or funds to accommodate a full-size or standalone griddle.
Tabletop griddles offer a compromise between cooking area and price.
They’re very lightweight and compact compared to other types of griddles but still manage to give you plenty of versatility and functionality.
In this category, we decided to compare the Blackstone 1666 Tabletop Griddle and the Pit Boss PB336GS Tabletop Gas Griddle.
Construction and Design
Whether you’re tailgating, going camping, or cooking in your apartment, the construction and design of your tabletop griddle should be of high quality to ensure longevity, protection, and convenience.
Luckily, both Blackstone and Pitboss use rugged materials in their tabletop griddles.
The Blackstone 1666 is made out of stainless steel with a heat-rolled steel cooking surface. The Pit Boss PB336GS, on the other hand, is made out of cast iron and stainless steel.
As such, both griddles should last many years, effectively resist high temperatures, and withstand corrosion and rust.
The Blackstone 1666 is equipped with 4 height-adjustable feet to help you choose your preferred position for cooking. They’re also made out of rubber to prevent slipping accidents.
Similarly, the Pit Boss PB336GS has 4 non-slip legs to boost stability while cooking.
One major difference between the Blackstone tabletop griddle and the Pit Boss tabletop griddle is that the former is available in a hooded version while the latter doesn’t offer the option.
What’s more, the included grease trap is featured at the back of the Blackstone unit but on the side of the Pit Boss unit.
Heat Control
Next, let’s talk about heat control.
Both the Blackstone 1666 and the Pit Boss PB336GS tabletop griddles are equipped with 2 burners that you can control separately via independent dials. Each dial allows you to control the temperature of its burner to suit your cooking needs.
The Blackstone unit can produce up to 24,000 BTUs of heat, whereas the Pit Boss unit can generate up to 18,000 BTUs of heat.
As such, you can tell that Blackstone offers more heat power.
Cooking Area
When shopping for a griddle, checking the cooking area it offers lets you know how much food you can prepare on its surface in one go. So here’s what both brands offer:
- The Blackstone 1666 tabletop griddle provides a cooking area of 339 square inches. This is enough to fit a maximum of around 12 burgers, 16 eggs, or 30 hot dogs.
- The Pit Boss PB336GS tabletop griddle features a cooking area of 289 square inches. This is enough to fit a maximum of about 9 burgers, 14 eggs, or 28 hotdogs.
The size difference isn’t super huge, but it’s in the favor of Blackstone.
Cooking Performance
As we discussed above, both the Blackstone 1666 and the Pit Boss PB336GS are equipped with two burners and medium-sized cooking areas.
You can use each griddle to prepare a wide variety of meals from seared steaks and fried eggs to fluffy pancakes and sizzling bacon. They’re also suitable for cooking vegetables, chicken, and fish.
The differences between the two start with the cast iron surface features in Pit Boss’s unit.
At a thickness of almost 5 mm, the PB336GS is more capable of retaining heat and distributing it evenly across the cooking surface. This means it can do a better job cooking denser foods in a shorter period.
Additionally, cast iron is known to heat up quicker than steel, so less cooking time can be associated with reduced consumption of fuel, and consequently, saving some cash.
The Blackstone tabletop griddle features H-style heaters that help achieve a uniform distribution of heat throughout the cooking surface.
Ease of Use and Cleaning
Both the Blackstone and the Pit Boss tabletop griddles are easy to get the hang of.
Their relatively small size makes them more straightforward to handle. The built-in ignition button allows you to fire them up in seconds for extra convenience.
As for cleaning up cooking, the task is made less of a hassle thanks to the featured grease traps in both griddles. It’s located at the back of the Blackstone unit, whereas you can find it on the side of the Pitboss machine with a handle for simple detachment.
The purpose of the grease trap is to collect the excess drippings to minimize the mess and prevent the formation of stubborn residue on the cooking surface.
To ensure easier cleaning, season the cooking surface with oil before use and start cleaning while the surface is still warm. This makes it easier to scrape off any remaining grease or food particles.
Weight and Portability
Both the Blackstone and the Pit Boss tabletop griddles are built to support great portability.
The Pit Boss PB336GS weighs 24 pounds with dimensions of 17.32 x 20.47 x 10.83 inches. On the other hand, the Blackstone 1666 weighs 32 pounds and has dimensions of 19 x 22.5 x 9 inches.
It’s clear that the Blackstone unit is heavier and a bit bigger, while the Pit Boss machine is more compact and lightweight. However, they’re both easy to carry and put away after use.
Price and Warranty
When it comes to price, the scale tips in favor of Pitboss. The PB336GS costs around 30 to 40 percent less than the Blackstone 1666.
Not only does this mean that the Pitboss is more budget-friendly, but it’s also more beginner-friendly for casual users who are looking to try their hand at grilling.
The Blackstone model, on the other hand, is considered more suitable for committed grillers. It also offers a larger cooking area and more heating power, so it’s worth the investment if you can spare the extra cash.
Warranty-wise, the Pit Boss PB336GS has a 2-year coverage to give you more peace of mind. Blackstone, however, is a bit lacking in this aspect with a manufacturer’s warranty of 1 year only.
Blackstone vs. Pit Boss Griddle: Standalone Griddles
If you’re in the market for a portable griddle that offers a more serious performance than a tabletop unit, you can step up your outdoor cooking capability with a standalone model.
Standalone griddles are great for backyard parties and on-the-road adventures. They’re larger than tabletop griddles to let you prepare more food and packed with extra features to boost functionality.
Additionally, they’re equipped with multiple portability boosting elements to support simple transport wherever you go.
In this department, we decided to compare the Blackstone Adventure Ready Outdoor Griddle and the Pit Boss Ultimate PB2BGD2 Gas Griddle.
Construction and Design
The construction quality of both griddles is pretty close. Made out of steel, they’re very durable, resistant to rust and corrosion, as well as easy to put together.
Looks-wise, the Blackstone Adventure Ready is on the basic side. The Pit Boss Ultimate PB2BGD2 has a more professional and attractive look.
The cooking surface on the Blackstone is made out of cold-rolled steel, just like its other models. The Pit Boss, on the other hand, features an armored ceramic cooking surface that makes it more sturdy, scratch-resistant, and non-stick.
The Blackstone is equipped with a side table that you can only remove using a screwdriver, not fold. This is about as much extra jazz as Adventure Ready offers.
The Pit Boss Ultimate, however, is packed. It features a bottle opener, a paper towel holder, a trash bag holder, and built-in hooks for your tools.
It also carries 2 foldable side tables to give you valuable additional space.
Heat Control
Both the Blackstone Adventure Ready and the Pit Boss Ultimate PB2BGD2 are equipped with 2 burners that you can control independently via 2 dials. Each dial is adjustable to help you set the appropriate temperature for your cooking needs.
The Blackstone unit can generate up to 34,000 BTUs of heat, whereas the Pit Boss unit can produce up to 26,000 BTUs of heat.
Blackstone clearly offers higher heat energy output, however, Pit Boss has a lid included to help improve heat retention, fuel efficiency, and smoke control.
Cooking Area
The cooking area featured in standalone griddles is significantly larger than tabletop models, allowing you to prepare a lot more food in one go. Here’s what each brand offers:
- The Blackstone Adventure Ready features a cooking area of 448 square inches. This is enough to fit a maximum of around 18 burgers, 24 eggs, or 44 hot dogs.
- The Pit Boss Ultimate PB2BGD2 provides a cooking area of 433 square inches. This is enough to fit a maximum of about 16 burgers, 22 eggs, or 42 hotdogs.
Once again, the size difference isn’t very significant, but it tips the scale in favor of Blackstone.
Cooking Performance
When it comes to cooking performance, we believe it’s quite similar in these griddles.
Both the Blackstone and the Pit Boss offer outstanding versatility for cooking meals, whether it’s breakfast, lunch, or dinner.
That said, we liked the results from the Pit Boss a bit better for cooking thicker cuts of meat. This is due to its thicker cooking surface and superb heat retention capabilities.
Ease of Use and Cleaning
The Blackstone and the Pit Boss standalone griddles are a breeze to use. They feature button-triggered ignition systems that fire up quickly and smoothly.
Perhaps the one difference in ignition between the two is that you need a battery to operate Blackstone’s ignition.
That said, clean-up is a simple task in these machines thanks to the included grease management mechanisms.
The grease trap is located at the back of the Blackstone unit, but you’ll find it on the side in the Pit Boss. The latter features a handle for straightforward access.
Weight and Portability
Both the Blackstone and the Pit Boss standalone griddles are built to offer a decent level of portability.
The Pit Boss Ultimate PB2BGD2 weighs around 100 pounds with dimensions of 50 x 29 x 37 inches. The Blackstone Adventure Ready, on the other hand, weighs 79 pounds and has dimensions of 44.5 x 33.5 x 19.5 inches.
Yes, the Blackstone unit is more lightweight and a bit more compact, but it has only one side table while the Pit Boss griddle has a foldable one on each side.
Additionally, the Pit Boss features a lift-top griddle. This means you can detach the griddle part and use it as a tabletop unit if you want.
Not to mention, the frame of the Pit Boss standalone griddle sits on 4 wheels for maximum convenience during moving. The frame on the Blackstone, however, only has 2 wheels.
Price and Warranty
If you’re looking for a more affordable portable standalone griddle, then the obvious choice would be the Blackstone Adventure Ready Outdoor Griddle.
Why? Well, because it costs around 40 percent less than the Pit Boss Ultimate PB2BGD2 Gas Griddle. This can be a significant difference for your wallet and can help you save money for other supplies.
That said, you won’t be getting the superior elegance or added functionality of the Pit Boss. A lot of users say that the improved portability alone is worth the extra cash.
As for warranty, Pit Boss takes the cake this time too. It offers a 2-year coverage from the manufacturer as opposed to a 1-year warranty from Blackstone.
When you’re considering the price, don’t forget to factor in the warranty period.
Blackstone vs. Pit Boss Griddle: Full-Size Griddles
When it comes to full-size griddles that deliver a full-blown outdoor cooking experience, both brands bring the heat. Their large flat top griddles allow you to prepare a lot of food, enough to keep a packed party happy.
Here, we decided to compare the Blackstone 1554 Griddle Station and the Pit Boss PB757GD Gas Griddle.
These models offer plenty of features along with a spacious cooking area. Both also provide a reliable performance, which makes it tricky to choose one over the other.
However, this can be good news because it means you’ll end up with an excellent grill no matter the brand!
Construction and Design
The frame on both the Blackstone and the Pit Boss is heavy-duty powder-coated steel that effectively resists rust and corrosion. Their burners are stainless steel and both feature dual side shelves.
The shelves on the Blackstone, however, don’t fold down like the Pit Boss.
The cooking surface on the Blackstone is cold-rolled steel while on the Pit Boss is cast iron.
Heat Control
Both the Blackstone 1554 Griddle Station and the Pit Boss PB757GD are equipped with 4 burners that you can control independently via 4 dials.
Each dial is adjustable to help you control the temperature across 4 different heat zones to accommodate all your cooking needs.
The Blackstone unit can generate up to 60,000 BTUs of heat, whereas the Pit Boss unit can produce up to 62,000 BTUs of heat.
The heat energy output in these two full-size griddles is neck to neck, but Pit Boss pulls ahead of Blackstone just a bit.
Cooking Area
The cooking areas you can find in full-size griddles are the largest possible for non-commercial use. Here’s what each brand offers:
- The Blackstone 1554 Griddle Station features a cooking area of 720 square inches. This is enough to fit a maximum of around 16 steaks, 30 burgers, 40 eggs, or 72 hot dogs.
- The Pit Boss PB757GD provides a cooking area of 753 square inches. This is enough to fit a maximum of about 18 steaks, 33 burgers, 43 eggs, or 76 hotdogs.
This time, the size difference is in favor of Pit Boss.
Cooking Performance
Once again, the cooking performance of the Blackstone is on par with the Pit Boss. The latter may be a tiny bit more impressive when it comes to preparing thicker food.
Ease of Use and Cleaning
Thanks to the electric ignition on both the Blackstone and the Pit Boss griddles, you can easily start grilling in just a few seconds.
Clean-up is also simple to go about as long as you season their cooking surface beforehand. The included grease traps make your mission even less demanding.
Weight and Portability
Neither the Blackstone nor the Pit Boss full-size griddles are built for portability. They’re meant to stay in the same spot and not be transported frequently.
The Pit Boss PB757GD weighs around 120 pounds with dimensions of 24.5 x 77 x 35.25 inches. The Blackstone 1554 also weighs 120 pounds and has dimensions of 62.5 x 22 x 36 inches.
Price and Warranty
For many griddle users, the deciding factor is the price. Once again, this aspect comes out in favor of Blackstone.
Compared to the Pit Boss PB757GD Gas Griddle, the Blackstone 1554 Griddle Station is about 20 to 30 percent less expensive. So if you’re on a tighter budget, Blackstone would be the more suitable option.
The price difference can be enough for you to invest in new accessories or buy extra ingredients for your first barbeque party.
That being said, if you don’t mind sparing a bit of extra cash, then going for Pit Boss would do you good. It certainly looks somewhat more refined.
Not to mention, Pit Boss offers a more generous warranty of 2 years whereas Blackstone covers its unit with only a 1-year warranty.
Final Thoughts
There you have it, a comprehensive comparison of Blackstone vs Pit Boss griddle. So, which one should you go for?
If you’re looking for something more affordable and basic, then you’d be better off with a Blackstone griddle.
If you’re interested in lots of features and don’t mind spending a little extra, then a Pit Boss griddle should be right up your alley!
Ben has a bachelor’s degree in construction engineering. When not constructing or remodeling X-Ray Rooms, Cardiovascular Labs, and Pharmacies, you can find him at home with wife and two daughters. Outside of family, He loves grilling and barbequing on his Big Green Egg and Blackstone Griddle, as well as working on projects around the house.
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