Blackstone 28-Inch Griddle Review
A research-based Blackstone 28-inch griddle review: the 1517's 517 sq in top, two burners, rear grease system, warranty terms, and who should skip it.
Updated November 1, 2026
The Blackstone 28-inch griddle reviewed here is model 1517, a two-burner propane flat top on a rolling stand. Blackstone sells it in its Original Series as the “28” Griddle Cooking Station” and lists it at 34,000 BTU; the Amazon listing sells the same model number as the “1517 Original 28″ Omnivore Griddle” and gives it 517 square inches of cooking space. It fits a household that cooks breakfast, burgers, or stir fry for five or more people on a patio or in a backyard, and that is happy to season and oil a bare steel top.
Our short verdict: the 1517 is a sensible first full-size griddle if you want a lot of flat cooking space, two separate heat zones, and a grease system that keeps cleanup simple, and you do not need a hood. Skip it if you want a lid, a griddle you can pack for a trip, or more than two burners. This review is based on research, not our own product trials. It draws on Blackstone’s product page for the 1517, Blackstone’s warranty page and care articles, the Amazon listing for this exact model, the grilling safety tip sheet from the National Fire Protection Association, and the recall records of the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.
Propane and charcoal grills are for outdoor use only (NFPA), and no grill should be used inside a home, garage or camper because of the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning (CDC); for pellet and wood-fired models, follow your manual.
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Blackstone 1517 28-Inch Omnivore Griddle
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Blackstone 28-Inch Griddle at a Glance
| Spec | Blackstone 1517 (28-inch) |
|---|---|
| Model | 1517 (Blackstone SKU and listing model number) |
| Fuel | Propane (listing: “2 Burner Propane Griddle”) |
| Burners | 2 (listing) |
| Output | 34,000 BTU (Blackstone) |
| Cooking area | 517 sq in (listing); Blackstone does not print an area |
| Food capacity | 15 pancakes, 25 burgers, 48 bacon slices, 33 fried eggs (Blackstone) |
| Grease handling | Rear grease management (Blackstone and listing) |
| Hood or lid | None; the listing’s included components are the griddle only |
| Mobility | Two caster wheels and a side handle (listing) |
| Size | 44 in wide, 22.75 in deep, 33 in high (listing) |
| Weight | 69 lb (listing) |
| Warranty | One year (Blackstone) |
| Status on Blackstone’s store | Original Series; marked backordered when we checked |
What We Like
- Room for a real crowd. Blackstone’s capacity chart for the 28-inch top lists 15 pancakes, 25 burgers, 48 slices of bacon, 33 fried eggs, 22 NY strip steaks, or 87 hot dogs. For a family of five, that means pancakes, bacon, and eggs can all be on the steel at once instead of in batches.
- Two heat zones. The listing describes a two-burner setup, so one half of the top can run low while the other runs hot. Blackstone’s care guide notes that pancakes cook on lower heat, which is exactly the job for the cooler side.
- Grease goes to the back. Blackstone says the 1517 “now includes the rear grease management system for no-mess cooking and easy cleanup,” and the Amazon listing describes the same system. You scrape fat and bits toward the rear edge instead of chasing them around the plate.
- A top you can bring back. Blackstone’s product page reminds owners that the griddle top is steel and says that, if needed, “it is easy to resurface and re-season again.” A neglected top is a cleanup job, not a replacement part.
- Prep space built in. According to the Amazon listing, the cart has side shelf space for tools and a bottom shelf for storage, plus a side handle for rolling it on its two casters.
What Could Be Better
- No hood. The listing’s included components are the griddle alone. Without a lid, there is nothing to trap heat over a burger while cheese melts, and nothing covering the top between cooks unless you buy a cover. Blackstone sells hooded 28-inch versions as separate models.
- Bare steel needs routine care. Blackstone’s own instructions call for 3 to 4 rounds of seasoning before the first cook and a thin coat of oil before and after each cook. Skip that and the top can rust.
- A short, conditional warranty. Blackstone lists a one-year manufacturer’s warranty. Its warranty page limits coverage to the original purchaser, domestic use, and purchases with a dated receipt.
- A big footprint for two casters. Per the listing, the cart is 44 inches wide and weighs 69 lb, and it rolls on two caster wheels steered by the side handle. It is a patio fixture, not a griddle you carry to a campsite.
- Listing details that do not line up. One line of the Amazon listing mentions “a bottom shelf and two side shelves,” another refers to “the side shelf,” and the item type field mentions a cutting board and garbage holder that neither the rest of the listing nor Blackstone’s page describes. Check the product photos for the shelf layout you are actually getting.
Cooking on the 1517: Heat Zones, Wind, and Timing
The cooking plate is where the listing and Blackstone use different words. The Amazon listing calls it an “Omnivore Griddle Plate” and says it has built-in wind guards, faster preheat and recovery, better heat distribution, and less fuel use per cook. Blackstone’s page for the 1517 does not use the Omnivore name; it describes the top as built for “optimal heat distribution.” Treat the wind guard and fuel claims as the listing’s, since Blackstone does not publish figures for either.
Heat comes from two burners totaling 34,000 BTU, per Blackstone. That number is the gas the burners can burn, not a surface temperature, and Blackstone does not publish a top temperature for this model. Its care guide suggests starting at medium for 3 to 5 minutes so heat spreads across the plate, then turning each knob to the temperature the food needs, and preheating for about 10 minutes before a big meal. The same guide warns that the top heats quickly but cools slowly, so food keeps cooking after you shut off the propane. Pull finished food to a plate rather than leaving it on a dead burner.
A practical layout for a weekend breakfast: run the left burner low for pancakes and eggs, the right burner hotter for bacon and hash browns, and push grease toward the rear trough as you go. For dinner, the hot side handles smash burgers or a stir fry while the low side holds buns, onions, or peppers. With only two burners, though, the whole plate is split into two zones; if you routinely want three different temperatures at once, look at a model with more burners.
For meat, the knob setting tells you nothing about doneness. Use a thermometer and the USDA FSIS safe minimum internal temperature chart for the food you are cooking.
Fuel, Placement, and Assembly Notes
The 1517 sold on Amazon is the propane (LP) version: the listing names it a “2 Burner Propane Griddle” and lists gas as the fuel type. Blackstone’s guide to choosing a flat top says smaller griddles can run on one-pound bottles, while “the larger griddles require a 20-pound propane tank.” That guide does not name models, so confirm the tank hookup for the 1517 with Blackstone before you buy fuel. The same guide says Blackstone sells a compatible natural gas kit for its 28-inch and 36-inch griddles but that “some griddles are not compatible” with conversion kits, so ask Blackstone whether your unit qualifies before planning a gas line.
Plan the spot before the box arrives. The NFPA grilling safety tip sheet says a propane grill should sit well away from the home and deck railings and out from under eaves and overhanging branches, and that children and pets should stay at least three feet from the grill area. With a cart that is 44 inches wide per the listing, a narrow balcony or a covered porch is unlikely to work. NFPA also describes checking the gas hose for leaks with a light soap and water solution before the first use each year.
One gap to know about: Blackstone’s product manuals page links an owner’s manual for model 1517, but that link returned an error page when we checked. If the printed manual is missing from the box, contact Blackstone for a copy, because the manual is where the assembly steps, clearances, and regulator instructions for this exact unit live.
Seasoning and Upkeep in Brief
Seasoning is not optional on this griddle, but the routine is short. Blackstone’s product page says to wash the new top once with warm, soapy water, rinse it, heat it on high until the steel changes color, then spread 2 to 3 tablespoons of oil in a thin, even layer and let it smoke off. It suggests repeating that 3 to 4 times for the first seasoning, and warns that food may stick a little during the first couple of cooks.
After that, upkeep is a habit: wipe on a very thin layer of oil before cooking, and after you scrape the top, add another thin layer to protect it. Blackstone’s page compares the top to cast iron and says to use minimal water and never use soap once it is in use. Its griddle care guide recommends a heavy-duty canvas cover and extra care if you live somewhere humid or near the beach. Since the 1517 has no hood, budget for a cover from the start.
Warranty, Availability, and Recall Check
Blackstone’s warranty page names North Atlantic Imports LLC as the manufacturer and covers all parts, finish, and workmanship for one year from purchase, with repair or replacement at the manufacturer’s option. The terms matter for how you buy. Coverage is for the original purchaser and for domestic use only, not commercial or club use; you need the dated sales receipt to establish the warranty period; and the page says the full warranty is not valid for griddles bought from unlicensed, third-party resellers, bought at a discount because of missing or damaged parts, or sold as floor models. It also applies only within the United States. Keep your order invoice, and check who the seller is if an offer comes from a third-party shop.
On availability, Blackstone’s store still lists the 1517 under its Original Series, but when we checked, the page marked it “Unavailable” and said it “is backordered,” with a note that it will ship once Blackstone has it again. Blackstone does not call it discontinued. Availability may change, so check the seller and the delivery estimate before you order.
We also searched the CPSC recall database for Blackstone, for the 1517 model number, and for griddles in general. No recall matched Blackstone or this model; the griddle recalls that came up cover other brands’ indoor or electric products.
How It Compares
Blackstone’s other 28-inch griddles show what the 1517 leaves out. One note on sources: the 1517’s size and weight come from the Amazon listing, because Blackstone’s page for it gives no dimensions, while the figures below for the other models come from Blackstone.
1517 vs. the 28-inch Griddle with Hood. Blackstone’s 28″ Griddle with Hood page (SKU 2287) lists the same capacity chart as the 1517, from 15 pancakes to 87 hot dogs, and adds a protective hood, an Omnivore griddle plate, side shelf tool hooks, an accessory rail, and an accessory bin. Blackstone gives it as 59 inches wide and 102 lb. Choose it if a lid matters to you; choose the 1517 if you want the same cooking space on a lighter, simpler cart.
1517 vs. the 28-inch XL Griddle with Hood. The XL version (SKU 2403B) is the step up in cooking room: Blackstone describes three independent cooking zones, electric ignition, and a hood, and its chart lists 17 pancakes, 56 bacon slices, and 102 hot dogs. It is also larger, at 59.25 inches wide and 110 lb per Blackstone. Choose it if you want a third heat zone; the 1517 is enough if two zones cover how you cook.
1517 vs. the Adventure Ready 28-inch. Blackstone’s Adventure Ready 28″ page (SKU 2357) describes folding Flexfold legs, 8-inch all-terrain wheels, compact vertical storage, and a hard cover with a latch, at 101 lb. Choose it if the griddle has to travel to a park or a campground; the 1517 is built to stay on the patio.
If you are still deciding on the best Blackstone griddle across sizes, the same three questions decide the fit: how many people you feed at once, whether you need a lid, and whether the griddle stays home. A tabletop model suits small households and travel, while a larger cart suits regular crowds.
Who Should Look Elsewhere
- You want a lid. The 1517 ships without a hood. Blackstone’s 28-inch Griddle with Hood keeps the same capacity chart and adds one.
- You want to cook on the road. At 69 lb and 44 inches wide per the listing, this cart stays home. Blackstone’s own guide points travelers to smaller one or two-burner griddles that sit on a picnic table or a tailgate.
- You want three or more heat zones. Two burners mean two zones. The 28-inch XL lists three independent cooking zones.
- You do not want to season and oil a steel top. Blackstone’s care routine for the 1517 is oil before and after every cook.
- Your grill spot is small or covered. NFPA’s placement advice (away from the house and railings, out from under eaves) rules out many balconies and covered porches for a 44-inch cart.
- You plan to cook for an event business. Blackstone’s warranty covers domestic use only.
Why You Should Trust Us
We do not conduct our own product trials; our picks draw on manufacturer specifications, owner’s manuals, and the Amazon listings, which also inform each product’s PelletSmokeLab Score. For this review we read Blackstone’s product, warranty, and care pages, the Amazon listing for model 1517, NFPA’s grilling safety tip sheet, and the CPSC recall records, and we name the source next to each spec. Commissions never affect our verdicts or scores. Our How We Review page explains the scoring method.
Final Verdict
The Blackstone 1517 28-inch griddle does one job well: it gives a backyard cook 517 square inches of steel (per the listing) over two burners totaling 34,000 BTU (per Blackstone), with a rear grease system that keeps cleanup simple. Its limits are just as plain: no hood, two heat zones, a cart that stays home, a one-year warranty with conditions, and a top that needs oil after every cook. If you feed a family or friends on weekends and have open patio space, it covers most of what a griddle is for. If you need a lid, a third zone, or portability, one of Blackstone’s other 28-inch models fills that specific gap.
Frequently Asked Questions
How big is the Blackstone 28 griddle’s cooking surface?
The Amazon listing gives 517 square inches. Blackstone does not print an area for the 1517, but its capacity chart for the 28-inch top lists 15 pancakes, 25 burgers, 48 bacon slices, or 87 hot dogs at once.
How many BTU is the Blackstone 28-inch griddle?
Blackstone lists the 1517 at 34,000 BTU across its two burners. BTU measures how much gas the burners can burn, not how hot the top gets, and Blackstone does not publish a surface temperature for this model.
Does the Blackstone 1517 come with a hood?
No. The listing’s included components are the griddle only. Blackstone sells hooded 28-inch griddles as separate models, and a cover is worth buying if the 1517 will sit outside.
What size propane tank does the Blackstone 28-inch griddle use?
Blackstone’s guide to choosing a flat top says its larger griddles require a 20-pound propane tank, while smaller ones can run on one-pound bottles. The guide does not list models by name, so confirm the hookup for the 1517 with Blackstone or the owner’s manual.
Can the Blackstone 1517 run on natural gas?
The 1517 sold on Amazon is a propane model. Blackstone says it sells a compatible natural gas kit for its 28-inch griddles but also that some griddles are not compatible with conversion kits, so ask Blackstone about your unit before you plan a gas line.
Is the Blackstone 1517 discontinued?
Blackstone does not say so. Its store still lists the 1517 in the Original Series, though the page showed it as backordered when we checked. Availability may change, so check the seller before you buy.
About the author
Riley Morrison covers griddles, pizza ovens, and outdoor cooking accessories. Riley's articles focus on cooking space, fuel options, equipment compatibility, and care instructions to help readers compare their options.