Blackstone Products will be offering the new E-Series electric griddle exclusively in WalMart stores, and online as part of its portable grills collection.
This is the first time we've seen a dedicated griddle enter into the outdoor electric grill category and it could be a game-changer for people who aren't allowed to have gas grills for outdoor cooking.
Blackstone's E-series griddle will be available in two sizes, 17" and 22"
Both the 17" model and the 22" unit are referred to as an Electric Tabletop Griddle with an attached griddle hood.
In a departure from other Blackstone griddles, this flat top grill comes equipped with a machine-cast aluminum griddle plate.
Aluminum is excellent for conduction cooking and works wonderfully for heating quickly and evenly.
Typically, outdoor griddle cooking surfaces are made from cold-rolled steel that requires an initial seasoning or burn-in to make the cooking surface nonstick.
Both of the Blackstone E-series offerings come with the griddle plate coated by a non-stick ceramic-titanium coating that makes an initial seasoning unnecessary. The griddle plate is very easy to clean.
Blackstone Electric Flat Top Grill Comes With a Removable Hood
Blackstone's electric griddles also come with a patented E-series rotate-and-remove hood system.
The hood's rear hinging system and wide handle allow you to easily raise and lower the hood with a single hand.
Covering foods to trap heat while cooking is common when using a griddle, so these hoods are convenient for holding in heat.
It's perfect for melting cheese over burgers or giving fickle foods like chicken cutlets an opportunity to cook more evenly, keeping them nice and juicy. I suspect the hood will make a nice splatter guard when cooking bacon or burgers indoors.
Cleanup is simple
Blackstone took a page from its outdoor line and included a rear grease management system in the E-series griddles. It's a bit more sleek and compact than the outdoor offerings, about the perfect size for collecting unwanted oils and liquids. The stainless steel drip tray has a hard coating and is dishwasher safe.
Temperature Control is More Precise
Both E-series griddles are equipped with a large LCD controller display allowing you to dial in your cooking temperature to a more precise degree of accuracy than ever before.
Precise temperature control allows you to make this a smokeless grill when cooking indoors. A nice feature not normally found on an electric grill.
The LCD display is bright enough that the temperature can be seen when cooking outdoors in bright sunshine but subtle enough that it's not obnoxious when cooking indoors.
Temperature is quickly controlled by an EZ-Touch control dial. Ergonomic, the dial adjusts smoothly and feels sturdy when adjusting temperatures.
What's under the griddle hood?
Blackstone's 17" E-series unit is 14" deep, offering 234 square inches of grilling surface. Unpacked, it weighs in at just over 21 pounds. Plug the E-series griddle into any standard 120V plug and start cooking. The 17" electric griddle pulls 600W of power. Unlike gas grilling, the E-series will never run out of propane. As long as you have access to a working power outlet the heating element will do its thing.
The 22" unit is also about 14" deep with 312 square inches of cooking surface. This is a similar amount of cooking area as Blackstone's 22" gas griddle.
Unpacked, it weighs a bit more, about 28 pounds, but not to worry because it comes with a rolling cart. The cart boasts 4 independently swiveling and locking industrial-style casters.
Rolling it should be a cinch on a smooth surface.
The rolling cart also has a side shelf and some additional storage wells underneath. I suspect the dual wells will have some aftermarket accessories designed to fit the storage compartments perfectly.
The 22" griddle is also powered by a standard 120V plug and the griddle pulls 1200W of power.
This unit with the cart weighs in at 51 pounds. It's hefty enough to feel sturdy but light enough that it can be lifted into the back of a pickup for an afternoon of tailgating.
What's the benefit of the Blackstone Electric Griddle?
At this point, it probably goes without saying, but the Blackstone E-series griddles are powered by electricity.
Although they're a departure from the glow of gas-fired griddles like the AirFryer Griddle Combo, there are some benefits to saying goodbye to gas.
The Blackstone E-series griddle can be used indoors
Unlike gas-powered griddles, the Blackstone Electric griddle emits no carbon monoxide from fuel combustion.
Naturally, the griddle will be a great indoor alternative to cooking outdoors, but I anticipate the electric griddle being very popular with the higher-end tent and RV camping crowd.
The ceramic griddle surface is slicker than a snowflake on a glass floor
Nonstick cookware technology has come a long way since Teflon. Blackstone takes advantage of these non-stick modern surfaces on the E-series griddle.
A nonstick surface means less oil is needed to cook foods, yielding lighter and less caloric foods.
Having a non-stick surface also means that no seasoning and very little maintenance is required. I suspect the griddle surface to also be dishwasher safe which could be nice for the occasional deep cleaning.
One look and you realize this is clearly not your grandmother's electric griddle.
The Blackstone E-series is a great example of how customers win when manufacturers innovate.
We've seen this twice already this year when Blackstone introduced the 36" AirFryer Griddle Combo, and again when they launched a 28" AirFryer Griddle Combo.
How Much Does This Outdoor Electric Griddle Cost?
When the Blackstone E-series hits WalMart stores in the spring of 2021, the MSRP for the 17" griddle will be $ 129.97. The larger 22" griddle with an included cart will be sold at $ 174.
I'd be interested to hear how you would use the new Blackstone Electric griddle. If you're looking for something larger, an outdoor griddle may be a good solution for you. Check out this look at outdoor griddles where we share our opinion on if the flat top griddle is worth it.
Please leave a comment with what you would cook first.
If you're looking for ideas of what you should be cooking next, check out my griddle cookbook with 50 recipes for your flattop griddle.
It pulls too much wattage for tailgating unless you have a generator to bring as well, as most truck plugs can only supply 400 watts. The wattage may be a bit high for RVing too. I like it, but need to see some real world reviews first. I have a 36" Blackstone, but still find myself using a Cuisinart Griddler more often due to convenience. ????♂️
Where can I get a grease drip pan for the 17” electric griddle ???
I would check with Blackstone directly.
Kerry,
Unlike the LP/steel deck Blackstones that came with the ability to use disposable aluminum pans, the 17"E comes with a metal pan that's narrower and won't hold the pans you're accustomed to.
I use mine daily for all meals. The coating "does" decrease the need for oil/butter in my dishes. After it's cooled down enough to wipe down I dispose of the drippings and clean the pan.
Says right on the box of the 17 inch pulls 1500w. My 1800w inverter in my truck wasn’t enough for start up. Was really looking forward to this too.
After having for 6 months the non stick surface, no matter how well I clean it is starting to stick.
I have a spot on my 17" that is also sticky. Dead center. People say a fraction of a teaspoon of baking soda and a wet towel helps but it hasn't for me. I've learned to cook around it. But if I find a better solution I will update the article.