This has always been a topic of argument among grill enthusiasts. Both Blackstone and Blue Rhino make amazing griddles and it can be quite confusing for a newbie to pick one.
If you have never bought anything from these two brands before, this article is for you!
We are going to go in-depth on the key features of these two brands and what makes them different from each other. Spoiler alert, both are great options that will serve you years. The question however is, which one is right for you?
Blue Rhino Razor Griddle Overview
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A Quick Glance:
- 730 sq. In cooking surface/57 burger capacity with sear zone
- 62,000 BTUs
- Folding side shelves
- Integrated towel bars
- Concealed grease cup for easy clean-up
Being the #1 Propane Tank Exchange brand, you have probably seen Blue Rhino products many times before. Their grills and griddles hold the same level of quality as well.
First thing’s first, Blue Rhino Razor griddle has one of the best lid/shelves designs ever. When the cover is on, not a single drop of water can seep through. This means you can leave your outdoor grill actually outdoors! No more moving around in the shed for protection.
The burners of this griddle are quite high with 62,00 BTU per hour. That’s a lot so you will be able to grill tons of food all the same time.
It comes with three standard burners on the right side. The left side has a semi-circular burner. The burners are covered in heat shields which means no amount of heat can actually reach your propane tank. This means Blue Rhino is much safer to use.
The wheels on Blue Rhino flat top grill are plastic caster wheels with a locking mechanism. This means it’s easy to move around and can even be cooked on rocky or uneven surfaces
If you are looking for an easy-to-carry option, you can take a look at the Blue Rhino portable gas grill. It’s compact and very versatile to use.
The Pros:
- Large cooking surface
- Includes cover
- Cover can be converted to shelves
- Easy to move and store
- Affordable
The Cons:
- Takes time to heat up
- The side shelves can get very hot
Check Out Blue Rhino Griddle Price on Amazon
Blackstone 36” Griddle Overview
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Blackstone is everywhere. Honestly, their griddles are in every household nowadays and for valid reasons. Blackstone carries a lot of different models each with a unique set of features. This means they have something for everybody.
The Blackstone 36” Griddle is a classic model that’s always been a bestseller. The most noticeable thing about this model is its large 36” cooking surface. You can basically cook for your whole neighborhood on it.
The electric push-button igniter is another convenient feature. Blackstone 36” griddle also has some good security features. The rollers on each footing not only make movement very easy, but they also have locking mechanisms.
The Blackstone gas griddle has 4 solid stainless steel burners which provide super-high heat settings with 4 different cooking zones. This means you can cook multiple different types of food all at the same time.
If you are a fan of outdoor cooking, this is a very good choice for you. The material is a black powder-coated steel frame and cold-rolled steel cooking surface. This makes the whole thing very sturdy and durable.
One thing we don’t like about Blackstone griddles is its grease draining system. You have to move the grease around to let it seep through the grease hole. This not only is impractical but also can be dangerous.
The Pros:
- Grills all types of food evenly
- Foldable legs
- Easy to clean
- Large cooking surface
- Higher BTUs of power
- Has more models
- More affordable
The Cons:
- The griddle is not seasoned
- Can be tricky to clean
- Grease removing is not easy
Check out Blackstone Griddle Price on Amazon
The Difference between Blackstone and Blue Rhino Griddle
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Although they are both top-tier options for propane grilling, Blue Rhino and Blackstone have quite a lot of differences. Keep in mind that we are comparing the brands and not any specific models.
Grease Hole:
People don’t think about this feature too much unless they have used an outdoor griddle before. The grease hole is very important especially in terms of convenience and easy cleanup.
The Blackstone comes with a ‘V-channel’ drip system. You have to pull the grease towards its body into this narrow channel. This can be a very risky thing especially if you are moving the grease around when it’s still hot.
Compared to that, the Blue Rhino griddle comes with drip holes that do the job by themselves. It’s much easier and safer. The Blue Rhino wins this round for us.
Price:
We don’t know about you, but the price is a big factor for us when it comes to choosing a griddle. It might not seem like the smartest method but most of us have a fixed budget.
One thing that’s worth mentioning is, “cheaper” does not necessarily mean bad. Alternatively, a “good deal” does not always mean it’s actually a good deal.
When it comes to price, Blackstone gets the upvote from us. They have a wide range of models each ranging from high to low. So you can find something within your budget pretty easily.
Blue Rhino, on the other hand, makes only a handful of models. But if you buy one Blue Rhino grill, it will probably serve you for decades.
Cooking Surface/ Materials:
The type of material determines a lot. How well the grill cooks, how durable it is, how rust-resistant it all depends on the material it’s made out of.
Blue Rhino definitely wins this one. That’s because they provide a pre-seasoned steel cooking surface. This means it is super easy to use and food never sticks to the surface.
The perk of having a seasoned grill is, it feels almost nonstick. Blackstone comes with a rolled carbon steel cooking surface. One perk of buying a Blackstone is, they always mention what type of steel they are using. This makes us feel more secure as a customer.
You can obviously season your Blackstone griddle too. It’s not as complex as people might think. Check out our article on how to season a Blackstone griddle.
Cleanup and Maintenance:
From many reviews online, it seems like Blue Rhino is much easier to clean and maintain. It makes sense because they use seasoned grill tops. This makes them non-sticky and thus grease easily comes off.
Blue Rhino also comes with an attached lid which means you can keep it safe and secure in any weather. This makes maintenance very easy.
Blackstone griddle on the other hand does not come with a lid. You need to buy it separately. This can be both costly and a hassle for many people.
If you want to know more about how to clean your Blackstone griddle, check out our article.
Warranty:
Before purchasing any griddles, check the warranty very carefully. Some brands play hide and seek with the warranty and you end up with a faulty machine that doesn’t last very long.
So no matter how appealing the deal is, never buys something without a warranty.
Between Blackstone and Blue Rhino, which one has the best warranty then?
Most Blue Rhino products come with a warranty of 1-3 years. Within this time, if any parts get damaged or broken, they will replace them.
Blackstone has quite a similar system too. They provide a 1-3 years warranty with full responsibility to replace damaged parts.
So they are at a tie in this section.
Performance Table for Blue Rhino vs. Blackstone
| Blue Rhino | Blackstone | |
| Cooking Surface | 9.5 | 9.9 |
| Maintenance | 9.8 | 9.5 |
| Durability | 9.9 | 9.9 |
| Material | 9.8 | 9.7 |
| Flavor | 9.5 | 9.8 |
| Value for Money | 9.8 | 9.9 |
Frequently Asked Questions
01. Is Blue Rhino a Good Flat Top Grill?
The blue rhino comes with multiple burners that can reach up to 62,000 BTUs. This means the grill gets very hot. So you can cook a good amount of food at the same time. It also comes with a very secure lid and side shelves. This makes Blue Rhino a great flat top grill.
02. Is a Blackstone Griddle Worth It?
Blackstone griddle is a great choice for anyone who wants a reliable and simple grill. So many beginners choose Blackstone over other brands. They are a great value for money and comes with a large cooking surface. So yes, we think a Blackstone griddle is definitely worth it.
In All
Both Blackstone and Blue Rhino have excellent options. At the end of the day, it comes down to what you’re looking for.
Blackstone is obviously better if you are looking for a larger cooking surface whereas the Blue Rhino griddle is amazing for a nonstick experience. If you want to know more about these griddles, check out our 12 Best Griddle Grill Reviews.