Blackstone VS NEW Traeger Flatrock: Who Makes the Best Highend Griddle?

In this video, let me help you decide between the popular flat top griddles - Blackstone Pro Series and the Traeger Flatrock. Watch till the end to learn how well these griddles perform and find out which one is my personal favorite.
Buy Taeger Flatrock Flat Top Grill
At Traeger (PAID LINK): traeger.uym8.net/QOVVkz
Since we first filmed this comparison, Blackstone has discontinued the Pro Series 28". The closest model would be the 28" Griddle W/Air Fryer. It comes with a slightly smaller cooking surface, and only two burners, but you get the added functionality of the air fryer.
Get it at Amazon (PAID LINK): amzn.to/3TW7wgh
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TIMESTAMPS:
00:00 - Blackstone vs Traeger Griddle
00:35 - Pricing and Design
02:01 - Cooking on the Blackstone 1901 Pro vs Taeger Flatrock
02:38 - Build Quality and Assembly
03:22 - Features and Specifications
04:39 - Grease Management Systems
05:59 - Storage and Accessories
08:24 - Final Thoughts on the Blackstone vs Traeger Griddle
When it comes to griddles, Blackstone is probably one of the best-known brands on the market. And since Traeger makes its way into the griddle world with their Flatrock Flat Top Grill, we want to see how these brands match up against each other.
Since Traeger has only one griddle - the Flatrock, for this Blackstone vs Traeger griddle comparison, I've chosen a similar Blackstone model - Pro Series 1901. Both come under $900 and feature a wind-dampening design, which helps with temperature distribution and heat retention.
If you get one of these griddles, think about all the food you can cook. I've tried nearly everything from smash burgers and eggs to pancakes and brats, and trust me, everything turned out delicious.
Both models are more deluxe-style griddles made of sturdy material, but I found Traeger a little easier to assemble. Each griddle offers 3 burners and a similar cooking surface. The Flatrock also has fuel and flame sensors that you can use with electricity.
I had a love-hate relationship with grease management in both of these units. The Blackstone grease catcher is not my favorite. It's flimsy and hard to hook onto the grill. The Traeger, on the other hand, offers a nice pellet-grill-style grease catcher, but the grease drain is located right in the front, where the temperatures get pretty intense.
As for the storage, both Blackstone and Traeger have sturdy side shelves, but the Blackstone also offers a detachable front shelf. If you want to purchase additional accessories, both brands offer a decent selection.
Overall, I enjoyed both the Blackstone Pro Series and Traeger Flatrock. The Flatrock, in my opinion, has a better-designed grease catcher, plus all the features and technologies make this flat top griddle a decent competitor to the Blackstone.
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[@thegalleryBBQ]

I love the fact that Blackstone is getting pushed by competitors to help advance the whole griddle market. Nice job my man.

[@SmokedBBQSource]

Agree Tommy!! They either step up and make im provements of they get lost in the weeds!! Thanks for watching bud!!!

[@death818]

I’ve got a Traeger. Friend has a Blackstone. I made the right choice.

[@arakafafian]

Amazing review, thank you.

[@SmokedBBQSource]

Glad you enjoyed it and thanks for watching!

[@Blaze_1961]

Our 36" Blackstone/air fryer combo a Wal-Mart exclusive for $500 has been a work horse and we love the air fryers. The BS does have cooler spots around the edges when all burners are on but, the main spot you'll be cooking on is NOT the edges and it is actually nice to be able to move food to the edges when needed. I will say if I was batching out hundreds of smash burgers and needed the whole surface to be even I'd think different.

[@victorbenner539]

Howdy Ricer on the last day of 2023. Once again I don't know how I missed this video. That said well done. Good review, I was surprised you didn't complain some about the size of the casters. After all the casters are ALWAYS not big enough, right? 😅 Anyway have a great new years eve and a even better new year. Honestly I'm looking forward to seeing 2023 in my rear view mirror 😮. 😊

[@SmokedBBQSource]

Heck ya Victor!!! Happy New Year, brother!! I hope 2024 goes a lot better for you!!! Thanks for watching!!

[@EverydayBBQ]

Great video, Ricer! I couldn’t agree with you more on your overall assessment. I remember cooking on the Traeger with you at the car show and that grease hole in the front dang near burnt off my arm hair when I was smashing those burgers lol. It’s a nice cooker though. I like some of the added ingenuity and features that were obviously well thought out. Cheers 🍻

[@SmokedBBQSource]

Same Mike, that grease hole can get very toasty but overall the build quality is very solid!!! Thanks for watching brother!!!!

[@SmokyRibsBBQ]

Good review Ricer! I like that the Traeger can weigh the propane tank to let you know how much gas you have left. I like the drain system better, and the sturdier lid. If I were in the market for a new griddle, it would be the Flatrock hands down.

[@SmokedBBQSource]

Heck ya Rus!!!! You get a few more features for the same price on the Traeger. I hope someday they move that grease hole and then the FlatRock will be untouchable!!! Thanks for watching brother!!

[@gharv1313]

Great review Jeff! Definitely agree on all your points! I have a blackstone and definitely they need some improvement on the grease mgt. Always informative videos ! Cheers brother 🍻

[@SmokedBBQSource]

Thanks for watching George!!!!

[@ScottysBackYardBBQ]

love the looks of the black stone. Traeger does look built better. great review. Jeff

[@garryhammond3117]

Thanks Ricer! Excellent review. - My 3rd year on BS 22" and you call it like it is - I installed my own after market wind-shields on the sides that really help. Yeah, that flaky grease tray in the back (mine is the older one that hooks onto the griddle plate instead of the burner assy) is a weak point.

[@SmokedBBQSource]

Ya Garry, that is my biggest complaint about the BS. I hope they redesign that some day!!! Thanks for watching brother!!

[@garryhammond3117]

@@SmokedBBQSource Maybe there is an after-market opportunity there for somebody - Certainly not rocket science... 😉

[@rkooscar6866]

Love this plan on getting flat rock

[@SmokedBBQSource]

Awesome choice!

[@aaronsondag8347]

I have this exact blackstone griddle and the grease catch is my biggest issue, then the next is seasoning the sides and a few “cold” spots in the corners where it remains sticky rather than being a nice clean surface. Also not sure if it’s just mine but my griddle wants to constantly move forward so I often have to use a rubber mallet to get it back in place.

[@HellYeahKimballsBBQ]

Blackstone must make improvements to stay the leader, competition is good. Great review brother! How many ppl you cooking for???

[@SmokedBBQSource]

I agree, time to step up to the plate or be known as the cheap model! We typically cook for 4 but that is 8 for a normal family. These 2 goons can eat like a pack of wolves!!!! ha ha Example, my oldest eats 7 eggs for breakfast every morning!!!!! hahaha Thanks for watching Rob!!

[@dalehughes2406]

Have you seen the new Rec Teq smoke stone flattop that uses pelllets for cooking.

[@SmokedBBQSource]

Yes I have seen it, we are trying to get one in here to review!!! Thanks for watching!

[@judgewepbbq]

Great review...guess I need a Traeger after all! 👀 🥓🥓

[@SmokedBBQSource]

Heck ya, I am happy with both but the Traeger has the edge in this comparison IMO. Thanks for watching brother!!

[@beefuzzy310]

How do the Traeger shelves feel in person? Every store I go to they are bent. At my local HD they were bent so bad they had to remove the floor model for a time.

[@SmokedBBQSource]

Mine are very solid and I use the Flatrock griddle once a week still!!! But the boys and I put them on right, hardware store dudes don't give a crap when they install BBQ Equipment. They are more interested in getting home to play Nintendo!! Thanks for watching!!

[@BabyBackManiac]

“Pop and lock system”… Definitely a missed opportunity for some breakdancing. Where were you on that? Get your head the game Rice! ;-)

[@SmokedBBQSource]

Hahahaha I could dance and I would certainly break something!!! hahaha Thanks for watching brother!!!!

[@RicardoZ590]

If the deciding factor is the grease catch system. I’m saving $500 and going with the Blackstone. I’m ok with wiping up a small mess.

[@aover7220]

Question on the location for the grease trap on the Traeger...is it something that can really burn you or is it just uncomfortable? And if you wear gloves does that alleviate it? Seems like cooking and avoiding something right there at the front could be an issue...

[@SmokedBBQSource]

It is just uncomfortable, if you wee to cook on it for hours you will certainly need a welding style glove on your left hand. But to wipe up some smash burgers, it really isn't an issue!! Thanks for watching!!!

[@jetsengoytredkl]

@@SmokedBBQSource Could you set a bacon press over the hole to block the heat when you’re not scraping grease into it or would that affect how the griddle cooks? My son in law just bought the Traeger.

[@GruntMike17]

Do you cook in a garage? That would make weather so much easier to deal with

[@SmokedBBQSource]

Yes, my studio is setup with a nice exhaust system now and where I live, I have to be inside during the winter months! Thanks for watching!!

[@RicardoZ590]

Ole reliable is called that for a reason.

[@patgrant7769]

I am told you have a recipe for smoked bacon ?

[@SmokedBBQSource]

I have a couple videos on my Dead Broke BBQ channel. We will do one here eventually someday too. Thanks for watching!

[@paulyshore98]

Blackstones with the hood (not hard cover) are rated to cook with it closed for 10min.

[@SmokedBBQSource]

Thanks for watching!

[@davieslocker86]

Opinions now that the flat rock is on a buy back for collecting propane and exploding?

[@SmokedBBQSource]

I have not heard that yet. Thanks for sharing!!!

[@davieslocker86]

@@SmokedBBQSource yeah I can’t find too much online myself. I think it’s just a Home Depot voluntary buy back. I’m a truck driver and I’ve picked up everyone Home Depot has in my area the last couple weeks all going back to the distribution center

[@ou812bnt]

It’s a simple fix if yours is part of the recall. Anything built after October 2023 should be good to go according to their website.

[@troyv8302]

Nice review Ricer. If I were to chose between these, it'd probably be the Traeger. Just seems like a better built unit.

[@SmokedBBQSource]

Ya Troy, I lean towards that one too if you are looking for a higher end model!!! Thanks for watching brother!!

[@braddeblanc1291]

Blackstone has a 1 year warranty. Trager is 5 years.

[@RicardoZ590]

IMHO it’s a tough sell for “most” when a griddle approaches 1K. Ole reliable at Costco is $400.

[@gib3ll1n]

At that price point I’m going weber slate

[@brettmatthias7094]

Grease trap in the front makes grease management easier , will not buy a black stone for that reason, have a chargriller and saving for a traeger

[@SmokedBBQSource]

Yep, way easier! Just got to watch for that heat when you are running it hot!! Thanks for watching!

[@DJSephEntertainment]

blackstone is just good marketing.

[@AllPhillyinATX]

Halo for the win

[@IneptSystem]

Oven prices for a griddle ........no thanks.

[@SmokedBBQSource]

Blackstone has since discontinued the 1901 Pro 28" we reviewed in this comparison. The closest model would be the 28" Griddle W/Air Fryer blackstone-products.sjv.io/6eNBQN You can get the Traeger Flatrock here: traeger.uym8.net/R594N7

[@jemezray1660]

Weber Slate...JMO

[@SmokedBBQSource]

I think we are getting one to test out! Thanks for watching!!

[@michaelgartman4320]

Traeger is way too tall for my petite wife. it comes up to her chest and she's 5'2"

[@SmokedBBQSource]

Grab the sawzall!!! hahahhaa jk and thanks for watching!!

[@AlaskanYoung]

Theres nothing high end about blackstone.

[@joshobrien7513]

There still hella dope..

[@danielbarrett3434]

Blackstone has quality issues