Built in blackstone griddle questions

@meatchurch just did a built in griddle.  Maybe Matt would offer some advice

Blackstone says early to mid-summer for natural gas conversion kit. But it looks like they've been saying "any day now" for a while. Who knows.

Go here, https://www.blackstoneproducts.com/griddle-101/ and search for natural gas.

To answer your questions:
1. No, I didn't cut anything, I just let the BS sit on the "leg mounts" (for lack of a better term), making sure it was sitting level. 

2. Nope.  If I had NG already near where the kitchen was going I might have considered.  I have room for 2 propane tanks underneath the BS in a cabinet.

3. I am still figuring out a proper drain mod, since the drain hangs over the counter top a bit.  @lkapigian was kind enough to send me his copper pipe drain hack, but I still need to bend it somehow to get it to drain around the counter.  I bent the stock grease cup/hanger such that it sorta works and I put it on when cooking high grease foods.  This hasn't been a major issue but I would still say it needs to be resolved.

4. Since the stock BS covers are made to fit over the side tables and legs they don't work for a built in BS.  After looking around, I went with this built-in grill cover.  It's a little baggy, but I can tuck in the bottom front portion that hangs down and it works well.  Long term I would like to have a stainless box fabricated that would fit on top and double as a work surface.

I can send some better photos of my setup with close ups of these items if it would be helpful, just PM me.  We have really enjoyed using the BS and having it built in to the kitchen has been great.  The contractor used Durock over the wood frame and then put tile over that, allowing some space for ventilation, to address any potential flammability concerns.  Keep in mind the BS puts out a lot of heat especially around the sides while cooking, so don't set a metal bowl (or plastic for that matter) too close to it while cooking (don't ask me how I know!).  Good luck!

Tspud1 said:

NPHuskerFL said:

If you're going through the trouble of designing and building an ODK why on earth would you get a POS Blackstone
Assuming the custom build isn't free I'd personally go with something better. But, I know the forum sheeple will herd in anytime now and banish me for saying such blasphemy. 

I agree, cheap griddle.

For a cheap price and works great for what it is. I'd not purpose it in ODK. I'd go heavier duty and higher quality. However, to each his own. And Blake is hereby banished

As one of the bigger fans of the Blackstone, I'll admit it isn't a forever appliance.  At the rate I use mine, and in my climate - I'd anticipate about 6-7 years out of it.

On the subject of built ins though, just because something is sold with a big price tag and designed to be built in, doesn't make it quality.  The bbq at my folks winter rental is a high dollar built in.  I'd rather cook on a yard sale kettle hands down. 

An example would be the the EVO griddle.  Cost around $4000, and imho, these are not designed well.  I've seen some nice flat tops though that would put the Blackstone to shame, thankfully I forget the brand names.  

johnnyp said:

@meatchurch just did a built in griddle.  Maybe Matt would offer some advice

Matt has a sweet setup. Looks solid, but cannot remember the brand. 

blasting said:

On the subject of built ins though, just because something is sold with a big price tag and designed to be built in, doesn't make it quality.  The bbq at my folks winter rental is a high dollar built in.  I'd rather cook on a yard sale kettle hands down. 

That is a good point. I have never cooked on one of the high dollar built in units...but how much better could it possibly cook than a weber genesis? It seems like they take a decent gasser grill, remove the stand and cabinets, then charge 4x the price. It is sort of like the MiniMax pricing model (but more extreme).