OT - Blackstone Questions

Fred19Flintstone

I'm thinking about getting a Blackstone For my birthday, but I'm not sure it'll work for me.  How does it perform in a cold climate?  Does the cover protect it well?  There is no roof over my deck.  Any insight you have would be appreciated.

tarheelmatt

The cover isn't the best, but does pretty good if you add the arches.  I think one guy placed a fold up table over his and then acts as work space when unfolded and in use.  

You'll use it more than your Egg.  

fishlessman

in the winter i might cover the bottom burner section but would want the grill plate stored in a dry place, i cannot see that not rusting. they have a stainless top model but i would be afraid of warping it,i warped my carbon one and stainless would be more prone to that i believe. the warranty was great though, replaced in a couple days with zero problems

Focker

Wind is the enemy with my Tailgater, I store it inside.  My pizza oven stays in the garage.

Even though some parts are stainless, I don't trust any BS product being parked permanently in the elements.  Only paid $340 total for both.  Stuff is made in China.  I have almost enough spare parts from BS to make a Frankenoven.  All I need are the stones, a burner dial, and rotis motor. Lol

Aluminum foil skirting as a windblock, helps in a pinch.

Fred19Flintstone

My eggs live in my jammed up garage.  I was hoping the BS would work staying outdoors.

SmokeyPitt

I think it work fine in the cold but I agree with @Focker wind could be a problem.  The blackstone cover I ordered leaked pretty bad but I resolved it with a cheap blue tarp.  

I set one of these in the middle of the griddle

I put on a 4x8 tarp folded in half, then the blackstone griddle over the tarp.   It is a redneck solution but it actually works quite well. The BS cover holds the tarp in place and hides it the cheap blue tarp.  It keeps the cooking surface nice and dry. 

All that being said- if you can make room in your garage that would probably be an easier and better solution.

Fred19Flintstone

Please forgive my ignorance on this.  I see that windy conditions might require a little creativity like @Focker 's foil skirting solution.  Is performance in the cold an issue?

SmokeyPitt

Fred19Flintstone said:

Please forgive my ignorance on this.  I see that windy conditions might require a little creativity like @Focker 's foil skirting solution.  Is performance in the cold an issue?

I don't think there should be an issue.  I'm in GA so my definition of cold is probably different than yours...but I used it in the winter time and didn't notice any performance issues.

Focker

I believe carbon steel here is a good thing.  Faster, more efficient heat transfer in colder weather.  Heavy rain and wind are the main adversaries if you are exposed in the elements with the griddle.

Jeremiah

Can't really help with the cold
climate. I'd probably do more than the cheap cover if kept out in the elements. Like others said, either add to the cover or maybe some sort of inexpensive shelter kind of like dyal had posted for free in the give away thread?

Bustersdad

@Fred19Flintstone, as you know, just down the road from you...I had a Blackstone for 2 years, sits outside unprotected.  Difficult to cook in high wind unless you can shield the burners.  I have the Blackstone cover, keeps it good condition through the snow.  I tent the cover so water runs off.

Fred19Flintstone

Bustersdad said:

@Fred19Flintstone, as you know, just down the road from you...I had a Blackstone for 2 years, sits outside unprotected.  Difficult to cook in high wind unless you can shield the burners.  I have the Blackstone cover, keeps it good condition through the snow.  I tent the cover so water runs off.

That's awesome Jeff!  It's exactly what I needed to know!

Ozzie_Isaac

My blackstone struggles in cold with wind.  I use it in the garage, near open door, when really windy.  I think it would benefit from shields around the gap between the base and cooking surface.

blasting

tarheelmatt said:

I think one guy placed a fold up table over his and then acts as work space when unfolded and in use.  

You'll use it more than your Egg.  

Well, I'm the "one guy".  It's actually a piece of corian.  Works great in my climate, but I get no blowing snow.  

Here's the link if interested.

 http://eggheadforum.com/discussion/1184521/ot-blackstone-griddle-hardtop-cover-prep-area-pics#latest

Agree with Matt - you'll use it more than your egg(s). 

Fred19Flintstone

Does anyone have a Camp Chef?

SmokeyPitt

Fred19Flintstone said:

Does anyone have a Camp Chef?

@Thatgrimguy has one on his trailer. 

SoCalWJS

Do not buy one of those things! Hazardous to your Health!

(I think I gained about 10 pounds the first month or 2 I had it  )

Thatgrimguy

Fred19Flintstone said:

Does anyone have a Camp Chef?

I have two now. One in the rv and one built into my trailer. I love them. Great quality with lots of power. The Blackstone is a better griddle. It has more even heat and a smoother griddle surface. But, the camp chef griddle still works GREAT, has more power, is way more versatile and it's portable.