Review of the Blackstone E-Series Electric Tabletop Griddle with Hood

Updated: 6/22/22

Blackstone has released their first fully electric Blackstone griddle under the new E-Series line. The Blackstone E-Series Electric Tabletop Griddle with Hood is a departure from their outdoor gas griddles but, as you’ll see, is an excellent option.

This is a Walmart exclusive, so you’ll need to purchase it from there if you decide this Blackstone electric griddle is the electric griddle for you. Here is our full review of the Blackstone E-Series Electric Tabletop Griddle with Hood.

Blackstone E Series Design & Construction

There are 2 options when it comes to the Blackstone E-Series griddles. The Blackstone E-Series 17″ Electric Tabletop Griddle with Hood & the Blackstone E-Series 22″ Electric Tabletop Griddle with Prep Cart. Both the 17″ and 22″ griddles are very similar for the most part, with only a handful of things that differentiate them.

Similarities

Both models are fully electric and safe for indoor or outdoor use. The griddle surface is non-stick ceramic titanium coated, which is not the same cold rolled steel cooktops Blackstone’s gas griddles use. Thus, you do not need to season the griddle before using it the first time and will need to care for it differently.

The 17″ and 22″ models have a rear grease trap for collecting excess oil or food bits. Each model also comes with a detachable hood used while cooking if desired and will protect the griddle’s cooktop when not in use.

A control dial regulates the griddle temperature, which is visible on an LCD controller display. The LCD screen shows the set temperature as well as the current temperature of the griddle. You can set the griddle temperature between 200 degrees Fahrenheit and 500 degrees Fahrenheit.

Differences

The 17″ model offers 234 square inches of cooktop space. It has a single cooking zone so the entire cooking area can be set to only one temperature. The 17″ griddle’s cooktop can accommodate approximately 9 pancakes, 9 burgers, 12 eggs, or 12 strips of bacon.

The 22″ model offers 312 square inches of cooktop space. It has dual cooking zones allowing you to set the left side of the griddle to one temperature and the right side of the griddle to another. The 22″ griddle’s cooktop can accommodate approximately 12 pancakes, 12 burgers, 16 eggs, or 16 strips of bacon.

The 22″ model also comes with a prep cart to place the griddle on. The prep cart comes on 4 wheels that can lock into place. It has a side shelf and a bottom shelf, and a caddy on the front to place things like seasonings and sauces.

E Series Assembly

Assembly is quick and painless as there are only 5 parts that come in the box.

Griddle body
Griddle top
Hood assembly
Power cord
Grease cup

All that is needed is to place the cooktop on the griddle body, hang the grease cup, place the hood on top and connect the power cord. The hood comes on and off easily and for many dishes won’t be necessary to use.

Blackstone E-Series Cooking Performance

Because the E-Series griddle has a non-stick ceramic titanium coasted cooktop, do not use metal utensils while cooking on it. Stick to plastic, silicone, wood, or other softer materials that will not scratch the non-stick cooking surface. You can use your normal kitchen utensils, but Blackstone does sell the Blackstone E-Series 3 Piece Tongs and Spatulas Griddle Tool Kit.

After turning the griddle on and setting the temperature, the cooktop heats up quickly. It doesn’t take more than a few minutes to reach your desired temperature setting, so you can get cooking on it in no time.

The temperature across the griddle’s cooktop isn’t perfectly even. The center portion of the cooktop will be the hottest area, while the perimeter of the griddle will have slightly lower temperatures. It does not vary significantly, so it doesn’t cause issues when cooking.

The non-stick surface does an excellent job of preventing food from getting stuck to the cooktop. It’s still good to use a thin layer of oil when cooking on it though it’s not required. The griddle also has raised edges, helping keep food on the cooktop instead of your countertop.

With regards to the quality of the food you can make on it, it’s excellent. It does a great job with all kinds of breakfast foods. Pancakes, eggs, bacon, French toast, and hash browns all come out great.

The E-Series electric griddle can also cook lunch and dinner items like grilled cheese, burgers, and stir fry perfectly. There are endless options to prepare, and the E-Series can handle the task very well.

Blackstone E Series Cleaning & Maintenance

If you have a Blackstone gas griddle already, forget everything you know about cleaning and maintaining it when it comes to the E-Series griddles. Because they are electric and have a different material cooking surface, they need to be cared for differently. Here are the cleaning instructions per Blackstone.

Daily Cleaning

Be sure the grease cup is in place.
Wipe off the surface with a moist, soapy cloth or paper towel.
Wash off soap and dry.

Deep Cleaning

Be sure the grease cup is in place.
Turn heat to low.
While wearing rubber gloves, use one (1) tablespoon of dishwashing detergent per one (1) cup of hot water, and wipe down the griddle surface with a cloth or non-metal cleaning pad.
Turn off the griddle, and once cool, wipe off the surface with a moist, soapy cloth or paper towel.
Wash off soap and dry.

Care

Do not wash the griddle top in the dishwasher.
Do not leave water on the griddle surface for more than two hours.
Avoid using anything that may scratch the surface, including metal scouring pads.
Do not cut directly on the griddle surface.
Do not allow the electric components to come in contact with water.

Portability

Because these are tabletop griddles, they provide excellent portability. Though bulkier than typical electric griddles, they are still small enough and light enough to transport easily. The 17″ model weighs 21 lbs. The 22″ model is only slightly heavier at 28 lbs. (minus the cart.)

It’s perfect for your home kitchen, but the E-Series can easily be transported if you want to move it outside, take it on a camping trip, or in an R/V.

Storage isn’t a major issue, but because they are larger than other large electric griddles, you’ll definitely need a bigger area to store it when not in use.

Pros & Cons

Every product has its highlights and drawbacks, and the Blackstone electric griddles are no different. Having used the griddle to cook various foods, here are the pros and cons to be aware of before deciding whether or not to purchase one.

Specs & Features:

Blackstone E-Series 17″

Model: 8000
Dimensions: 18″ x 18″ x 7″
Weight: 21 lbs.
Cooking Zones: 1
Cooktop Surface Area: 234 square inches

Blackstone E-Series 22″

Model: 8003
Dimensions: 37″ x 20″ x 7″ (griddle only) – 37″ x 20″ x 40″ (with cart)
Weight: 28 lbs. (griddle only) – 51 lbs. (with cart)
Cooking Zones: 2
Cooktop Surface Area: 312 square inches

Pros:

Fully electric
Large ceramic titanium non-stick cooktop
Heats up very quickly
Excellent cooking quality
It comes with a removable hood
LCD controller display

Cons:

Bulkier than other electric griddles
Higher price tag

Final Thoughts

Overall, the Blackstone E-Series electric griddles are excellent, and I would recommend purchasing one if you are looking for a new electric griddle. The Blackstone electric griddle is the perfect Blackstone indoor grill.

The E-Series griddle has been a significant upgrade over my old Presto electric griddle. It produces high-quality food and is perfect for cooking inside. Despite storage being a bit more difficult due to its size and the higher price tag, its quality is very high.

Whether you are an existing Blackstone gas griddle owner or merely looking for a new electric griddle, you won’t be disappointed by the Blackstone E-Series Electric Tabletop Griddle with Hood.