Blackstone 3-Burner Griddle with Hood Review (2026): ACE Hardware's Exclusive Mid-Size

The Blackstone 3-burner 613 sq in griddle with hood is an ACE Hardware exclusive — you won’t find it on Amazon or Walmart. It sits between the 28-inch and 36-inch in cooking surface (613 sq in vs 448 and 756), with 48,000 BTU across 3 independent burners and a built-in hood that the base 36-inch doesn’t include. If you want more surface than the 28-inch but don’t need the full 36-inch, and you want a hood included, this is the model to look at.

Check price at ACE Hardware

At a Glance

Spec	Value
Cooking surface	613 sq in
Burners	3 independent
Total BTU	48,000
Fuel	Propane
Hood	Yes — built-in
Availability	ACE Hardware exclusive
Guarantee	30-day satisfaction guarantee
Best for	Cooks who want a mid-size griddle with hood included

Pros

• 613 sq in — noticeably more surface than the 28-inch, less than the full 36-inch
• 3 independent burner zones (more flexibility than 2-burner models)
• Built-in hood included — traps heat for thicker proteins, protects surface when off
• 48,000 BTU provides strong heat output
• 30-day satisfaction guarantee through ACE Hardware
• Available at ACE Hardware locations nationwide

Cons

• ACE Hardware exclusive — not available on Amazon or Walmart
• Fewer BTU per sq in than the Blackstone 36” (48k vs 60k BTU for less surface)
• ACE Hardware has fewer locations than Walmart for in-store pickup
• No accessory ecosystem as deep as the main Blackstone lineup
• Hood functionality is useful but not a game-changer if you can buy one separately

Who Should Buy This

Buy it if: You specifically shop at ACE Hardware, want a mid-size griddle with a built-in hood, and prefer 613 sq in over having to choose between 448 (28”) and 756 (36”) square inches. The 30-day guarantee is a nice safety net.

Skip it if: You’re already shopping on Amazon or Walmart. The Blackstone 36-inch at 756 sq in with more BTU is available there without the exclusivity constraint. The 36” + separately purchased hood may ultimately be a better setup.

Check price at ACE Hardware

Is 613 Square Inches the Right Mid-Size?

For a household of 4–6 people, yes. 613 sq in comfortably handles a full family meal in one pass — a dozen burgers at once, a full breakfast spread for 5–6 people, or a complete stir-fry for a large family. You get more cooking room than the 28-inch without the full footprint (and weight) of the 36-inch.

The 3 burner zones give you more simultaneous temperature control than the 28-inch’s 2 zones — you can run high/medium/low all at once rather than just high/low.

Does the Built-In Hood Make a Meaningful Difference?

Yes, for certain cooking tasks. Thick chicken breasts, whole pork chops, and steak with reverse-sear finishes all benefit from the trapped heat. With a hood, you can close it over the griddle to create an oven-like environment and cook items through to temperature without burning the exterior. The base Blackstone 36-inch doesn’t include a hood, which means either buying one separately or living without it. Having it built-in is a genuine advantage.

How It Compares

• vs. Blackstone 28” — This model has 165 more sq in, one more burner zone, and a built-in hood. 28” review →
• vs. Blackstone 36” (1554) — 36-inch has 143 more sq in, 4 burner zones, and 12,000 more BTU, but no hood on the base model. Available everywhere. 36” review →
• vs. Blackstone ProSeries 28” — ProSeries 28” has a hood and similar features but only 519 sq in and 30,000 BTU. This ACE model has more surface and more BTU. ProSeries 28” review →

Our Verdict

The Blackstone 3-burner with hood is a genuinely capable mid-size griddle that fills the gap between the 28-inch and 36-inch. The built-in hood is a real value-add, the 3-zone burner layout adds flexibility, and the ACE Hardware guarantee is a confidence booster. The exclusivity is the main limitation — if you don’t shop at ACE Hardware, the 36-inch on Amazon or Walmart is the easier purchase.

Check price at ACE Hardware

Frequently Asked Questions

Where can you buy the Blackstone 3-burner griddle with hood?

It’s an ACE Hardware exclusive — available in ACE Hardware stores and online at acehardware.com. Not sold on Amazon, Walmart, or other retailers.

Is 48,000 BTU enough for a 613 sq in griddle?

Yes — 48,000 BTU across 613 sq in is about 78 BTU per sq in, which is above the 70 BTU/sq in benchmark that indicates efficient heat coverage. You’ll have no trouble reaching searing temperatures across the full surface.

Does the hood on this griddle lock closed?

The hood closes to trap heat and protect the surface, but like most griddle hoods, it doesn’t lock in the way an oven door does. It’s a functional cooking and storage cover, not a sealed pressure environment.

How does the 30-day guarantee work?

The 30-day satisfaction guarantee is through ACE Hardware. If you’re not satisfied within 30 days, you can return it to the store. Check with your local ACE Hardware for specific return terms.