Blackstone 36-Inch Griddle with Air Fryer Review (2026): Two Appliances, One Unit

The Blackstone 1868 takes the proven 36-inch griddle platform and adds two things: a built-in gas air fryer (runs 300–475°F independently) and a hood that covers the entire cooking surface. If you want to cook fries, wings, or tater tots in an air fryer while smash burgers are going on the flat-top — all in one backyard setup — this is the griddle that does it.

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At a Glance

Spec	Value
Griddle surface	756 sq in
Air fryer temp range	300–475°F
Burners	4 griddle + 1 air fryer
Total BTU	60,000 (griddle)
Weight	133 lbs
Dimensions	67⅜” × 27” × 42¾”
Fuel	Propane
Best for	Families who want griddle + air fryer without two separate units

Pros

• Full 756 sq in griddle surface — same as the base 36-inch
• Built-in gas air fryer runs independently from the griddle burners
• Hood covers the full cooking surface for high-heat trapping and weather protection
• 59 lbs lighter than the base 36-inch (133 vs 192.5 lbs)
• One propane connection powers the entire unit
• Cooks french fries, wings, and vegetables in the air fryer while the griddle handles proteins

Cons

• Air fryer basket is relatively small — good for 2–4 servings, not a crowd
• More expensive than the base 36-inch
• Converting the griddle to/from air fryer mode requires physical setup
• Hood closes but doesn’t lock — not a weather-proof seal

Who Should Buy This

Buy it if: You already love the Blackstone 36-inch experience and want to add air frying without buying a separate appliance. Also great if you want the hood for cooking thicker items (whole chicken breasts, thick pork chops) under trapped heat.

Skip it if: You don’t care about air frying and just want the best griddle cooking surface. The base 36-inch (1554) saves you money and weight. Or if you want electric air frying specifically, the 28” with electric air fryer may suit you better.

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How Well Does the Built-In Air Fryer Actually Work?

The air fryer runs on propane (same tank as the griddle) and reaches 300–475°F — similar to a mid-range countertop air fryer in terms of temperature range. It uses convection-style hot air circulation inside the basket drawer, so you get genuine air-frying results: crispy exterior, cooked interior. Wings come out with crackly skin; fries get a real crisp.

The limitation is capacity. It’s designed for 2–4 servings at a time, not a full crowd. If you’re cooking for 6–8 people, you’ll run multiple air fryer batches while the griddle handles everything else. For a family of 4, it’s perfectly sized.

Is the Hood Worth It Over the Base Model?

Yes — and not just for air frying. The hood serves multiple purposes: it traps heat for cooking thicker items through to temperature, it protects the cooktop when the griddle is off, and it makes cleanup slightly easier by keeping the surface covered. The base 36-inch (1554) requires a separately purchased hood if you want this functionality. If you’re going to buy a hood anyway, the 1868 becomes a better value than it first appears.

How It Compares

• vs. Blackstone 36” base (1554) — Base model is $100–150 cheaper, heavier (192.5 vs 133 lbs), and has no hood or air fryer. If you don’t need the air fryer, save the money. Base 36” review →
• vs. Blackstone 28” with Electric Air Fryer — 28” model has smaller griddle surface, electric (not gas) air fryer, and requires an electrical outlet. 28” air fryer model →
• vs. Blackstone 36” + separate air fryer — Buying the base 36” plus a separate countertop air fryer often costs more and takes up more space than the 1868. The integrated unit is a genuine space and cost advantage.

Our Verdict

The Blackstone 1868 is the right upgrade if you want air frying capability alongside your 36-inch griddle surface. The gas air fryer performs genuinely well, the hood adds real cooking utility, and the unit is actually lighter than the base model. The tradeoff is price and a smaller air fryer capacity. For families who would use both functions regularly, it’s worth the premium.

Check price at Blackstone

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Blackstone 1868?

The 1868 is Blackstone’s 36-inch 4-burner griddle with a built-in gas air fryer drawer and a hood that covers the full cooking surface. It runs entirely on propane — no electrical connection needed.

Is the air fryer on the Blackstone 1868 electric or gas?

Gas — it runs off the same propane tank as the griddle burners. No electrical outlet required. Temperature range is 300–475°F.

Can you use the griddle and air fryer at the same time?

Yes — they operate independently. You can run all 4 griddle burners while the air fryer basket is cooking simultaneously. The propane flow handles both.

How much can you cook in the air fryer at once?

The basket handles enough for 2–4 servings — roughly 1 lb of chicken wings, a portion of french fries, or a batch of vegetables. For larger groups, plan to run 2–3 air fryer batches while the griddle handles the main protein.