Blackstone Tailgater Combo Review (2026): Griddle + Grill for On-the-Go Cooking

The Blackstone Tailgater Combo (model 1555) is built for cooks who want griddle cooking and open-flame grilling at tailgates, campsites, and outdoor events — without hauling two separate units. 512 sq in of cooking surface, 35,000 BTU, and the ability to run as a griddle, a grill, or an open burner. At 75 lbs with a collapsible design, it’s genuinely portable in a way that the 36-inch and 28-inch Blackstones are not.

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At a Glance

Spec	Value
Cooking surface	512 sq in
Burners	2
Total BTU	35,000
Weight	75 lbs
Dimensions	52” × 24” × 38.5”
Cooking modes	Griddle / Grill / Open burner
Fuel	Propane
Best for	Tailgating, camping, outdoor events, small groups

Pros

• Three cooking modes: flat-top griddle, grill grate, open burner
• 512 sq in — more cooking surface than the 28-inch standalone griddle
• 75 lbs with collapsible design — genuinely portable vs. the home-base Blackstones
• 35,000 BTU across 2 burners provides strong heat output
• Can use 1 lb disposable propane cylinders or convert to a standard 20 lb tank
• Folding legs make storage and transport compact

Cons

• Complex setup compared to a simple standalone griddle
• Interchangeable cooking surfaces require physical swaps mid-cook
• 75 lbs is manageable but not lightweight for true camping on foot
• 2 burner zones vs. 4 on the 36-inch reduces multi-temperature flexibility
• No dedicated grease management on par with the standalone griddle lineup

Who Should Buy This

Buy it if: You tailgate regularly, camp with a vehicle, or attend outdoor events where you want both griddle and grill functionality. The three-mode design is genuinely flexible and the portability is real.

Skip it if: You primarily cook in your backyard. A Blackstone 28” or 36” gives you more surface area and a better cooking experience for stationary use. The Tailgater’s value is specifically in its portability and multi-mode functionality.

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How Do the Three Cooking Modes Work?

The 1555’s cooking surface is interchangeable: remove the griddle plate and you have an open grill grate for direct-flame cooking with grill marks. Or remove everything and run it as an open burner for cast iron skillets, pots, or woks. The mode changes require swapping the cooking surface, so you’re not doing it mid-cook — but being able to set up for whatever you need before the cook starts is the flexibility that makes this unit useful.

Is 512 Square Inches Enough for Tailgating?

For a group of 4–6 people, yes. You can run a batch of 8–10 burgers at once on the griddle side, or 6–8 pieces of chicken on the grill side. The surface isn’t huge enough for a stadium-size tailgate, but for a typical parking lot setup with a group of friends, it handles volume well.

How It Compares

• vs. Blackstone 1819 Griddle + Charcoal Combo — The 1819 uses charcoal for its grill side; the Tailgater uses propane for everything. Tailgater is easier to manage (one fuel source). 1819 Combo review →
• vs. Camp Chef FTG600 — Camp Chef has a similar griddle/grill swap design but larger surface (604 sq in) and is heavier (144 lbs). Less portable than the Tailgater. Camp Chef review →
• vs. Blackstone 17” tabletop — The tabletop is lighter and simpler; the Tailgater has significantly more surface and the three-mode functionality. 17” tabletop review →

Our Verdict

The Blackstone Tailgater Combo earns its name — it’s one of the best portable multi-mode cooking setups in its price range. If your cooking happens at tailgates, campsites, and outdoor events, the three cooking modes and 512 sq in of surface area at 75 lbs is a genuinely compelling package. For backyard-only cooking, there are better dedicated griddles for the money.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the three cooking modes on the Blackstone Tailgater?

Flat-top griddle mode (for eggs, smash burgers, stir-fry), grill grate mode (for direct-flame cooking with grill marks), and open burner mode (for pots, cast iron skillets, or woks). You switch modes by swapping the cooking surface.

Can I use a standard 20 lb propane tank with the Blackstone Tailgater?

Yes — it works with 1 lb disposable camping cylinders and can be converted to use a standard 20 lb propane tank with an adapter hose (sold separately). The 20 lb tank gives much longer run time.

How portable is the Blackstone Tailgater at 75 lbs?

It collapses for transport and the legs fold under the unit. Two people can load it into a truck bed or SUV without difficulty. It’s not a backpacking option, but for vehicle-based camping and tailgating it’s manageable.

Is the Tailgater good for camping?

Good for vehicle-based camping — car camping, truck camping, RV cooking. Not suited for hiking or backpacking. For lightweight camping, a smaller tabletop propane griddle is more practical.