Pit Boss 4-Burner Deluxe Griddle Review (2026): Cast Iron Flat-Top with 748 Sq In

The Pit Boss 4-Burner Deluxe Griddle is a direct competitor to the Blackstone 36-inch — 748 sq in of cast iron cooking surface (slightly less than Blackstone’s 756 sq in), 4.7mm thick (heavier gauge than most competitors), 4 independent burners, no-battery ignition, and folding legs for a more compact footprint. The side shelves fold over to create a hard cover for the cooking surface, which is a smart design choice. It comes with a 5-year warranty and is available at Walmart, Amazon, and directly from Pit Boss.

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At a Glance

Spec	Value
Cooking surface	748 sq in
Surface material	Cast iron, 4.7mm thick
Burners	4 independent
Ignition	No-battery (flame-to-pilot)
Weight	~100 lbs
Folding legs	Yes
Side shelf cover	Yes — shelves fold over cooktop
Warranty	5 years
Best for	Cooks who want cast iron heat retention with a 36-inch footprint

Pros

• 4.7mm cast iron is thicker than most competing griddle surfaces — excellent heat retention
• No-battery ignition means you’ll never be stranded with dead batteries
• Side shelves fold over to become a hard cover — no separate cover needed
• Folding legs for more compact storage
• 5-year warranty — industry-leading for this category
• 4 independent burner zones for full temperature flexibility

Cons

• Cast iron requires seasoning before first use and re-oiling after every cook
• ~100 lbs — heavy to move even with folding legs
• Cast iron takes longer to preheat than cold-rolled steel
• Harder to find accessories than Blackstone
• Some assembly required; legs and shelves assemble with multiple steps

Who Should Buy This

Buy it if: You want the heat retention benefits of cast iron at full 36-inch scale, with a 5-year warranty, no-battery ignition, and a hard cover built into the design (the folding shelves). The Pit Boss Deluxe Griddle is the choice for cooks who specifically want cast iron performance on a large flat-top.

Skip it if: You want faster preheat and lighter weight. Cast iron takes longer to reach cooking temperature than cold-rolled steel, and ~100 lbs is heavy. For faster performance and easier portability, the Blackstone 36-inch (cold-rolled steel, 192.5 lbs but on wheels) or the Razor Griddle (folding legs) may serve better.

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Why Cast Iron at 4.7mm Thickness?

Most flat-top griddles use 3–5mm cold-rolled steel. The Pit Boss Deluxe uses 4.7mm cast iron — a different material and near the top of the consumer thickness range. What this means in practice:

• Heat retention — Cast iron holds heat longer when cold food lands on it, reducing temperature recovery time between batches
• Even searing — Thick cast iron distributes heat more evenly across the surface once it reaches temperature
• Slower startup — Cast iron takes 5–10 minutes longer to preheat than cold-rolled steel
• Seasoning required — Cast iron needs initial seasoning (2–3 rounds) and oil after every cook to prevent rust

For high-volume cooking where you’re constantly adding food and need the surface to recover temperature quickly, the thick cast iron is a real advantage. For quick single-batch cooks, the slower preheat is a consideration.

What Does No-Battery Ignition Mean?

The Pit Boss Deluxe uses a flame-to-pilot ignition rather than a battery-powered electronic spark. You light a pilot flame manually (with a lighter or match) that then ignites the main burners. This means you’ll never be in a situation where dead batteries prevent ignition — useful for camping and long-term outdoor use where battery maintenance is inconvenient.

How It Compares

• vs. Blackstone 36” (1554) — Blackstone has cold-rolled steel (faster preheat), 192.5 lbs (heavier, on wheels), and a much larger accessory ecosystem. Pit Boss Deluxe has cast iron (better heat retention), folding legs, built-in hard cover, and 5-year warranty. Blackstone 36” review →
• vs. Razor Griddle — Both are large-format portable griddles with folding legs. Razor has more BTU; Pit Boss has cast iron and a 5-year warranty. Razor Griddle review →
• vs. Pit Boss Sportsman — Sportsman is a tabletop unit; Deluxe is a full-size 36-inch-class griddle. Sportsman review →

Our Verdict

The Pit Boss 4-Burner Deluxe Griddle is the best choice for cooks who specifically want cast iron performance on a full-size flat-top, backed by a 5-year warranty. The 4.7mm thickness, built-in hard cover design, and no-battery ignition are genuine differentiators. The tradeoffs — longer preheat, cast iron maintenance — are the same as any cast iron cooking surface. For the right cook, it’s an excellent alternative to the Blackstone 36-inch.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What makes the Pit Boss Deluxe Griddle different from the Blackstone 36-inch?

The Pit Boss uses 4.7mm cast iron (better heat retention, requires seasoning) vs Blackstone’s cold-rolled steel (faster preheat, easier maintenance). Pit Boss has folding legs and a built-in hard cover; Blackstone has a larger accessory ecosystem.

Does cast iron take longer to preheat than steel?

Yes — cast iron typically takes 5–10 minutes longer to reach cooking temperature than cold-rolled steel. Once it’s hot, it holds temperature better when cold food is added.

How do you season the Pit Boss Deluxe Griddle?

Apply a thin coat of high-smoke-point oil (flaxseed, vegetable, or Crisco) to the cooking surface and heat to smoking. Wipe off, apply another thin coat, and heat again. Repeat 2–3 times. After each cook, wipe clean while warm and apply a light coat of oil before storing.

What warranty does the Pit Boss 4-Burner Deluxe Griddle have?

Pit Boss offers a 5-year warranty — one of the longest warranties in the griddle category.