Blackstone E-Series 17 inch electric griddle Save

Blackstone E-Series Electric Griddle Review: Worth the Price?

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If you’ve ever looked at the $30–$40 electric griddles on Amazon and wondered whether the Blackstone E-Series is worth the extra money — it is. I own the 17” model and cook on it most mornings, so this review is from daily indoor use, not a spec sheet. I’ll cover where it earns the premium and where it falls short.

This isn’t a comparison against a gas Blackstone. The E-Series is an indoor electric griddle, a different category with different tradeoffs. The right comparison is against other electric griddles, and that’s where it pulls away clearly.

Check 17” price at Blackstone Check 22” price on Amazon Check 22” price at Blackstone

At a Glance

SpecValue
My rating4.3 / 5
Cooking surface240 sq in (17”) / 307 sq in (22”)
Power1500W (17”) / 1800W (22”)
Temperature range200–500°F, LCD control
FeaturesSealing hood, removable dishwasher-safe drip tray
UseIndoor electric — no propane, no open flame
Best forEveryday breakfast, bad-weather and winter cooking

How I review: I own the 17” and cook on it regularly indoors. The rating and pros/cons come from that hands-on use — see how I review griddles for the full approach.

17” vs. 22”: Which Model to Get

Blackstone makes the E-Series in two sizes:

17” Model22” Model
Cooking surface240 sq in307 sq in
Power1500W1800W
Best for1–3 people, smaller kitchensFamilies of 4–6, more counter space

The 17” is what I cook on daily, and it handles breakfast for two or a weeknight dinner for three without issue. If you’re regularly cooking for a family or want bigger batches, the 22” is worth the extra spend. Both share the same temperature range, hood, and grease management — just scaled differently.

The Cooking Surface

The biggest advantage over cheap electric griddles is simply the cooking area. A $35 griddle gives you maybe 150–180 square inches — enough for a few eggs and some bacon if you’re careful. The E-Series 17” gives you 240 square inches, and the 22” gives you 307. That’s the difference between cooking a full breakfast in one go and cooking it in two shifts.

The surface coating also holds up. I’ve cooked eggs, fish, pancakes, and delicate items that would stick on a cheaper griddle and they release cleanly, and after regular use mine still performs like it did new. It’s not the bare seasoned steel of a gas Blackstone — it’s a coated electric surface — but it’s a genuinely good one.

Heat & Performance

Both models run up to 500°F with a low end of 200°F, set on an LCD display rather than a vague low/medium/high dial. That precision is the underrated feature: I can hold 350°F for pancakes or push to 400°F+ for a breakfast sear and actually trust the number. The hood seals in heat and speeds everything up, which matters for melting cheese or cooking a thicker item through.

The honest limit: electric doesn’t get as hot as gas. You’re not getting propane-Blackstone searing temperatures, so for smash burgers and high-heat work a gas griddle is a different tool. The E-Series is built for indoor convenience, not maximum BTUs — and judged on that, 500°F is plenty for the breakfasts and weeknight dinners it’s meant for.

Build Quality

The cheaper electric griddles feel like what they are: thin coatings, flimsy housings, imprecise dials. The E-Series has a proper LCD readout, a sturdy cooking surface, and a hood that actually seals rather than rattling on top. It feels like a real cooking appliance, not a dorm-room accessory — and after regular use, mine still does.

Cleanup & Indoor Convenience

Indoor use is the real reason to own one. Bad weather, winter, or just not wanting to fire up the outdoor setup for a Tuesday dinner — the E-Series handles it all indoors with no smoke and no ventilation drama. Breakfast is where it shines: pancakes, eggs, bacon, and toast all at once on one surface.

Cleanup is easy. Grease channels into a removable drip tray that’s dishwasher safe; let the surface cool a bit, scrape residue into the tray, wipe down, and you’re done in about five minutes — far easier than the same meal spread across three pans.

How It Compares

  • vs. budget electric griddles ($30–$40) — Not close. The E-Series has a larger surface, accurate temperature control, better build, and a hood. The cheap ones work, but the cooking experience isn’t in the same category.
  • vs. a gas Blackstone — Different tools. Gas gives you searing heat and the outdoor smash-burger experience; the E-Series gives you a genuine indoor griddle with no propane or venting. Many owners (me included) keep both — see the 36-inch gas review.
  • vs. other electric griddles — Covered in our best electric griddles roundup; the E-Series is the one to beat for indoor flat-top cooking.

Pros

  • Far larger cooking surface than budget electric griddles (240 / 307 sq in)
  • Accurate LCD temperature control instead of vague low/med/high dials
  • Sturdy build with a hood that actually seals in heat
  • Durable coated surface that releases delicate foods cleanly
  • True indoor use — no smoke, no propane, no ventilation worries
  • Removable dishwasher-safe drip tray; ~5-minute cleanup

Cons

  • Costs significantly more than budget electric griddles
  • Electric doesn’t reach gas searing temperatures
  • The 22” in particular takes real counter space

Our Verdict

If you cook indoors regularly — weekly breakfasts, bad-weather dinners — the Blackstone E-Series is worth the premium over budget electric griddles, and it’s the one I actually use most mornings. Judge it as an indoor electric griddle (not against gas) and it’s excellent: big surface, real temperature control, easy cleanup. The only reasons to skip it are a tight budget or a need for gas-level searing heat. 4.3 out of 5.

Check 17” price at Blackstone Check 22” price on Amazon

Who Should Buy the Blackstone E-Series

Good fit if:

  • You cook breakfast regularly and want one surface for the whole spread
  • You want an indoor griddle option for bad weather or winter cooking
  • You’ve tried cheaper electric griddles and found them frustrating
  • Counter space allows for a dedicated appliance

Look elsewhere if:

  • Budget is tight and you only cook on a griddle occasionally
  • You need high-heat searing performance (get a gas Blackstone instead)
  • Counter space is limited (the 22” in particular takes up real estate)

Related: How to Clean an Electric Griddle · Best Electric Griddles

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Blackstone E-Series better than cheap electric griddles?

Yes, meaningfully so. The cooking surface is larger, the temperature control is more accurate, the build quality is better, and the coating lasts longer. The $30–$40 griddles work, but the E-Series is a noticeably better cooking experience.

What’s the difference between the 17” and 22” E-Series?

The 17” has 240 sq in of cooking surface and 1500W of power — enough for 1–3 people. The 22” has 307 sq in and 1800W, better suited for families of 4–6. Both have the same features: LCD temperature display, hood, and grease management system.

Can you use the Blackstone E-Series indoors?

Yes — that’s the point. It’s an electric griddle designed for indoor use. No propane, no open flame, no ventilation concerns. It does produce some steam and cooking smells, so a kitchen with normal ventilation handles it fine.

What temperature does the Blackstone E-Series reach?

Both models go up to 500°F, with a low end of 200°F. The LCD display lets you set precise temperatures rather than just low/medium/high dials.

How do you clean the Blackstone E-Series?

Let it cool slightly, scrape any residue into the grease tray, wipe the surface with a damp cloth or paper towels. The drip tray is removable and dishwasher safe. Total cleanup is about 5 minutes.