Blackstone E-Series Electric Griddle Review: Worth the Price?
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 have cooked on it enough to know 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, and that’s a different category with different tradeoffs. The right comparison is against other electric griddles, and that’s where the E-Series pulls away clearly.
17” vs. 22”: Which Model to Get
Blackstone makes the E-Series in two sizes:
| 17” Model | 22” Model | |
|---|---|---|
| Cooking surface | 240 sq in | 307 sq in |
| Power | 1500W | 1800W |
| Best for | 1–3 people, smaller kitchens | Families 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 to do bigger batches, the 22” is worth the extra spend. Both have the same cooking surface, temperature range, hood, and grease management — just scaled differently.
What the E-Series Does Well
Cooking surface size
The biggest advantage over cheap electric griddles is 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 difference is significant when you’re cooking a full breakfast or a complete weeknight dinner in one go.
Build quality
The cheaper electric griddles feel like what they are. Thin non-stick coating, flimsy housing, temperature dials that give you “low / medium / high” with no real accuracy. The E-Series has a proper LCD temperature display, a sturdy cooking surface, and a hood that actually seals in heat and speeds up cooking. It feels like a real cooking appliance, not a college dorm accessory.
Non-stick coating
The surface coating holds up. I’ve cooked eggs, fish, pancakes, and delicate items that would stick on a cheaper griddle and they release cleanly. After regular use it still performs the same as when it was new.
Indoor convenience
This is the real use case. Bad weather, winter months, or just not wanting to fire up the outdoor setup for a Tuesday night dinner — the E-Series handles it all indoors without smoke or ventilation issues. Breakfast is where it really shines: pancakes, eggs, bacon, and toast all at once on one surface, one thing to clean up.
Cleanup
The grease management system channels oil into a removable drip tray. Cleanup is a wipe-down and an empty — maybe 5 minutes. Far easier than cooking the same meal across multiple pans.
The Main Drawback: Price
The E-Series costs significantly more than budget electric griddles. That’s the honest tradeoff. If you cook on it regularly — weekly breakfasts, weeknight dinners when the weather’s bad — the quality difference justifies it. If you’re buying it for occasional use, the math gets harder.
The other limitation worth knowing: electric doesn’t get as hot as gas. You’re not getting the searing performance of a propane Blackstone. For smash burgers and high-heat applications, a gas griddle is a different tool entirely. The E-Series is for indoor cooking convenience, not maximum BTUs.
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 — the cheaper options exist for a reason if 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)
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 non-stick 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.