Smash burgers sizzling on the flat top. Crispy french fries coming out of the air fryer. A full breakfast spread keeping warm in the warming drawer. All happening at the same time — outdoors — on one single appliance.
That’s the promise of the Blackstone griddle and air fryer combo. And it’s an exciting one.
But is it actually worth the extra cost over a standard Blackstone griddle? Does the air fryer deliver real results? And who should actually buy this thing?
We’ve dug deep into real owner experiences, expert reviews, and hands-on testing data to give you the most complete, honest answer possible.
Table of Contents
What Is the Blackstone Griddle and Air Fryer Combo?
The Blackstone griddle and air fryer is a combined outdoor cooking station that pairs a traditional flat top propane griddle with electric air fryer drawers — all built into one unit.
The Blackstone 2-Burner 28-inch Griddle with Electric Air Fryer and Hood allows you to sear, air fry, sauté, roast, and bake all in one place. Using a gas griddle and air fryer at the same time means lots of versatility and opens the door to many more cooking options. Griddle Sizzle
Blackstone currently offers this combo in three sizes — the 36-inch 4-burner flagship, the 28-inch 2-burner mid-size, and the 17-inch Adventure Ready portable version. All three include the same core concept — propane-powered griddle on top, electric air fryer drawers below.
How Does the Blackstone Air Fryer Actually Work?
Understanding how the air fryer component works is key to setting realistic expectations.
An air fryer is essentially a powerful and compact convection oven. The cooking process is similar to a normal oven, but a fan circulates hot air around your food helping it cook quicker while promoting browning. Foods like fried chicken or air fryer fries are placed in a cooking basket where they cook to your desired doneness. Grilling Montana
The Blackstone version is unique because it uses propane heat instead of an electric heating element. The two air fryers offer 13,000 BTUs of power. Blackstone claims this is double what you would expect from an indoor air fryer. Tom’s Guide
There is no confusing control panel with the Blackstone griddle combo. The air fryers work simply — plug in the power plug, ignite the dedicated burner with the ignition system, flip the switch to turn the convection oven’s fan on, and you’re ready to cook. Temperatures range from about 325°F to 450°F — a solid range for most recipes. Grilling Montana
One important thing to know — you’ll need access to an electrical outlet to use the air fryer. The griddle runs on propane, but the air fryer fan requires electricity. Griddle Sizzle
Key Features of the Blackstone Griddle and Air Fryer Combo
Dual Air Fryer Drawers
The 36-inch model includes two separate air fryer drawers — not just one. Two 4.0-quart air fryers sit below the griddle surface — more than enough for a full family. Both air fryer drawers and the warming drawer hold up to 4.0 quarts each. Gear Patrol
Having two separate drawers means you can cook two different foods at two different temperatures simultaneously. Fries in one, chicken wings in the other — while burgers cook on the griddle above.
Built-In Warming Drawer
The warming drawer is very helpful in keeping cooked foods warm while other dishes are finishing. Griddle Sizzle
This is genuinely one of the most practical features of the entire combo. Anyone who’s ever cooked a large meal on a standard griddle knows the frustration of food going cold while you finish everything else. The warming drawer solves this completely.
The warming drawer is an absolute game-changer for multi-item cooks. Chuck your bacon and sausages in there while you finish the eggs and beans. Smoke and Sear
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Four Independent Heat Zones (36-inch model)
The Blackstone Iron Forged Griddle Airfryer Combo offers four independent heat zones across its spacious 36-inch flat-top surface, plus expandable side shelves with tool hooks for ingredient prep and storage. Gear Patrol
This means you can run the griddle at four different temperatures simultaneously — searing steaks on high, cooking eggs on low, warming bread in the middle, and holding everything else while you plate up.
Built-In Hood
All Blackstone griddle and air fryer combo models come with a hood. The hood not only protects your griddle when not in use but can also help cook certain dishes and reduce grease splatters. Griddle Sizzle
The hood is especially valuable for melting cheese on burgers, steaming thick proteins through, and protecting the griddle surface from rain and debris when not in use.
Rear Grease Management
The rear grease management system handles excess oil and food scraps on the cooktop. You’ll use a scraper to remove any excess oil and food scraps into the rear grease management system, then wipe the cooktop with paper towels and water to remove additional residue. Griddle Sizzle
Blackstone Griddle and Air Fryer — Real Owner Reviews
What do people who actually own and cook on this combo say?
The overwhelming consensus from real owners is positive — especially about the griddle performance and warming drawer utility.
One verified Walmart buyer said: “I wish I wouldn’t have hesitated on the purchase for so long. The biggest plus for me is keeping the cooking odors such as bacon or fish outside of the home. It’s also much easier to clean the Blackstone than the kitchen stove. The air fryer and warming drawer is an added bonus. So far the items I’ve cooked in the air fryer come out much better than the oven.” Walmart
Another owner shared: “I got this as a gift for my husband. He had a smaller griddle. He didn’t know if he wanted the air fryer, but we used ours inside all the time so I thought we should try. We love this combo! The air fryer works great. It’s so nice cooking in one spot, vs some inside/outside.” Walmart
One hands-on UK reviewer who cooked multiple full meals including smash burgers and full English breakfasts gave this honest assessment of the air fryer: “Compared to a Ninja air fryer — if Ninja is 10/10, Blackstone’s air fryers are a 6/10. They’re more like strong convection ovens. Biggest success: cooked a whole chicken in one basket — came out juicy with crisp skin.” Smoke and Sear
Honest Pros and Cons
✅ What’s Great
Complete outdoor cooking station — One appliance handles griddle cooking, air frying, and food warming simultaneously. No more running back and forth between kitchen and patio.
Griddle performance is excellent — The gas-powered flat top heats evenly, and using it is a breeze. For all-round outdoor cooking, this one’s hard to beat. T3
Warming drawer is genuinely useful — Solves the biggest pain point of outdoor cooking — keeping multiple items hot and ready at the same time.
Dual air fryer drawers — Two separate baskets means two different foods at two different temperatures simultaneously.
Air fryer is dishwasher safe — The air fryer portion, both the fryer itself and the warming tray, are dishwasher safe. That means you spend less time cleaning up and more time cooking. Griddle Sizzle
❌ What’s Not Perfect
Air fryer requires electricity — You need an outdoor power outlet. This is a genuine limitation for some backyard setups. Both the warming drawer and the air fryer require an outdoor power supply to function and they draw more power than most portable power stations can handle. T3
Air fryer isn’t as powerful as dedicated units — Compared to a top-tier dedicated air fryer, the Blackstone version is more like a strong convection oven. If you want the crispiest possible air fryer results, a dedicated indoor unit does better. Smoke and Sear
Higher price — The combo model costs significantly more than a standard Blackstone griddle without air fryer. You’re paying for convenience and versatility.
Natural gas conversion limited — The natural gas conversion kit is compatible with the griddle part of the air fryer combo, but not the air fryer part of it. AmazingRibs If you want natural gas, this is a limitation to consider.
Assembly takes time — Assembly takes a bit longer than the stated 30 minutes. It didn’t come with batteries for the ignition button — don’t forget those. Walmart
Blackstone Griddle and Air Fryer — Model Comparison
| Model | Griddle Size | Burners | BTU | Air Fryer | Warming Drawer |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36″ Iron Forged Combo | 36 inches | 4 | 60,000 | 2 x 4qt drawers | ✅ Yes |
| 28″ Combo | 28 inches | 2 | 34,000 | 1 air fryer drawer | ✅ Yes |
| 17″ Adventure Ready Combo | 17 inches | 1 | 12,500 | 1 compact drawer | ✅ Yes |
For most families — the 28-inch combo hits the best value sweet spot. Enough griddle space for 4–6 people, one air fryer drawer, warming drawer, and a significantly lower price than the 36-inch flagship.
Who Should Buy the Blackstone Griddle and Air Fryer?
Perfect for you if:
- You currently use both an outdoor griddle AND an indoor air fryer regularly
- You hate running back and forth between kitchen and patio while cooking
- You cook large meals for 4–8+ people and need everything hot at once
- You have access to an outdoor electrical outlet
- You want maximum outdoor cooking versatility in one appliance
- You love the idea of smash burgers and fries cooking simultaneously outdoors
Consider a standard griddle instead if:
- You don’t have outdoor power access
- You want the crispiest possible air fryer results — a dedicated unit performs better
- Budget is a primary concern
- You mainly cook simple meals for 2–3 people
Best Foods to Cook on the Blackstone Griddle and Air Fryer Combo
The combination of griddle and air fryer opens up a complete meal cooking system:
On the griddle: Smash burgers, eggs, bacon, pancakes, hash browns, stir fry, fajitas, steak, shrimp, quesadillas
In the air fryer: French fries, chicken wings, onion rings, mozzarella sticks, breaded chicken, frozen appetizers, roasted vegetables
In the warming drawer: Finished proteins, buns, sauces, cooked items waiting while the rest of the meal catches up
The combination cooking of smash burgers on the griddle with air-fried chips at the same time — no messing about — is exactly what this appliance is designed for. Smoke and Sear
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Is the Blackstone Griddle and Air Fryer Worth It?
The bottom line on the Blackstone AirFryer Griddle combo is that it is totally worth it. Grilling Montana
But with one important caveat — it’s worth it IF you have outdoor power access and genuinely use both cooking methods regularly.
The griddle is outstanding — as expected from Blackstone. The warming drawer alone is worth the upgrade for anyone who regularly cooks multi-item outdoor meals. The air fryer isn’t quite at dedicated air fryer levels of crispiness — but it’s genuinely good and the convenience of having everything in one place outdoors is hard to put a price on.
If you currently own a Blackstone griddle and a separate indoor air fryer — this combo solves the constant juggling between indoor and outdoor cooking permanently.
