If you already love your Blackstone griddle but hate running back into the kitchen every time you need a side of fries, the Blackstone Air Fryer Griddle Combo was basically built for you. It bolts a full air fryer onto the same propane griddle you already cook smash burgers, hibachi, and pancakes on — so the whole meal happens in one spot, outdoors.
I’ve pulled together everything you actually need before buying: the real specs, the differences between the three sizes, honest pros and cons from people who own one, and a straight answer on whether it’s worth the money. Here’s the full review.
Quick Verdict
The Blackstone Air Fryer Griddle Combo is worth it if you cook for a crowd and want a true all-in-one outdoor station — griddle on top, air fryer drawers underneath, warming drawer to hold everything. The 36″ 4-burner model is the standout: 756 square inches of cooktop, 60,000 BTUs, and a dual-drawer air fryer that turns out genuinely crispy fries and wings.
It’s not for everyone, though. It’s heavy, it takes up real patio space, the air fryer drawers are smaller than a countertop unit, and you’ll pay a premium over a plain griddle. If you rarely air fry or you’re tight on space, a standard Blackstone plus a cheap countertop air fryer may serve you better for less.
Bottom line: A fantastic buy for backyard entertainers and big families. Overkill for occasional cooks.
What Is the Blackstone Air Fryer Griddle Combo?
It’s a flat-top propane griddle with one or more air fryer drawers built directly into the cabinet beneath the cooktop, plus (on most models) a separate warming drawer. You get the signature Blackstone griddle surface for searing, smashing, and sautéing, and underneath you can bake, roast, and air fry at the same time.
The appeal is simple: instead of griddling burgers outside and then walking inside to drop fries in the oven or a separate air fryer, you do all of it in one place, at the same time, and everything finishes together. For anyone who’s juggled timing between two appliances, that’s a real quality-of-life upgrade.
A couple of important details people get wrong:
- On the 36″ model the air fryer is gas-powered (it runs off the same propane), while on the 28″ and 17″ models the air fryer is electric and needs an outlet.
- It’s still an outdoor appliance. The propane griddle is not meant to be used indoors.
The Three Models Compared
Blackstone makes the air fryer combo in three sizes. Here’s how they stack up.
| Feature | 17″ Tabletop Combo | 28″ 2-Burner Combo | 36″ 4-Burner Combo |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cooktop area | ~260 sq in | 524 sq in | 756 sq in |
| Burners / zones | 1 zone | 2 independent zones | 4 independent zones |
| Total BTUs | ~12,000 | 34,000 | 60,000 |
| Air fryer | Electric, single drawer | Electric drawer + warming drawer | Dual gas-powered drawers + warming drawer |
| Hood | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Wheels | No (tabletop) | Folding shelves | 4 lockable wheels |
| Best for | Camping, tailgating, RVs | Couples & small families | Big families & entertaining |
| Approx. price* | ~$170–$200 | ~$450–$500 | ~$750–$1,000 |
*Prices fluctuate constantly and go on sale often (especially around holidays). Always check the current price at Walmart or Blackstone.com before buying — these are ballpark MSRP ranges, not guarantees.
Which size should you get?
- 17″: You want portability above all — camping, the RV, the back of the truck. Small cooktop, small air fryer, but it travels.
- 28″: The sweet spot for most households. Plenty of room for a family meal without dominating the patio, and the electric air fryer drawer handles a shareable side easily.
- 36″: The “cook for 20–30 people” machine. If you host, this is the one. Just make sure you have the space and the muscle to assemble it.
The Griddle Top
This is still a Blackstone griddle first, and it performs like one. The rolled-steel cooktop heats fast, holds heat well, and gives you that even, edge-to-edge surface that’s perfect for smash burgers, hibachi-style fried rice, breakfast spreads, and Philly cheesesteaks.
On the multi-burner models, the independently controlled cooking zones are the key feature: you can run one side screaming hot to sear steak while keeping another side at low heat for onions or eggs. The 36″ gives you four zones to play with, which is what makes it possible to cook for a crowd without everything fighting for the same temperature.
Like every Blackstone, it needs to be seasoned before first use and lightly maintained after each cook to keep its non-stick patina. That’s normal for any flat-top — not a flaw, just part of owning one.
How the Air Fryer Works
This is the part people are curious about, so let’s be specific.
The air fryer drawers slide out from the cabinet below the griddle. You set the temperature with dedicated controls, drop in your food, and it circulates hot air the same way a countertop air fryer does. On the 36″, the drawers are gas-powered and can run while the griddle is going, so your fries crisp up while your burgers sear above them. The warming drawer then holds finished food at temperature until everyone’s ready to eat.
Real-world results from owners are consistently positive on the fries-and-wings front: crispy outside, fluffy inside, no babysitting. Where people wish for more is drawer size — they’re roomy enough for a shareable batch of fries, nuggets, or wings, but they won’t fit a full frozen pizza or a lasagna tray. If you’re imagining doing big sheet-pan meals in there, temper that expectation.
One small gripe worth knowing: there’s no built-in air fryer thermometer on most models, so the temperature readout is approximate. Some owners add an inexpensive aftermarket thermometer if they want precision.
Pros and Cons
What owners love:
- True all-in-one cooking. Main course and sides finish together, outside, with no kitchen trips.
- Huge capacity. The 36″ can genuinely feed a party. Even the 28″ handles a family meal with room to spare.
- Crispy air fryer results. Fries and wings come out as good as a countertop unit.
- Solid build quality. Heavy-duty frame, stainless tube burners, feels built to last.
- Easy assembly. Many owners report clear, well-labeled instructions and a roughly 1–1.5 hour build.
- Independent heat zones for cooking different foods at once.
What to watch out for:
- It’s heavy. Lifting the griddle plate onto the frame during assembly is a two-person job for most people, and the 36″ weighs well over 100 lbs.
- Footprint. This takes up real patio space — measure before you buy.
- Air fryer drawers are smaller than a large countertop unit; no big trays.
- Price premium over a plain griddle of the same size.
- Limited availability. Sold mainly through Walmart and Blackstone.com.
- Occasional shipping damage reported — inspect the box on delivery and don’t accept it if it’s clearly banged up.
Cleaning and Maintenance
Cleaning is straightforward but does require the right habits to protect the surface:
- Let the griddle cool to warm (not cold, not screaming hot).
- Scrape off food debris with a metal scraper while it’s still warm.
- Wipe down with paper towels; for stuck-on bits, a little hot water loosens things up.
- Dry it completely, then rub a thin layer of cooking oil over the surface to re-season and prevent rust.
- Avoid harsh soaps and steel wool on the cooktop — they strip the seasoning.
The air fryer baskets and drip/grease trays are removable, which makes cleanup of the air fryer side much easier than people expect. The rear grease management system channels everything into a catch cup you empty and rinse.
Is the Blackstone Air Fryer Griddle Combo Worth It?
It comes down to how you cook:
Buy it if you regularly cook for a group, you already griddle and find yourself wishing you could air fry at the same time, and you want one station that does the whole meal. For backyard entertainers and big families, the convenience genuinely pays for itself — and the food is excellent.
Skip it if you cook mostly for one or two people, you rarely air fry, or you’re short on outdoor space. In that case a standard Blackstone griddle plus a $60 countertop air fryer gives you the same capability for a lot less money and a smaller footprint.
For everyone in between, the 28″ combo is the value pick — most of the benefit, far less of the cost and bulk than the 36″.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the air fryer on the Blackstone combo electric or gas? It depends on the model. The 36″ combo uses a gas-powered air fryer that runs off the propane tank. The 28″ and 17″ models use an electric air fryer drawer, so they need a power outlet nearby.
Where can I buy the Blackstone Air Fryer Griddle Combo? It’s sold primarily at Walmart (in-store and online) and directly at Blackstone.com. Selected sizes also show up at outdoor cooking retailers and on Amazon.
Can I use it indoors? No. The propane griddle is an outdoor appliance and should only be used outside in a well-ventilated area.
How big is the air fryer drawer? Roughly 2–4 quarts depending on the model — enough for a generous family-size batch of fries, wings, or nuggets, but not large enough for a frozen pizza or a full lasagna tray.
Does it come with a warranty? Blackstone backs its griddles with a manufacturer’s warranty (commonly one year on these combo units). Confirm the exact terms for your specific model at the point of purchase.
Is assembly hard? Most owners describe assembly as straightforward and well-documented, taking about an hour to ninety minutes. The trickiest part is lifting the heavy griddle plate onto the frame, which is easier with a second person.
How many people can it feed? The 36″ model can comfortably cook for a crowd of 20–30. The 28″ suits a family, and the 17″ is sized for a couple of people or camping use.
Final Thoughts
The Blackstone Air Fryer Griddle Combo nails the thing most outdoor cooks didn’t know they wanted: one station where the burgers, the fries, and the sides all come together at once. It’s well-built, it’s versatile, and the air fryer is more than a gimmick — it genuinely works.
Just go in clear-eyed about the trade-offs: it’s heavy, it’s big, and it costs more than a basic griddle. Match the size to how you actually cook — 17″ for the road, 28″ for the family, 36″ for the party — and you’ll get an appliance you reach for far more than you expected.
Prices and availability change frequently. Check the current listing at Walmart or Blackstone.com before purchasing.
Related Posts
Now that you know the griddle, put it to work. Here are more Blackstone guides and recipes from the blog:
- Blackstone Griddle Onion Rings — a great first thing to crisp up in the air fryer.
- Easy Blackstone Griddle Pork Chops — a simple weeknight win.
- Browse everything in the Blackstone recipe collection and Air Fryer recipes.
