Camp Chef vs Blackstone — A Comparison of the Leading Grill Brands (2021)

Whether you're a grilling enthusiast or pitmaster, choosing between Camp Chef vs. Blackstone can be tricky. Both brands create products in the US, have similar quality grills, and include related grilling features. However, they're different.

In this article, our experts will review the top three Blackstone vs. Camp Chef grills, break down both brands, and tell you which is our pick.

Camp Chef

Camp Chef's story started in 1990 with Ty Measom, a seasoned barbecuer. Like other grill-brand founders, Ty Measom was frustrated with the quality of backyard cooking equipment at that time. So, he set out to make a portable yet powerful product, and the Pro60 double-burner stove was born.

Since the Pro60, Camp Chef has produced dozens of cooking products. The company now has flat-top grills has a considerable 604 square inches of cooking area, griddle, grill box attachments, and other cast iron parts in its product line. However, its goal of coming up with better ways to grill and cook food remains. 

Some people observe a comparison of the two brands of outdoor griddle (we reviewed the best gas grill griddles here) and flat top grill between Blackstone vs Camp Chef. For instance, the Blackstone four burner vs. Camp Chef four burner, and the Blackstone two burner vs. Camp Chef three burner. 

Today, Camp Chef continues to make and test products in Cache Valley, Utah. All Camp Chef products are manufactured in China.

Blackstone

Blackstone is a newbie but also a top brand similar to Dyna Glo and Char Broil in the grilling world. The company started with a dream to cook everything – from BBQ to vegetables and burgers – outside. Then in 2005, Blackstone turned its dream into a reality. Its cornerstone product was the Blackstone 36 inch Griddle.

Over a decade later, the brand has more products in its line (especially flat top grills) and has improved its expertise. The company partners with backyard masters, home cooks, and pro chefs to meet high cooking standards.

Blackstone's goal is to use its functional, efficient and easy-to-clean Blackstone griddle to bring people together. All products are innovative and made in the USA.

Top 3 Camp Chef Grills

1. Camp Chef 4-Burner Flat Top Grill

Due to its premium cooking features, superior build, and cooking specs, this 4 burner unit is one of the popular model of Camp Chef flat top grill. The flat top grill is also known as the Flat Top 600 model because it has 604 sq. inches cooking surface. With an overall size  of 62.5 in. x 22 in. x 37 inches. However, this Camp Chef flat top grills can be made in other sizes.

This Camp Chef 4 burner flat top grills runs on propane gas and has a propane tank holder. The stainless steel burners have a 12,000 BTUs rating, and they distribute the hotness evenly to the non-stick surface. This flat top grill has a rear grease management system, which includes a slide-out grease tray and catch bucket.

Like other 4 burner stainless steel models, this Camp Chef flat top gas provides pre-seasoned and works with a matchless ignition system. It has an adjustable  leg levelers, and there's a handle on either side shelf to hang tools. 

If you're looking for a beginner-friendly flat top grill with massive storage and griddle surface, has a 12,000 BTU check out the Camp Chef Flat Top 600. The Camp Chef griddle is made from cold-rolled steel and has a durable powder coated steel frame.

Pros

• Retains warmness on its surface properly
• A one-year warranty backs it
• Can be easily move around with two caster wheels
• Available grates for grilling
• Has shielding bars that keep burners lit

Cons:

• No folding side shelves
• Heavy rolled steel griddle top

2. Camp Chef Big Gas Grill

If you love to grill in compact cooking space, or enjoy camping take a look at the Camp Chef Big Gas grill. It's a three-burner portable unit with a grill box that sits over two burners. The third burner is designed for warming food, and each stainless steel burners supplies 30,000 BTUs per hour.

This grill came with a hood, regulator, detachable legs, cooking surface that can warm up easily and folding shelf. Plus, there's a temperature gauge on its lid. It works on propane gas, and automatic ignition you don't need a matchstick to light it. It is one of the top-performing gas grills below 300, as well. Still, the grill starts easily.

The Camp Chef Big Gas grill has a modular design. It allows you to add tools, shelves, and other accessories you need to cook. And like its other products, this unit has stainless- steel grill grates.

With the Camp Chef Big Gas, you'll have 608 sq inches of pre-ed cooking surface for your meals.

Pros:

• Ample grilling, warming, and storage space
• Easy to assemble
• Warms up quickly
• A one-year warranty backs the product
• Relatively lighter frame and griddle

Cons:

• Grill box coating peels off after extended use
• No wheels to move the grill easily

3. Camp Chef PG24MZG Pellet Grill

This pellet grill packs the features of a top-quality smoker and grill into one unit. Due to its compact design, the Camp Chef PG24MZG is suitable for making meals in a backyard.

It has a front and side shelf, a hood, a menu dial, and two meat probes. While the upper rack offers 382 square inches of grill cooking space[1], the lower one sports 429 square inches.

Since the Camp Chef PG24MZG comes with a slider, its manufacturers put a rear grease management system (grease catcher) and ash cleanout system in it. Plus, Camp Chef includes its Side and Grill Technology that allow the direct flame to reach 650 °F.

The Camp Chef PG24MZG pellet grill like Pit Boss Austin XL comes with loads of accessories like cook books, cooking tools, and lots more. You can also expand its function by including a sidekick grill or sear box to the unit.

Pros:

• Versatile with multiple cooking options
• Large cooking space with a rack system
• Has digital controls to monitor food doneness
• Retains and distributes hotness evenly
• Easy to clean and maintain with an excellent grease management system

Cons:

• Could be lighter
• Not compatible with propane or natural gas

Top 3 Blackstone Grills

1. Blackstone 28-inch Outdoor Flat Top Gas Grill

You can tell this Blackstone flat top grill gas is a quality grill for camping and small spaces from its high customer-rating and portable design that can be easily fit at the back of the car. This model is a two-burner flat top grill. However, Blackstone makes it in other sizes (36-inch and 17-inch).

This flat top grill unit comes with one side shelf, two lockable casters, and a storage tray under the cooking surface. When connected to a propane tank, its stainless steel burners supply 30,000 BTUs per hour. It has a battery powered push button ignition.

There are 470 square inches cooking surface for cooking and an electric-push ignition button to light it up in this flat top grill.

The 28-inch Blackstone flat top gas grill model has a front grease management system (grease catcher). Plus, the carbon rolled steel Blackstone griddle comes coated with rust-protecting oil. Still, Blackstone recommends it often.

If you're looking for a backyard flat top grills for cooking small meals, you should check out Camp Chef's 28-inch unit.

Pros:

• Easy to assemble and move
• Burners warms up quickly
• Layered griddle retains hotness on the cooking area
• Massive BTUs output for a two-burner grill
• Has tank fasteners

Cons:

• The grease tray could be fixed at a better position
• The lid is sold separately

2. Blackstone Tailgater Portable Gas Grill with Blackstone Griddle

The Blackstone Tailgater is a powerhouse grill. In the box, the unit comes with a Blackstone griddle and grill box. Hence, you can use the 512-inch total area to make two meals at once.

The Blackstone Tailgater works on liquid propane. While the H-tube burner can give off 15,000 BTUs, the burners offers 20,000 BTUs. The Blackstone griddle is also made from stainless-steel.

This unit's grill box has an aluminized bottom with cut-out holes. That way, heat dissipates in the box. It is designed to tilt forward to allow grease to slide off easily. Interesting, there's a temperature gauge and an air vent on it. Plus, there are stainless-steel grates for grilling.

The Tailgater has adjustable legs to fit different terrains, and the entire unit is collapsible.

Pros:

• Versatile unit with multiple cooking options available
• Solid construction and unit heats up quickly
• Modular design allows for hanging tools and attaching accessories
• Easy-to-read user manual
• Easy to set up in five to fifteen minutes

Cons:

• No wheels to move across terrains
• Heavy grill box

3. Blackstone 1565 4-Burner Flat Top Grill

If you need flat-top grills for large cookouts, check out this Blackstone flat-top grill. It offers 720 square inches of flat cooking space and has a matchless ignition system.

Aside from its large cooking surface, the Blackstone 1565 36-inch outdoor propane supplies 60,000 BTUs from its all stainless steel 4 burners. Its come in a black powder coated steel frame, this Blackstone griddle stainless-steel is made up of top quality and durable, and there's a front grease management system (cleaning system). More importantly, it comes with 36-inches of cold rolled steel for heat distribution and retention which you can create multiple heat zones. And has an item dimension of 62.5 x 22 x 36 inches.

On a full tank, the unit can get to 500 degrees F. Its grip handle is heat resistant, and you can adjust the length of its stops.

Pros:

• Can easily move around with four casters
• Blackstone 36 griddle surface warms up quickly
• Hood keeps in hot at a constant temperature
• Easy to clean and maintain griddle top

Cons:

• Hood is sold separately

Overall Winner: Camp Chef

After hours of research pitting Blackstone vs Camp Chef, our experts found Camp Chef grills have the upper hand because while being very portable, they also offer the space grillers need to cook. (Speaking of portable, we also covered the best portable pellet grills that you might want to check out.)

In addition, more detail is put into their manufacture, and the brand's grill collection has high-quality burners. Finally, Camp Chef makes grills that maintain hotter temperatures than Blackstone units.

We also compared Camp Chef vs Pit Boss here. Read on to know which brand is perfect for your outdoor kitchen! View our post navigation to read our blogs.