Bottom line: The Blackstone Pellet Grill Combo earns its price if the griddle side is your primary use. The 36″ griddle surface performs identically to a standalone Blackstone 36″. The pellet smoker side is functional but not best-in-class — if smoking is your main priority, buy a dedicated pellet grill instead.
Who it’s for: Someone who wants a top-tier Blackstone griddle and occasional smoking capability in one footprint, at a lower combined cost than buying both separately.
Who it’s not for: Serious BBQ smokers. The pellet hopper design requires attention and the smoke output isn’t what dedicated smokers produce.
I bought this unit at Lowe’s with my own money and have been using it for 2+ years. This is unsponsored.
Quick Specs
| Spec | Detail |
|---|---|
| Griddle surface | 36″ / 720 sq in cold-rolled steel |
| Pellet grill grate | Additional cooking area above fire pot |
| Hopper capacity | ~10 lbs of pellets |
| Current price | $700–900 depending on retailer and sales |
| Weight | Heavy — not a portable unit |
| Warranty | 1 year |
2+ Year Ownership Update
The griddle side: flawless. After 2+ years of regular use, it performs exactly like my standalone Blackstone 36″ always did. The cold-rolled steel surface seasons well, holds heat evenly, and cleans up easily. No complaints.
The pellet smoker side: works as advertised, with one persistent quirk. The hopper design requires occasional intervention — sometimes you need to shake the hopper or poke the pellets with a long spoon to keep them feeding smoothly. It’s not a dealbreaker, but it requires presence. You can’t load it and ignore it the way you can with a Traeger or Weber Smokefire.
Temperature consistency on the smoker side is decent — it holds within ±15°F of set temp in moderate weather, ±25–30°F in cold or windy conditions. Adequate for most smoking but not competition-grade consistency.
Griddle Side Performance
This is the reason to buy the combo. The griddle surface is identical in specs and performance to the standalone Blackstone 36″: 60,000 BTU across four burners, 720 square inches of cold-rolled steel, and a rear grease management system. It preheats to cooking temp in about 5–7 minutes and reaches 500°F+ for searing.
Smash burgers, pancakes, eggs, stir fry, bacon, hash browns — everything you’d use a standard Blackstone for performs exactly the same on the combo. The griddle side is not a compromise.
Pellet Smoker Side Performance
The pellet smoker side runs on standard wood pellets (any brand works) and produces genuine smoked flavor. Temperature range is approximately 180–450°F on the smoker side.
What it does well:
- Weekend smoking sessions where you’re nearby to monitor it
- Chicken, ribs, and pork shoulder at moderate temps (225–275°F)
- Occasional “low and slow” cooking without buying a dedicated smoker
Where it falls short compared to a dedicated pellet grill:
- Hopper design requires occasional attention to prevent bridging (pellets getting stuck)
- Temperature consistency in cold or windy weather is mediocre
- Smoke flavor is lighter than a dedicated offset or high-quality pellet grill
- Wi-Fi/app control: none on most combo versions — you’re monitoring it manually
How It Compares to Buying Both Separately
| Option | Approximate Cost |
|---|---|
| Blackstone Pellet Grill Combo | $700–900 |
| Standalone Blackstone 36″ + basic pellet grill | $750–950+ |
| Traeger Flatrock 3 Zone (griddle only) + Traeger entry pellet grill | $1,600+ |
The combo wins on footprint and cost against buying both separately. It loses to the Traeger Flatrock on griddle quality if the griddle is your primary use — the Flatrock’s heat control is superior. But the Traeger Flatrock + a separate smoker costs roughly twice as much.
Is It Worth Buying in 2026?
Yes, if your use pattern is: primary griddle user who wants occasional smoking capability without buying two appliances.
No, if you’re: a serious BBQ smoker who also wants a griddle as secondary. In that case, buy a quality dedicated pellet grill first and add a standalone Blackstone later.
Watch for Lowe’s and Walmart sales — the combo regularly drops $100–150 off list price during spring/summer grilling season and Black Friday.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Blackstone Pellet Grill Combo worth buying?
Yes, if the griddle side is your main use. The griddle performs as well as a standalone Blackstone 36″. The pellet smoker is capable but not the reason to buy this unit.
How much does the Blackstone Pellet Grill Combo cost?
Typically $700–900 depending on retailer and season. Watch for Walmart and Lowe’s sales — it regularly drops $100–150 off list price.
What size is the griddle on the combo?
36 inches / 720 square inches — identical to the standalone Blackstone 36″.
Does the pellet smoker side work well?
It works. Temperature holds reasonably well and smoke flavor is decent. The main complaint from long-term owners is the hopper design, which sometimes requires intervention to keep pellets feeding smoothly. It’s manageable but requires more attention than a dedicated pellet grill.
How does the combo compare to the Traeger Flatrock?
The Traeger Flatrock ($900) is griddle-only with arguably better heat zone control. The Blackstone combo costs less and adds smoking capability. For pure griddle performance, Traeger Flatrock. For versatility at a lower combined price, Blackstone combo.
Can you use the griddle and smoker at the same time?
Yes — they operate with separate controls. Managing both simultaneously takes practice but is completely functional for cooking a full meal where some items are smoked and others are griddled.
