I am close to buying a 28", but had a couple of questions about the durability/quality of them. I ran into a person at Lowe's when I was looking at them and he said his was just a couple of years old and everything except the griddle part itself had rusted out and he was not happy with it. I also went over to a neighbor's house who has one and keeps it in the garage. It is 2 years old and had what I would say is a non-typical amount of rust in various places, i.e., stand legs/braces, the pins coming off the griddle that set it into the stand were completely rusted and the rings around the gas knobs were rusty. This is central Texas, not near the coast.

In general, are these things durable and hold up and these couple of instances were probably from not properly taking care of it? Or, are these things cheaply made and that is to be expected and if you want something that will last you need to look for another brand? Thanks in advance.

Mine's a couple years old and it's getting pretty rusty. I would recommend a cover.

Mine is a mess. It's outside but under a top covered but 3 sides open porch. I live in Ga and it is high humidity like it would be in Houston or wherever. I cannot keep it clean and it gets covered with mold and mildew even though I clean it regularly. The griddle portion is fine. I use it at least once a week. I have a lid and the griddle is basically a giant rectangular cast iron pan. I have a cover, but I use it so much I ain't messing with that.

In the spring I take the griddle off and pressure wash the base. It's not the best paint job so yeah it gets rusty. It has spots of rust and this weekend I was thinking about taking the griddle off, brushing the base down and spray painting it again. Probably wait until the spring.

But I ask you, what do have outside 24/7/365 that is made of metal, subjected to high heat and grease splatter and looks great? We also have the yellow storm of tree pollen in the spring.

Works great and I love it, but it is not a thing of beauty.

Edit: Mine is 5 years old.

I've had one for 3 years. Stays outside but with a canvas cover. It's normal wear and tear and cooks great.

After having one for a year or so at our place in E TX under a covered porch with both a hard cover and soft cover on it, I had to make the decision to move it inside between uses because I wasn't happy with the amount of rust I was seeing.

If you aren't keeping it inside I would expect to see some rust.

I suspected as much because it looks like cheapo chinese metal and paint job. But yeah, it's made in China and Vietnam.

https://progrillguide.com/guides/where-blackstone-griddles-made/

I'm so sick of what is promoted as American that is cheapo chinese metal. I have a Champion walk behind blower that the front wheel "metal" arm broke in half - of course it's made in China. Tried to weld it back but the metal is so thin it broke again. Plus it was impossible to get a good weld because of the thin metal. Dealing with a warranty claim now.

I was going to make myself a metal arm out of good, thick metal but then my welder broke. Won't spool.

Bring on the tariffs.

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I'm so sick of what is promoted as American that is cheapo chinese metal.

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I'll second that! Thanks for all the replies. I am thinking about spending a little more and getting the Weber 28", even though some complain about the flimsy lid. It looks like their exterior shelf/stand coating are pretty good on it, though.

Are there other griddles besides blackstone? I'm intriqued by the idea myself, but the blackstones do look pretty flimsy

I had a Blackstone and sold it for the new Camp Chef Gridiron. It has a couple improvements that I really appreciate, including front accessible grease cup, drain in the front, improved ignitor system, and ability to level the flattop. The build quality is much higher than the Blackstone.

https://www.campchef.com/ftg36/gridiron-36/CC-Gridiron-36.html

Have had mine outside for a couple of years and haven't had issues.

https://www.amazon.com/Full-Edge-Blackstone-Food-Grade-Protector-All-Season/dp/B0CR3JMBHX/ref=asc_df_B0CR3JMBHX?mcid=d22497fa8cf93357a527a99a429b9b80&tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=693713553037&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=13587488305500557544&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9027666&hvtargid=pla-2295400637231&psc=1

I have one of those on it which really helps

I'm in Dallas and mine stays under the porch under a cover.

Outside of the pan is rusted and not worth trying to keep it off. It's impossible. I just focus on the cook side and wipe it down/oil real well between uses.

I do 't have one but my understanding was always that if you season them properly, it prevents the rust

They ain't cheap, but Le Griddles are pretty sweet.

https://www.legriddleus.com