After acquiring a new Blackstone griddle, the excitement of trying it out is out of this world. But wait a minute! Is your propane tank enough to last you the entire cooking session? There is nothing as frustrating as running short of gas in the middle of cooking.
When purchasing a propane tank, it is good to choose one that will hook up effortlessly with your griddle and power it for a long time. The larger the tank, the longer it will serve you. However, the right size of propane tank to use depends on your specific needs.
What Size Propane Tank Do You Need for Blackstone Griddle
The best size propane tank for Blackstone Griddle is the 20lb. It gives you about seven hours of griddle usage at the highest setting. Propane tanks are available in three sizes; one pound, five pounds, and 20 pounds. The 1-lb tank has 21,594 BTUs, 5-lb has 109,800 BTUs, and 20-lb has 432,804 BTUs.
Propane Tank Size for Blackstone 28 and 36
The 28-inch and 36-inch Blackstone griddles are not suitable for portable applications. They are large and heavy, thus perfect for home-based use.
These griddles function better when attached to larger propane tanks. Connecting a 28 or 36-inch griddle to a one-pound propane tank is not practical. The gas will run out in less than an hour.
A five-pound propane tank is better but will not serve you for long. It will take two to three hours to exhaust the gas. If you don’t have an alternative, you can use the 5-pound tank for cooking a single meal.
The most reasonable tank size for 28-inch and 36-inch griddles is the 20-pounds model. It will take 12 and 7 hours respectively to exhaust the propane.
If you don’t want to keep visiting the refill station to fill up your propane tank, go for the 20-lb home-based propane tank.
Propane Tank Size for Blackstone 17 and Blackstone 22
The 17-inch and 22-inch are the portable options of Blackstone griddles. You can connect any propane tank size, provided you have the correct horse attachment.
When doing outdoor camping or picnics, using the one-pound propane tank is preferable. It is more portable than the other two (5 and 20 pounds).
However, keep in mind that the 1-pound tank will last under two hours on the 17-inch flat-top grill. And less than an hour on the 22-inch.
If you want to use your grill at home only without traveling with it, it is recommendable to purchase a 20lb propane tank. The 20-pound tank will last 36 hours on a 17-inch griddle and 18 hours on a 22-inch griddle.
The 5-pounds propane tank takes nine hours on a 17-inch griddle and four hours on a 22-inch griddle.
Can You Convert Blackstone Griddle from Propane to Natural Gas?
I don’t know if you get irritated like I do, taking your propane tank to a refill station now and then. It is even worse if you have a small tank and a large grill. The tank runs out of propane when you have barely grilled anything.
If you have lots of commercial or home grilling needs, you require a reliable heat supply. So, what happens if your tank runs out of propane in the middle of grilling? Can you convert to natural gas since it is readily available and constantly supplied for indoor cooking?
Yes, you can convert your Blackstone griddle from propane to natural gas. You will need to purchase a conversion kit suited for your grill and connect it.
The kit is cost-friendly (about $59) and allows you to convert your griddle into a natural gas grill easily. You don’t need an expert to install the kit to the grill. It comes with all the necessary fittings and orifices plus an easy-to-follow user manual.
In a nutshell, connect the converter B hose to the low-pressure female of your RVs, and you’re set.
Note:
- Ensure that you use the exact drill bit size when drilling the orifice, failure to which it will not get hot as required.
- Not all flat-top grills can use natural gas. Before attempting the conversion process, check the manufacturer’s manual to confirm if yours is compatible.
After conversion, you can comfortably use natural gas with a Tailgater, Range-top Combo, 28-inch griddle with two burners, and 36-inch flat-top grill with four burners.
You cannot convert a 17-inch griddle with one burner, a 22-inch griddle with two burners, and Air Fryer Combo.
The Blackstone Griddle 20-lb Propane Adapter Hose
The Propane Adapter Hose allows you to connect a 1lb tabletop griddle to a heavy 20lb propane tank. It comes with a regulator, so you don’t need to buy additional parts.
The hose is mainly designed to work with the 17-inch Blackstone griddle, 22-inch griddle, Charcoal Grill Combo, and tabletop griddle.
Other Features
- The hose is three feet long.
- It features heavy-duty connectors and rubber for extra durability
- Weather-proof construction
How to Convert Your Blackstone Griddle to Bulk Propane
Imagine getting 20 times more propane at your disposal! That means you will have more cooking sessions before your tank needs a refill.
Blackstone 17-inch and Blackstone 22-inch are designed to use a 1-lb propane tank. Although this tank is ideal for traveling, it is still not enough.
The only solution is to convert your griddle to bulk propane. It may lose some portability, but it’s worth it.
Converting your Blackstone griddle is straightforward if you have a replacement propane regulator. Here are easy steps to convert a 1-pound propane tank to a bulk propane tank:
- First, turn off your Blackstone griddle and allow it to cool. Then, unscrew the 1-lb propane tank from the regulator.
- Screw the replacement adapter hose into the griddle regulator where you removed the small tank.
- Connect the other end of the adapter hose to the bulk propane tank. Ensure that you screw the connector correctly and tightly onto the propane tank.
- You’re done! The griddle is now using the bulk propane tank. Next, test your new connection to confirm if it is working correctly.
- Open the bulk propane tank and fire up your grill. Check if the flames from the burner or burners look good.
You can buy a replacement regulator from the Blackstone store or Amazon.
Does a Blackstone Griddle Come with a Propane Tank?
No, Blackstone griddles do not come with propane tanks. After purchasing the griddle, you then buy your preferable propane tank based on your cooking needs.
When buying a propane tank, it is recommendable to go for the largest possible – preferably the 20lb one. Bulk propane tanks are reliable and convenient, with a surety to serve you longer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you use a 20lb propane tank on a Blackstone griddle?
You can connect your tabletop Blackstone griddle to a 20lb propane tank with a 3-foot Propane Adaptor Hose. The hose comes with a regulator, making the connection easy and quick.
The Propane Hose connector is compatible with charcoal grill combos, tabletop griddles, 17-inch flat-top grill, and 22-inch griddle.
How long does a 20-lb propane tank last on a Blackstone griddle?
A standard 20-pound propane tank burns approximately 7 hours on a 36-inch flat-top grill and 12 hours on a 28-inch griddle when set on their highest performance levels.
The 20lb tank will take 18 hours on a 22-inch flat-top grill and 36 hours on a 17-inch griddle.
How long will a 1-lb propane tank last on a Blackstone griddle?
A 1-lb propane tank will last at most 1.5 hours on a 17-inch griddle. A one-pound propane tank will stay less than one hour on the more significant griddles, 22-inch, 28-inch, and 36-inch.
What sizes do propane tanks come in?
The three standard sizes of propane tanks for home-based use are; 1-pound, 5-pounds, and 20-pounds. We also have larger propane tanks for commercial and industrial purposes.
They include; 30 and 40lb tanks for grilling and patio heaters and 100lb for dryers and barbecues. There are also 420lbs tanks for heating homes, pools, and generators.
Wrapping Up
If you travel a lot with your Blackstone Griddle for picnics, camping, or tailgating, a 1-lb propane tank is the most suitable. It is small and light, thus easy to carry around.
But if your grill is for home-based use, it is preferable to purchase a 20-lb propane tank. A large tank offers longevity, reliability, and convenience.
Although griddles use propane, some allow conversion to natural gas. A convertible flat-top grill is the best because it saves you regular trips to refill centers, especially if you use your flat-top grill frequently.