Choosing grills for outdoor cooking often comes down to one practical question: do you want a dedicated flat top, a gas grill paired with a griddle, or the flexibility of both propane and charcoal? Burner totals matter, but so do the cooking surface, heat-zone layout, and whether your meals call for griddled breakfasts, classic grill-grate cooking, or both.
Quick take
The two Blackstone options are dedicated propane flat-top stations with hard covers, while the 5-Burner Gas Grill Griddle Combo combines gas grilling and griddle cooking in one layout. The Nice Cooker Gas & Charcoal Combo Grill takes a different route with charcoal and gas cooking side by side, plus grill grates and a steel griddle. Pick the cooking format first, then let workspace, controls, and price position narrow the field.
Listed price comparison
The listed prices run from $219.99 to $413.12, a $193.13 span across the four formats.
| Grill or griddle | Listed price | Relative position |
|---|---|---|
| Blackstone Original 36" 4-Burner Outdoor Griddle Flat Top Grill with Hard Cover | $249.98 | |
| Blackstone 36" 4 Burner Outdoor Griddle Flat Top Grill Hard Cover 2177 | $267.30 | |
| 5-Burner Gas Grill Griddle Combo 40000 BTU 696 sq in for outdoor Cooking BBQ | $413.12 | |
| Gas & Charcoal Combo Grill Propane BBQ, Cast Iron Grates + Steel Griddle Outdoor | $219.99 |
Decision matrix
- You primarily cook on a broad flat surface: The Blackstone Original centers on a 768-square-inch griddle plate and four independently controlled cooking zones.
- You want grill grates and a griddle in the same gas-powered unit: The 5-Burner Gas Grill Griddle Combo brings a 696-square-inch stated cooking area, two independent hoods, and a side burner.
- Charcoal is part of the plan: The Nice Cooker model is the direct match, pairing a two-burner gas grill with a charcoal grill in a dual-fuel setup.
- An analog control panel is a priority: The Blackstone 36-inch 4 Burner Outdoor Griddle Flat Top Grill Hard Cover 2177 specifically lists analog controls.
Product notes
Blackstone Original 36-inch 4-Burner Outdoor Griddle
Choose the Blackstone Original 36-inch 4-Burner Outdoor Griddle when one expansive propane flat top is the main goal. Its 768-square-inch rolled-steel cooking surface, four independently controlled zones, built-in wind guards, and rear grease management suit meals where eggs, vegetables, burgers, or other foods need separate space. Two side shelves, tool hooks, a magnetic tool bar, and a paper towel holder add useful organization around the station. The trade-off is format: it is a propane griddle rather than a gas-and-charcoal configuration, so it is less aligned with cooks who want charcoal as part of the meal plan.
Blackstone 36-inch 4 Burner Outdoor Griddle Flat Top Grill Hard Cover 2177
The Blackstone 36-inch 4 Burner Outdoor Griddle Flat Top Grill Hard Cover 2177 fits shoppers who want a hard-cover flat-top station and specifically prefer the listed analog control panel. The description calls out 768 square inches of cooking space, four independently controlled zones, two side shelves, and an Omnivore griddle plate. Grease-pan and tool-holder features also support a practical prep-and-cook setup. Its concrete limitation is that assembly is required. This is also a dedicated flat-top configuration, rather than a combined grill-grate and griddle layout for cooks wanting both styles in one unit.
5-Burner Gas Grill Griddle Combo 40000 BTU 696 sq in for outdoor Cooking BBQ
Select the 5-Burner Gas Grill Griddle Combo when a single unit needs to cover both gas grilling and griddle cooking. It pairs a stated 696-square-inch cooking area with five 8,000-BTU burners, two independent hoods, a foldable side table, and tool hooks. The side burner adds another cooking element, while wheels are included for moving the unit around an outdoor space. Dual hoods are particularly relevant when different foods call for separate heat approaches at the same time. The constraint is price position: this model carries the highest listed price of the group and also requires assembly.
Nice Cooker Gas & Charcoal Combo Grill
The Nice Cooker Gas & Charcoal Combo Grill is the clear choice for cooks who want propane gas and charcoal cooking in the same outdoor setup. Porcelain-enameled cast-iron grates handle grill-style cooking, while the stainless steel flat griddle broadens the menu to eggs, vegetables, and burgers. A built-in thermometer, wheels, lid, and work area round out the freestanding design. Its stated cooking dimensions are 23.6 by 12.8 inches, so the available workspace is a key consideration for shoppers planning larger batches at once. Assembly is required here as well.
Final recommendation by use case
Pick the Blackstone Original 36-inch 4-Burner Outdoor Griddle for a large propane flat-top cooking station with organized prep features. Choose the Blackstone 36-inch 4 Burner Outdoor Griddle Flat Top Grill Hard Cover 2177 when its analog control panel is an important preference. The 5-Burner Gas Grill Griddle Combo makes sense for cooks who want a combined gas grill-and-griddle format with dual hoods and a side burner. Go with the Nice Cooker Gas & Charcoal Combo Grill when the deciding factor is cooking with both propane gas and charcoal.
