Originally Posted by DJ's left nut (Post 13653788)

The version you're likely to find at Wal-Mart right now is slightly different. They have a grease trap on the right side and a channel in the front. So the larger pieces on that setup are a little more difficult to deal with but I prefer having that front channel to get grease into while I'm cooking.

He has the updated model that's been out for a month or so. For me personally that model would be a bit of a pain in the ass because the back of mine us up against the rail on my deck so the 'old' version was the way to go. I'd have to slide it out everytime I wanted to get to that grease trap. So depending on where you intend to set yours up, you may want to try to find the style with the right side grease catch and front channel.

Originally Posted by Fire Me Boy! (Post 13653800)

I've heard the reason for the redesign was the grease trap - that it doesn't work very well in the old model. I actually wanted the new model because I wanted the full vertical stop in the front.

Originally Posted by DJ's left nut (Post 13653813)

Yup - that's the only change.



The present trap has a quirk that needed correcting - the little 'nub' after the drain hole is too far back and not angled correctly so the grease will hit it and run backwards toward the front right leg. It makes a damn mess.



There are a dozen different fixes for it and they all work well. The simplest is probably just putting some JB Weld on it to make the nub larger and angled forward towards the trap. The laziest (and thus the one I chose) was just gutting the top off a beer can and putting it over the channel so it falls straight into the beer can.



My dad has the newest version and he kinda hates that vertical stop in the front but I can see plusses and minuses either way. Personally I think I'd prefer being able to take a direct line of attack towards anything on the front of the griddle rather than having to angle down or come from the sides, but having the larger rear opening to shovel the slag into would be nice as well.



Like I said - ultimately I just decided I'd prefer not have to deal with moving my grill out to get to the back anytime I needed to empty the trap.



One thing I really wish they'd have offered on them is a side-burner. I'm still contemplating taking the side burner off my present gas grill and rigging up the regulator to the Blackstone and bolting it on where the side table presently sits. Those side burners come in handy every now and then...



What did you do to put the paper towel rod in? I tear through papertowels trying to keep the utensils in decent working order and everything goes so fast you can't really run inside and grab more. Having a whole roll on a rod would be nice.

Originally Posted by Fire Me Boy! (Post 13653835)

The rod came with it. We just installed it like the directions said.

I'm going to add a speed rail this weekend (not my pic). Will be a great addition for all the squeeze bottles and sauces.

Thinking about adding a magnetic knife strip somewhere for knives and utensils.

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...15aa29a856.png

Originally Posted by DJ's left nut (Post 13653900)

That rail's a great idea. I presume Blackstone makes it?

Originally Posted by Dunit35 (Post 13653899)

I’m going to need you to stop posting pictures of your griddle. You’re going to hurt my checking account.

Originally Posted by Dunit35 (Post 13653973)

That Blackstone was $325 on Amazon this morning and it’s now $299.

Originally Posted by Fire Me Boy! (Post 13653981)

The $299 is fairly normal price. You can sometimes find it for $247.

Originally Posted by Fire Me Boy! (Post 13653835)

The rod came with it. We just installed it like the directions said.

I'm going to add a speed rail this weekend (not my pic). Will be a great addition for all the squeeze bottles and sauces.

Thinking about adding a magnetic knife strip somewhere for knives and utensils.

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...15aa29a856.png

Originally Posted by DJ's left nut (Post 13654013)

Walmart always has it at $247 with free shipping. At least they did a couple of weeks ago.