I’ve cooked on more compact griddles than I can count, but these two Blackstone models – the 1971 and the 1814 – are easily among the most talked about. After using both over the past several weeks for camping trips, backyard breakfasts, and even a late-night smashburger session, I’ve gotten a solid feel for what each one does best.
Even though they look similar on paper, the experience using them side-by-side is a different story. So if you’re trying to figure out which one deserves your money, let me walk you through what I actually noticed while cooking on both.
Main Difference Between the Blackstone 1971 vs 1814 Griddle
The Blackstone 1971 is the lighter, more compact, travel-friendly option with Blackstone’s rear grease management system.
The Blackstone 1814, on the other hand, is a heavier tabletop model with a built-in hood, larger body, and a front grease tray instead of rear grease disposal — making it better for messier cooks and wind protection.
Both use the same H-style burner and have similar cooking surfaces, but their usability and portability feel very different in real life.
- Griddle on the Go: Bring this Blackstone 17-inch tabletop griddle on your next camping, hunting, or tailgating...
- Surprisingly Spacious Cooking Surface: Cook a wide variety of foods for every meal on this versatile griddle...
- MAKE EVERY OUTDOOR ADVENTURE DELICIOUS with Black Stone griddle. Perfect for the backyard or the great...
- PORTABLE CONVENIENCE: Take your grilling experience beyond your backyard because our tabletop griddle is...
Comparison Table – Blackstone 1971 vs 1814
| Feature | Blackstone 1971 | Blackstone 1814 |
| Cooking Surface | 267 sq. in. | 268 sq. in. |
| BTUs | 12,500 BTU | 12,000 BTU |
| Weight | 17.5 lbs | 35.2 lbs |
| Grease Management | Rear grease system | Front grease tray |
| Includes Hood | No | Yes |
| Material | Stainless steel front plate | Stainless steel front + hood |
| Best For | Lightweight travel, tailgating | Backyard cooking, wind protection |
| Check Latest Price & Deals | Buy on Amazon | Buy on Amazon |
Detailed Hands-On Comparison
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Design & Build Quality
Blackstone 1971
The first thing I noticed with the 1971 is how ridiculously light it feels for a griddle. At just 17.5 lbs, I could carry it one-handed on and off the truck bed — which is perfect for quick road trips or tailgate cooking.
It has that clean stainless-steel front plate, and the powder-coated body holds up well against heat and grease splatter. The rear grease management system is integrated neatly and doesn’t stick out awkwardly.
Blackstone 1814
The 1814 looks chunkier and feels way heavier — 35.2 lbs, practically double. The built-in hood adds extra weight, but it makes a huge difference when I’m cooking things like bacon, hashbrowns, or anything prone to wind interference.
It feels more like a “mini backyard station” rather than a truly portable griddle.
Verdict: If portability matters, the 1971 is the obvious winner. For people who prefer a more stable, hooded setup, the 1814 feels higher end.
- Griddle on the Go: Bring this Blackstone 17-inch tabletop griddle on your next camping, hunting, or tailgating...
- Surprisingly Spacious Cooking Surface: Cook a wide variety of foods for every meal on this versatile griddle...
- MAKE EVERY OUTDOOR ADVENTURE DELICIOUS with Black Stone griddle. Perfect for the backyard or the great...
- PORTABLE CONVENIENCE: Take your grilling experience beyond your backyard because our tabletop griddle is...
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Cooking Performance
Blackstone 1971
The 1971 is powered by a 12,500 BTU H-style burner. For such a small griddle, this burner is a beast. It heats up quickly and completely floods the surface with even heat.
During testing, I cooked four smashburgers at once, and every patty got the same crust — no cold spots. Pancakes also cooked evenly without me having to shuffle them around.
Blackstone 1814
The 1814 uses a slightly lower 12,000 BTU H-burner. Heat-up time is still fast, and once it gets going, it stays consistent.
Where the 1814 pulls ahead is the hood. When I cook bacon or chicken strips, the hood traps heat better, giving faster cook times and less grease pop towards me.
Verdict: Both deliver great heat distribution. The 1814 gets a slight edge for hood functionality, especially in windy situations.
- Griddle on the Go: Bring this Blackstone 17-inch tabletop griddle on your next camping, hunting, or tailgating...
- Surprisingly Spacious Cooking Surface: Cook a wide variety of foods for every meal on this versatile griddle...
-
Grease Management
Blackstone 1971 – Rear Grease System
This is my personal favorite. Grease naturally moves away from me and collects in the rear cup. When cooking messy foods like bacon or chorizo, it feels cleaner and safer.
Blackstone 1814 – Front Grease Tray
It works fine, but I had to empty it more often. Plus, when you’re flipping food aggressively, it’s easy to accidentally splash grease near the front.
Verdict:
The 1971 has a superior grease disposal method. Hands down.
- MAKE EVERY OUTDOOR ADVENTURE DELICIOUS with Black Stone griddle. Perfect for the backyard or the great...
- PORTABLE CONVENIENCE: Take your grilling experience beyond your backyard because our tabletop griddle is...
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Ease of Use
Blackstone 1971
Because it’s lighter and has fewer bulky parts, setup is extremely quick. The Piezo ignition fires immediately, and the non-slip feet keep it stable even on uneven picnic tables.
Blackstone 1814
Also easy to ignite, and the hood gives more cooking flexibility. But the extra weight makes it less convenient to move around, especially if you’re solo.
Verdict:
The 1971 wins in convenience. The 1814 wins in versatility.
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Portability
This category isn’t even close.
1971:
Feels like it was built specifically for camping or trunk travel.
1814:
Still technically portable, but realistically a backyard or RV-camping type griddle.
Verdict:
1971 is the clear portable champ.
Blackstone 1971 Tabletop Griddle
- Griddle on the Go: Bring this Blackstone 17-inch tabletop griddle on your next camping, hunting, or tailgating...
- Surprisingly Spacious Cooking Surface: Cook a wide variety of foods for every meal on this versatile griddle...
Pros:
- Extremely lightweight and travel-friendly
- Rear grease system keeps things cleaner
- Durable stainless-steel front
- Powerful 12,500 BTU burner
- Fast, even heating
- Perfect for camping, tailgating, or small balconies
Cons:
- No hood
- Less wind protection
- Limited to basic griddle cooking
Blackstone 1814 Portable Griddle
- MAKE EVERY OUTDOOR ADVENTURE DELICIOUS with Black Stone griddle. Perfect for the backyard or the great...
- PORTABLE CONVENIENCE: Take your grilling experience beyond your backyard because our tabletop griddle is...
Pros:
- Includes a built-in hood
- More cooking versatility
- Even heat with 12,000 BTUs
- Great for backyard breakfasts
- Large grease tray
Cons:
- Almost double the weight of the 1971
- Front grease management can get messy
- Not ideal for frequent traveling
Conclusion: Which One Would I Recommend?
After using both in real cooking scenarios, here’s my honest take:
If you want something truly portable, the Blackstone 1971 is the better buy. It’s light, easy to carry, heats evenly, and the rear grease system makes cleanup way simpler. It’s the griddle I personally reach for when I’m heading out somewhere.
But if you cook mostly at home or want more control through a hood, the Blackstone 1814 offers better versatility. It handles bacon, burgers, and thick cuts more consistently thanks to that added heat retention.
My Recommendation:
If you’re going outdoors often — get the 1971.
If you want a table-friendly backyard setup — go for the 1814.
