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Blackstone Griddle PSI
PSI stands for “Pounds Per Square Inch” and in terms of outdoor cooking appliances, like Blackstone griddles, it is used to measure the pressure of the propane gas flowing to the burner elements.
If the PSI is too high, the griddle’s regulator trips a built-in safety feature, which prevents propane from flowing out of the tank.
When this happens the regulator then needs to be reset to allow propane to flow through the system once again at Blackstone’s normal .5 PSI.
If the pressure of gas flowing through the system falls too far below .5 PSI the flame can start to change from a rich blue to inefficient yellow.
When this happens, you start to smell the classic “Rotten Eggs” sulfur odor left behind by propane gas that has not been properly oxidized and burned.
Not only can this be a stinky safety issue, but your Blackstone griddle will struggle to properly heat the cold-rolled steel cooktop.
If you attempt to connect a low-pressure gas griddle to a high-pressure source, without a regulator in line, it can damage the griddle. Not to mention being a serious fire hazard.
What PSI Regulator for Blackstone Griddle?
Blackstone griddles use .5 PSI regulators that are designed to fit their smaller griddles that run on a 1-pound propane canister, as well as models that fit larger grills that run on 20-pound liquid propane tanks.
If you buy a new tabletop Blackstone griddle, like the Blackstone 17, it will come with a .5 PSI regulator built into the control knob.
Larger models like the Blackstone 36 and the Blackstone 28 come with propane hoses that have a .5 PSI regulator built into the end that connects to the liquid propane tank.
What Is The PSI of Liquid Propane Tanks?
Liquid propane tanks are considered to be high-pressure vessels. The pressure of the liquid propane inside is typically between 100 PSI to 200 PSI.
Depending on the ambient temperature most propane tanks have an internal pressure of around 145 PSI at room temperature. This high pressure is too much for a low-pressure gas grill like Blackstone’s lineup of propane griddles.
What PSI Should a Gas Grill Regulator Be?
PSI can vary by manufacturer, though most propane gas grills are less than 10 PSI. Blackstone griddles only have a .5 PSI regulator.
If you are looking to replace a direct regulator for your gas grill or outdoor griddle, you should try to source it directly from the manufacturer.
Blackstone offers .5 PSI replacement regulators directly on their website as well as through licensed retailers.
If you are going to modify the regulator of a built-in gas grill or an outdoor kitchen, a 10 PSI replacement regulator should allow you to safely control your propane grill.
You should never attempt to attach a low-pressure propane grill to a high-pressure source without a regulator in line.
Final Thoughts
Maintaining a safe relationship between the high-pressure of a liquid propane tank and a low-pressure grill always requires some type of regulator.
Attempting to run your propane griddle directly off a high-pressure source can damage the grill and be a major fire hazard.
If you need to replace the regulator on your gas grill or griddle, you should make every effort to source one directly through the manufacturer or a licensed retailer.
Blackstone griddles use a .5 PSI regulator to safely manage their low-pressure gas griddles. They offer replacement regulators on their website and at the affiliated dealers.
Robert is a certified Pitmaster, with over a decade of experience in smoking the best meats you’ll ever feast upon. He also has a Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Texas at San Antonio. When he’s not researching technical topics, he’s most likely barbecuing in his backyard.