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Blackstone Griddle Table Plans
Other than the Blackstone 36 or 28-inch models, most Blackstone griddles have sparse if any side tables. This can be frustrating for doing things like keeping prep and serving platters safely separated from each other. Not to mention the very strong temptation to use your Blackstone griddle for tableside service of things like Japanese-style Hibachi.
If you have a fair amount of do-it-yourself skills and power tools, it is possible to make your own table around a Blackstone griddle.
Though there are a few important details to keep in mind when it comes to sourcing the wood as well as the engineering of how it’s assembled.
How Do You Make a Table Around a Blackstone Griddle?
Blackstone offers an accessory surround table called the Blackstone 1860. It is specifically designed to fit around the Blackstone 36-inch griddle.
This gives you space to set seasonings, and oils as well as prep and serving trays. You could even use it as a place for guests to eat for a Japanese-style hibachi meal.
The Blackstone 1860 surround table weighs just 29 pounds.
It offers a total of 1,536 square inches of flat surface area, and perfectly matches the look of the Blackstone 36.
It is a somewhat limited edition through Blackstone, but there are aftermarket manufacturers who also offer a generic version.
Can You Put a Blackstone Griddle on a Table?
Blackstone countertop models like the Blackstone 17 and Blackstone 22 are designed to sit safely on tabletops without having to worry about burning the underlying wood or countertop laminate.
They have short feet as well as an enclosed lower firebox.
Other models like the Blackstone On-the-Go, Adventure ready, and the Blackstone Tailgater are meant to sit on stands.
They have an open lower firebox that can potentially scorch wood or melt laminate if left in place for too long.
How Do You Make a Griddle Table?
If you want a table that is big enough to accommodate large prep and serving trays as well as making room for guests to enjoy their own tableside Japanese-style Hibachi grilling, then you should target a table that is 24 inches deep and 6 feet long.
Assuming you are going to keep the Blackstone griddle table outside, you want to use either pressure-treated lumber or another type of weather-resistant lumber like cedar, redwood, or cypress.
Then it helps to cut the lumber in advance to streamline the assembly process.
Tools & Materials You Will Need
Compound miter saw
Jigsaw or reciprocating saw
Level, measuring tape & basic hand tools
Power drill
2 ¾ inch long wood screws
1 ¾ inch long wood screws
Exterior grade wood glue
Lumber List
Nine 8′ length of 2 x 4 lumber
Seven 12′ length of 5/4 boards
Three 8′ length 5/4 boards
Pre-Cut Procedures & Labels
Two 2×4’s – 29″ (front legs)
Two 2×4’s – 64 1/2″ (back legs)
Two 2×4’s – 67″ (front & back boards for top & bottom frame)
Six 2×4’s – 24 7/8″ (side & middle boards for top & bottom frame)
One 2×4 – 72″ (top plate on back)
One 2×4 – 34 1/2″ (support post on back)
Five 5/4 boards 72″ (tabletop)
Five 5/4 boards 70″ (bottom shelf)
Eight 5/4 boards cut to 72” long (Back)
Step One: Create the frame for your tabletop by screwing the three of the 2×4’s – 24 7/8″ to two of the 2×4’s – 67″ front & backboards to create a single frame. You will need to use the 2 3/4 -inch wood screws for this to ensure enough of the screw makes it through the butt joints.
Step Two: Repeat step one to create a replica frame for a bottom shelf. This bottom shelf will play a critical role in tying all the legs together. By the end of step two, you should have two 6-foot long frames that are shaped like a figure 8 with 90-degree corners from the butt joints.
Step Three: Prepare 6-inch toe kick measurements for the leg. This mark will help you understand where to secure the legs to the lower frame. It will ensure that the bottom shelf is 6-inches off the ground or the base of your deck. It also lets you stand comfortably in front of the griddle. You should also make marks on the long back legs at 29-inches to ensure that the top frame is flush.
Step Four: Use the 2 3/4 -inch wood screws and a little exterior-grade wood glue to secure the legs to the top and bottom frame on the outside of the frame. If you attach them to the interior of the frame they will get in the way of the lower shelf.
Step Five: Attach the 2×4 – 34 1/2″ support post on the back and the 2×4 – 34 1/2″ support post on the back with the 2 3/4 -inch wood screws and a little wood glue in the butt joints.
Step Six: Cut out the notches for the back support legs from one of the 5/4 boards for the tabletop. This will let that board sit flush with the legs. The notch will be 3 ¾-inch deep. If you were to skip this step, it would leave a 2-inch gap at the back of your tabletop.
Step Seven: Lay down the Five 5/4 boards 72″ tabletop boards, with a tiny gap between them about the thickness of a barbecue skewer. This will provide a sufficient gap for any rainwater to drain off the tabletop without pooling. Then screw them down with the 1 ¾-inch wood screws. Putting a line of wood glue on the underlying 2 X 4’s will reduce creaking noises as the exterior tabletop ages.
Step Eight: Screw the five 5/4 boards 70″ bottom shelf boards in place with wood glue and 1 3/4 -inch wood screws. Two of these boards will also need a 3 ¾ -inch notch cut out of them, just like the single board on the top from Step Six. This will let those boards fit flush with the front and back legs.
Step 9: Screw the eight 5/4 boards cut to 72” long onto the back using the 1 ¾-inch wood screws and some wood glue. Not only will this help tie everything together for additional support, but it will also create a visually interesting backstop to protect your home’s siding.
Step 10: Allow all the wood glue to dry overnight. Then you can place your Blackstone griddle on the wood tabletop.
Should You Make Your Own Table for a Blackstone Griddle?
Making your own table for a tabletop griddle like the Blackstone 17 or the Blackstone 22 can save you a lot of money. Depending on the type of lumber you want to use, you should be able to build a sturdy wood griddle table for around $125 to $250. It will likely take two people around four to six hours to build.
A similar size patio table can be found at a box retailer for around $249 to $349 and won’t have any of the customization features you might prioritize. These tables usually take around one to two hours to assemble.
If you are handy, and you have the tools, you can save money, and put your own tasteful touches into building your own table for a Blackstone griddle. Ultimately, the trade-off is the extra 4 to 5 hours it will take you to build a table, versus putting one together.
When Should You Make Your Own Table for Blackstone Griddle?
Most people who make a table for their Blackstone griddle choose to do so in the first week or two after buying it.
While they might enjoy the griddle immensely, some find it frustrating to keep all their seasonings, oils, prep, and serving trays nearby. Building your own table relieves this frustration, while also giving you the chance to customize your outdoor cooking experience.
Final Thoughts
Building your own table for a Blackstone Griddle can be very rewarding. It gives you a place to keep all your essential outdoor cooking items or create a space for other diners to join you for some tableside Japanese-style hibachi grilling.
The materials to build a table for your Blackstone griddle out of pressure-treated lumber or weather-resistant cedar will cost around $125 to $250 and will take four to six hours to assemble. This is cheaper, though longer than simply multi-tasking a patio table. Though if you have the time, it rewards you with the chance to customize your outdoor cooking experience.
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.