Having the right equipment is essential for cooking delicious deep-fried foods. Many home cooks wonder if Blackstone griddles can be used for deep frying with an add-on deep fryer accessory. In this article, we’ll take a look at what deep frying on a Blackstone entails and if it’s possible to buy a Blackstone grill with a built-in deep fryer.
What is a Blackstone Griddle?
Blackstone is a popular brand that makes outdoor griddle cooking appliances. Their griddles are large, flat, open cooking surfaces that get very hot and are perfect for cooking foods like burgers, steaks, vegetables, and more. The griddles are made of thick, cold rolled steel and most models run off propane fuel.
Some of the most popular Blackstone griddle models include:
- 17″ Portable Griddle
- 22″ Griddle with Hood
- 28″ Griddle
- 36″ Griddle with Hard Cover
- 48″ Commercial Grade Griddle
These griddles range in size from small and portable to extra large commercial sized units. They all feature the signature Blackstone thick griddle top cooking area with side and bottom shelves. The griddles get extremely hot, up to 550°F, which allows for quick and efficient high temperature cooking.
What is Deep Frying?
Deep frying is a cooking method where food is submerged in hot oil. The temperature of the oil generally ranges from 350-375°F. When the food is placed in the hot oil, the food becomes completely surrounded and cooked by the oil. This results in food that is crispy and golden brown on the outside and moist on the inside.
Some foods that are commonly deep fried include:
- French fries
- Fried chicken
- Doughnuts
- Fried fish
- Onion rings
To deep fry foods, you need a deep pot, Dutch oven, or electric deep fryer appliance filled with oil. The food is then carefully lowered into the hot oil using tongs or a fry basket and fried until it reaches the desired doneness.
Can You Buy a Blackstone Griddle with a Deep Fryer?
Currently, there are no Blackstone griddle models that come with a built-in deep fryer. The griddles are designed solely for open flat top grilling. The grease drain system allows you to cook foods like bacon or sauté veggies that release grease, but does not allow for deep oil frying.
While a built-in deep fryer would be a cool innovation, adding this feature would significantly increase the price. It would also take up a large portion of the flat top grilling space, which is the main appeal of Blackstone griddles.
Do Any Griddles Have Built-In Deep Fryers?
There are a few outdoor griddle and grill combination appliances that do feature built-in deep fryers. For example:
- Camp Chef Flat Top Grill 600 with Side Shelf and Deep Fryer
- Pit Boss Austin XL 1000 sq. in. Combo Grill and Griddle with Deep Fryer
These combo appliances include a stainless steel fryer pot that can hold up to 3-4 liters of oil. However, they are more expensive, bulkier, and heavier than regular Blackstone griddle models.
Can You Use an External Deep Fryer with a Blackstone Griddle?
While you can’t buy a Blackstone with a built-in deep fryer, you can absolutely use a separate deep fryer alongside your Blackstone grill. Simply set up the deep fryer on a side table or sturdy surface next to your Blackstone when you want to fry foods.
Some great options for external electric deep fryers that work well with Blackstone griddles include:
| Deep Fryer | Features |
|---|---|
| T-fal FR8000 Deep Fryer | 3.5-liter oil capacity, dishwasher-safe parts, 1700 watt heating system, adjustable thermostat up to 377°F |
| Presto Dual Basket Pro Fryer | Separate baskets for dual frying, 2.5-liter oil capacity per basket, 1800 watt heating element |
| Hamilton Beach Electric Deep Fryer | 8-cup food capacity, dishwasher-safe parts, viewing window, adjustable temperature dial |
| Cuisinart CDF-200 Deep Fryer | 4-quart oil capacity, 1800 watt immersion heating element, digital timer and temperature controls |
These electric deep fryers range in size, oil capacity, and features. But they all can safely heat oil up to the temperatures needed for crispy fried foods. Place the deep fryer on a sturdy table or prep surface right next to your hot Blackstone griddle and you’ll have the perfect frying station!
Oil Safety with a Deep Fryer and Blackstone
When using a deep fryer alongside your hot Blackstone, be sure to take some safety precautions:
- Position the fryer at a safe distance from the griddle to prevent oil splatters
- Never leave the hot oil unattended
- Make sure the fryer is on a sturdy, level surface
- Wear an oil splatter safety apron and gloves
- Don’t overfill the fryer with oil
- Keep a Class B/C fire extinguisher on hand just in case
As long as you take the necessary precautions, using an electric deep fryer next to your Blackstone is a safe and convenient way to fry up perfect onion rings, fried pickles, and more!
Tips for Deep Frying on a Blackstone Griddle
While the Blackstone surface isn’t ideal for submerging and deep frying foods, you can still shallow fry and pan fry foods like fried chicken, bacon, and fish right on the hot griddle.
Here are some tips for shallow “deep” frying on your Blackstone:
Use a Fry Basket
A stainless steel fry basket makes it easy to safely lower food into the hot oil without the risk of splattering. Use tongs to gently place breaded foods into the basket then set it down onto the griddle’s hot surface.
Choose an Oil with a High Smoke Point
Opt for oils like peanut, vegetable, canola, or avocado oil which have smoke points over 400°F. This allows the oil to get hotter without burning or smoking.
Preheat the Griddle
Make sure to fully preheat your Blackstone to around 400°F before adding any oil. This ensures the oil will immediately reach the desired frying temperature.
Use a Fry Thermometer
Use a deep fry or candy thermometer to monitor the oil temperature. The temperature may drop once you add cold food so you may need to adjust the heat to bring it back up.
Work in Small Batches
Don’t overload the griddle with too much food at once. Frying in smaller batches helps maintain the oil temperature.
Remove Grease Build Up
As you fry, grease or batter remnants may accumulate on the edges of the griddle. Carefully scrape or brush these away from the cooking surface to prevent burning.
Allow Oil to Cool Before Removing
After cooking, turn off the burners and allow the used oil to cool completely before attempting to remove it from the hot surface.
Conclusion
While Blackstone griddles don’t offer built-in deep frying capabilities, you can still create delicious fried foods by pairing your griddle with an external electric deep fryer. Or get crisp, pan-fried results right on the flat top surface. With some clever cooking techniques and the right accessories, you can unlock the deep frying potential of your Blackstone grill.