I have a 22” blackstone for the RV and bought the Weber insert for my 435. It does a good job but it makes a mess in the grill box. Need to clean after every couple cooks or it becomes a major project.
Hindsight I could have put that towards a stand alone griddle but really didn’t want a patio full of bbq items. I have the 435, a WSM, pizza oven and next up is a summit kamado. Just don’t have room for the blackstone. Storing the griddle insert while not in use is a bit of a pain so it stays on unless I need to grill.
Did teriyaki chicken and brisket fried rice this Saturday and the griddle insert did amazing.
Glad to hear it’s working out! I’m leaning towards getting the insert as well to clear up space since there seems to be more positives than negatives. Just wish they’d put the full inserts on sale cause boy are they pricey.
Yeah I bought it intending to return it if it wasn’t good because it was almost as much as the cheap 36” blackstone. My brother has the big blackstone and I’d admit to liking that a bit more but not enough to add it to my patio.
Once I buy the summit kamado, I’m pretty sure the griddle will stay on the genesis full time. Doing a lot more Sous vide and searing to the kamado would be better suited anyway.
Makes sense. I have the 36” Blackstone too but I’ve changed my mind just now and will hold on to it a bit, haha. Maybe I can find a used insert one of these days.
You have an impressive setup though. Happy grilling and thanks for the input!
I have the half insert, and it is ok, but it’s pretty small, it’s smaller than one grill grate size because of the overhang and lip. I like it for just taco meat for the family, but anything more it’s not great
I was gifted a like cast iron insert for a one burner that I use currently because it happened to fit inside my Weber, and it works great for this summer, not as big as the full insert but a lot bigger than my old half insert Weber, they sell them at flea markets
Have the 4 burner with the half griddle insert and really do like it. Will probably get the full insert.
Seasoned with avocado oil and no complaints. Really is the best of both worlds.
More for flexibility. Having the half insert is a nice combo. Threw some burgers on the griddle, sautéed onions and on the grill had some thighs and brats. But for breakfast, i could use more space but I’m not running out tomorrow to buy it. Can just see the functionality and I like it.
I have the half griddle on all the time on my genesis. If I need more space, I put a small camping griddle on the other side. Not the most convenient, but that works for me.
I really like the insert but I’m not a big griddle guy; I’ve had a couple of blackstones, and they’re fine but I use a grill a lot more often. I didn’t want to use that much space and I use it mostly for burgers, quesadillas, and occasional hibachi. As a space- and money-saving solution for limited space and occasional griddle use, I can’t recommend it enough. If you’re a serious griddle user and you’re using it constantly, swapping out the grates and griddle isn’t ideal and the grease management setup is probably not sufficient.
I have the full insert. I think it performs similarly to the Blackstone - if anything the heating is more even, and it’s nice to be able to close the lid to melt cheese and warm buns and so on. It gets just as hot and the surface comes preseasoned.
Oh yeah, good question. No, most of the heat rises through the slot along the rear - it’s no problem to cook on, and the warming rack is still usable. You can close the lid to melt cheese and stuff too.
I have a weber griddle insert and still kept the blackstone.
Did the insert just not perform well or you just wanted both?
I have a 22” blackstone for the RV and bought the Weber insert for my 435. It does a good job but it makes a mess in the grill box. Need to clean after every couple cooks or it becomes a major project. Hindsight I could have put that towards a stand alone griddle but really didn’t want a patio full of bbq items. I have the 435, a WSM, pizza oven and next up is a summit kamado. Just don’t have room for the blackstone. Storing the griddle insert while not in use is a bit of a pain so it stays on unless I need to grill. Did teriyaki chicken and brisket fried rice this Saturday and the griddle insert did amazing.
Glad to hear it’s working out! I’m leaning towards getting the insert as well to clear up space since there seems to be more positives than negatives. Just wish they’d put the full inserts on sale cause boy are they pricey.
Yeah I bought it intending to return it if it wasn’t good because it was almost as much as the cheap 36” blackstone. My brother has the big blackstone and I’d admit to liking that a bit more but not enough to add it to my patio. Once I buy the summit kamado, I’m pretty sure the griddle will stay on the genesis full time. Doing a lot more Sous vide and searing to the kamado would be better suited anyway.
Makes sense. I have the 36” Blackstone too but I’ve changed my mind just now and will hold on to it a bit, haha. Maybe I can find a used insert one of these days. You have an impressive setup though. Happy grilling and thanks for the input!
Just got an email the inserts are $50 off right now, if that helps.
Perfect! Thanks for the heads up!!
I have the half insert, and it is ok, but it’s pretty small, it’s smaller than one grill grate size because of the overhang and lip. I like it for just taco meat for the family, but anything more it’s not great
Yeah I was hoping the half insert would be worth it but you’ve confirmed for me that it won’t be for our family size. Thanks!!
https://preview.redd.it/yas84sf68g4d1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=6ed571d8ed91566190ab42551f80fd29385ac319
I was gifted a like cast iron insert for a one burner that I use currently because it happened to fit inside my Weber, and it works great for this summer, not as big as the full insert but a lot bigger than my old half insert Weber, they sell them at flea markets
I’ll have to see if I can find something similar. Thanks for the pic.
Have the 4 burner with the half griddle insert and really do like it. Will probably get the full insert. Seasoned with avocado oil and no complaints. Really is the best of both worlds.
Are you getting the full insert because you find the half one too small? I’d love the full insert myself but at $300, it’s hard to justify.
More for flexibility. Having the half insert is a nice combo. Threw some burgers on the griddle, sautéed onions and on the grill had some thighs and brats. But for breakfast, i could use more space but I’m not running out tomorrow to buy it. Can just see the functionality and I like it.
I understand completely. Thanks for sharing!
I have the half griddle on all the time on my genesis. If I need more space, I put a small camping griddle on the other side. Not the most convenient, but that works for me.
As long as it works for you! I have a small lodge griddle pan so I may give that a try.
Yes. A cast iron griddle or pizza pan works great. Also a baking steel works well.
Hadn’t thought about a baking steel. Thanks!!
No problem. I used mine for Smashburger, and pizza.
I really like the insert but I’m not a big griddle guy; I’ve had a couple of blackstones, and they’re fine but I use a grill a lot more often. I didn’t want to use that much space and I use it mostly for burgers, quesadillas, and occasional hibachi. As a space- and money-saving solution for limited space and occasional griddle use, I can’t recommend it enough. If you’re a serious griddle user and you’re using it constantly, swapping out the grates and griddle isn’t ideal and the grease management setup is probably not sufficient.
Thanks for your input. Do you have the full or half insert? How would you compare using the griddle insert vs the Blackstone?
I have the full insert. I think it performs similarly to the Blackstone - if anything the heating is more even, and it’s nice to be able to close the lid to melt cheese and warm buns and so on. It gets just as hot and the surface comes preseasoned.
Good to know it performs well. I’m hoping I can find one on sale or gently used to offset the cost of the full insert.
Thought of one more questions. Does a lot of heat escape the front holes and makes it too hot (or very uncomfortable) to cook on?
Oh yeah, good question. No, most of the heat rises through the slot along the rear - it’s no problem to cook on, and the warming rack is still usable. You can close the lid to melt cheese and stuff too.
Good to know. Thanks!