Blackstone Grills, Griddles & Merchandise At Ace Hardware This large cooking area might help you create mouthwatering meats, veggies, stir fry, facet dishes, wraps, sandwiches and even delectable desserts. You probably already realize it, but the major difference between a standard gas or charcoal grill and a Blackstone griddle is the cooking floor. When Blackstone Products made its first griddle back in 2008, the corporate meant to create a better cooking experience for the whole family. We’ll mark that down as a hit — today, Blackstone is certainly one of the leading griddle makers in the country, combining innovation and affordability that can help you benefit from outdoor cooking.