Understanding the Blackstone 2350 OTG 22″ Omnivore Griddle: A Practical Guide to Portable Outdoor Cooking

Outdoor cooking has expanded well beyond the traditional backyard grill in recent years, with griddle-style cooking gaining significant popularity among home cooks who want more versatility than a standard grate allows. Flat-top griddles make it possible to cook a wider variety of foods, from pancakes and eggs to stir-fries and smash burgers, all on a single cooking surface. The Blackstone 2350 OTG 22″ Omnivore Griddle with Hood is one example of this category, designed specifically with portability and outdoor travel in mind, while still offering the flat-top cooking experience Blackstone has become known for.

This article explores what this particular griddle offers, how it can be used across different cooking scenarios, and what factors are worth considering before deciding whether it fits your outdoor cooking needs.

What Is the Blackstone 2350 OTG 22″ Omnivore Griddle?

The “OTG” in this griddle’s name stands for “On The Go,” which reflects its core design purpose: a portable, compact griddle intended for camping trips, tailgating, backyard use, or any situation where a full-sized outdoor kitchen setup isn’t practical. With a 22-inch cooking surface, it offers a moderate amount of cooking space while remaining more transportable than Blackstone’s larger stationary griddle models.

This particular version includes a hood, which distinguishes it from some other portable griddle options. The hood can help retain heat, speed up certain cooking tasks, and provide a way to melt cheese or steam certain foods during the cooking process. The griddle also features flexfold legs, a design element intended to make the unit easier to fold down and transport compared to griddles with fixed or bulkier leg structures.

Key Features

22-Inch Cooking Surface

The griddle offers a flat-top cooking area that provides enough room to cook multiple food items simultaneously, which can be useful for preparing breakfast items, multiple burger patties, or a mix of proteins and vegetables at the same time.

Included Hood

The hood is a notable feature for a portable griddle, as many compact outdoor griddles are designed without one. Having a hood allows for heat retention, which can help with tasks like melting cheese on burgers, cooking through thicker cuts of meat more evenly, or speeding up the cooking process for certain foods.

Flexfold Legs

This design element is intended to make the griddle easier to fold and transport, which is particularly relevant for a product marketed around portability. Folding legs generally help reduce the overall footprint of the unit when it’s not in use or during transport.

Portable, On-the-Go Design

As suggested by the “OTG” designation, this griddle is built with mobility in mind, making it a potential option for camping, tailgating, picnics, or other outdoor activities where a full-sized griddle setup wouldn’t be practical.

Black Finish and Compact Build

The overall design leans toward a more streamlined, compact aesthetic compared to larger stationary griddle units, which aligns with its intended use as a travel-friendly cooking appliance.

Omnivore Branding

The “Omnivore” name suggests versatility across different types of food preparation, from meats to vegetables to breakfast items, positioning this griddle as a multi-purpose cooking surface rather than one designed for a narrow range of dishes.

How It Can Be Used

Camping and Outdoor Trips

Given its portable design, this griddle can be a practical addition to camping equipment, offering the ability to cook more elaborate meals compared to what’s typically possible with a basic camp stove or open fire.

Tailgating and Sporting Events

For those who tailgate before games or attend outdoor sporting events, a compact, foldable griddle like this one can allow for on-site cooking of foods like burgers, sausages, or breakfast sandwiches without requiring a full outdoor kitchen setup.

Backyard Cooking in Smaller Spaces

Not everyone has room for a large, stationary griddle station. This more compact model may serve as a practical option for those with smaller patios, balconies, or backyard spaces who still want the flat-top cooking experience.

Breakfast Preparation

Flat-top griddles are particularly well suited for breakfast foods like pancakes, eggs, bacon, and hash browns, all of which can be cooked simultaneously on a single surface, making this griddle a potential option for outdoor breakfast cooking during camping trips or weekend gatherings.

Smash Burgers and Griddle-Style Meals

The flat-top design is well suited for smash burger preparation, stir-fry style cooking, and other dishes that benefit from a wide, even cooking surface rather than a grated grill surface.

Multi-Course Outdoor Meals

Because of the surface area and included hood, this griddle can support cooking multiple components of a meal at once, such as proteins, vegetables, and starches, before combining them into a complete dish.

Who It May Be Suitable For

Campers and Outdoor Enthusiasts

Those who regularly camp or travel for outdoor activities may find this griddle useful as a way to prepare more varied and substantial meals compared to standard camping cookware.

Tailgaters

Individuals who frequently attend tailgate events may appreciate the portability and foldable design, which can make transportation and setup more manageable in parking lot or outdoor event settings.

Those with Limited Outdoor Cooking Space

Homeowners or renters with smaller patios, balconies, or backyard areas may find a compact, portable griddle more practical than a larger, stationary unit that requires more permanent placement.

Individuals New to Griddle Cooking

Because this is a smaller, more affordable entry point compared to Blackstone’s larger griddle lines, it may appeal to those who are curious about flat-top cooking but aren’t ready to commit to a full-sized outdoor griddle station.

Multi-Purpose Cooking Enthusiasts

Those who enjoy cooking a wide variety of foods—from breakfast to dinner to quick weeknight meals—may appreciate the versatility that a flat-top surface offers compared to more limited cooking equipment.

Important Things to Consider

Cooking Surface Size Relative to Group Size

While 22 inches offers a reasonable amount of cooking space, those who regularly cook for larger groups may need to cook in batches or consider whether this size aligns with their typical group sizes.

Portability vs. Larger Stationary Models

This griddle prioritizes portability, which may involve some trade-offs compared to larger, more permanent griddle setups, such as reduced cooking surface area or fewer built-in storage or prep features.

Fuel Source and Setup Requirements

As with most Blackstone griddles, it’s worth reviewing the specific fuel source (typically propane) and understanding what’s needed for setup, including any required propane tank size or connection type, before use.

Weather and Outdoor Exposure

Because this is an outdoor cooking appliance, proper storage and care during periods of non-use, particularly in areas with significant rain, humidity, or temperature fluctuations, can help maintain the griddle’s condition over time.

Cleaning and Seasoning Requirements

Flat-top griddles generally require regular cleaning and seasoning to maintain a non-stick cooking surface and prevent rust, particularly for portable models that may be exposed to more varied environments during travel and outdoor use.

Transport and Storage Considerations

While the flexfold legs are designed to aid portability, it’s still worth considering the overall weight and dimensions of the griddle when folded, particularly for those planning to transport it frequently by vehicle or store it in limited space.

Comparing General Categories of Outdoor Griddles

When looking at outdoor griddles as a broader category, a few general types are worth understanding:

Large Stationary Griddles typically offer bigger cooking surfaces, additional prep space, and sometimes built-in storage shelves, making them well suited for permanent backyard setups but less practical for frequent transport.

Portable Griddles Without a Hood tend to prioritize a lighter, more compact design, often at the expense of heat retention features like a hood, which can affect certain cooking tasks such as melting cheese or cooking thicker cuts of meat evenly.

Portable Griddles With a Hood, such as this Blackstone model, aim to combine the convenience of portability with some of the cooking benefits typically associated with larger, enclosed cooking systems, offering a middle ground between compact size and cooking versatility.

Tabletop or Countertop Griddles are generally the smallest and most limited in cooking surface area, often designed for very small-scale cooking tasks or single servings rather than group meals.

Each category serves different needs depending on how often the griddle will be transported, how much cooking surface is required, and whether features like a hood are a priority for the specific cooking tasks planned.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does “OTG” mean in the product name? OTG stands for “On The Go,” reflecting the griddle’s design focus on portability for camping, tailgating, and other outdoor activities away from a fixed cooking location.

Does the included hood affect how the griddle cooks food? Yes, a hood can help retain heat during cooking, which may assist with tasks like melting cheese, cooking thicker foods more evenly, or slightly speeding up certain cooking processes compared to an open, hoodless griddle.

What fuel source does this griddle use? Like most Blackstone griddles, this model is generally designed to run on propane, though it’s worth reviewing the specific product details to confirm fuel type and any required accessories for setup.

Is this griddle suitable for cooking breakfast foods? Yes, flat-top griddles are well suited for breakfast items like pancakes, eggs, and bacon, allowing multiple foods to be cooked simultaneously on the same surface.

How does the flexfold leg design work? The flexfold legs are designed to fold down, reducing the griddle’s overall footprint for easier transport and storage compared to models with fixed, non-folding legs.

Is this griddle a good fit for large group cooking? While the 22-inch surface offers a reasonable amount of cooking space, those cooking for larger groups may need to prepare food in multiple batches, particularly compared to Blackstone’s larger stationary griddle models.

Conclusion

The Blackstone 2350 OTG 22″ Omnivore Griddle with Hood represents a portable option within the broader flat-top griddle category, combining a foldable design with the added functionality of an included hood. For campers, tailgaters, or those with limited outdoor cooking space, this type of griddle can offer a practical way to prepare a wide variety of foods without the footprint of a larger, stationary cooking station.

As with any outdoor cooking equipment, it’s worth considering factors like typical group size, transport frequency, and storage space before deciding whether this particular griddle aligns with your outdoor cooking habits. Taking time to understand its features and intended use can help ensure it becomes a practical addition to your outdoor cooking routine, whether that’s centered around weekend camping trips, tailgate gatherings, or everyday backyard meals.