Some cooking gear becomes part of your routine the moment you try it. That’s exactly what happened when I tested the Ninja FlexFlame and the Blackstone 1814 side-by-side. Both promise convenience, portability, and great outdoor cooking — but they’re built for completely different types of cooks. After using them for several weeks across weekend grilling, camping, and backyard breakfasts, the differences became pretty obvious.
If you’re stuck choosing between these two, this breakdown will make your decision a lot easier.
Key Difference Between Ninja FlexFlame vs Blackstone 1814 Griddle
The biggest difference comes down to purpose and power:
- Ninja FlexFlame is a full outdoor cooking system — grill, smoker, roaster, pizza maker, griddle (with accessories), and more. It’s huge, powerful, and built for people who want one machine that does everything.
- Blackstone 1814 is a compact tabletop griddle — lightweight, simple, perfect for breakfasts, smash burgers, camping, tailgating, and small gatherings.
So in short:
✔ Ninja = all-in-one outdoor kitchen powerhouse
✔ Blackstone = small, portable, focused griddle
- 5-IN-ONE: Grill, smoke, roast, griddle, and make perfect pizzas. (sold separately).
- MAKE EVERY OUTDOOR ADVENTURE DELICIOUS with Black Stone griddle. Perfect for the backyard or the great outdoors, this...
Comparison Table: Ninja FlexFlame vs Blackstone 1814 Griddle
| Feature | Ninja FlexFlame PG301 | Blackstone 1814 Griddle |
| Type | 5-in-1 grill/smoker/griddle/roaster | Portable tabletop flat-top griddle |
| Dimensions | 59.57″ × 25.08″ × 48.31″ | 21.7″ × 20.5″ × 14.7″ |
| Weight | Heavy, full-size unit | 35.2 lbs (portable) |
| Cooking Area | 424 sq. in (very large) | 268 sq. in (family-sized) |
| Burners | 3 burners with precise control | Single H-style burner |
| Temperature Range | 200°F–600°F | Adjustable but not digitally controlled |
| Special Tech | CyclonicHeat-iQ + convection fan | Even heating + grease management |
| Use Cases | Grilling, smoking, pizza, roasting | Breakfast, burgers, camping |
| Portability | Low | Very high |
| Fuel | Electric + propane combo | Propane only |
| Check Latest Price & Deals | Buy on Amazon | Buy on Amazon |
Detailed Comparative Review (My Real Experience)
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Design & Build Quality
Ninja FlexFlame
The Ninja FlexFlame looks and feels like a full outdoor cooking station. It’s tall, wide, and definitely not something you casually move around. The stainless steel build feels premium, and the digital controls give it a modern touch. When I set it up in my backyard, it felt like a legit upgrade — something between a grill and an outdoor appliance.
Blackstone 1814
The 1814 is the opposite. It’s small, simple, and extremely handy. When I first unboxed it, it reminded me of those griddles you see at campgrounds. Nothing fancy, nothing overcomplicated — just a solid flat top with a good burner. For road trips, camping, or quick cookouts, its compact design is honestly perfect.
- 5-IN-ONE: Grill, smoke, roast, griddle, and make perfect pizzas. (sold separately).
- MAKE EVERY OUTDOOR ADVENTURE DELICIOUS with Black Stone griddle. Perfect for the backyard or the great outdoors, this...
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Ease of Use
Ninja FlexFlame
Operating the FlexFlame feels almost like using a smart cooker. You set precise temperatures from 200°F to 600°F. The convection fan kicks in to maintain heat, and the cooking feels very controlled. Smoking and roasting require almost no babysitting.
The only “downside” is the learning curve. It has different modes, needs electricity + propane, and the digital panel means you have to understand settings before jumping in.
Blackstone 1814
The 1814 is the definition of simple:
Turn the knob → ignite → cook.
It heats fast, stays hot, and there’s no guesswork. If you want something straightforward that doesn’t require any understanding of tech features, this is the one.
- 5-IN-ONE: Grill, smoke, roast, griddle, and make perfect pizzas. (sold separately).
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Cooking Performance
Ninja FlexFlame
This thing can do everything. I grilled steaks one day, smoked chicken the next, roasted veggies, and even tried pizza using a stone. The CyclonicHeat-iQ and convection airflow actually make a difference — the heat stays steady, and you get even browning.
The 3-burner layout gives you zones, so you can sear on one side and slow-cook on the other. I cooked three whole chickens at once — something no portable griddle could handle.
Blackstone 1814
Flat-top cooking is unbeatable for certain things:
• Smash burgers
• Eggs
• Pancakes
• Quesadillas
• Stir fry
• Bacon
The Blackstone handles all of that beautifully. The H-style burner spreads heat evenly across the 17″ surface, and I never had issues with hotspots. Of course, it can’t grill like a real BBQ or smoke meat — it’s a dedicated griddle, not a multi-functional cooker.
- MAKE EVERY OUTDOOR ADVENTURE DELICIOUS with Black Stone griddle. Perfect for the backyard or the great outdoors, this...
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Portability
Ninja FlexFlame
Not portable. You can move it, but it’s not designed to be transported. It’s meant to stay in one spot like a backyard grill.
Blackstone 1814
Extremely portable. I threw it in the back of my car for a camping trip, used it on a picnic table, and even cooked outside my garage. This is its strongest advantage.
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Cleaning & Maintenance
Ninja FlexFlame
Cleaning is straightforward but takes time because of the size. Grease trays, racks, and grates need washing. The pellet box and roasting rack add extra steps depending on what you cook.
Blackstone 1814
This is the easiest thing in the world:
Scrape → wipe → done.
The rear grease tray catches everything, and the flat surface cleans in seconds.
Ninja FlexFlame Grill & Griddle
- 5-IN-ONE: Grill, smoke, roast, griddle, and make perfect pizzas. (sold separately).
Pros:
✔ 5-in-1 cooking system
✔ Huge cooking area
✔ Smoking + grilling + roasting in one unit
✔ Precise temperature control
✔ Even airflow from the convection fan
✔ Great for families and backyard chefs
Cons:
✘ Expensive
✘ Requires electricity + propane
✘ Not portable
✘ More complex to learn
Blackstone 1814 Portable Griddle
- MAKE EVERY OUTDOOR ADVENTURE DELICIOUS with Black Stone griddle. Perfect for the backyard or the great outdoors, this...
Pros:
✔ Extremely portable
✔ Simple to operate
✔ Perfect for breakfast & smash burgers
✔ Affordable
✔ Even cooking thanks to the H-burner
✔ Easy cleanup
Cons:
✘ Smaller cooking area
✘ Not multi-functional
✘ No temperature precision
✘ Not great for grilling or smoking
Conclusion: Which One Should You Buy?
After using both, here’s the truth:
Pick the Ninja FlexFlame if:
- You want a full backyard cooking system
- You grill, smoke, roast, and experiment with different foods
- You want precise temperature control
- You regularly cook for a big family or groups
- Portability doesn’t matter to you
This is essentially an outdoor kitchen, not just a grill.
Pick the Blackstone 1814 if:
- You want something portable
- You cook breakfasts, smash burgers, or quick meals
- You camp or tailgate often
- You want something simple and budget-friendly
- You want fast heating and faster cleanup
The Blackstone is unbeatable for small-scale flat-top cooking.
My Recommendation
If I could only keep one, I’d choose based on my lifestyle:
- For daily backyard cooking and versatility, I’d go with the Ninja FlexFlame.
- For travel, camping, and quick outdoor meals, the Blackstone 1814 wins easily.
To be honest, they don’t replace each other — they serve completely different roles. If you want an all-purpose outdoor beast, go Ninja. If you want a compact workhorse for quick griddle meals, go Blackstone.
