Blackstone 1971 vs 2142: Which 17-Inch Tabletop Griddle Is Better?

Two Blackstone griddles can look almost identical on a product page and still offer an important reason to choose one over the other. That’s the situation with the Blackstone 1971 vs Blackstone 2142. Both are portable 17-inch tabletop griddles with 267 square inches of cooking space, a single H-style burner, push-and-turn Piezo ignition, and rear grease management. Neither is designed to replace a large outdoor griddle, but both can handle everyday meals while camping, tailgating, or cooking in a small outdoor space.

The biggest distinction is their generation. The Blackstone 1971 is the newer Omnivore model, while the 2142 is the earlier Original 17-inch tabletop griddle. My preference leans toward the 1971 because of its updated cooking design, but I wouldn’t automatically dismiss the 2142. Its established burner system and similar cooking capacity make it a sensible option if the price is right.

Key Difference Between Blackstone 1971 vs 2142 Tabletop Griddle

The Blackstone 1971 is the newer 17-inch Omnivore griddle, while the Blackstone 2142 is the earlier Original tabletop model. Both offer the same listed cooking area and portable footprint, so the decision mainly comes down to the newer design, verified specifications, condition, and price.

Blackstone 1971 vs 2142 Griddle: Comparison Table

Detailed Comparative Review

The most important point in this comparison is that neither model gives you a larger cooking surface. Both provide 267 square inches, and both use a single H-style burner beneath a flat-top cooking plate.

That means I wouldn’t choose the 1971 simply because it has a newer model number, nor would I buy the 2142 just because a listing claims an attractive specification. I’d look at how the newer Omnivore design changes the cooking experience and whether the older model offers enough value to justify choosing it.

Blackstone 1971 Original 17" Omnivore Tabletop Griddle, Black

• Griddle on the Go: Bring this Blackstone 17-inch tabletop griddle on your next camping, hunting, or tailgating adventure to make meals on the go. This griddle is a portable cooking station with its lightweight, carry-friendly design
• Surprisingly Spacious Cooking Surface: Cook a wide variety of foods for every meal on this versatile griddle top. With 267 square inches of cooking space, this griddle cooks enough to feed up to 2-4 people while also being compact and portable

Check Price on Amazon

Design

The Blackstone 1971 has a powder-coated steel body with a stainless steel front plate. Its black finish gives it a modern, understated appearance, and the 17.5-pound weight makes it practical to move between a storage area, vehicle, and outdoor cooking table.

Its main distinction is the Omnivore designation. This newer design is intended to improve the griddle’s overall cooking efficiency and heat management compared with older tabletop designs. That’s a more meaningful update than a different exterior color.

The Blackstone 2142 follows the traditional Original 17-inch tabletop format. It has the same listed dimensions and weight, so I wouldn’t expect a major difference in how much room either model occupies or how easily it can be carried.

Its stainless steel front plate also gives it a clean, durable appearance. The supplied product information describes a compact, heavy-duty design, making it suitable for outdoor use.

For me, the 1971 gets the design advantage because of its newer Omnivore platform. The 2142 remains appealing if I can find it at a lower price, particularly when appearance and compact size are the main priorities.

Blackstone 2142 Original 17” Tabletop Griddle with Low-Maintenance Stainless Steel Front Plate, Powder Coated Steel, Black

• Easy Portability: The lightweight, compact design of this 17” griddle makes it perfect for taking with you on your outdoor adventures. Enjoy quality, home-cooked meals while you are camping, tailgating, or picnicking.
• Cook for a Group: 267 square inches of cooking space provides enough room for you to cook for up to 2-4 people while also being compact and portable. Make a variety of foods from burgers and chicken to veggies and hashbrowns on this versatile griddle top.

Check Price on Amazon

Ease of Use

Both griddles are straightforward to operate. The push-and-turn Piezo ignition eliminates the need for a separate lighter when the ignition system is functioning correctly, and each model uses a single burner to heat the cooking surface.

I like this setup for quick meals. I can prepare breakfast with eggs, bacon, and hash browns, then use the same surface later for smash burgers, vegetables, or chicken. The flat-top format also lets me cook foods that might fall through the gaps of a conventional grill grate.

The 267-square-inch cooking area is enough for a couple or a small group, although I would still plan the order in which I cook different ingredients. A tabletop griddle this size doesn’t have the room of a full-size Blackstone with multiple burners and separate temperature zones.

The 1971’s newer design is attractive if I want a current-generation model. However, both grills still require sensible preheating and careful temperature adjustment. A newer model doesn’t remove the need to learn how the cooking surface responds to the burner.

I consider ease of use a near tie, with a slight preference for the 1971 because of its updated design.

Functions

Both models cover the basics well: portable flat-top cooking, Piezo ignition, a single H-style burner, and rear grease management.

The Blackstone 2142 has a stated burner output of 12,500 BTU. That’s useful information when assessing its heat-producing capability, although burner output alone doesn’t tell the entire story. Heat distribution, wind exposure, preheating, and how much cold food is placed on the surface also influence cooking performance.

The 1971 listing gives a wattage figure of 3,660 watts, but I wouldn’t directly compare that number with the 2142’s 12,500 BTU rating. They use different units, and marketplace specification fields can be unreliable. For an accurate burner-output comparison, I’d confirm the gas rating on the product label or manual rather than assume one model is more powerful.

Where the 1971 stands out is its Omnivore design. Blackstone’s newer platform is intended to improve heat management, which can be valuable when cooking outdoors. That matters when I want to cook evenly without constantly moving food around to compensate for inconsistent heat.

Both models also use rear grease management. Instead of allowing grease to collect at the front of the cooking surface, the system directs it toward the rear collection point. This is particularly useful when cooking bacon, burgers, or other fatty foods.

For overall design development, I give the 1971 the edge. For basic functionality, however, the 2142 remains competitive.

Blackstone 1971 Original 17" Omnivore Tabletop Griddle, Black

• Griddle on the Go: Bring this Blackstone 17-inch tabletop griddle on your next camping, hunting, or tailgating adventure to make meals on the go. This griddle is a portable cooking station with its lightweight, carry-friendly design
• Surprisingly Spacious Cooking Surface: Cook a wide variety of foods for every meal on this versatile griddle top. With 267 square inches of cooking space, this griddle cooks enough to feed up to 2-4 people while also being compact and portable

Check Price on Amazon

Blackstone 2142 Original 17” Tabletop Griddle with Low-Maintenance Stainless Steel Front Plate, Powder Coated Steel, Black

• Easy Portability: The lightweight, compact design of this 17” griddle makes it perfect for taking with you on your outdoor adventures. Enjoy quality, home-cooked meals while you are camping, tailgating, or picnicking.
• Cook for a Group: 267 square inches of cooking space provides enough room for you to cook for up to 2-4 people while also being compact and portable. Make a variety of foods from burgers and chicken to veggies and hashbrowns on this versatile griddle top.

Check Price on Amazon

Maintenance

Neither tabletop griddle is difficult to maintain, but both need regular care. After cooking, I would scrape away food debris while the surface is still warm, manage the grease safely, and follow the manufacturer’s instructions for cleaning and protecting the cooking plate.

The rear grease-management system is one of the most practical features on both models. When cooking bacon, burgers, or greasy meat, having a designated collection point makes cleanup more manageable than dealing with grease spread around the cooking area.

The stainless steel front plate is also a practical touch because it can be wiped down after use. The powder-coated body on the 1971 should be cleaned without harsh methods that could damage its finish.

One point worth emphasizing: the cooking surface itself needs appropriate seasoning and protection according to Blackstone’s instructions. I wouldn’t treat the flat-top like a nonstick frying pan or leave it wet after cleaning.

Since both models share the same basic size and rear grease-management approach, I don’t see a decisive maintenance winner. I’d give the 1971 a small preference because it belongs to the newer design generation, but cleaning habits matter more than the model number here.

Blackstone 1971 Omnivore Tabletop Griddle

Blackstone 1971 Original 17" Omnivore Tabletop Griddle, Black

• Griddle on the Go: Bring this Blackstone 17-inch tabletop griddle on your next camping, hunting, or tailgating adventure to make meals on the go. This griddle is a portable cooking station with its lightweight, carry-friendly design
• Surprisingly Spacious Cooking Surface: Cook a wide variety of foods for every meal on this versatile griddle top. With 267 square inches of cooking space, this griddle cooks enough to feed up to 2-4 people while also being compact and portable

Check Price on Amazon

Pros:

• Newer 2024 Omnivore model
• 267 square inches of cooking space
• Portable 17.5-pound design
• Single H-style burner
• Push-and-turn Piezo ignition
• Stainless steel front plate
• Rear grease-management system
• Powder-coated steel body
• Suitable for breakfast, lunch, and dinner

Cons:

• Same listed cooking area as the 2142
• Burner output should be verified from the exact unit’s label
• Newer design may not justify a large price premium for every buyer
• Still a compact, single-burner griddle

Blackstone 2142 Tabletop Griddle

Blackstone 2142 Original 17” Tabletop Griddle with Low-Maintenance Stainless Steel Front Plate, Powder Coated Steel, Black

• Easy Portability: The lightweight, compact design of this 17” griddle makes it perfect for taking with you on your outdoor adventures. Enjoy quality, home-cooked meals while you are camping, tailgating, or picnicking.
• Cook for a Group: 267 square inches of cooking space provides enough room for you to cook for up to 2-4 people while also being compact and portable. Make a variety of foods from burgers and chicken to veggies and hashbrowns on this versatile griddle top.

Check Price on Amazon

Pros:

• 267 square inches of cooking space
• Stated 12,500 BTU burner output
• Single H-style burner
• Push-and-turn Piezo ignition
• Stainless steel front plate
• Rear grease-management system
• Portable 17.5-pound design
• Good for camping and tailgating
• Potentially attractive if discounted

Cons:

• Older model generation
• Lacks the newer Omnivore platform
• Same compact cooking area as the 1971
• Actual condition and availability may vary between sellers

Blackstone 1971 vs 2142: Which One Would I Buy?

If the two models were similarly priced and in comparable condition, I’d choose the Blackstone 1971. The newer Omnivore design is the strongest reason to prefer it, and I like the idea of buying the more recent platform when I’m planning to keep a griddle for years.

I wouldn’t expect it to cook dramatically more food, though. Both offer the same 267-square-inch surface and nearly identical external dimensions. The newer model’s value is tied to its design improvements rather than extra cooking space.

The Blackstone 2142 becomes more interesting if it costs noticeably less. Its 12,500 BTU burner rating, Piezo ignition, and rear grease-management system make it a capable portable griddle on paper. If I found one at a meaningful discount, I’d compare the final price, warranty, condition, and included accessories before ruling it out.

I’d also avoid choosing based on wattage figures alone. The supplied listings use inconsistent power specifications, so I would confirm the exact burner rating for the particular model and market before making a performance claim.

Final Verdict

Choose the Blackstone 1971 if you want the newer Omnivore tabletop design and the price difference is reasonable.

Choose the Blackstone 2142 if you find it at a substantially lower price and want a straightforward 17-inch griddle with proven core features.

My overall recommendation is the Blackstone 1971, but it isn’t a landslide victory. The two griddles share the same dimensions, weight, cooking area, ignition type, and rear grease-management approach. The 1971 earns the recommendation mainly because it’s the newer design. If the 2142 is much cheaper, it may be the smarter purchase for someone who simply wants a portable flat-top for outdoor meals.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the main difference between Blackstone 1971 and 2142?

The 1971 is the newer 2024 Omnivore model, while the 2142 is the earlier Original 17-inch tabletop griddle. Both have 267 square inches of cooking space and a portable, single-burner design.

2. Does the Blackstone 1971 have more cooking space than the 2142?

No. Both models list 267 square inches of cooking area. Neither provides a capacity advantage over the other based on the supplied specifications.

3. Is the Blackstone 2142 a 12,500 BTU griddle?

The supplied product information lists a 12,500 BTU H-style burner for the 2142. Check the rating label and manual for the exact unit before relying on that figure, particularly when comparing it with retailer listings that use different power units.

4. Is the Blackstone 1971 worth buying over the 2142?

I’d choose the 1971 if the prices are close because it uses the newer Omnivore design. If the 2142 is significantly cheaper, it can still be a sensible purchase for basic outdoor griddle cooking.

5. Which Blackstone tabletop griddle is better for camping?

Both are suitable for camping, tailgating, and picnics. Their dimensions and weight are nearly identical, so I’d base the decision on price, the exact model’s verified specifications, and whether you prefer the newer Omnivore design.