Top 5 Blackstone Grills with Deep Fryer That Will Surprise You

You bought a Blackstone griddle because you wanted restaurant-quality smashburgers, crispy hash browns, and piles of fried rice cooked outdoors. But every time you crave deep-fried wings or funnel cake, you fire up the stovetop inside. The kitchen gets hot, oil spatters, and the whole house smells like a diner.

What if you could take that deep frying outdoors too? Turns out, several Blackstone grills come with side burners that handle a dedicated deep fryer beautifully. But not all models work the same way. In this article I’ll walk through the top 5 Blackstone grills that let you run a deep fryer alongside your griddle. You’ll know exactly what to look for, what each model does well, and where they fall short.

Chefman

Chefman 4.5 Liter Deep Fryer w/Basket Strainer,…

FRY FOR THE FAMILY: Great for a hungry crowd, this fryer’s 4.5-liter capacity fries large portions of French fries, doughnuts, fried chicken, homemade chips, mozzarella sticks, and more. Throwing a party, having the holidays at your house or just have a love fried food. Make sure this fryer is a part of your cooking plans.

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If you don’t already own a deep fryer, the Chefman 4.5 Liter Deep Fryer is a solid partner for these setups. Its 1700-watt heating element gets oil hot fast, and the basket clips to the side for draining. The magnetic breakaway cord keeps things safe when you’re juggling outdoor cooking. That fryer fits nicely on a side burner without taking up your whole cooktop.

Why You’d Want a Blackstone with a Deep Fryer

Outdoor frying solves two problems: mess and smell. When you deep fry inside, grease lands on countertops, cabinets, and your stove. The odor lingers for days. Moving that operation outside keeps your kitchen clean and your house smelling fresh.

A Blackstone griddle handles the main course while the side burner handles the sides. You can sear steaks on the flat top and drop fries or onion rings in the fryer at the same time. Timing syncs up easily because both cook fast.

The surprise here is that Blackstone doesn’t sell a combo unit with a built-in deep fryer. Instead, these grills have one or two side burners that can power a standalone fryer. That’s actually better — you can swap in different fryers or use the burner for a pot of oil, a wok, or a saucepan. It keeps your setup flexible.

What to Look For in a Blackstone for Deep Frying

Not every Blackstone model works well with a deep fryer. Here are the key specs to check:

• Side burner BTU output — You need at least 10,000 BTUs to hold oil temperature steady. Lower BTUs make the oil cool down when you add food, and it takes forever to recover.
• Side burner grate size — Measure the base of your fryer. A 4–5 liter model like the Chefman needs about 10 inches of clear space. Some side burners have a single small grate that only fits small pots.
• Overall grill size — Larger grills offer more counter space and storage. Smaller grills are portable but can feel cramped when you add a fryer.
• Fuel type — Most Blackstone grills run on propane. Some can be converted to natural gas with a kit. Check if your model supports it.

If you’re shopping for a deep fryer separately, you might want to browse a best cheap deep fryer guide to find one that fits your budget and outdoor setup.

The Top 5 Blackstone Grills That Work with a Deep Fryer

These five models all include a side burner powerful enough for deep frying. I’ve ranked them by overall cooking area and versatility.

1. Blackstone 36″ Griddle with Side Burner (Model 1866) — The most popular full-size model. Main burners push 60,000 BTUs across 768 square inches of cooking surface. The side burner delivers 12,000 BTUs, enough to maintain oil temp for a 4.5-liter fryer. You get two side shelves, one of which holds the burner. Good for large families or parties.
2. Blackstone 28″ Griddle with Side Burner (Model 1554) — Smaller footprint but still plenty of room. Main burners run 45,000 BTUs over 524 square inches. Side burner is also 12,000 BTUs. This model fits better on a patio with limited space.
3. Blackstone 22″ Tabletop Griddle with Side Burner (Model 1813) — Portable and rugged. Main burners put out 30,000 BTUs on a 384-square-inch surface. The side burner is 10,000 BTUs — the minimum I’d recommend. Great for camping, tailgating, or small balconies.
4. Blackstone 36″ Pro Series Griddle with Side Burner — Same cooking area as the 1866 but with extra storage cabinets, a rear grease management system, and a hinged lid. The side burner sits on a removable shelf. Ideal if you want griddle, fryer, and storage in one station.
5. Blackstone 17″ Tabletop Griddle with Side Burner — Ultra-portable for two people. Main burner delivers 21,000 BTUs over 268 square inches. Side burner is 8,000 BTUs — that’s low for deep frying. It works if you’re patient and fry in small batches. I’d only pick this for solo use or tight quarters.

Notice that the side burner BTU drops on smaller models. If deep frying is a priority, stick with the 28″ or 36″ versions.

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Setting Up Your Deep Fryer on a Blackstone Side Burner

Getting everything going takes a few minutes. Here’s the routine I follow:

1. Place the grill on a level, non-combustible surface. Keep it away from walls and overhangs.
2. Fill your deep fryer with oil, but never past the max fill line. Outdoor wind can cause oil to slosh, so leave extra headroom.
3. Set the fryer on the side burner grate. Center it so heat wraps evenly around the base.
4. Light the side burner and set it to high. Let the oil reach temperature before adding food — the Chefman fryer has a viewing window so you can watch the bubble action.
5. Adjust the burner down once the oil is hot. You’ll need to tweak it to maintain temp because outdoor wind steals heat. A wind guard (even a folded piece of foil) helps a ton.

One real-world catch: side burners on smaller grills sit close to the main burners. If you have both running, the heat from the griddle can raise the ambient temperature around the fryer. That’s fine for most oil, but keep an eye on the oil temperature gauge. It might run a bit hotter than expected.

If you prefer a different outdoor cooking approach, a deep electric skillet can double as a fryer on a side burner and gives you more surface area for shallow frying or braising.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use any deep fryer on a Blackstone side burner?

Yes, as long as the fryer sits stable on the burner grate and the burner output is high enough to hold oil temperature. Electric fryers like the Chefman plug into an outlet — the side burner just provides a heat source (the Chefman is self-heating, so you don’t actually need the burner lit for it; you’d place it on the shelf, not over the flame. But if you have a stovetop pot-style fryer, the side burner works. For electric models, you just need a flat spot on the grill’s side shelf. Most Blackstone shelves are wide enough for a 4.5-liter unit.

What size deep fryer fits best on a Blackstone side burner?

A 4 to 5 liter fryer fits well. The Chefman 4.5-liter model measures about 10 inches wide — that sits comfortably on a standard side burner grate. Anything larger than 6 liters may overhang the grate and become unstable.

Does the side burner run off the same propane tank?

Yes. Blackstone grills plumb the side burner into the same propane line as the main burners. You connect one tank, and all burners draw from it. For a 20-pound tank, you’ll have plenty of gas for both the griddle and the side burner running at high for an hour or more.

Can I convert a Blackstone grill to natural gas for outdoor frying?

Some models offer a natural gas conversion kit. The 36″ Pro Series and the 28″ models typically support it. Check your owner’s manual. If you convert, the side burner will perform similarly, but natural gas delivers slightly less BTU per volume than propane, so expect a small drop in heating speed.

Is it safe to deep fry outdoors on a side burner?

Yes, with common-sense precautions. Keep a fire extinguisher nearby. Don’t leave hot oil unattended. Use a splatter guard or lid. Place the grill on a stable surface away from foot traffic. And watch for wind — it can blow the flame or cool the oil. The Chefman’s magnetic breakaway cord is a nice safety touch; if someone trips on the cord, it disconnects cleanly.

Final Tips to Take With You

• Buy a Blackstone with a side burner rated at least 10,000 BTU for decent deep frying performance.
• The 28″ and 36″ models give you the best balance of griddle space and side burner power.
• Pair your grill with a self-heating electric deep fryer like the Chefman — it plugs into a GFCI outlet and doesn’t rely on the side burner flame.
• Always fry outdoors with good ventilation. Wind guards help maintain oil temperature.
• Check your grill’s side shelf width before buying a fryer. Most standard models fit a 4.5-liter unit.
• If you want an all-in-one alternative, consider an indoor grill and air fryer for grease-free frying inside, but you’ll miss that outdoor smoky flavor.
• Deep frying on a Blackstone is a game-changer for parties — set it up and let guests choose griddle or fried treats.