How hot can a Blackstone griddle get?
Under ideal conditions, Blackstone's gas griddles can reach over 343°C, but there are very few situations where you need to cook at such a high temperature.
You can cook almost anything on the griddle at temperatures between 149°C (low-medium) and 191°C-204°C (medium-high) and consistently get great results. This is due to the Maillard reaction.
What is the Maillard reaction and why does it matter for griddle cooking?
The Maillard reaction, which browns food on the outside, occurs when food is exposed to temperatures between 138°C-166°C. Put simply, food compounds start to break down at these temperatures, condensing or forming new, more intense versions of themselves.
How do I know the temperature of a preheated griddle?
The most effective way to determine the griddle's temperature is to use an infrared thermometer. Hold the thermometer above the griddle and after a few seconds it will show the temperature.
Is it possible to know the griddle's surface temperature without an infrared thermometer?
Sort of... Some people think you can hold your hand a few centimetres from the griddle and use that to test how hot it feels.
Although not entirely scientific, there's also a slightly better method for testing the griddle's temperature without a thermometer. You can simply pour a small amount of water onto the griddle surface and watch how it reacts until it eventually evaporates. If the water forms a small puddle and evaporates in about 10 seconds, the griddle surface is probably around 107°C. If the water starts to dance on the griddle, it's probably around 177°C. If the water hits the griddle and immediately starts popping and disappears within a few seconds, the griddle is probably over 204°C.