There are some cooks that push your skills and equipment to the limit—and this was one of them. When my daughter’s high school marching band hosted their annual parent preview night, I volunteered to bring out my 28-inch Flex Fold Blackstone Griddle and cook for the entire band. That meant preparing 180 smash burgers and 180 hot dogs in just a few hours. It was a huge undertaking, but one of the most rewarding cooks I’ve ever done.

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Prepping the Food

The night before the event, I measured out over 40 pounds of ground beef into 4-ounce burger portions. Each patty was rolled into a ball, and I could fit about 16 of them neatly into a gallon-sized Ziploc bag. By the time I was finished, I had dozens of bags stacked and ready to go.

With 180 kids to feed, we wanted to make sure each one got both a burger and a hot dog, so I also stocked up on 180 hot dogs to bring along.

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Firing Up the Griddle

On the day of the event, I set up right in front of the band room. The 28-inch Flex Fold is surprisingly powerful for its size, and it can hold up to 18 burgers at once. I laid them out neatly on the griddle, gave them a good smash, and seasoned them generously with garlic salt.

Garlic salt might sound simple, but trust me—it’s one of the best seasonings you can put on a smash burger. The kids agreed—it was a hit.

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Feeding the Band

Once the burgers were smashed and seasoned, I gave them a flip and topped them with cheese to melt. At the same time, I loaded the griddle with hot dogs—over 40 at a time—which cooked quickly and evenly. With a steady rhythm, I was able to keep the food flowing so that each of the 180 students had both a burger and a hot dog without waiting too long.

It was a big job, but the griddle handled it like a champ.

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A Special Moment

The highlight of the evening wasn’t just the food—it was seeing my daughter’s smile as she and her bandmates dug into their meal. Cooking for her and her friends, and being part of such a special night for the band, made all the effort worthwhile.

After the cook, parents and students gathered for a preview of their halftime show. Watching the performance after feeding the entire group was the perfect ending to a memorable night.

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Final Thoughts

Cooking for 180 kids on a single griddle isn’t something I’ll soon forget. It was a reminder of why I love using my Blackstone—not just for the food, but for the way it brings people together. Whether it’s a family dinner, a community event, or a high school band preview, cooking on the Blackstone turns any gathering into something special.

Until the next cook, keep that griddle hot!