The Best Outdoor Griddle: Comprehensive Buying Guide

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Once in a while, we want to leave the familiar surroundings of our indoor kitchen and cook outdoors. Whether it is a camping, picnic, tailgating, or hiking activity, an outdoor griddle solves the problem and helps you enjoy delicious food away from home.

Having cooked food right on the spot is safer and more fun than carrying fast food when setting out. Aside from that, with an outdoor griddle, you can also throw a party in your backyard and cook with ease delicious meals like steaks, pizzas, pancakes and many others.

We have reviewed the top 11 outdoor griddles and their features to help you with your decision.

At the end of this review, you will see a buying guide and find out what’s the most important factor you need to consider when looking for the best outdoor griddle.

More...

Top 3 Recommendations

If you are outdoorsy, an outdoor griddle is a piece of important equipment to have. It is not only beneficial to your health, but it is also safe for the environment.

Griddles are a healthier option because they are designed to come with oil cups that drain oil from your food, and environmentally friendly because they don’t generate any smoke.

There are many disappointing options on the market, and to stop you from making a mistake, here are the top 3 choices that are represented in the table below.

Editor's Choices
Blackstone Flat Top Gas Grill Griddle 2 Burner Propane Fuelled Rear Grease Management System, 1517,...*
LITTLE GRIDDLE Sizzle-Q SQ180 100% Stainless Steel Universal Griddle with Even Heating Cross Bracing...*
Best Selling
Blackstone 1971 Original 17” Tabletop Griddle with Stainless Steel Front Plate, Powder Coated...*
Product Dimensions
44.5 x 19.5 x 33.5 inches
13 x 18 x 3 inches
17.32 x 21.71 x 8.62 inches
Material Type
Stainless Steel
Stainless Steel
Steel
Best Feature
2 zone heating control
A patented ventilation design
Compact and portable
Prime
Amazon Prime
Amazon Prime
-
Customer Rating's
-
-
-
Price
$249.99
$46.15
$115.21
Editor's Choices
Blackstone Flat Top Gas Grill Griddle 2 Burner Propane Fuelled Rear Grease Management System, 1517,...*
Product Dimensions
44.5 x 19.5 x 33.5 inches
Material Type
Stainless Steel
Best Feature
2 zone heating control
Prime
Amazon Prime
Customer Rating's
-
Price
$249.99
LITTLE GRIDDLE Sizzle-Q SQ180 100% Stainless Steel Universal Griddle with Even Heating Cross Bracing...*
Product Dimensions
13 x 18 x 3 inches
Material Type
Stainless Steel
Best Feature
A patented ventilation design
Prime
Amazon Prime
Customer Rating's
-
Price
$46.15
Best Selling
Blackstone 1971 Original 17” Tabletop Griddle with Stainless Steel Front Plate, Powder Coated...*
Product Dimensions
17.32 x 21.71 x 8.62 inches
Material Type
Steel
Best Feature
Compact and portable
Prime
-
Customer Rating's
-
Price
$115.21

The Best Outdoor Griddle: 11 Reviews

Blackstone Outdoor Flat Top Gas Grill Griddle Station – Top-Rated Outdoor Griddle

The Blackstone Gas Grill Griddle Station is for adventure and outdoor lovers. With this gas griddle, meals can be cooked quickly and in large quantities.

Since 2005, Blackstone has been in the business of producing top quality grills for the outdoor world bringing family and friends together for fun and excitement.

With 470 square inches of flat top grilling surface, this griddle is perfect for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, offering a professional-grade looking meal. This grill can cook your quesadillas, potatoes, grilled cheese, pancakes, eggs, teppanyaki-style food, and many more.

The Blackstone Gas Grill Griddle Station comes with an integrated bottom and 2-side shelves that allow you to store food and other ingredients safely. It also features a push to start battery-powered ignition system. With the simple press of a power button, you will be ready to start cooking.

It comes with a removable griddle top, 4-industrial strength caster wheels on foldable legs that make transportation easy.

The Blackstone Gas Grill Griddle Station is easy to assemble. Its ignition system eliminates the hassles associated with charcoal, kerosene, and matches used in some traditional griddles.

Each stainless-steel burner produces 15,000 BTU, making a total of 30,000 BTUs. They can be easily controlled from low to high, making this grill a versatile cooking unit.

Pros
  • Expansive Cooktop
  • 4-industrial strength caster wheels
  • 470 square inches of grilling surface
  • Push to start a battery-powered ignition system
Cons
  • The drip tray is a bit small

Sizzle-Q SQ180 Stainless Steel Universal Griddle by Little Griddle – The Best Outdoor Griddle for Charcoal Grills

Little Griddle is a name bandied around when people discuss flat top attachments for a grill. Despite the name of the manufacturers, their products are not always little, especially the Sizzle-Q-SQ180 model that comes with an ample griddle space, full-width grease well, and generous sidewalls.

This griddle is made from 100% restaurant-grade stainless steel. It is a member of the Little Griddle professional series products.

Coming with dimensions of 13 x 18 x 3 inches, it will cover most gas grills while leaving a burner and some grill space on larger models.

With an underside cross-bracing, which promotes uniform heating across the cooking surface, your food will be evenly cooked. And you do not need to worry about moving the griddle around, as it comes with high-quality side handles for ease of movement and cleaning.

The Sizzle-Q SQ180 Stainless Steel Universal by Little Griddle also comes with a patented ventilation construction strategically placed at the rear for better airflow. This is an important feature to consider if you own a charcoal grill.

It also comes with high side walls that prevent food from falling off the cooking surface. And a built-in grease trap that prevents flare-ups by safely collecting grease in a well. This grill is simple to operate and simple to clean.

However, the grease trap does not come with a drain hole therefore, you need to drain regularly to avoid buildup.

Pros
  • 100% restaurant-grade stainless steel
  • A patented ventilation design
  • Uniform heating across the cooking surface
Cons
  • Grease trap needs constant draining

Blackstone 1971 Heavy Duty Flat Top Grill - Best Lightweight Griddle

Another Blackstone griddle made on our list as we can’t get enough of them, and I bet you can’t either! This Blackstone 1971 griddle is the ultimate pick for those who want a perfect outdoor unit they can take on camping or tailgate adventure! It’s time we see how it compares to other griddles.

The Blackstone griddle has a 17-inch tabletop design that is lightweight and easy to carry along for starters. It’s already fully assembled, so you don’t have to go through the trouble of setting messy pieces together.

Although the grill looks relatively compact, it has a surprisingly spacious grilling area of 267 square inches! This is perfect if a smaller crowd surrounds you, as you can cook for around four people on this grill.

You will also appreciate the intelligent design of this portable outdoor griddle as it has sturdy legs. The legs allow the unit to stay in place, whether you install it, whether it's muddy terrain or the grass.

This is a gas-powered griddle, so it offers 12,500 BTUs to heat the surface. The surface will be evenly heated, leaving no cold spots, and it stays hot even after you add more food.

The Blackstone 1971 griddle features a grease tray that catches all the grease from fatty meats for easy clean-up.

Pros
  • Spacious cooking area
  • Leaves no cold spots
  • Easy to work with
  • Even heating
  • Includes a grease tray
  • Lightweight
Cons
  • Poor customer service

Camp Chef Flat Top Grill – The Griddle with the Largest Cooking Surface

The fourth entry on this list is also one of the best outdoor griddles you can get at this time – the Camp Chef Flat Top Grill. This is the perfect griddle if you want to cook different food at the same time quickly.

It comes with a pretty large cooking surface area of 501 square inches. This is plenty of room for all the food you want to cook. The design itself is topnotch, coming in a unique interchangeable flat top concept.

In practice, it means you can cook a different set of food simultaneously, then switch to a whole different set after the first is done. For instance, you can prepare pancakes, hash browns, eggs, and sausages, at the same time. When it’s done, you can remove all these meals and make a new set that includes burgers, chicken, and kebabs. The possibilities are endless.

This griddle also features a matchless ignition system, a propane tank holder, tweak-able legs, and two large side shelves.

The good thing is you get to enjoy all these features at a cost-effective price. Consider the fact that other high-end models which have the same features go for much more on the market.

However, some customers said that some parts of the griddle are better heated than others.

Pros
  • A perfect mix of price and value
  • The large cooking surface area of 501 square inches
  • Interchangeable flat top concept
  • Two large side shelves
Cons
  • Some parts of the griddle are better heated than others.

Cuisinart CGG-501 Gourmet Gas Griddle – The Best -Seller Griddle

This list comes to a close with the CGG-501 Gourmet Gas Griddle from Cuisinart. It is an extremely convenient outdoor griddle that packs a powerful punch, despite coming with only 2 propane burners inside, producing an impressive 20,000 BTUs of heat.

The cooking area of this outdoor griddle is 285 square inches. The cooking grate is made from high quality cast iron. It comes with removable cast iron cooking grate and provides the option to sear your meat in the other half of your griddle.

It comes with two burners rather than one. This allows you to have greater control over the heat. You will also find a twist to start ignition system that makes it super easy to get started at a moment’s notice.

The surface of this griddle is made of cold-rolled steel. It is extra thick and provides sturdiness to this product. The Cuisinart CGG-501 Gourmet Gas Griddle also comes with an in-built hose made to fit a 20 lbs gas tanks. It comes with all the necessary features of a restaurant girdle while remaining compact and portable.

Each burner has a dial, which ensures you have total control and flexibility found in many professional griddles. And finally, the griddle has been made to suit places like RVs, boats, decks, patios, balconies and many more.

However, the heat control knob has no labeling.

Pros
  • High quality cast iron
  • 2 propane burners
  • 20,000 BTUs of heat
  • Twist to start ignition system
Cons
  • No labeling on the heat control knobs

Royal Gourmet PD1301S 3-Burner Table Top Gas Grill - Best For Tender Meat

Next up, we have the fantastic Royal Gourmet tabletop gas grill! If you don’t want to handle bulky and cumbersome gas grills, then this portable model is perfect for you! Time to test it out.

The Royal Gourmet PD1301S tabletop griddle has three burners made out of stainless steel that offer 25,000 BTU’s delivery! The power is just perfect to heat up the 316 square inches of cooking space.

You will enjoy the ample cooking space as it allows you to grill more significant cuts of meat, hash browns, bacon, or burgers! The options are limitless!

Moreover, the griddle has a durable double control panel system with the piezo ignition so that you can enjoy the quick and easy start-up.

The Royal Gourmet PD1301S griddle design even though about the cleaning! With the included grease pan, all of the greases will be collected from the fatty meats. Therefore, it’s super convenient when you are outdoors and don’t have time for a detailed clean!

But, the outdoor design would not be perfect if it didn’t wasn’t weather resistant-right? This is precisely what the griddle offers! It has a waterproof PVC coating, so you can safely use the grill in unexpected weather situations.

What makes Royal Gourmet PD1301S truly special is that it features a porcelain enameled griddle which is designed to keep all the juices in the meat.

Pros
  • Compact design
  • Porcelain-enameled griddle
  • Easy to clean
  • Quick start-up system
  • Large cooking space
Cons
  • Trouble assembling the grease tray

PIT BOSS PB336GS 2 Burner Table Top - Best Griddle With a Pre-Seasoned Cooking Surface

Pit Boss is one of the leading grilling brands! Along with many recognizable names in the industry, the Pit Boss keeps its reputation high by delivering trustworthy products.

This particular griddle features a two-burner design that also works as a tabletop griddle! It’s perfect for when you are on the go and don’t want to carry a cumbersome griddle along.

Plus, the portable design will allow this grill to be your favorite for home use and your next camping trip!

The convenient design has 289 square inches of cooking space, perfect when cooking for a smaller crowd. It can be enough to feed around five people!

If you are going to use the griddle out in the open, you need it to be as stable as possible. That is why this PIT BOSS PB336GS outdoor griddle has four black non-slip leg stands that stand perfectly on any surface!

The Pit Boss griddle features two burners so that you can cook more on the same surface! It even has an easy start-up system that only requires a push of a button. Therefore, this could be your best pick if you are a beginner!

Wait! We do have to mention one crucial feature that will make or break your purchase! The PIT BOSS PB336GS griddle has a pre-seasoned surface that delivers incredible flavor to every food item! Incredible, right?

Pros
  • Great cooking surface
  • Pre-seasoned surface
  • Lightweight
  • Two separate burners
  • Works as a tabletop grill
Cons
  • Chips away easily

Royal Gourmet GD401C 4-Burner Portable - Best Outdoor Griddle With Foldable Legs

We have another Royal Gourmet pick coming right up! This one is somewhat different from our previous model as it features a stand and is not a tabletop version. So, if this kind of design is something you would be interested in, keep on reading.

The Royal Gourmet GD401C is a portable griddle with four burners and 2-in-1 function delivery. The legs can be folded, and they include four casters for more effortless mobility and transport.

Although the entire design of this griddle may seem bulky, three is no need to worry. It will only take 15 minutes to fully assemble it, and after that, you are ready for your grilling adventure.

Moreover, the Royal Gourmet GD401C outdoor grill has an ample cooking space surface of 584 square inches with four immaculate burners that deliver 48,000 BTUs!

The entire start-up system could not be more straightforward as it features an auto-ignition! This means you only have to press a button to heat the grill.

We mentioned the 2-in-1 design we love! The unit features both griddle and grill burners so that you can prepare multiple foods on the same surface! Enjoy only the griddle option, or use them both together to create the perfect tender result!

With the helpful flame tamer, the heat will be distributed evenly across the porcelain-coated grates. The Royal Gourmet GD401C grill even has a convenient grease drip tray that catches all the residue for a better clean-up.

Pros
  • Includes a grill and a griddle
  • Powerful burner
  • Easy to clean up
  • Easy assembly
  • Foldable legs
Cons
  • Often arrives damaged

Cuisinart CGG-0036 4-Burner - Best Heavy-Duty Griddle

By now, you are already familiar with the great Cuisinart grills, but have you heard of their great griddle? We are here to deliver a full review of why you should consider this griddle.

For starters, the Cuisinart CGG-0036 griddle features a four-burner design which will assist you in preparing more food at once! Not only that, but the griddle has a vast cooking space of 760 square inches!

This kind of cooking area is just right for ten people preparing. Each of the four burners offers 15,000 BTU’s which results in 60,000 BTUs in total. Plus, you can control the hot and cold zones throughout the entire griddle.

The outdoor griddle has thought about the after-cleaning too!

It includes a dual grease management system with two removable cups. They collect all the grease from the meat, allowing you an easier clean-up later.

Even though the entire construction of this Cuisinart CGG-0036 griddle is rather cumbersome, it features caster wheels and a foldable design for more effortless mobility. This will also assist you in storage space as it will make it easier to fold and store away when not in use.

Overall, the Cuisinart CGG-0036 griddle is an excellent pick for those who need a more extensive cooking surface area and easy mobility! It’s super versatile, too, allowing you to cook breakfast, lunch, and dinner all on the same unit.

Pros
  • The large cooking space area
  • Versatile use
  • Dual grease management system
  • Foldable design
  • Space-saving design
  • Includes four burners
Cons
  • Bulky design

Country Smokers CSGDL0370 Horizon Series - Best Propane Griddle

For our next pick, we have selected the Country Smokers griddle! We love the versatility of this griddle as it gives you the option to prepare crispy pizza, juicy drumsticks, or a grilled steak! Whatever comes to your mind, this griddle can deliver! Now, let’s observe some of its most essential features.

To begin with, the Country Smokers CSGDL0370 contains a stainless steel griddle top that is already pre-seasoned for ultimate flavor delivery! It’s ready to use right away as the organic plant-based oil coating will make the first grilling successful!

This griddle has two burners that work exceptionally well for everyone! Whether you take cooking seriously or you occasionally endeavor in culinary creations, the Country Smokers griddle is perfect for every skill level.

The burners have a 22,000 BTUs delivery which archives the even temperature throughout the griddle. There are no cold sports here! It’s relatively quick to deliver high power and temperature, so you don’t have to wait around forever for the unit to heat up.

Plus, you won’t have to worry about unstable weather running the heat of the griddle! This is exceptionally helpful if you live in windier climates. All thanks to the protective sides, you can protect your new griddle no matter the weather situation!

Lastly, the cooking surface area measures out at 373 square inches, which is just right if you have a group of 5-6 people to feed.

Pros
  • Spacious surface
  • Protective sides
  • Pre-seasoned griddle
Cons
  • Some foods may stick

GriddleGiant 36" Black Stone Griddle Cover Lid - Best Griddle Cover Lid

Now, for something different, we have decided to throw in the best griddle lid cover! Because, let’s be honest, once you fall in love with your new griddle, you are going to want to protect it in the best way possible.

Right now, we can’t think of a better way than using this black stone griddle lid cover! But, before you add it to your Amazon cart, let’s see some of its crucial features.

The Griddle Giant cover lid fits all griddles that measure out in 36 inches. This is a feature you must take into consideration as it’s not a universal size! Don’t rush in and invest in something that you will end up not using. Make sure you measure out your grill before you order the cover.

It offers multiple advantages, starting from protection. The griddle lid cover is designed to fit just right on the grill. There will be no uncovered sports or side gaps!

The GriddleGiant griddle cover includes a wooden handle that is much safer to use than a metal one. It does not retain heat at all, so it’s always cool-to-touch.

Two rear hangers hold back the lid when you are not using it. Plus, it’s made out of powder-coated aluminum, so it won’t develop rust anytime soon. It will serve you for a very long time!

Pros
  • It covers the lid tightly with no gaps
  • Two rear hangers to keep the top open
  • Powder-coated aluminum built
Cons
  • Low-quality handle

Consider the Following Factors Before Buying an Outdoor Griddle

After reading through what the 11 best outdoor griddles have to offer, it’s time to arm yourself with factors to consider that can help you make a well-thought decision.

1. Size

best outdoor griddle brand

This is the most important factor to consider before choosing a griddle for your existing grill. You need to ensure that measurement of your grill and griddle is a perfect match so that they can fit.

If you have a smaller-sized grill, you should aim for a griddle that covers the entire surface. For a larger sized grill, choose a griddle that will allow for additional space for traditional grilling on the cooking grates at the same time.

There are many attachments, and they come in many different shapes and sizes. Round griddles are available if you own a Kamado or a kettle-style grill. Do not pick a griddle that overhangs the grill, because it can suddenly become unstable when cooking.

If you own a charcoal grill, buy a griddle that allows for enough airflow. Charcoal and wood need oxygen to burn, and depriving the unit of air will cause it to burn much cooler or will put the fire out completely. 


2. Cooking Area

Grill addicts often assume the cooking area is determined by the width multiplied by the depth. Well, in fact, it’s a bit more, you need to consider the grease tray. Some griddles come with an inch-wide grease trench used for grease droppings.

A trench that comes with greater depth or more height will be able to trap more grease, reducing the need to empty it often.


3. Material Build

best outdoor griddle grill

Most griddles are made from steel which can be stainless steel, cast iron or enameled metal. Many griddle attachments are made of stainless steel, which is easy to clean and last long.

Stainless steel is more lightweight but retains less heat. If you need a healthier option, choose cast iron, some even argue it is the healthiest surface to cook on.

When making a buying decision, choose the best grade metal or the thickest to prevent warping. The temperature on a cooking surface can be as high as 500 degrees Fahrenheit or more if the plate is directly placed on a charcoal grill.

In addition, check if there is an issue with the welding or joints for durability.


4. Movability

Some griddles have some sort of wheels for mobility. Drop-in griddles have trolleys where the flat top cooking surface drops into. The trolleys can also have brackets to accommodate a propane tank and shelves which serves as storage or extra work areas.

When deciding on the best outdoor griddle, check the quality of the wheels. If your grill has a large cooking surface, strong wheels will allow easy transportation from one place to the other.

Another option to consider is a tabletop griddle that only needs a flat surface to sit on. Portable outdoor griddles will come in a tabletop design. Ensure they are kept leveled so that the grease won’t accumulate on one end.


5. Ease of Cleaning

best outdoor griddle for camping

Griddles are easier to clean than traditional grates, as they have fewer corners for food residue to hide. However, griddles do retain grease as there are no grates for it to slip through.

Therefore, griddles with no efficient grease management system are not the best choice. A grease pan, for instance, will ensure your food is cooked perfectly while allowing for easy cleaning after use.

A grease channel is a system that allows you to easily direct the excess grease using your spatula as you cook. You don’t want your cooked food swimming in a pool of grease.

On well-designed models, cleaning will be effortless, as well as emptying the grease collector. With just a swipe of a sponge, grease will be cleared off the cooking surface getting the job done.

FAQs

Which is better: outdoor griddle or grill?

best outdoor griddle 2021

When choosing between a griddle and a grill, we would have to give the advantage to griddles. Since their surface is flat, it will deliver even heat to all the produce.

Most of the griddles are pre-seasoned with vegetable oil, so none of the foods stick to it. This is extremely convenient when you are cooking lean meat that can’t rely on fatty parts.

Overall, a griddle will deliver more flavor whether you are cooking meat or veggies.


Is a Blackstone griddle worth it?

Yes! Blackstone griddle is worth it! Blackstone is the perfect example of how you can pack immaculate power and performance into a tabletop version of a griddle!

What’s best about the Blackstone griddles is their wide selection, so you can indeed find something that fits your alley. Their models are tough, versatile, and have a well-built quality that will last you for a long time.


Can you use an electric griddle outside?

Yes, you can use an electric griddle outside. It’s even better if you do so if you like the meat to be extra-crispy. When cooking outdoors on a griddle, all the smoke is carried by the wind, so it makes less of a mess.

But, you can also use electric griddles indoors; look out for the smoke! Try finding a suitable grill cover so all the heat is trapped inside.


How to season an outdoor griddle?

best outdoor grill and griddle combo

First, you need to allow your griddle to heat up. Once it has reached the perfect temperature, you can sprinkle the oil of your choice on the griddle and smear it over the surface. For the best application, you can use a bundle of paper towels and cover the area.

Once the oil is heated up, you can place the food on the griddle, and you are good to go!


Can you put a griddle on a gas grill?

You can put a griddle on a gas stove. Depending on the measurements of the griddle, you can either place it on one or two gas stoves.

One of the top reasons why many people are opting for a grill is its versatility! You can use them on a gas stove or an electric one. Plus, due to their smooth surface, you can use them to prepare various foods, from meat to veggies, to create the best fried rice!

Conclusion

Searching for the best outdoor griddle is a back-breaking task. However, with this buyer’s guide and review of the best products on the market, we hope we have simplified the process. The products are carefully selected, so you are getting the best recommendations.
 
Our top-rated outdoor griddle is the Blackstone 28 inch Griddle. This stylish griddle offers plenty of space and power, and you can use it for significant events or parties. The griddle also features a design that makes it portable.

We love to hear your experiences or questions. Please use the comment box below. Happy grilling!

Blackstone Flat Top Gas Grill Griddle 2 Burner Propane Fuelled Rear Grease Management System, 1517,...*
  • RESTAURANT STYLE COOKING - With 470sq inches of flat top grilling, This griddle is perfect for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Cook eggs, pancakes, Quesadillas, grilled cheese, steak, Potatoes,...
  • REPLACE YOUR STANDARD GRILL - Replace your grill or BBQ with a Blackstone griddle and never look back! This grill is simple to use and easy to assemble, so you'll be cooking in no time. Eliminate the...
  • TRANSPORT WITH EASE - Easily wheel Around your yard or transport from your backyard to the campsite thanks to the removable griddle top, fold up legs and four industrial strength caster wheels. Built...
  • SATISFACTION GUARANTEE - If you are not completely satisfied at any point please feel free to contact Blackstone directly or return the product. Blackstone is a leader in the outdoor cooking category...

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