Outdoor griddles have become a commonly opted cooking option in the present day. With grills being manufactured using primitive brick, clay, and stone, the past griddles have been replaced by griddles made from aluminum or stainless steel.
Outdoor griddles are a great option when it comes to enjoying flavorful food. Since an outdoor griddle has a flat surface area, you will need to direct more attention to your food when cooking. Almost every griddle is made using stainless steel or ceramic and therefore, can easily accommodate different types of gas grills.
In addition, an outdoor griddle is easy to clean as well as move around. These griddles offer you a large cooking surface area and well-established stainless steel burners. You are also provided with a drip tray that collects any excessive grease.
Quick Overview Of Best Outdoor Griddles
Best Overall: Blackstone Tabletop Griddle
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Best Budget: Lodge Cast Iron Reversible Grill/Griddle
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Best Value: Royal Gourmet Table Top Griddle
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Best Adjustable: Camp Chef Flat Top Grill/ Griddle
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Best Large Portable: Country Smokers Portable Griddle
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Best Upgrade: Blackstone Outdoor Griddle
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Most Versatile: Cuisinart Gourmet Gas Griddle
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Best Steel: Camp Chef Professional Fry Griddle
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Best Portable: PIT BOSS Portable Gas Griddle
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Contents
The 9 Best Outdoor Griddles In 2022
Best Overall: Blackstone Tabletop Griddle
Measuring 22.5 x 19 x 9 inches and weighing just 32 pounds, this lightweight griddle can easily be transported from one kitchen to another or taken on the go for outdoor cooking. What’s more, it is powered by two high-quality “H” style burners that provide even and consistent heat distribution, ensuring superb results every time you use it. Whether you’re cooking eggs for breakfast, sausages for lunch, or burgers and steaks for dinner, it is sure to get the job done!
With its spacious 339-square-inch cooking surface and powerful 24000 BTU burners, this griddle is perfectly equipped to handle all your culinary needs. Its thick stainless steel construction ensures even heat distribution across the cooking surface and retains heat well when not in use, while easy-to-use controls allow you to adjust the temperature as needed.
It features an innovative grease management system that ensures hassle-free cooking. This system allows fat and grease to drain away from the food, preventing it from sticking or burning. The griddle also features a non-stick surface that is easy to clean.
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Best Budget: Lodge Cast Iron Reversible Grill/Griddle
It has dimensions of 20 x 10.5 x 0.81 inches and weighs 13.5 pounds. This makes it a great size for both grilling and griddling. The smooth side is perfect for cooking eggs, pancakes, and grilled cheese sandwiches. It can be used on all cooking surfaces, grills, and campfires.
The reversible design means that it can be used as a grill or a griddle, and the cast iron construction ensures even heat distribution. The grill/griddle is also oven safe, so it can be used for a variety of recipes. The ridged side is ideal for searing meats and vegetables. It comes pre-seasoned with vegetable oil, so it’s ready to use right out of the box.
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Best Value: Royal Gourmet Table Top Griddle
It is a great choice for those who want a small, lightweight griddle that is easy to store and transport. The dimensions of the griddle are 23.2 x 17 x 8.7 inches, and it weighs just 16 ounces. The porcelain-enameled cooking surface provides 221 square inches of space, making it large enough to cook eight patties at once.
The unit is also portable and easy to store, thanks to its sturdy feet for enhanced stability. Plus, the tabletop grill comes with a matching cover to protect the cooking surface from the elements.
The 12,000-BTU rectangle-shaped burner ensures that heat is transferred to the griddle surface quickly and evenly. The removable, slide-out stainless steel grease tray collects any oil residue. The built-in ignition system makes it easy to light the burner, and the adjustable temperature control knobs allow you to customize the cooking temperature.
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Best Adjustable: Camp Chef Flat Top Grill/ Griddle
It includes 37″D x 62.5″W x 22″H dimensions and 139.65 pounds weight. It also has two foldable side shelves that provide extra prep space. The four 12,000 BTUs/Hr. stainless steel burners provide plenty of heat for cooking, and the matchless ignition system makes it easy to light.
It offers an incredible 604 square inches of cooking surface, making it perfect for large gatherings. The adjustable leg levers make it easy to level the grill/griddle, making it stable on any surface.
The grease management system helps to keep the grill clean, and the micro adjust griddle levelers make it easy to get a consistent cook. The included grease tray, catch bucket, and griddle cover makes it easy to keep the grill clean and protected from the elements.
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Best Large Portable: Country Smokers Portable Griddle
With dimensions of 42.2 x 21 x 31.2 inches and a weight of 48.4 pounds, this griddle offers plenty of cooking space – 597 square inches to be exact. Made from durable stainless steel, it is built to withstand the elements and will last for years. The griddle is also pre-seasoned with organic plant-based oil, so it is ready to use right out of the box.
The griddle features a collapsible leg design that makes it easy to store and transport. It is also portable and lightweight, making it easy to take with you on your next camping trip. It includes two foam-covered handles for easy grip and transportation, and the protective burner covers help to maintain heat.
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Best Upgrade: Blackstone Outdoor Griddle
It has 44.5 x 19.5 x 33.5 inches dimensions and 20 pounds weight. It is made of heavy-duty cold-rolled steel for durability and easy cleanup. The grill has two burners that allow you to control the temperature independently. It features a large 470 square inches cooking surface that provides plenty of room for multiple burgers or steaks.
It is simple to use and easy to assemble. It includes an easy start and battery-powered push-button ignition that makes it quick and easy to get started cooking.
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Most Versatile: Cuisinart Gourmet Gas Griddle
The dimensions of the griddle are 21 x 20.5 x 9 inches, and it only weighs 30 lbs. The 285 square inches cold-rolled steel cooking surface offers plenty of space for large items like steaks and burgers, and the two stainless steel burners combine to produce 20,000 BTUs of power. The twist-to-start ignition makes it easy to get the griddle started, and the temperature gauge lets you know when the griddle is heated to the perfect temperature.
The built-in hose makes it easy to connect to a 20 lb LP tank, so you can cook for longer periods of time without having to worry about running out of gas. It requires no assembly and can be set up and ready for grilling in under 10 minutes.
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Best Steel: Camp Chef Professional Fry Griddle
With dimensions of 32 x 15 x 1-inches, it is large enough to accommodate multiple items but compact enough to be portable for camping trips or tailgating parties. It is also weight-efficient, at just 33.2 pounds, making it easy to transport and set up. The carry handle makes it easy to transport the griddle to the table.
This griddle features a large cooking area that is perfect for handling multiple dishes at once. The Heavy-duty steel construction ensures that this griddle will last for years, while the heat diffuser plates help to distribute heat evenly across the entire surface. This prevents hot spots and ensures that your food will be cooked evenly. It also features a grease management system, with an overflow channel and a catch pan that makes cleanup a breeze.
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Best Portable: PIT BOSS Portable Gas Griddle
It has a large cooking surface measuring 19.7 x 32.7 inches, making it perfect for entertaining guests. The griddle also has a weight of only 50 pounds, making it durable and sturdy. It is made from 3.5mm thick pre-seasoned steel, providing an even cook every time. It also features a 320.76 sq. in. cooking area, making it large enough to accommodate multiple burgers or steaks.
It offers 18,000-BTU stainless steel burners and locking covers, as well as an easily portable design. The steel frame and legs provide durability and stability. It also features a grease management system that keeps the cooking surface clean and safe.
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Types of Outdoor Griddles
There are a wide variety of outdoor griddles available in the consumer market. Depending on your needs, you can opt for any one of them. You can choose from a gas griddle, stovetop griddle, griddle combo, electric griddle, and panini griddle.
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Gas Griddles
An outdoor gas griddle is a feasible option for you if you are looking for a versatile cooking device. You can use your gas griddle for preparing your breakfast. Whether you want to prepare Hibachi for a large number of people or gourmet sandwiches or the well-known smash burgers, a gas griddle is your go-to cooking tool. A gas griddle is a highly portable option given you have a sufficient stock of gas. Make sure that you opt for a gas grill that assures long burner warranties as well as good grates. Your griddle should also have an electronic ignition system.
Almost every gas griddle is equipped with burners, grates, igniter, tool hooks, grease trays, storage and side shelves, and gas grill side burners. If you opt
for a luxury model, the added features that you will enjoy include integrated rotisseries, view windows, heat zone separators, and longer warranty periods.
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Stovetop Griddles
If you plan on cooking a large amount of food at one time, a stovetop griddle is a viable option for you. You can choose from a wide range of shapes, sizes, and materials. Stove Top griddles are one of the most well-established griddles in the consumer market. Non-stick and cast iron are the two types of stovetop griddles found almost everywhere.
Since a stove top ensures an increased concentration of heat, you can use the entire surface area for cooking. The only demerit of a stovetop griddle is that it has only two burners. As a result, your food will be prepared at a slower pace as compared to when you are using the other grills.
Since the exposed surface area is comparatively larger, a large proportion of the heat escapes during the cooking process, causing the process to take longer. A stovetop griddle has a flat surface. Therefore, there are some food items that you can prepare on a flat surface and some others which you can’t. Cleaning a stovetop griddle is an easy task. You just need to run hot water through it while scraping off any residual food with the help of a spatula. Make sure you don’t use a large amount of soap because it can lead to rusting. Instead, you can make use of a cloth that is dipped in olive oil to clean your griddle after every use.
You can use your stovetop griddle to prepare food items such as pancakes, eggs, meat, vegetables, fish, and sandwiches. You can cook all the food items which cook slowly. Since heat spreads from the center to the sides, you should position your slowest-cooking food at the center of your griddle so that it gets cooked at a faster pace.
Thus, a stovetop griddle offers merits such as ease of cleaning, non-stick surfaces, and ease of handling. On the other hand, your griddle is prone to rust if not looked after. In addition, food may fall from the cooking area.
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Griddle Combos
A griddle combo refers to a combination of a griddle and a cooking grate that features an easy cooking experience. You can prepare steak, bacon, pancakes, vegetables, and a lot more using a griddle combo. Since a griddle combo is a two-in-one device, you would be saving on costs. Griddle combos ensure that you can prepare separate meals at the same time. Therefore, you are not only saving your money but also your time if you are using a griddle combo.
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Electric Griddles
An electric griddle is a feasible option for both indoor and outdoor cooking as long as you have a power outlet. Since these griddles are non-stick, you require little to no oil when preparing food on them. These griddles self-regulate and heat up at a faster pace. With a large surface area, an electric griddle allows you to cook for a large number of people at once. You can prepare many dishes, including bacon, sandwiches, eggs, steaks, veggies, and so on.
The uniform distribution of heat on an electric griddle ensures evenly cooked meals with no hotspots.
You won’t be worried about cluttering your floor and countertop when you use an electric griddle. This griddle is equipped with adjustable heat settings. It is easy to cook on an electric griddle as it offers a large cooking surface area. However, the cord of your electric griddle might be short. The small-sized grease trays are slightly difficult to clean. Thus, just like any other griddle, the electric griddle has its respective set of merits and demerits to offer. -
Panini Griddles
A panini griddle is a variation of an electric griddle that comes with two cooking surfaces. The electric element of a panini griddle performs the functioning of heating both plates. A panini griddle is usually used to grill meat or press sandwiches or prepare hash browns etc. Using a panini griddle eliminates the need to flip your food because it has two cooking plates.
Things To Consider Before Buying Outdoor Griddles
In the section that follows, we’ll discuss the factors which need to be taken into consideration before you purchase an outdoor griddle.
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Griddle Size
size of the griddle is a vital factor to take into consideration. You should opt for a small or mid-sized griddle if you plan on cooking for yourself or a handful of people. On the other hand, if you wish to cook for a large number of people, you should opt for a large-sized griddle. Usually, a small or mid-sized grill measures 200 to 300 square inches while a large-sized grill approximates 750 square inches.
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Material
When you are purchasing a griddle, it is extremely important to consider the material that it is made from. One of the most well-recommended options is stainless steel. The primary benefit of opting for rolled steel or stainless steel is that they won’t corrode or rust which is necessary for outdoor use. You can even opt for cast iron. Cast iron cookware is a durable one that gets seasoned with every use and therefore, adds flavor to your food. However, if you opt for cast iron, you will have to provide it with extra care to avoid any rust formation.
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Number of Burners
A grill should have a sufficient number of burners to ensure that food is heated evenly and properly. A small tabletop griddle will have either one or two burners. In contrast, if you opt for a large freestanding model, you will be assured of three to four burners.
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Portability
Griddles are often a commonly opted option for campground, tailgating events, or park cookouts. Keeping this in mind, many griddles are designed considering the portability factor. A portable griddle will either consist of a freestanding gas griddle which has foldable legs or a tabletop model which is lightweight and compact.
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Ease of Use
A gas griddle has features identical to a gas range or gas grill. The round knobs enable users to adjust the flame height with ease. Every burner is equipped with a round knob. Thus, the multi-burner design enables the chef to experiment with varied cooking zones on the surface of the griddle. Almost every griddle also comes with piezo or electronic ignitions to create a spark for igniting your griddle. Thus, it eliminates the need to use a lighter or a match.
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Design
Apart from a large cooking surface area, almost every griddle offers complementary features. These are usually aimed at easy cooking or transportation. The storage features offered by a typical grill would include shelving to position the grill plates, tools, and spices below the griddle. Almost every stand-alone griddle will have a side table which will offer added space to the chef for preparing the food items before they go on the griddle.
A griddle usually lacks open slats for cooking oil and meat juices to drain off. Instead, they tend to have drain holes in the cooking area which connect to a removable drip tray for collecting grease. Since griddles are often used for camping or tailgating trips, most of them are equipped with design features that ensure their easy portability. One such feature is the provision of foldable legs so that you can easily pack your griddle.
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Maintenance
You ought to clean your griddle to make sure the food is cooked evenly and doesn’t stick to the surface. Use a metal spatula, scouring pad, or scraper to clean your grill. Pour water on your griddle when it is still hot to get rid of any stuck food.
Usually, stainless steel, cast iron, and rolled steel are the most convenient options to clean. If your griddle, however, has a non-stick surface, you need to take extra care to avoid scratching.
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Temperature Control
Most grills offer digital temperature control mechanisms. You can even control the height of the flame using the door knobs found in some gas griddles. In addition, many grills come with a multi-burner design which allows you to enjoy varied cooking surfaces.
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Surface Area
The surface area you require will depend upon the number of people that you are catering to. You can opt for a small or mid-sized grill if you need a smaller cooking surface area. Or you can opt for a large-sized grill if you wish to host parties or other family functions.
FAQs
Yes, you are free to leave your flat-top griddle outdoors. In fact, many people choose to keep their griddle outdoors because of limited indoor space. However, you should protect your grill from any harsh weather conditions to ensure its useful life.
The primary difference between a grill and a griddle is that while a griddle offers a flat and smooth cooking surface, a grill consists of a line of slated grates that are scattered approximately an inch away from the source of heat.
To prevent the formation of rust on our griddle, you can brush a thin layer of natural oil on its surface. Use a durable canvas cover to shield your grill from rain and other harsh weather conditions when it is not in use. You can even store your griddle in the shed or garage to protect it from rust.
A stainless steel griddle won’t rust the way a traditional steel griddle does. However, if you see anything on its surface that resembles rust, it is due to the accumulation of iron particles on the surface.
