Outdoor griddles are becoming increasingly popular as a great way to cook food, in your backyard or when you're tailgating or away camping. This makes sense as an outdoor griddle is perfect for cooking up large quantities of many varieties of delicious food quickly and easily, and they're easy to clean and store away when not in use too.
There are a lot of outdoor griddles on the market, so how do you know which one is right for you?
We've done the research for the best outdoor griddle and have compiled a list of the top 5. Our top 5 are all different sizes and have different features to ensure all bases are covered, and they all use a propane tank (sold separately) to power them.
How We Choose Our Selections
With so many different outdoor griddles on the market, it helps to have some pre-defined criteria set out before looking in detail at the options.
We started by considering hundreds of Amazon reviews from a large number of griddles to come up with a medium-sized list. We then assessed them against the following criteria to identify our top 5 picks.
Durability
When it comes to choosing a griddle, durability is key. You want something that will last season after season of outdoor cooking without rusting out quickly or breaking down.
Our top 5 picks are all made with high-quality materials which are designed to withstand the elements and also for cooking at high temperatures.
Heat Distribution & Retention
The best outdoor griddles have even heat distribution throughout the griddle surface area so that food cooks evenly no matter where you place it on the cooking surface.
Additionally, outdoor griddles should retain and maintain heat well, which comes down to the fuel source and the materials the griddle is made from.
Size & Portability
Size and portability are important factors when selecting an outdoor griddle—especially if you plan on taking your griddle camping or tailgating, or if you need to store it in a smaller space.
Smaller portable models allow you to have all the convenience of a full-size model but with much less space requirement and weight, making them easier to transport from place to place when needed.
On the other hand, if you plan on cooking large meals regularly, then opting for a larger model with more surface area so that everyone can get fed in one go makes sense.
Cleanup & Maintenance
Lastly, cleanup and maintenance of a flat top grill are important considerations when choosing your outdoor griddle selection as well. As part of pulling our top 5 list together, we considered grease management and griddle materials including their surfaces. We also considered the unit's moving parts and components for ease of maintenance.
Best Professional Restaurant-Grade Griddle
Blackstone 4 Burner 36" Outdoor Griddle Station
Why We Love It
The Blackstone 36" Cooking Station is the perfect outdoor station that essentially extends your kitchen to the outside.
We love a lot about this unit, including its four-zone heating control managed by its four burners with a total of 60,000 BTUs (British Thermal Units, which is a measure of heat output). This means you can cook different types of food at different temperatures, and once you get good at it you'll be able to time it so everything is ready at the same time!
We also love the little extras that come with this unit, such as a built-in cutting board that is removable, a paper towel holder, trash bag hooks, a battery-powered electric ignition system, 4 heavy-duty castor wheels, two shelves, legs that can fold, and the list can go on.
What You Need to Know
The Blackstone 36" Cooking Station allows you to enjoy restaurant-style cooking right at home; where you can prepare delicious breakfasts, lunches, and dinners like eggs, quesadillas, pancakes, grilled cheese, burgers, steak or other meats, Japanese Teppanyaki style food, just to name a few.
The unit boasts a cold rolled steel cooking surface of 720 square inches, and the unit's body is constructed with a black powder-coated steel finish and is easily moved around, even when the unit is hot, by its heat-resistant handle.
The unit weighs 134 pounds, so is heavy, and its dimensions are: 66.52" D x 27.6" W x 35.43" H.
Blackstone believes this unit makes for replacing a typical gas grill which is a pretty bold claim as they do serve slightly different functions, but they just might nearly be right - and if a decent outdoor griddle is what you're after then the Blackstone 36" Cooking Station must surely make it to your shortlist of options!
Why We Love It
For those looking for a large high-quality outdoor cooking option, the Royal Gourmet Outdoor Griddle could be a perfect choice!
We love that this Royal Gourmet unit has a cooking surface of 36.22" L x 21.65" W, totaling 784 square inches of grilling on its 4.5 mm thick griddle plate.
We also love that the griddle has four independently controlled stainless-steel burners that produce 52,000 BTUs (13,000 BTUs per burner) enabling a wide temperature range to cook with across multiple zones.
With the unit's side tables, there is also plenty of room for food prep and holding condiments too.
What You Need to Know
The 36" Royal Gourmet Outdoor Griddle - with its black powder-coated finish adds an eye-appealing design element making it the perfect outdoor cooker for any chef!
Built with high-quality materials, including powder-coated steel legs and a stainless-steel control panel, an enhanced electronic ignition system, this well-appointed griddle will last you for many outdoor seasons.
Additionally, this unit comes with lockable heavy-duty casters for each leg and as you'd expect, a detachable grease cup for easy clean-up.
This unit weighs 114.4 pounds and its dimensions are: 61.02" D x 23.62" W x 37.6" H.
With its large size and features, the Royal Gourmet Outdoor Griddle provides everything you need to make great meals outdoors!
Why We Love It
The Blackstone 28" Two-Burner Outdoor Griddle Station is designed to bring restaurant-style cooking right into your own backyard.
We love that Blackstone provides a quality two-burner grill with 470 square inches of cooking surface that can handle all types of food, from eggs and pancakes for breakfast to steak and potatoes for dinner, teppanyaki style meals, and a whole lot of other foods too.
We also love that like the bigger 36" 4-burner Blackstone, this unit comes with a built-in cutting board and a garbage holder too, as it just helps make food prep, cooking, and clean-up that much more convenient.
What You Need to Know
This Blackstone 28" Two-Burner Outdoor Griddle Station ensures that outdoor grilling has never been easier, with just a simple push of a button with the electronic ignition you'll get things going easily.
This unit looks good in black and is constructed with a powder-coated steel frame and a cold rolled steel cooking surface for grilling on.
As with any grill, we do recommend you consider the lid and cover combo to ensure you maximize the longevity of your new griddle!
The unit's dimensions are 44.5" D x 19.5" W x 33.5" H.
Whether you are hosting a barbecue, tailgating, or simply looking for an easy way to cook outside, the Blackstone 28" Two-Burner Outdoor Griddle Station is a really good option to showcase your cooking talent!
Why We Love It
The Cuisinart Flat Two-Burner outdoor gas griddle is ideal for those ambitious home chefs who have big plans in the outdoor kitchen!
We love that this 28" unit has only two burners, however, it sufficiently heats a 644 square-inch cooking space.
We also love the convenient design where the unit conveniently folds up for ease of storage and transportation, and with it only weighing 50 pounds it's a great camping or tailgating unit as it's reasonably portable for its size.
What You Need to Know
The Cuisinart Flat Two-Burner outdoor gas griddle is great for cooking for a medium-sized family reunion or party.
This unit comes with a dual grease management system where there are two easy-to-access cups at the front of the unit for easy clean-up - just simply guide the grease to the two cups when it's time to clean the unit.
The two burners provide 30,000 BTUs of heat output and a temperature range of 200° F to 450° F.
The cooktop has been crafted with cold-rolled steel and has two wheels and a handle on the back of the unit, for ease of transportation.
When fully opened up the unit's dimensions are 42" W x 31.5" H.
With all these benefits in one relatively low-cost package, this Cuisinart product may be your best option, depending on what you are looking for!
Why We Love It
The PIT BOSS Two-Burner Tabletop Griddle is the perfect choice for tailgating events and camping.
We love that this portable griddle only weighs 24 pounds (a little over 10 kgs) and is of a size that makes it very portable, so you can use it at home, or when you're away, and unlike many units on the market it comes standard with a cover.
We also love that this Pit Boss unit produces 1000 watts of power and has a cooking surface of 289 square inches which is generous for a tabletop griddle.
What You Need to Know
The Pit Boss Two Burner Portable Flat Top Griddle is the solution for your outdoor cooking needs.
Featuring two independently controlled stainless steel burners that produce 9,000 BTUs each, you'll be able to whip up anything from pancakes to burgers with ease, regardless of where you are.
The griddle's surface is 3mm thick and comes pre-seasoned with organic oil for a smooth, consistent cooking experience right from the start, and the unit's push-and-turn ignition is reliable and will get you grilling right away.
Its black powder-coated steel frame comes complete with adjustable non-skid feet to ensure stable placement on any surface.
And with Pit Boss' two-year limited warranty, you'll have peace of mind that your griddle has you covered all around.
The dimensions of this unit are: 17.32" D x 27.8" W x 10.83" H.
So, if it's portable griddling that you're looking to do or you simply want a smaller unit for your backyard griddling that you can stow away afterwards, then you surely have to consider this Pit Boss unit as your top contender!
FAQs for Best Outdoor Griddle
We've compiled a list below of frequently asked questions that people ask about outdoor griddles, to assist you to make an informed decision before making your best outdoor griddle purchase.
What are the advantages of cooking on an outdoor griddle?
There are several advantages to cooking with an outdoor griddle.
Firstly, an outdoor griddle offers even heat distribution, so your food cooks evenly. This is especially important when cooking delicate items like fish or eggs.
An outdoor griddle also provides a large cooking surface, which is perfect for feeding a large crowd. And because the griddle is outdoors, you don't have to worry about smoke and fumes filling up your kitchen.
Finally, outdoor gas griddles retain flavors and can also achieve crispy food too, depending on what's being cooked and how. Due to a griddle's flat top, flavor and juices do not drip away through the grill grate but rather they provide extra flavor to your food as it's cooked.
Does having a griddle mean I don't need a traditional grill with standard grill grates?
It all depends on the type of food that you typically prefer to cook outside. Many people are fine with solely griddling their outdoor made meals, however, other people like grills or smoker machines too, so a griddle is an additional unit rather than a replacement for a grill.
What can be cooked on a griddle?
One of the benefits of flat top grills is the versatility of what can be cooked on it. Some of our favorites include stir-fries, grilled cheese sandwiches, pancakes, waffles, bacon and eggs, hamburgers, seafood, veggies, and meat such as chicken breasts and steaks. There are a lot more foods that go particularly well on a griddle too, so you can let your imagination loose.
Are outdoor griddles worth it?
If you're going to use an outdoor griddle reasonably frequently, then we believe that yes, investing in an outdoor griddle is absolutely worth it!
However, if you would only use an outdoor griddle once in a while then it might not be the best way to spend your money (or take up backyard real estate).
Which griddle brand is best?
There are a lot of different griddle options on the market, however, the brands we have as part of our best outdoor griddle reviewed for you include the ever-popular Blackstone, Pit Boss, Cuisinart, and Royal Gourmet - which are all really good brands that you can trust.
All of these brands in our top 5 make units with great features, and from high-quality materials, so assuming you keep them maintained and dry when not in use, they should last for a long time.
There are a number of other brands on the market however their Amazon reviews by purchasers like you did not rate them as highly as the ones we have included in our top 5 picks.
Do griddles rust easily?
Like any style of grill, griddles should not rust for a long time if they are looked after properly. The griddle itself is inherently oiled up quite well due to juices and fats from cooking, however as with a standard grill, we recommend you clean and oil the griddle after each use.
We also recommend you ensure the unit is dry and covered when not in use.
What does BTU mean?
BTU stands for British Unit Standard, and it's a measure of heat output. Basically, the higher the BTU output of a burner, the higher the heat that the burner produces.
To Sum Up
Having read hundreds of reviews on Amazon from verified customers and assessing a large number of units on the market against our pre-set criteria, we were able to you the best outdoor gas griddle reviewed for you: our top 5 picks. The five products that made our list are all quality units that will enable you to griddle like an expert in no time at all.
We trust our review will assist you with making your purchasing decision today.
Thanks for reading!
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