The Best Outdoor Griddles of 2026, According to Our Tests

An outdoor griddle is one of the most versatile appliances a home chef can own. Just like a gas or charcoal grill, a griddle is capable of cooking many foods alfresco, including burgers, steaks, and chicken. But it can also handle some foods you could never cook on a standard grill, like bacon, eggs, pancakes, stir-fry, or fajitas. 

An outdoor flat top grill consists of a broad, flat cooking surface made of rolled steel, cast iron, or stainless steel. The cooking surface is heated with gas burners powered by a propane tank. They come as large stand-alone models, small tabletop units, or even plates that can cook on an existing grill. 

In an effort to find the best outdoor griddles, we put seven models from some of the most highly respected brands in the business to the test. After cooking smash burgers, fajitas, bacon, eggs, and pancakes, we found the Blackstone Iron Forged 36-inch griddle to be the best of the bunch. Ahead, we break down our findings while offering some tips for what to look for when shopping for one of these outdoor appliances. 

1. BEST OVERALL: Blackstone Omnivore 36-Inch Griddle with Hood
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2. BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: Pit Boss 2-Burner Ultimate Lift-Off Griddle
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3. BEST UPGRADE: Traeger Flatrock 3-Zone Propane Griddle
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4. BEST PORTABLE: Royal Gourmet PD1301S 24-Inch 3-Burner Gas Grill
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5. BEST BUILD QUALITY: Weber Slate 30-Inch Rust-Resistant Griddle
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6. BEST LARGE: Camp Chef Gridiron 36 Flat Top 4-Burner Griddle
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7. BEST TABLETOP: Weber Slate 22-Inch Rust-Resistant Tabletop Griddle
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Best Outdoor Griddles at a Glance

Our Top Picks

We’ve chosen griddles in a variety of types and sizes, with larger models that are capable of cooking for a large family gathering as well as smaller options suitable for camping trips. Check out the picks below that we tested ourselves and find the best outdoor griddle for your needs.

Our Ratings

Blackstone is generally regarded as the brand when it comes to outdoor flat top griddles, largely due to its rolled steel cooking surface. The durable nonstick surface of the 36-inch Iron Forged is a dream to cook on, but you’ll have to work for it, as Blackstone griddles don’t come pre-seasoned. We had to go through a roughly hour-long process of seasoning the grill, which involves putting about half a dozen thin layers of oil over the surface at super high heat, in a process called polymerization. 

After seasoning our test model, we started with foods that are notorious for sticking, including fried eggs, bacon, and pancakes, all of which came easily off the surface. We then raised the heat to grill smash burgers. With its four 15,000 BTU burners, we hit cooking surface temps well over 500 degrees Fahrenheit, which allowed us to achieve the Maillard effect to get that crunchy crust that’s so crucial for good smash burgers. 

Heat control is exceptional with the Blackstone, allowing a range of temperatures from the low 300s to the upper 500s with very little variance across the entire cooking surface with all burners set to equal levels. 

The Iron Forged also gives you ample prep space with two large side tables, including one that has a slide-out drawer that doubles its size. While the griddle is large, the side tables fold down, making it more compact for storage. 

While the Blackstone is well-made, construction tolerances weren’t quite as tight as I would have liked. The cabinet doors didn’t line up perfectly and wouldn’t close cleanly after assembly. 

“Four powerful burners and a premium rolled steel cooking surface are why Blackstone beats out the competition with its 36-inch griddle.”—Tony Carrick, Product Reviews tester and writer

Get the Blackstone Iron Forged 36-inch griddle at Ace Hardware.

Our Ratings

Pit Boss’s take on the flat top griddle is compact and affordably priced, with a user-friendly cooking surface. With its fold-down tables it breaks down to less than 4 feet wide, making it easier to use in tighter outdoor living spaces, albeit with a smaller 421-square inch surface and two burners. It’s portable too. The top lifts easily from the base, making it possible to take the Pit Boss on the road for camping or tailgating as a tabletop griddle. 

The Pit Boss does not use the traditional rolled steel cooking surface, instead opting for a ceramic nonstick surface. While grilling purists won’t like this, it’s a user-friendly design for those who don’t want to be bothered with seasoning and maintaining a rolled steel griddle surface. We cooked eggs and bacon on the Pit Boss and found the surface to offer the least sticking of any surface we tested, and it was easier to clean. That said, there is some question as to just how long that nonstick coating will last, as some user reviews reported peeling after a year or so of use. 

The Pit Boss build quality was a bit mixed. We liked this griddle’s large rear wheels, which made it easier to maneuver over gravel and grass. The electric ignition switch is also a nice feature over finicky piezo lighters on other flat tops. The Pit Boss is made from thinner sheet metal, which made the side tables less sturdy, slightly warped, and harder to fold up and down. The hinges on our griddle and the lid were also stiff, making the lid lift hard to raise and lower. 

Get the Pit Boss 2-burner griddle at Amazon, Lowe’s, or Best Buy.

Our Ratings

We were incredibly impressed with the high-quality Flatrock, a three-zone griddle that excelled in our testing. We did a side-by-side comparison in Ace Hardware and found that the Flatrock outdoor flat-top grill was sturdier than other top-name griddles. It provides an impressive 594 square inches of cooking surface, but what really stood out was its three-zone capability, as this allowed us to heat just one or two zones to avoid wasting propane. 

Seeing as we live on a mountain where it’s frequently breezy, one of our favorite features was FlameBlock, Flatrock’s wind-blocking feature; it kept the wind from blowing out the cooking flame. We also liked the griddle’s propane indicator, which told us when the propane level was getting low. 

One thing to note: While this is a propane griddle, the ignitor is electric and requires access to an outlet. 

Get the Traeger outdoor griddle at Ace Hardware, The Home Depot, or Best Buy.

Our Ratings

Few tabletop flat-top griddles offer the versatility that Royal Gourmet’s 24-inch gas-powered model does. Out of the box, it comes nearly fully assembled, save for the feet, which we had to screw into the bottom. Unfortunately, our test model got dented during shipping, but that cosmetic issue didn’t impact the grill’s functionality. 

Though piezo ignition can take multiple button pushes to light, this grill started up fairly easily. But the ceramic-coated cooktop, as opposed to rolled steel, produced mixed results. While it’s low maintenance, as it requires no seasoning, the coating did not prove to be as nonstick as we hoped. It cooked food well enough with minimal sticking, but the bacon grease left a stubborn residue that clung to the surface despite our best efforts to scrub it off. This was particularly disappointing considering that easy cleaning is supposed to be a prime asset of a flat-top grill.

We appreciated the three burners, which, combined with its nearly 319 square inches of cooking surface, enabled preparing multiple types of foods at once: a few strips of bacon, several pancakes, and a couple of fried eggs in our test, which is impressive for a tabletop flat-top grill. This camping griddle also reached high enough heat with its 25,500 BTU output to sear burgers. These qualities, coupled with an affordable price, help to outweigh the shortcomings of its cooking surface. 

Get the Royal Gourmet outdoor griddle at Amazon or The Home Depot.

Our Ratings

Weber’s Slate griddle offers a broad, low-maintenance cooking surface. Its top is pre-seasoned (hence eliminating the need to go through an hour-long seasoning process). Plus, it has a rust-resistant coating, so it’s easier to maintain than most rolled steel griddles. As expected, the Weber’s build quality is a notch or two above other brands. Weber uses a heavier gauge sheet metal and tight tolerances, giving it a solid feel. 

We expect high performance from Weber products, and the slate didn’t disappoint. The Weber Slate, like the brand’s line of gas grills, gets super hot quickly, getting the surface up to well above 400 degrees in just a few minutes. Despite that tremendous heat output, we were able to reign in the temperature to cook pancakes, bacon, and a few fried eggs without burning them.

The pre-seasoned nonstick griddle surface works well. We didn’t have problems with eggs or pancakes sticking, nor did we encounter the dreaded sticky bacon residue we’ve experienced with other griddles. I do wish the Slate had an electric ignition as the piezo ignition it was equipped with wasn’t always reliable. It took us several attempts through multiple cooks to light the burners. 

We appreciated the massive side tables, which offer plenty of useful prep space and storage. Weber also sells kits you can add to the side table that help with prep. Unfortunately, those side tables don’t fold down to save space. At nearly 6 feet wide, you’ll need a large outdoor living space to accommodate this griddle. 

“Weber’s flat top griddle, like its line of gas and charcoal grills, is built to last with heavy gauge steel construction and a durable rust-resistant cooking surface.”—Tony Carrick, Product Reviews tester and writer

Get the Weber Slate 30-inch rust-resistant grill at Ace Hardware or The Home Depot.

Our Ratings

Camp Chef’s large size makes it ideal for cooking a lot of food. While construction takes about 2 hours, we did appreciate the fact that the steel top comes pre-seasoned, so there’s no extended effort to make the surface nonstick. Thanks to its lid and powerful 48,000 BTU output, the griddle heats fast and can reach high sear-level temperatures. 

It features four burners and 634 square inches of cooking surface, which was ideal for cooking fajitas. Using the burners to create different heat zones made cooking each type of protein and vegetables simultaneously an easy process. We were able to create high heat to get a nice sear on our skirt steak, then lower the heat slightly for our chicken thighs, and a third medium heat zone for the veggies. The Camp Chef was also the only griddle we tested to have a leveling mechanism for the cooking surface. This was a great feature for making adjustments to ensure the oil actually ran towards the grease catch. 

The Camp Chef griddle’s large side tables help support that large cooking surface by making room for all the food going on and off. The tables fold down, which helps make this large grill a little more compact when not in use. We do wish there was storage. The Camp Chef griddle doesn’t have a storage shelf. It doesn’t even come with hooks, which are sold separately in the Camp Chef magnetic tool holder accessory pack. 

Get the Camp Chef 36-inch griddle at The Home Depot or BBQ Guys.

Our Ratings

The portable version of Weber’s flat top griddle offers impressive cooking space and performance, if you don’t mind its size and weight. It offers 352 square inches of cooking surface that’s supported by two 8,000 BTU burners. That’s a broad space for a griddle that fits inside a trunk. With the dual burners, we were able to heat it to about 500 degrees Fahrenheit with its lid down in under 10 minutes. We tested the Slate with smash burgers. With its high heat, we seared a nice crust on the outside of the burgers without the patties sticking to the grill surface. As with the full-sized slate, this smaller griddle is made to be low-maintenance. The carbon steel surface comes pre-seasoned, and it’s rust-resistant. Having two heating zones with two separate burners is a rarity for a griddle that fits in your trunk. This makes it possible to set different cooking zones for different types of foods, frying eggs on one side while cooking pancakes on the other. It uses 1-pound gas canisters for fuel. While the Slate is portable, it’s on the larger size of the portable models we’ve seen at about 37 inches wide and 23 inches deep, and weighing just over 53 pounds, it’s better suited for two-person transportation. That said, it also has excellent build quality with thicker metal sheeting and a heavy-duty lid, which is something you want out of a griddle that needs to endure travel. 

Get the Weber Slate 22-inch griddle at Ace Hardware, The Home Depot, or Weber.

How We Tested the Best Outdoor Griddles

We put each of the outdoor griddles we selected through a series of tests to arrive at our lineup of top models. We began our testing by assembling each model, considering how difficult each model was to put together while evaluating the quality of their materials in the process. We then set about using each model to cook foods that are popular for flat top griddles, including burgers, eggs, pancakes, fajitas, and more. 

While cooking, we evaluated the controls to determine how well they could maintain lower temperatures suitable for scrambling eggs while also reaching heats for searing meats. We leaned toward models with multiple heat zones for our outdoor models. In addition, we examined how well each grill’s grease-management system worked, then cleaned them to see if that was a hassle or a snap. 

To select the rest of the products on our list, we looked at three of the most crucial factors for outdoor griddles, including the size of the cooking surface, heat output, and construction. Freestanding griddles with broad cooking surfaces, multiple burners with high BTU output, and rolled steel or stainless steel cooking surfaces ranked highly. Additional features such as side tables, storage shelves, and wheels also factored into our rankings. For tabletop models, we considered portability as well as cooking surface and burner heat output. 

Our Testing Scores

What to Consider When Choosing an Outdoor Griddle

Though the size of a griddle’s cooking surface is an important factor to consider when shopping for an outdoor griddle, other characteristics also matter, including the number of burners, the material of the cooking surface, and portability. Ahead, learn more about these and other attributes of outdoor griddles. 

Types of Outdoor Griddles

Outdoor gas griddles consist of three types—freestanding, tabletop, and plate. Freestanding griddles, like a gas griddle, an outdoor flat-top griddle, a charcoal grill, or even a barbecue with griddle combo, are attached to a frame with legs that elevate the griddle off the ground. This type has gas-powered burners that heat the surface of the griddle. 

Metal plate griddles work with an existing grill. The grill griddle fits on top of a grill and is heated by the grill’s gas or charcoal flame. These griddles for gas grills, which come in different sizes to suit different types of grills, serve as accessories that outdoor cooks can quickly add or remove from the grill surface. 

A tabletop griddle is a small, portable outdoor griddle that sits on top of a table. These models are compact and light enough for one person to carry. They also have limited cooking space and typically have only one or two burners. Tabletop designs are common among electric outdoor griddles as well.

Size and Number of Burners

The size of an outdoor griddle determines how many burgers, grilled cheese sandwiches, hot dogs, or other food items one can cook on it at a time. Small and midsize griddles measure between 200 and 300 square inches, which is enough to prepare a meal for two to four people, while larger griddles can reach up to 750 square inches, enough to cook a meal that can feed eight or more people. 

To heat the surface area, a griddle must have an adequate number of burners. Smaller tabletop griddles have one or two burners, while larger freestanding models might have three or four burners. 

Material

The griddle surface is one of the most important features to consider when shopping for a cooking griddle. A stainless steel surface is one of the best options. Stainless steel and rolled steel are durable and won’t rust or corrode, which is essential for outdoor use. 

Cast iron is also a great option. It’s one of the most durable surfaces and will become more seasoned the more it is used, adding flavor to the food. Cast iron, however, requires more care to prevent it from rusting. Smaller tabletop grills typically have grill surfaces with nonstick coatings. This makes them easier to use but less durable than other materials. 

Design

In addition to offering a broad cooking space, many griddles have additional features for easier cooking or transport. Storage features include shelving below the griddle, ideal for keeping grill tools, plates, spices, and other cooking needs close by. Most stand-alone griddles have side tables that provide the chef with space for prepping the food before it goes on the griddle and a place for food to land when it’s time to come off. A built-in outdoor griddle can also be a great addition to a patio kitchen.

Since griddles lack the open slats that allow meat juices and cooking oil to drain off, they have drain holes on the cooking surface that lead to a removable drip tray to collect grease. Griddles are a popular tool to take on camping trips, have a cookout at a park, or for tailgating; many have design features that make them portable. This includes foldable legs for easy packing or wheels that allow the chef to maneuver them into place on a deck or patio. 

Temperature Control and Ease of Use

Gas griddles feature controls similar to a gas grill or even a gas range. These controls consist of round knobs that allow the user to adjust the height of the flame. Each burner has its own respective control knob (a four-burner griddle will have four control knobs). This multiburner design allows the chef to create different cooking zones on the griddle’s surface. 

To make the griddle easier to use, most models feature electric or piezo ignitions that create a spark to light the griddle, eliminating the need for a match or lighter. 

Maintenance

Cleaning a griddle is an important part of maintaining it and ensuring it cooks food evenly and without causing it to stick. To clean a griddle, first scrape the surface clean with a metal spatula, scraper, or scouring pad, and then wipe it down with a paper towel. Pouring water on the grill while it’s still hot can also help to remove stuck-on food. 

Of the different griddle cook surface types, stainless steel, rolled steel, and cast iron are generally the easiest to clean, and all will withstand harsh scrubbing without scratching. More care needs to be taken with griddles that have nonstick surfaces to avoid scratching and damaging the coating. 

If a grill or griddle will live outside, it’s also a good idea to buy a cover for it to protect it from the elements. 

Portability

Griddles are a popular cooking appliance to take to a campground, park cookout, or tailgating event, so many are designed for portability. Portable models consist of either freestanding gas griddles with legs that fold into the body or tabletop models that are compact and lightweight.

Most portable tabletop griddles weigh 30 pounds or less and are small enough that a single person can lift the unit and carry it to the trunk of a car. Larger gas griddles that weigh 100 pounds or more may not be portable; however, many feature sturdy casters that allow the user to maneuver them around a deck or patio. 

Tips for Seasoning Your Outdoor Griddle

As exciting as it might be to throw a few steaks or burgers on the griddle once it arrives, it’s crucial to season the griddle first to make sure the food doesn’t stick to it and to protect the cooking surface from scratches. 

Start by cleaning the surface with soapy water to eliminate any dirt left over from manufacturing, and then rinse. Next, heat the griddle with nothing on it for about 15 minutes or until the surface begins to brown, then turn it off. Pour cooking oil over the surface of the griddle, then evenly distribute it over the surface with a paper towel. 

Next, turn the heat on high until it blackens and smokes. Allow it to cool and then add several more layers of cooking oil by repeating the process. 

• Clean the griddle surface
• Heat it on high for 15 minutes
• Spread cooking oil over the surface
• Heat until it smokes 
• Repeat the oiling process 2 more times

FAQs 

If you still have questions about which outdoor kitchen griddle to buy or how to cook with a griddle, then read on for answers to these and other commonly asked questions about these outdoor cooking appliances. 

Q. What brand is the best outdoor griddle?

When it comes to outdoor griddles, it’s tough to beat Blackstone. The brand is well known for the quality of its construction, which includes durable rolled-steel or stainless steel cooking surfaces and steel construction in the frames. Blackstone griddles also include powerful burners and thoughtful additional features such as side tables, storage shelves, and wheels. 

Q. What is the best oil to use on an outdoor griddle for cooking?

Canola is the best cooking oil to use on an outdoor griddle. It has a high smoke point of 400 degrees Fahrenheit and won’t leave much taste on the food. 

Q. What can you cook on an outdoor griddle?

You can cook virtually anything on an outdoor griddle that you can cook indoors, including eggs, pancakes, hamburgers, hot dogs, steaks, vegetables, and fish. Gas griddles grill foods much like a cast-iron or stainless steel pan, only with more room. 

Q. What is the best material for an outdoor griddle?

Stainless steel is one of the best materials for an outdoor griddle thanks to its durability, resistance to rust and corrosion, and ease of cleaning. Cast iron is also a great option as it retains heat well and provides even cooking, though it requires regular seasoning to maintain its nonstick surface and prevent rust.

Q. Is a gas or electric griddle better?

A gas griddle is generally better for outdoor use because it heats up quickly, provides consistent high temperatures, and is more portable. An electric griddle is better for indoor use or in areas where open flames are restricted. 

Q. Does an outdoor griddle need to be vented?

No. Unless it’s a gas or propane griddle used in an enclosed area, an outdoor griddle shouldn’t need any kind of specific ventilation system. Just make sure there is enough air circulating around the griddle to prevent the buildup of harmful gases.

Q. How long does a griddle last?

A well-maintained griddle can last anywhere from 10 to 20 years, depending on the quality of the materials and how often it’s used. Regular cleaning, proper seasoning (for cast iron), and protecting it from the elements will help extend its lifespan

Q. How do you maintain a griddle?

To maintain a griddle, clean it thoroughly after each use by scraping off food debris and wiping it down with a damp cloth. Cast-iron griddles can be regularly seasoned with a thin layer of oil to prevent rust and maintain a nonstick surface. Remember to store the griddle in a dry place and protect it from the elements when not in use.

Q. How often should I season my griddle?

You’ll want to season your griddle after every use, especially if it’s cast iron, to maintain its nonstick surface and prevent rust. Stainless steel griddles usually do not require seasoning, but they can occasionally benefit from it. 

Meet the Tester

Tony Carrick is a freelance writer specializing in home improvement, landscaping, technology, home security, and design. Carrick has conducted rigorous product testing on everything from power tools to home security systems to backyard grills. With each review, his goal is to help readers determine whether a product meets their needs and if it is or isn’t worth its price tag. 

 

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