This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see our affiliate policy.
If you’re a grill enthusiast, you’ll know that grilling is never out of season. And even if you already have a grill you love, it might be time to invest in an outdoor griddle. The best outdoor griddles are even more versatile and beginner-friendly than traditional grills, thanks to their flat, smooth cooking surface and lack of open flame. You can even use them for breakfast foods like pancakes and bacon.
For this guide, I teamed up with Meggan, leaning on her expertise in the kitchen, to find the best outdoor griddles you can buy. We started by researching griddles recommended by trustworthy publishers, top retailers, and buyer reviews. Then, we narrowed the list down to the top 5 based on price, durability, and design, including Meggan’s own griddle from Weber.
If you’re looking to take your cooking outdoors, here are the best outdoor griddles to get you started, from a portable tabletop grill to a classic Blackstone.
Table of Contents
Our Top Picks
- What’s in Meggan’s Kitchen: Weber 36-Inch Gas Griddle – $579 at Amazon
- Best Budget Outdoor Griddle: Cuisinart 36-Inch 4-Burner Gas Griddle – $355.96 at Amazon
- Best Large Outdoor Griddle: Blackstone 36-Inch Flat-Top Griddle – $499 at Amazon
- Best Upgrade Outdoor Griddle: Traeger Flatrock 33-Inch Griddle – $899.95 at Home Depot
- Best Tabletop Outdoor Griddle: Blackstone 22-Inch Tabletop Griddle – $145.95 at Amazon
Reviews of The Best Outdoor Griddles
1. What’s in Meggan’s Kitchen: Weber 36-Inch Gas Griddle
Weber is a big name in the grilling world, and Meggan is a proud owner of a Weber gas grill, Weber charcoal grill, and this Weber outdoor griddle, which she uses almost every day! “This Weber model heats up fast and evenly,” she says. “I have the 36-inch size with four burners, and it cooks and cleans up like a dream.”
It has 2 side tables that provide room for you to prep all your ingredients or plate your food for serving, and there 4 hooks that you can hang spatulas and other tools. There’s also a hinged hard cover that you can close in between uses to protect it from the elements. Plus, for its size and quality, this won’t break the bank, according to Meggan.
The Specs:
- Dimensions: 61.04 by 25.85 by 37.23 inches
- Cooking Surface Area: 756 square inches
- Number of Burners: 4
- BTUs: 60,000
The Pros:
- Heats quickly and evenly
- Large cooking area
- Convenient side tables and tool hooks
The Cons:
- Lid wobbles
- Tables get hot while the grill is on
- Lid is not usable while cooking
What Others Are Saying:
This Weber griddle was named best for beginners by both Delish and Good Housekeeping and best budget by The Barbecue Lab.
Buy the Weber 36-Inch Gas Griddle:
2. Best Budget Outdoor Griddle: Cuisinart 36-Inch 4-Burner Gas Griddle
Grills and griddles can run hundreds or even thousands of dollars, but this Cuisinart outdoor gas griddle gives even the priciest models a run for their money. With four burners and a colossal amount of cooking space (760 square inches), this griddle is both inexpensive and easy to use. The griddle also has not one but two drains for grease that flow into removable cups, allowing for quick cleanup and repurposing of the grease if you so need. With ample room, you can grill food for up to 10 people, whether you’re making Reuben sandwiches or frying eggs.
The Specs:
- Dimensions: 64.6 by 24.1 by 32.3 inches
- Cooking Area: 760 square inches
- Number of Burners: 4
- BTUs: 60,000
The Pros:
- Inexpensive
- Large cooking area
- Easy to dispose of grease
The Cons:
- Harder to move with only two wheels
- Short
- Doesn’t come with a cover
What Others Are Saying:
The Cuisinart 36-Inch 4-Burner Gas Griddle is named the best flat-top grill with the sleekest design by Popular Mechanics and the best value griddle grill by ZDNet.
Buy the Cuisinart 36-Inch 4-Burner Gas Griddle:
3. Best Large Outdoor Griddle: Blackstone 36-Inch Flat-Top Griddle
For large families or party hosts, this 36-inch Blackstone griddle can help you make a lot of food at once. Not only does it have a massive cooktop at 720 square inches, but it also has a few nifty storage features, like a built-in cutting board, trash hook, paper towel holder, and more. And with all that space, it’s great for cooking entire meals at once or doubling your favorite classic grill recipes, like this delicious Bacon Cheeseburger.
The Specs:
- Dimensions: 66.52 by 27.6 by 35.43 inches
- Cooking Area: 720 square inches
- Number of Burners: 4
- BTUs: 60,000
The Pros:
- Large cooking area
- Convenient built-in features
- High quality
The Cons:
- Thin frame
- Short
- Takes up a lot of space
What Others Are Saying:
The Blackstone 36-Inch Flat-Top Griddle has over 5,500 Amazon reviews and a 4.7-star rating. Popular Mechanics also recommends it as the best upgrade griddle and ZDNet says it’s the best overall griddle.
Buy the Blackstone 36-Inch Flat-Top Griddle:
4. Best Upgrade Outdoor Griddle: Traeger Flatrock Griddle
If you’re willing to spend more on a quality griddle that will last, the Traeger Flatrock Griddle is sure to perform and look good doing it. The griddle has an impressive heat range with a max temperature of 600 degrees F. While many griddles have multiple burners, the Flatrock takes it a step further with insulated heat zones to ensure that each third of your grill top has a unique temperature. So, if you’re making breakfast, you can cook an omelet, pancakes, and egg burritos all at the same time.
The Specs:
- Dimensions: 74 by 27 by 36 inches
- Cooking Area: 594 square inches
- Number of Burners: 3
- BTUs: 43,500
The Pros:
- Large shelves
- Sleek design
- Unique heat zones
- Large temperature range
- Cover included
The Cons:
- Expensive
- Small cooking area
- Takes up a lot of space
What Others are Saying:
The Traeger Flatrock Griddle is tested and named the best high end by Good Housekeeping, best flat top by The Barbecue Lab, and best luxury by Delish. It was also named the most versatile griddle by Popular Mechanics.
Buy the Traeger Flatrock Griddle:
5. Best Tabletop Outdoor Griddle: Blackstone 22-Inch Tabletop Griddle
Whether you’ve already got a grill or you don’t have a large backyard, a tabletop griddle is an excellent choice to save space and money, so long as you have a perch to place it. Plus, you can even take your griddle on the go! Blackstone’s 22-Inch Tabletop Griddle is a great option. At just 25 pounds, the griddle still has two burners and 361 square inches of grilling space. Great for camping or an impromptu cookout, you’ll never go wrong cooking up some steak fajitas on this griddle.
The Specs:
- Dimensions: 22.5 by 19 by 9 inches
- Cooking Area: 339 square inches
- Number of Burners: 2
- BTUs: 24,000
The Pros:
- Inexpensive
- Portable and lightweight
- Small-space friendly
- Available with cover
- Heats as well as a full-size griddle
The Cons:
- Small cooking area
- Oil can pool on surface
- Only two burners
What Others Are Saying:
Blackstone’s 22-Inch Tabletop Griddle has earned over 6,000 Amazon reviews and an overall 4.7-star rating. It also comes reviewed and named the best table top option by Delish and Good Housekeeping.
Buy the Blackstone 22-Inch Tabletop Griddle:
Other Outdoor Griddles to Consider
Royal Gourmet 3-Burner Portable Tabletop Gas Griddle
Royal Gourmet’s tabletop griddle has almost 3,500 reviews and 4.5 stars on Amazon, and it’s recommended by Cuisine at Home. The 3-burner griddle is conveniently portable and just a couple of inches longer than the Blackstone 22-Inch Tabletop Griddle. However, it has 42 square inches less cooking area than our best tabletop griddle pick, and its surface is not truly nonstick. The Royal Gourmet 3-Burner Portable Tabletop Gas Griddle is available at Amazon for $99.99.
Pit Boss 4-Burner Flat-Top Grill
This 4-burner outdoor griddle is highly recommended as the best overall flat-top grill by Popular Mechanics. It has a whopping 748-square-inch, pre-seasoned cooking area and is extremely affordable for its size. Unfortunately, the griddle’s side shelves are not very stable, and it is even longer than the Traeger Flatrock Griddle, making it a little too cumbersome for most homeowners. The Pit Boss 4-Burner Flat-Top Grill is available at Amazon for $370.63.
Nexgrill Daytona 4-Burner Propane Gas Grill
The Nexgrill Daytona 4-Burner Propane Gas Grill is a sleekly designed 4-burner griddle with 756 square inches of cooking surface. The grill is endorsed by Good Housekeeping and Delish for its budget-friendly value. While it has a convenient built-in caddy and side shelves, the griddle’s cooking space is not completely level. The Nexgrill Daytona 4-Burner Propane Gas Grill is available at Home Depot for $449.
Why You Can Trust Us
Hi! I’m Grace, a full-time freelance writer and editor. I primarily cover home products, including everything from the best cookware to bedding. My product recommendations have appeared in Gear Patrol, Apartment Therapy, and more. One of my favorite parts of my job is getting to research and test products in my own kitchen. In the past, I’ve gotten hands-on with toasters, electric kettles, rice cookers, and cast-iron pans, to name a few.
For this guide, I consulted with Meggan, the founder of Culinary Hill. She’s not only a professional writer but is also a classically trained chef with tons of grilling experience. We teamed up to find the best outdoor griddles through in-depth research, diving into detailed reviews, relevant specifications, and recommendations from trusted publications and bloggers. Narrowing our list to just 5 top picks, including Meggan’s own outdoor griddle, we paid close attention to price, longevity, and special features to determine which products would make the cut.
Everything to Know Before Buying an Outdoor Griddle
What to Consider Before Buying an Outdoor Griddle
Finding an outdoor griddle that matches your needs can be cumbersome, especially if you’re new to grilling. We’ve compiled a few factors to help you narrow down your options.
Durability: Outdoor griddles are an investment, so you want to make sure that money pays off, which will likely depend on the quality of the cooking surface.
Design: While a beautifully designed griddle would be a nice plus, it’s not necessarily going to improve your grilling experience. However, having a griddle with convenient built-in features, like utensil hooks or folding shelves, can make your time standing over the griddle a lot more efficient.
Price: Outdoor griddles can cost hundreds of dollars, but that doesn’t mean they have to. If you have a budget, don’t be afraid to stick to it because there are tons of affordable, high-quality griddles out there. A few of them even made our list!
How Do You Clean an Outdoor Griddle?
Once the griddle is cooled off, use a metal spatula to scrape off any remaining food. Then, dry the cooking surface with a gentle towel and season (more on that below!).
How Do You Season an Outdoor Griddle?
Seasoning an outdoor griddle might seem daunting, but Meggan has plenty of tips to get you started. “Start by cleaning the surface (even if it’s right out of the box, you’ll want to remove any dust or debris from the factory and shipping),” Meggan says. “Heat the grill over low heat (about 200 degrees), then apply a thin layer of oil that has a high smoke point, such as avocado, canola, vegetable, or grapeseed (use paper towels if you want to keep your hands clean).” You can also use this griddle seasoning wax — just be sure to follow the manufacturer-specific instructions.
Then, you need to polymerize the oil by cranking the heat to 450 to 500 degrees F. If you’re working indoors, you’ll want windows open and ventilation on. Let the oil char and smoke. “When the oil is no longer smoking, turn the heat up and repeat the process 4 or 5 times more,” Meggan says. “You want several layers of seasoning to build up. Then, cool the griddle to room temperature.”
Are Outdoor Griddles Worth It?
While a griddle is by no means a necessity, it’s an excellent investment for a grill-lover because of its versatility. The flat-top cooking surface allows griddles to handle different types of food than a grill, negates any safety concerns about grills’ open flames, and requires less oil in cooking. “I still use my regular grill, but you can cook so many more recipes if you have a flat-top griddle,” she says. “The whole kitchen stays cleaner when you cook outdoors.”
What Can You Cook on an Outdoor Griddle?
Anything you would cook on a grill can be easily cooked on a griddle. And because of a griddle’s flat cooking surface, it’s also able to handle a lot of the items you would make in a skillet on the stovetop. So, whether you want to grill a perfect steak or infuse a smokey flavor into your Hawaiian fried rice, your griddle will be up to the task.
The Best Griddle Recipes
Whether new to outdoor cooking or a long-time griller, outdoor griddles are endlessly versatile. But if you need a little inspiration, here are a few recipes to get you started.
30 Minute Meals
Cheeseburger Quesadillas
Sandwich Recipes
Pork Burgers with Feta Mustard
Mexican Recipes
Shrimp Fajitas
Breakfast Recipes
How to Scramble Eggs
Breakfast Recipes
Blueberry Pancake Recipe
30 Minute Meals
Chili Cheese Burrito
Sandwich Recipes
Lobster Roll
Breakfast Recipes
Homemade Pancakes
Grilling and Smoker Recipes
Best Bacon Cheeseburger
Sandwich Recipes
Rachel Sandwich
Prices were accurate at time of publication.
