10 Best Outdoor Gas Griddles Reviewed & Buyer’s Guide

Griddles are widely used cooking equipment, especially outdoor ones, but are not as recognized as grills. The best outdoor gas grill can help with your cooking needs because many kinds of food can be cooked on it. 

Yes, gas grills are great, but having a griddle just makes everything better. Steaks are evenly seared; shrimps are wonderfully grilled; pancakes are made fluffier. There are a lot of griddles that are also portable, making them great for outdoor and travel use. 

Feel like a 5-star restaurant chef when preparing your food using high-quality gas griddles. 

Our 10 best outdoor gas griddles pick

You can buy a solo griddle or an entire set with burners and mini shelves. We will give you a list of some proven products of great quality to help you choose. 

1. Blackstone 36-Inch Flat Top Gas Griddle Station

We consider the Blackstone 36-Inch Flat Top the best overall quality and features for an outdoor gas griddle set. The griddle station’s dimensions are 720 square inches, with many shelves and compartments to store other cooking paraphernalia. It also includes a sliding shelf that already has a cutting board, paper towel holder, and trash bag hooks built in. 

The entire structure is made of durable stainless steel. The griddle’s surface is coated with powder to remove dust and moisture. You also do not need to worry too much about the assembly and setup because it’s pretty easy. 

Four burners are built underneath the griddle with temperature adjustments for each one. The heat limit is 15,000 BTU for each burner, which adds up to 60,000 BTU. You can simply push the ignition button to switch on the burners without needing lighters, oil, or matches. 

It’s quite light to carry around with a weight of 134 pounds and also has wheels to make transport easier. When you need to store it, the legs are retractable, and the griddle can be detached so you can easily clean it separately. 

Another feature we love about it is the rear grease management which simplifies the cleaning process of the metal surface after cooking. The grease is drained through a small opening and collected in a small tray. You can buy a griddle cover if you do not use the set. 

2. Blackstone Table Top Portable Grid

If you’re just looking for a small outdoor griddle set that runs on propane, you may want to check out the Blackstone Table Top griddle. It’s compact and easy to carry around. You can cook on the griddle’s surface, which measures 260 square inches. The overall dimensions include a length of 17 inches and a width of 15.25 inches. 

You only need propane to power the griddle up. It is great for outdoor use like camping or mobile living. The size of the cooking surface can already serve multiple people. The griddle only has one H-shaped burner underneath that evenly distributes the heat throughout the surface. It has a heat output of 12,000 BTU. 

This one also has a grease management tray in the front, but you have to spatula the grease and drop them down the hole in the corner. You can easily clean the cooking surface with absorbent paper towels. The top of the griddle can be flipped to minimize its size and make it easier to store. It also weighs only 21 pounds, even if it’s made of stainless steel. 

3. Camp Chef Flat Top Grill 600

If you’re serving a large crowd, the Camp Chef Flat Top Grill would be a good companion for you. It has a wide cooking surface of 501 square inches that can accommodate several types of food at a time and four burners underneath that can reach a maximum of 12,000 BTU each. There are 4 individual knobs to adjust each burner, and the ignition does not require you to light a flame. 

It has a total of 4 holding shelves – two on either side and two at the bottom. The propane tank is conveniently placed beside the bottom shelves. You would also be glad to know that the griddle surface is pre-seasoned and non-stick. Like standard griddles, it has a grease drain system to make the cleaning less hassle.

The legs on one side of the grill make transport easier. Its 600-square inch total griddle surface allows you to cook a lot at once to serve several guests. Only simple tools are needed to get the grill set up, and it would not take more than an hour just as long as you follow the instructions in the manual.

4. Little Griddle GQ230 Stainless Steel Griddle

The Little Griddle GQ230 is an additional accessory to use with your grill. This is a well-performing griddle that can do different cooking styles. It resembles grills that are often found in the kitchens of many restaurants. 

The griddle is durable, non-stick, stainless steel with 23.5 x 16 inches dimensions. The side walls have a height of four inches, but only two inches if starting from the actual cooking surface of the griddle. 

A grease tray is built along the perimeter of the griddle, so cleaning it is much easier, and the grill won’t have any grease dripping on it. There are also detachable handles to make carrying the griddle simpler. 

Another feature of this griddle is its underside cross-bracing for even heat distribution. Even as a stand-alone griddle, it is quite expensive. And this is mainly due to the brand and the quality. However, it is a good choice if you want to opt for just a single griddle to add to your grill rather than an entire grill set. 

5. Cuisinart CGG-501 Gourmet Gas Griddle

Cuisinart offers a great portable gas griddle in the form of the CGG-501 Gourmet Gas Grill with two burners with a combined heat output of 20,000 BTU. The cooking area is 285 square inches with a cold-rolled steel surface that looks sleek and guarantees durability. It runs on propane and includes a hose that you can readily connect to a 2-lb tank.

The ignition system is activated with a twist of the dials that control each burner and allows adjustment. 

You can set up a kitchen that mimics large restaurants without spending too much and allocating a lot of space. There is also a grease collection tray in front of the griddle that slides out rather easily. And the side walls are made to prevent the spilling of grease and food from the surface. The cooking area can already carry out multiple servings for a small gathering. 

6. Camp Chef Professional Fry Griddle

Prepare state-of-the-art dishes with this Camp Chef masterpiece that you can fit with other Camp Chef grills such as the B90D, CCH3, SPG90B, and some of the TB90 variants. You can also use it with other grill sets that fit. Camp Chef is already a renowned brand in the grilling world, so you can be sure that the quality is top-notch.

The dimensions are 16 x 38 inches, equal to 608 square inches of total cooking area. You can cook many dishes on it and serve many people at once, making it ideal for big gatherings. The internal heat plate gives an even distribution to the surface. 

Excess grease can be drained and collected in a cup. It also comes with a carrying handle at the front. The sidewalls are just enough to prevent the food and grease from spilling. 

What makes this griddle unique is the fact that it is made of cast iron. This material heats faster compared to normal stainless steel. It weighs 42 pounds. You can season the surface to produce good-tasting dishes. 

The portable griddle has a storage bag that you can buy separately. It may take a while to get the hang of adjusting the temperature, but once you master it, it’ll be a breeze.

7. Lodge LPGI3PLT Pro-Grid Reversible Grill/Griddle Pan

The Lodge LPGI3PLT Pro-Grid packs a dual function as a griddle on one side and a grill on the other. It is made entirely of cast iron, and the size is wide enough to fit on a two-burner stovetop. The surface is already seasoned with vegetable oils, so it’s ready for use once you buy it.

The overall dimensions of the griddler are 20 x 10.50 inches, and it has two carrying handles. The side walls are 0.8 inches in height, and the entire thing weighs 14 pounds. The griddler can be used both indoors and outdoors and even over campfires. The grill side does not have any gaps, only raised bars on the surface, so you can still achieve the grill marks without the risk of spilling any food. 

Meat cooking is achievable even if you use heat sources that have low heat output because of the good heat retention of the griddle itself. It can do most of the simple frying and grilling. The downside is that it does not have a grease management system, so you will have to manually wash it or pour the grease into another container to collect it. 

The Lodge is a Tennessee-based family-owned company and has been in the business for several years. A lot of consumers support this brand. 

8. Royal Gourmet Portable Propane Gas Grill and Griddle Combo

We have mentioned portable dual-function griddles. This one is a multifunctional combination of grill and griddle set brought to you by Royal Gourmet. One piece of equipment can provide grilling and griddling features to cook multiple foods. Each surface has an area of 292 square inches combined, which is 584 square inches. 

The grill and griddle have two stainless steel burners, each with a heat output of 12,000 BTU. That adds up to four burners and a total of 48,000 BTU output. The common ignition system for outdoor sets is electric. Along with the set comes hanging hooks and other essential utensils like a bottle opener built into it, which may come in handy at times.

Other features include two side shelves and a grease draining system with drip trays to collect the excess grease. The grill and griddle pans are detachable, so you can easily clean them separately.

The entire thing weighs 103 pounds, but that is not a huge deal as the wheels on the legs of the cart are capable of 360-degree rotation, although they are not foldable, so you will have to allocate some space solely to store it. 

9. Commercial Grade Large BBQ Grill

Feel free to invite your whole neighborhood for a summer barbecue with this large-scale grill that gives you 1000 square inches of cooking area with eight burners. Perfect for big gatherings and when you’re serving large crowds.

The grill is made of high-quality stainless steel. The heat output is decent, and each burner has its adjustment dial and a dual-stage LP regulator. There are side shelves that can also function as covers for the griddle while cooking or if in storage.

While we were impressed with the size of the shelves, there are no additional bottom shelves below the unit to allow for more storage. The only component below is the holder for the propane tank. 

You can use the railings of the side shelves to hang utensils or towels. The walls at the back and sides of the cooking surface are quite high, so you do not need to worry too much about spills and small splatters when frying. The structure weighs 100 pounds but is easy to move around because of the wheels attached to the four legs. 

10. Blackstone Grills Tailgater Grill and Griddle Combo

Lastly, we give you the Tailgate grill and griddle set by Blackstone Grills.  The sleek black color gives it a modern look along with multiple features that you will surely appreciate.

This portable combo has a grill side and a griddle side, each with a separate burner. The great thing is that the burners can also be used as a stovetop for pots and pans. The H-tube burner has a heat output of 15,000 BTU, while the cast iron burner produces up to 20,000 BTU. You have the option to use them one at a time or simultaneously. 

Once you unpack the set, it is already ready to use. You do not need to do any assembling or setting up. It’s easy to carry even without wheels on the legs at only 75 pounds. 

The heavy-duty grill box includes a cover,d an exhaust vent, and cast iron grill bars. Both surfaces have high heat distribution and retention. The stainless steel construction of the set is stainless steel coated with rust-resistant powder. The cooking surface has a 16 x 16-inch dimension and features a grease draining system to make cleaning easier. 

This model would have been perfect if it had shelves and other accessories to make cooking more convenient, but unfortunately, it does not. However, all the other essential functions are decent with this model. 

What are outdoor gas griddles, aka flat top grills?

Flat top girls provide an even surface for you to cook on. Griddle in Spanish is ‘planch, a’ which translates to “grilled on a metal plate.” Even though they may be similar in some aspects, griddles are not the same as a traditional grill. One reason is that griddles are a smooth, flat metal and the heat source is right below them. 

The griddle serves as the boundary between the food and the fire. So the heat is concentrated on the griddle instead of directly on the food to help regulate the heat. The temperature will be a little lower, but it will be evenly distributed. 

You can use either electricity or gas with griddles. For an alternative, you can use any flat metal surface and place it on top of a grill to have your makeshift griddle.  

For this article, we will only be tackling outdoor gas griddles that can be used in your backyard or for travel. The following are some well-known models of gas griddles that can be attached to your grill for a budget-friendly griddling experience. 

Benefits of a griddle vs. a regular grill

Flat top grills offer many cooking opportunities compared to the limited number of cuisines you can prepare on a standard grill. You can make pancakes, omelets, meat patties, and other fried foods on a griddle just like you can on a frying pan. 

The griddle can be your portable outdoor stove that can keep your food safe since there are no openings on the surface. Grills have narrow gaps in between the rods. The solid structure of the griddle will preserve the meat juices to make your burger patties extra juicy.

Foods that easily break are safer on a solid and flat surface especially soft vegetables and fish. You can press the meat or fish onto the griddle, so the cooking is even.

Below are some advantages of griddles that standard grills may not be able to:

• Sautéing meat strips with vegetables. Warming up tortillas and fajitas.
• Cooking burritos or panini-style sandwiches with a weighted press.
• Mongolian BBQ-style parties where guests get to choose what they want, and you prepare it for them instantly.
• Omelet station
• Stir-fried Chinese fried rice. The meat can be cooked on a grill separately before you top it onto the rice or noodles.
• Spacious for multiple meat patties to be served at one time. You can preserve the meat juices. 
• Dessert crepes
• Breakfast hash browns
• Evenly cooked steaks without wasting the liquor and risk igniting the fire
• Teppanyaki 

Flat top griddles vs. Standard gas grills

Here is a brief comparison of griddles and grills:

• Taste and texture – Grilling gives food the classic grill marks and slightly charred result. Also, the principle behind grilling is just allowing the smoke to seep through the food. While griddling is somewhat like an alternative to frying but with less oil. 
• Time – Grilling is much faster than griddling because you can set high temperatures for it without the risk of burning the food. Because of the gaps in the grills, the open flame will also be able to cook the food instead of griddles directly.
• Convenience – Grill sets are bigger and heavier, which could be a hassle to move around except when they have wheels on their legs. Griddles are much smaller, more portable, and usually just an add-on to a preexisting grill or stovetop. 

Different types of gas griddles

• Dedicated – This is the biggest type of gas griddle. They are often as big as outdoor grill sets, and you can move them around since their legs have wheels, making transport easier. You can place them beside the grill set for a bigger outdoor kitchen and be able to cook large servings at one time. These types cost a lot more, but they also have other features and accessories to add to the wide cooking area and heavy-duty performance. 
• Tabletop/portable – These griddles are made smaller since they are intended to be portable. As a result, you have a lesser cooking area. They are designed to fit on top of stove tops or a regular kitchen countertop. They can run on a 1-lb disposable propane canister. This is the best choice if you often go camping or have countryside road trips and live on the road. 
• Accessory to a grill set – These are just flat metal plates you put over a grill. The heat source will be the flames used for grilling. Griddle plates have fast heat distribution, small, and lightweight. They are the cheapest choice of all three since they are stand-alone griddle plates designed to add to an already existing grill set. 

Factors to consider when buying outdoor gas griddles

Some of the things to keep in mind when in the market for a new outdoor gas griddle are the following:

Griddle size

The griddle’s size defines how much food you can cook on it at a single time and where you can place it. Large ones must be put outdoors, but smaller griddles or griddle plates can be used in your kitchen. 

Griddle plates that are intended to be placed on grills pose no problem. The smaller griddles have dimensions of less than 300 square inches and can serve a small family. Big griddle sets can serve several people, and it’s ideal for small gatherings but require a lot of space. They usually have a cooking surface of more than 500 square inches. 

Number of burners

The griddle plates may have hot and cold spots due to uneven heat distribution from the burners. Those areas directly affected by the burners have a much hotter surface compared to the edges. The more burners a griddle set has, the fewer cold spots there will be, and the cooking process and results will be more efficient. 

Having more burners also gives you more control over which parts need more heat and which ones should have a cooler temperature depending on what food you are cooking on a specific part. This can help a lot when cooking foods that vary greatly in their cooking time. 

Material

There are many materials from which gas griddles can be made of. The most common ones are stainless steel and chrome, which are very resistant to rust. But they cost more. 

Low-cost alternatives are aluminum or regular steel. When you opt for these variants, it would be better if they are coated with a heat-resistant material to add to their durability and lifespan. You should also consider the storage features like other side and bottom shelves or a rack for the propane tank. 

Temperature control and ease of use

The option to control the temperature of the burners is important for safety reasons and the ease of adjusting the heat with knobs or dials. 

Portability

It’s always a bonus if a griddle set or tabletop griddle plate is easy to move from one place to another. It adds to the versatility and convenience of use if a griddle cart has wheels on its legs or if a tabletop or stovetop gas griddle is light to carry. 

Ease in cleaning

Grease management systems are common in almost all griddle systems, so you should look for them in the model you plan to buy. You do not want to go through the hassle of manually cleaning the grease off your griddle. 

Price

You must set a budget for how much you are willing to spend on an outdoor gas griddle. Small griddles like plates or tabletops can range from 100 to 200 dollars, while the large ones cost 300 or more. You just have to estimate how frequently you plan to use the griddle and your main purpose for buying it. 

If you plan to use it for gatherings and serving guests, you can invest in a large griddle that can cook many at once. But if you’re only planning on using it occasionally and only cook for a small group of people, a smaller griddle would suffice. 

Cleaning a griddle before first use

When you first open the package of your new griddle set, you need to wash it to eliminate extraneous debris from manufacturing, shipping, and storage like dust and other contaminants. Mix the soap in a bucket of warm water and use a soft fabric to scrub the surfaces.

Only wash with soap before first use. For the next washes, use only water so you won’t wash away the seasoning. 

If the griddle is already seasoned, the manufacturer recommends only rubbing with a dry cloth or plain water without soap. After washing, dry the surface thoroughly with a clean paper towel and leave it to air dry even more before storing or using.  

How to season a griddle surface

A used griddle surface will most likely be colored black, indicating seasoning. This is completely normal for a griddle surface and helps produce more flavorful food and prevent the food from sticking onto the surface.

Take some coconut oil, Crico, or any oil with a high smoking point and apply it to a preheated griddle surface until it is entirely covered with the oil but only a very thin layer. Allow the oil to heat up until the surface of the griddle changes in color. If you see any smoke forming, don’t mind it. That’s normal and only signifies that the seasoning combines with the metal surface. 

Repeat the process once more before turning off the heat source and leaving it to cool down.   

Cleaning the griddle after every use

It’s fairly easy to clean a griddle after using it. You only need the metal spatula you used while cooking, paper towels, warm water, a scouring pad, and oil. 

• Let the griddle cool down first before you start cleaning it. 
• Scrape off the excess puddles of grease with the spatula.
• Wipe the rest with a paper towel or soft dishcloth. 
• Pour a little warm water without soap to loosen some residue that might have stuck on the surface. 
• Rub the surface gently with a nylon scouring pad. Do not use wire or steel wool. 
• Rinse with water and dry with paper towels. Empty the grease tray or collector every after use. 
• Use a soft cloth to dry the surface completely and season it again by applying a thin layer of cooking oil on the griddle’s surface. 

Proper storage of the griddle

The way you store your griddle affects its lifespan and durability, aside from the frequency of your usage and how well you clean and maintain it. Figure out your average usage – do you plan on cooking with it every week, once a month, or just on special occasions?

You will need to find a spot with the right humidity. The area must be free from moisture to prevent rust formation but not too hot, which could trigger a propane tank. If you’re only going to use it on special occasions, it’s best to detach the griddle top and store it separately in a cupboard. 

If you store it outdoors or in the garage, use a thick canvas tarp to cover it. It will protect it from abrasions, scratches, dust, and moisture. Do not put anything on top of the griddle set so you won’t damage the surface.

Also, don’t put heavy things on the side and bottom shelves beyond the weight capacity. You can use some models’ foldable legs for easier storage. 

Conclusion

We can safely say that griddles are more versatile and can perform more functions compared to grills. But you can always opt for a combination of the two if you want the best of both worlds. 

Grill sets provide both grilling and griddling features that come in handy for large gatherings and if you want to cook a variety of foods. You can choose from stainless steel or cast iron material; both are sturdy and efficient. Consider the size of your stovetop or grill if you plan to buy a griddle plate. 

FAQs (Frequently asked questions)

What is a griddle?

A griddle is a flat-surfaced range powered by either electricity or gas. The ones we listed in this article run on propane gas. The surfaces of griddles have even heat distribution, and you can cook various dishes without the risk of them spilling down the gaps of grills. 

Is a griddle better than a grill?

It depends on which one suits your needs better. You can’t fry on a grill, so the dishes that need frying are better done on a griddle. Some more dishes and foods can be cooked on a flat, gapless surface than on a grill with gaps. 

Are griddle-cooked foods healthier than those cooked in frying pans?

There is no oil buildup on the griddles’ surface because of the grease management system. In frying pans, the oil remains, and the food you fry will just be swimming in it. 

Can you cook steak on a griddle?

Yes. All you have to do is season the steak before putting it on the griddle. Make sure that the griddle is also pre-seasoned. To achieve a rare-cooked steak, cook each side for 90 seconds at 135-140 degrees Fahrenheit.

For medium rare, that’s 2 minutes every side at 140-150 degrees Fahrenheit. Two and a half minutes for a medium steak at 150-160 degrees Fahrenheit. And lastly, 3 minutes per side at 160-200 degrees Fahrenheit for a well-done steak. 

Do I need to season my griddle before use?

There are griddle models that are already pre-seasoned when they come. If you do not want to do the seasoning yourself, you can buy one of those models. But if you want, follow the manufacturer’s instructions to season the griddle plate before using it.

Which model is weatherproof?

The models we listed in this article are not weatherproof. However, we recommend that you purchase a weatherproof patio cover for the Camp Chef Flat Top Grill 600 so you have a form of protection for your grill set from the elements. 

Is there a difference in the taste between food prepared on a griddle and a regular grill?

The food prepared on a griddle will taste slightly different than one cooked on a grill. This may be attributed to the fact that grills expose the food directly to the fire or smoke, enhancing the food’s natural flavors more.

On a griddle, the food is indirectly exposed to the heat source and will only taste like any regular fried or roasted food. Either way, both produce flavorful results.

Last update on 2024-04-05 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

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