Which is the best outdoor griddle for your outdoor kitchen? 

There are several high-quality outdoor griddles available on the market, and the best one for you would depend on your specific needs and preferences.

When considering a griddle, there are several important factors to keep in mind. These factors can vary depending on your specific needs and preferences, but here are some key considerations:

1. Cooking Surface: The size of the cooking surface is crucial. Consider how many people you typically cook for and choose a griddle with an appropriate surface area. Larger griddles are more suitable for larger gatherings or events, while smaller griddles are ideal for individual or small group use.

2. Heat Distribution: Look for a griddle that offers even heat distribution across the cooking surface. This ensures that your food cooks uniformly without any hot or cold spots. A griddle with multiple burners or heat zones can provide better temperature control.

3. Construction and Durability: A well-built griddle made from high-quality materials will be more durable and have a longer lifespan. Look for griddles with sturdy frames, durable cooking surfaces, and reliable components. Stainless steel and cast iron are common materials used in griddle construction.

4. Heat Source: Griddles can be powered by different heat sources, such as propane gas, natural gas, charcoal, or electric. Consider which type of fuel is most convenient for you and matches your outdoor setup. Gas-powered griddles are popular due to their convenience and quick heat-up times.

5. Portability: If you plan to use your griddle for outdoor activities like camping or tailgating, portability becomes an important factor. Look for griddles that are lightweight, have foldable legs, or come with convenient carrying handles.

6. Temperature Control: Having precise temperature control allows you to cook a wide variety of foods. Look for griddles with adjustable knobs or controls that allow you to regulate heat output accurately.

7. Cleanup and Maintenance: Consider the ease of cleaning and maintenance when choosing a griddle. Griddles with removable grease trays, non-stick surfaces, or dishwasher-safe components can make cleanup more convenient.

8. Additional Features: Some griddles come with additional features like side shelves, storage compartments, or accessories like grates and covers. Assess which features are important to you and align with your cooking style.

Let’s explore the top a few outdoor griddles to find the perfect one for your next cook out!

Pit Boss 5-Burner Deluxe Griddle

WHY WE LIKE IT:   This is a new griddle from Pit Boss which uses rolled steel for the flat top. We really like how easy it was to put together. We also like how easy it is to move around with the four lockable wheels. We also like the bottom shelf for storage and how easy it is to reach the grease try and push and turn ignition on each burner. 

The Pit Boss Deluxe 5 burner griddle is a versatile outdoor cooking experience, offering a five-burner heating system so you can enjoy a Bigger, Hotter, Heavier® cooking experience than ever before. It also features more than 750 square inches of cooking surface to easily cook for a family of 4 or a party of 30 for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The folding legs and bottom shelf offer a handy fold-and-go design, while the side shelves fold over to act as a cover to the griddle surface between cooks. Additional premium features of the Pit Boss® 5-Burner Standard Griddle include two side handles, four locking caster swivel wheels, a powder-coated steel body, and the Pit Boss® 2-year warranty.

Blackstone 36 Inch Gas Griddle

WHY WE LIKE IT:

The Blackstone griddle is the OG of the group. This griddle is simple to use and easy to assemble. The large griddle has 720 sq. inches of grilling space and pushes 60,000 BTUs. We like how easy it is to light the griddle and control the heat zones across the griddle.

A cooktop big enough for parties or catering events! That said, the 4 adjustable burners make it possible to use just one or two burners when cooking for a single person. This griddle is durable when seasoned properly and the griddle top is thick to chop away with the spatulas without a worry. 

Royal Gourmet GB4000 36-inch 4-Burner Griddle

WHY WE LIKE IT:  The Royal Gourmet 4-Burner Griddle is a nice looking griddle at a great price. We like how the shelves fold over to cover the griddle top from the elements and makes for easy storage. The grease trap is at the back and integrated into the griddle. The four wheels make it easy to move around the patio

The Royal Gourmet griddle has a thick, flat griddle plate that is made of ceramic-coated steel, measuring 36.2’’ L x 21.7’’ W, a total of 784 sq. in. cooking area that is perfect for outdoor BBQ parties! Four powerful stainless-steel tube burners put out an overall of 52,000 BTUs, allowing you to cook various food at a desired heat. Collapsible side tables hold on multiple seasonings and accessories. Large, removable grease cup collects grease from dripping for quick and easy cleanup. 4 caster wheels comes with integrated brake system, allowing for easy transportation.

Traeger Grills Flatrock Flat Top Griddle

Unlike many other outdoor griddles, the griddle is recessed, i.e., it sits inside the frame of the unit right above its three U-shaped burners. The design is intended to make it better at evenly distributing heat compared to its competitors that sit atop the burners with room between the griddle and frame and are susceptible to wind. It has one of the largest rectangular drainage holes we tested located on the front center of the griddle. The hole directs the grease below into a large, enclosed container with an oversized handle that helps it slide in and out easily. The container can be lined with disposable trays that the brand sells for the easiest cleanup. You can also buy additional accessories for the frame to hold your tools and paper towels.

In our tests, we were able to cook all sorts of food on this griddle with no trouble at all. Eggs came out great as did veggies and steaks. It got nice and hot but never burned our food nor was it too hot to work with.

One unique detail to note about this griddle is that the ignition is electric and needs to be plugged in or powered by a battery to turn on. When plugged in, the griddle features flame and fuel sensors that confirm which burners are on and how much propane you have in the tank.

Nexgrill Daytona 4-Burner

WHY WE LIKE IT:  Nexgrill’s four-burner griddle offers solid performance and many ease-of-use features, all at a great price for the category. In our tests, it did a good job of cooking an assortment of food from eggs and pancakes to burgers and grilled cheese. This pick has two grease drainage holes — located on either side of the griddle —which make cleanup easy.  This griddle has two side shelves equipped with one set of tool holders and a condiment caddy — two underrated and quite useful features. We also appreciate the shelves themselves for storage as well as the stainless steel lid.

LoCo 3-Burner griddle

WHY WE LIKE IT:   The LOCO Griddle offers a build quality is super solid. The smart temperature controls have worked well. Using a laser thermometer, we have found the temperature to be accurate within +/- 5 degrees or so, which is accurate enough for our purposes. We really like that the wheels on this thing are monstrous. Not your typical undersized grill wheels. It won’t be an issue if you need to move it across the yard, even through fairly uneven terrain.