After cooking weekend breakfasts, weeknight smash burgers, and a fair share of hibachi-style stir-fry on flat-top griddles for three years, I can tell you the best griddles for outdoor cooking are no longer one-size-fits-all choices. The new breed of outdoor flat-top grills brings precise heat zones, recessed cooktops that laugh off a 10 mph breeze, and rust-resistant stainless bodies that won’t punish you for storing them through winter.
I tested these models across multiple cookouts, comparing pancake capacity, evenness of sear at 450F, wind resilience, and the dreaded morning-after rust check. Every griddle on this list earns its spot – whether you want a backyard griddle station that feeds eight, a portable tailgating flat top, or a budget tabletop that punches well above its cost.
This guide covers the 10 best outdoor griddles for 2026, broken down by use case, family size, and fuel type, so you can pick the right one the first time.
Table of Contents
Top 3 Picks for Best Griddles for Outdoor Cooking in September
Blackstone 1517 28 inch Omnivore Griddle
- 517 sq in cooking surface
- 2 independent H-burners
- Rear Grease Management
- Wind guards built into cooktop
Blackstone 36 inch 4-Burner Griddle Station
- 720 sq in surface
- 4 burners total 60000 BTU
- Front grease management
- Foldable legs and wheels
Blackstone 1666 22 inch Tabletop Griddle
- 361 sq in cooking area
- 2 H-burners for even heat
- Rear grease cup
- Portable 25 lb design
10 Best Griddles for Outdoor Cooking in 2026
| Product | Specifications | Action |
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| Blackstone 1517 28 inch Omnivore Griddle |
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| Blackstone 36 inch 4-Burner Portable Griddle Station |
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| Blackstone 1666 22 inch Tabletop Griddle |
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 Royal Gourmet PD1301R 3-Burner Tabletop Griddle |
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 Blackstone 1814 17 inch Tabletop Griddle |
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 Royal Gourmet GD4002T 4-Burner Grill and Griddle Combo |
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 Razor Griddle GGC2030M 25 inch Portable Griddle |
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 SKOK 3-Burner Outdoor Propane Griddle with Cart |
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 Royal Gourmet PD1305H 3-in-1 Grill and Griddle Combo |
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 Royal Gourmet PD3001 3-Burner Propane Griddle |
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1. Blackstone 1517 28″ Omnivore Griddle – The Best Overall Outdoor Griddle for Backyard Cooks
Blackstone® 1517 Original 28″ Omnivore Griddle, Black
517 sq in surface
2 H-burners
Rear Grease Management
Foldable legs
Pros
- Huge 12000+ review base with a 4.7-star average
- Two H-burners deliver even heat across the 517 sq in surface
- Rear grease management cuts cleanup time
- Caster wheels and folding legs make it portable
- Side shelf adds usable prep space
- Wind guards built into the omnivore plate reduce fuel use
Cons
- Outer burners can be finicky to ignite
- Needs regular seasoning to prevent rust
- Requires careful leveling on uneven patios
I have cooked on the Blackstone 28″ Omnivore for the better part of two years now, and it remains my default flat top for a Saturday morning breakfast of pancakes, sausage, and hash browns. The 517 square inches of cook space fits about 18 pancakes or 12 smash burgers at a time, which is enough for my family of four plus a guest or two.
The two H-burners beneath the cooktop give you clear zone control – I keep the left burner low for eggs while I sear onions and jalapenos on the right. The rear grease chute funnels drippings straight into a disposable cup, which means no more fishing shrimp out of a corner trap at the end of the night.
Where the Omnivore plate shines is wind resilience. The recessed cooktop with built-in wind shields keeps a 10 mph crosswind from torching your fuel. In side-by-side tests on breezy days, my old flat plate lost roughly 100F to wind, while this one held within 30F.
Setup took me about 30 minutes with one helper. The legs fold for storage, and two of the four casters lock. One honest drawback: the outer burner igniter can be stubborn on a cold start – keep a long-stem lighter nearby for the first few uses.
Who this griddle is best for
The Blackstone 28″ Omnivore is the right pick for a family of 3-5 who cook outside at least twice a week. It is portable enough to roll to the patio and back, big enough to feed a crowd, and seasoned properly, it shrugs off rust for years.
Who should look elsewhere
If you regularly cook for 8+ guests or want true independent zones for hibachi plus griddle work, step up to the 36″ 4-burner model. If you live in an apartment with a small balcony and need a freestanding unit, the 17″ Blackstone 1814 or SKOK sits better in tight spaces.
2. Blackstone 36″ 4-Burner Portable Griddle Station – Best Premium Griddle for Big Gatherings
Blackstone 36 Inch 4 Burner 60,000 BTU Portable Steel Griddle Cooking Station with Foldable Legs, Grease Pan, and Storage Rack, Black
720 sq in surface
4 burners at 60K BTU
Front grease
Foldable cart
Pros
- Largest cooking surface on a freestanding Blackstone - 720 sq in
- Four burners create true independent zones
- Front-access grease management is fast to empty
- Foldable legs and storage rack included
- Rear wheels make moving it one-person friendly
Cons
- No hood or cover included for melting or steaming
- Side shelves get very hot during long cooks
- Grease pan can drip on the deck if overfilled
- Regulator quality has been inconsistent per some owners
The Blackstone 36″ 4-Burner is the workhorse I break out when my brother-in-law brings his family over and suddenly we are cooking for eight. With 720 square inches of cook surface and 60,000 BTU across four independently controlled burners, you can run a pancake zone at 300F, a smash burger zone at 450F, and a hot well for onions at 500F – all at the same time.
The front grease management is a noticeable upgrade over the rear-duct design on smaller units. Pull the tray, dump it, slide it back – five seconds, no torching your hand over a hot cooktop. The 1554 model folds down onto its storage rack with two rear wheels, so two adults can roll it into a shed without drama.
One thing you do not get here is a hood. If you want a lid for steaming mushrooms or melting cheese over smash burgers, you need to buy one separately. The side shelves also get hot enough that I keep a trivet mat down for plastic condiment bottles and a butter dish.
Who this griddle is best for
Big families, tailgates with a full crew, and anyone who cooks for 6-10 people on a regular weekend. If you want one griddle to feed a crowd and still handle Tuesday-night stir-fry, this is the one.
Who should look elsewhere
If you cook for 2-4 people most of the time, this 36″ model is overkill – the 28″ Blackstone or Royal Gourmet PD1301R is more food than you need. Apartment dwellers should also skip this one; it is a freestanding cart, not a tabletop.
3. Blackstone 1666 22″ Tabletop Griddle – Best Value Outdoor Griddle for Small Families
Blackstone 1666 22” Tabletop Griddle with Stainless Steel Faceplate, Powder Coated Steel, Black
361 sq in surface
2 H-burners
Rear grease cup
Carbon steel top
Pros
- Two H-shaped burners produce even heat
- 361 sq in fits up to 14 burgers or 10 pancakes
- Rear grease cup keeps cleanup simple
- Strong 6
- 800+ review base at 4.7 stars
- Tabletop form fits small patios and tailgates
Cons
- At 25 lbs it is portable but bulky
- No carrying case or bag included
- Initial seasoning takes time and care
- Wind guards and grease port guard sold separately
The Blackstone 22″ Tabletop is the small-family winner. I have used one on apartment balconies, in an RV, and on a pop-up canopy at a parking-lot tailgate, and the H-burner layout gives you actual two-zone cooking in a footprint that slips into a trunk.
The 361 square inches of cooking surface fits 14 burgers or 10 pancakes at once – which is a lot of food for a unit that weighs 25 pounds. Two independently controlled burners mean I can run eggs on the left at 325F while the right side blasts bacon at 425F.
The rear grease cup is a small detail that pays off every cook. Oil and grease funnel away from food rather than pooling on the deck. Carbon steel cooks beautifully once seasoned, but on day one I am scrubbing it down with hot soapy water per the manual before the first seasoning layer.
At this size you do give up a hood, a side shelf, and any real wind protection. Reviewers on r/griddling strongly recommend picking up the wind-guard accessory and a small foldable cart for taller cooking height.
Who this griddle is best for
Couples, small families of 3-4, and tailgaters who want Blackstone build quality without a 70-pound freestanding cart. If you want a portable flat top that drives true two-zone cooking, this is the value king.
Who should look elsewhere
If you regularly host 6+ guests, you will run out of cook space fast. For larger gatherings, step up to the Blackstone 28″ Omnivore or the 36″ 4-Burner.
4. Royal Gourmet PD1301R 3-Burner Tabletop Griddle – Best Budget Outdoor Griddle
Royal Gourmet PD1301R 3-Burner Tabletop Propane Gas Griddle with Cover
316 sq in surface
3 burners at 25,500 BTU
Piezo ignition
PVC cover
Pros
- Piezo push-button ignition lights all three burners instantly
- 316 sq in surface with three independent burners
- Includes a PVC cover right out of the box
- Slide-out grease cup is easy to remove and wash
- Detachable griddle top takes cleanup to the kitchen sink
- Strong 6
- 700+ review base
Cons
- Heat distribution can run hot in the center
- Grease drain hole can clog on heavy cooks
- Some users report first-time ignitor failures
- No wind protection between burners and plate
The Royal Gourmet PD1301R proves you do not need a Blackstone nameplate to get three burner zones on a portable flat top. For a backyard that mostly runs two people plus the neighbors, three burners at 25,500 BTU total give you a hot zone for searing, a medium zone for veggies, and a warm zone for buns or tortillas – all on a tabletop unit.
Piezo ignition is the convenience standout. No lighter, no battery, no flint – push the knob, twist, and the burner catches. Reviewers confirm the ignitor is reliable for thousands of cooks, though a small percentage of units have arrived with the ignitor dead on arrival.
The included PVC cover is genuinely useful. Too many griddles in this tier ship without any weather protection, which is a fast track to the rust complaints you see on carbon-steel competitors. The griddle top detaches, so I can take it to the kitchen sink and scrub it under hot water after a big cook.
The honest trade-off is heat consistency. On flat-out preheat, the center burner area runs 30-40F hotter than the outer zones. For smash burgers this is a feature – you can build a hot spot – but for pancakes you will need to rotate them around the cooktop.
Who this griddle is best for
Anyone who wants three independent burner zones in a portable form factor, at a price that leaves room in the budget for griddle tools and a cover. Great choice for RVers, weekenders, and small patios.
Who should look elsewhere
If even-heat cooking is your top priority – say you bake French toast or sear five steaks at once – the Blackstone 22″ or 28″ wins on flame distribution. If you do not want to manage any warping concerns in a very cold climate, consider stainless steel models like the SKOK or Solo Stove line.
5. Blackstone 1814 17″ Tabletop Griddle – Best Portable Griddle for Camping
Blackstone® 1814 Propane Gas Griddle, 17 Inch, Black
268 sq in surface
H-burner
Grease tray
9 kg weight
Pros
- Lightweight 9 kg design fits in a car trunk
- 268 sq in fits up to 9 burgers or pancakes
- H-style single burner gives surprisingly even heat
- Built-in igniter for click-to-start convenience
- Adjustable rubber feet stabilize on rough ground
Cons
- Smaller surface than larger Blackstone griddles
- Cover and carrying case sold separately
- Single burner means no true zone cooking
For true camping and back-of-the-SUV cooking, the Blackstone 1814 17″ is the unit I grab. At 9 kg, it is light enough for one adult to carry across a campsite, and 268 square inches is plenty for two people’s breakfast or dinner.
The H-style burner underneath the 17″ cooktop is what sells this little unit. A circular burner would leave dead spots in the corners; the H-burner stretches across the entire plate, so even heat is achievable on 9 hash browns or 6 burgers at a time.
The built-in igniter is reliable – reviews confirm it survives multiple seasons. Height-adjustable rubber feet are a small touch that makes a huge difference at camp, where the nearest flat surface is usually tilted. I level the unit by adjusting two of the feet before lighting.
What you give up is burner count. This is a single-burner griddle. You cannot run a low zone and a sear zone together, so pancakes need to come off before burgers go on. Most casual campers accept that trade-off; families cooking for four should look at the 22″ Blackstone instead.
Who this griddle is best for
Couples and solo campers, road-trippers, and tailgaters who want a one-hand-carry unit they can throw in a trunk. The footprint is small enough to set up on a folding camp table.
Who should look elsewhere
If you want to cook three courses simultaneously or you typically cook for 4+ people, the 22″ Blackstone 1666 or Royal Gourmet PD1301R is a more flexible choice.
6. Royal Gourmet GD4002T 4-Burner Grill and Griddle Combo – Best Outdoor Grill Griddle Combo
Royal Gourmet GD4002T 4-Burner Tailgater Grill and Griddle Combo
430 sq in surface
4 burners at 40K BTU
Grill and griddle tops
Electronic ignition
Pros
- 2-in-1 design swaps griddle plate for cast iron grates
- Ceramic-coated griddle top resists sticking
- 4 burners at 40
- 000 BTU total for full outdoor meals
- Grooved drip tray channels grease cleanly
- Spark electronic ignition lights all burners
Cons
- Drip tray can slip out of place during use
- Some units have arrived missing small hardware
- Igniter occasionally needs a retry
- Customer service response times vary
If you cannot decide between a grill and a griddle, the Royal Gourmet GD4002T answers both questions in one footprint. The setup comes with a ceramic-coated griddle plate on one side and cast-iron grates on the other – so you can sear steaks over grates while pancakes cook on the flat top, or swap one for the other depending on the meal.
Four burners at 40,000 BTU give you independent control across the 430 sq in surface. I have run the grill side hot for burgers while keeping the griddle side at 325F for onions, and the dual-fuel design handled both jobs without a cold ring between zones.
The spark electronic ignition fires reliably when assembled correctly. Where reviews get noisy is post-purchase: a meaningful percentage of owners report either missing hardware on arrival or a drip tray that slips out mid-cook. Royal Gourmet’s customer service tends to resolve these when you reach them.
At 40.6 lbs and 39 inches wide, this is still a tailgating-sized unit rather than a backpack-portable one. Plan on loading it into a truck bed, not a back seat.
Who this griddle is best for
Backyard cooks who want griddles for breakfast and grates for steaks without buying two appliances. Tailgaters running a full cookout in a single parking-lot spot also get a lot of use out of the combo.
Who should look elsewhere
If you are 100% griddle committed and never grill over grates, a dedicated griddle like the Blackstone 28″ gives you more cook space for the same money. If portability is your top priority, the Royal Gourmet PD1305H 3-in-1 is smaller.
7. Razor Griddle GGC2030M 25″ Portable Griddle – Best Outdoor Griddle with a Hood
Razor Griddle GGC2030M 25 Inch Outdoor 2 Burner Portable LP Propane Gas Grill Griddle with Top Cover, Wheels, & Storage Shelf for BBQ Cooking, Black
25 inch surface
2 burners
Front grease
Steel lid
Pros
- Steel hood lets you steam
- melt
- and protect the cooktop
- Two independent burners for zone cooking
- Fits 21 burgers
- 17 pancakes
- or 10 steaks
- Front-access grease cup for fast empty
- Wheels make the cart mobile
Cons
- 20 lb propane tank adapter sold separately
- Some users receive units with missing hardware
- Build quality not as solid as premium brands per a minority of reviewers
The Razor Griddle GGC2030M is what I recommend when someone asks for a flat top grill that comes with a hood. The steel lid is a feature you do not realize you need until you try it – you can melt cheese over smash burgers, steam mushrooms, or protect the cooktop from a sudden rain shower.
Two independently controlled burners give you basic zone cooking on a 25-inch surface. Capacity is generous: 21 burgers or 17 pancakes at once. For a weekend breakfast with the in-laws, this puts out enough food in one go that nobody is waiting on a round.
Front-access grease management is a quality-of-life touch. Pull the tray, dump it, slide it back – no reaching across a hot cooktop. The unit ships with a 1 lb camping cylinder connector; if you want to run a 20 lb tank, you need an adapter, which is sold separately.
Build quality is the headline trade-off. Reviews confirm the steel is a step below premium griddles and a small number of units arrive with missing hardware. Customers who hit those issues tend to be the most vocal; the majority run this griddle problem-free for years.
Who this griddle is best for
Cooks who want a lid for steaming and weather protection, and who appreciate the lower cost of a Razor over a Blackstone. Apartment patios and small backyards get a lot of use out of this size.
Who should look elsewhere
If maximum build quality is your priority, the Blackstone 28″ remains the gold standard. If you need a truly portable unit, the 17″ Blackstone 1814 is lighter.
8. SKOK 3-Burner Outdoor Propane Griddle with Cart – Best Outdoor Griddle for Small Patios
SKOK 3 Burner Outdoor Propane Griddle with Stand Cart Flat Top Gas Griddle
326 sq in surface
3 burners at 30K BTU
Stainless body
Wheels
Pros
- Stainless steel body and frame resist rust
- 3 independently controlled burners for zone cooking
- Two side shelves plus a lower rack for storage
- 326 sq in fits a lot into a small footprint
- Wheels and lightweight cart for repositioning
Cons
- Drip tray is smaller than ideal
- Cart metal is thin and a bit flimsy per reviewers
- Assembly holes can be tricky to align
- Lid sold separately
The SKOK 3-Burner is the right answer for a small patio where rust is a real risk. Stainless steel construction plus an enamel coating means you can leave it out through a few rainy weeks without the kind of rust blooming that plagues carbon-steel units.
Three burners, 30,000 BTU total, and 326 sq in of cooking surface fit a patio corner without dominating the space. The two side shelves plus a lower rack give you prep and storage surface that, frankly, much more expensive griddles should include but often do not.
Ignition is fast and reliable via the stainless control panel. Reviewers note a clean, easy startup that does not require a lighter. The wheels are small but functional – plenty to move the unit across a concrete patio, less so on grass.
The honest trade-offs: the drip tray is small and needs frequent emptying on heavy cooks, and the cart steel is on the thin side. Neither is a deal-breaker at this price, but they keep the SKOK from being a 5-star product.
Who this griddle is best for
Apartment and condo patios where space is tight and rust is a constant worry. Also a strong fit for coastal climates where salt air eats carbon steel fast.
Who should look elsewhere
If you want true premium build quality, the Blackstone 28″ or Weber Slate line dominates. If you need a hood for steaming, the Razor Griddle 25″ is a better pick.
9. Royal Gourmet PD1305H 3-in-1 Grill and Griddle Combo – Best Versatile Combo for Tailgating
Royal Gourmet PD1305H 3-Burner Propane Gas Grill, Griddle Combo with Lid
364 sq in combined
2 main + 1 side burner
29K BTU
Piezo ignition
Pros
- 3-in-1 system gives you griddle
- grill grate
- and side burner
- Compact 32.7 lb tabletop fits a tailgate or small patio
- Piezo ignition needs no battery
- Removable grease cups simplify cleanup
- Side burner doubles as a small warming shelf
Cons
- Baffle above the burner can sit loosely
- Grill side lacks a raised edge for small food
- No carrying handle included
- Some users report burner reliability concerns
The Royal Gourmet PD1305H is the swiss army knife of the griddle world. Three cooking surfaces – a porcelain-enameled griddle plate, a grill grate, and a side burner pot rack – in a single tabletop unit. For tailgating, RVing, or small patios that need to do everything, it is hard to beat.
The 29,000 BTU split across two main burners and a 12,000 BTU side burner gives you real flexibility. Boil a pot of water for corn on the side burner while smash burgers cook on the griddle and a couple of chicken breasts grill over open grates.
Piezo ignition is battery-free, which is a real convenience at a campsite or tailgate where keeping spares is annoying. Removable grease cups on both sides of the unit speed up cleanup. The griddle has a low-profile lid for wind shielding during egg cooks.
The two honest drawbacks: the burner baffle sits loosely on some units (it pops out if you bump the unit), and the grill side lacks a raised edge – small food like shrimp and sliced mushrooms have a way of rolling off.
Who this griddle is best for
Tailgaters and RV owners who want one box to cook breakfast, lunch, and dinner for 4-6 people. Small patios where you cannot fit a freestanding grill and a freestanding griddle both.
Who should look elsewhere
If you mostly do pancakes and smash burgers and never need the grill grate, a dedicated griddle like the Blackstone 22″ or Royal Gourmet PD1301R is a cleaner choice.
10. Royal Gourmet PD3001 3-Burner Propane Griddle – Best Collapsible Griddle for Storage
Royal Gourmet PD3001 3-Burner Propane Gas Griddle with Collapsible Stand
314 sq in surface
3 burners
Ceramic-coated top
Folding stand
Pros
- Collapsible stand folds in seconds for storage
- FDA and PFAS tested ceramic coating
- 314 sq in on a compact 42-inch footprint
- Side shelf and tool hooks included
- Removable grease cup simplifies cleanup
- Lid latch buckles for safe transport
Cons
- Assembly instructions are not clearly illustrated
- Some holes and brackets misaligned on certain units
- Cart build is perceived as cheap by some users
- Propane outlet position can interfere with hanging accessories
Not everyone has space to leave a flat-top griddle set up year-round. The Royal Gourmet PD3001 solves that with a stand that collapses in seconds, lid latches that lock the unit closed, and a small enough footprint to slide against a garage wall when not in use.
The ceramic-coated cooktop is FDA and PFAS tested, which matters if you prefer to skip the seasoning ritual entirely. Ceramic also resists sticking during egg cooks, and cleanup is mostly a wipe-down with a paper towel.
Three burners give you standard zone control across 314 sq in. The side shelf and tool hooks are nice touches – small but well-placed – and they fold down with the rest of the stand for transport.
Where this griddle loses points is assembly. Multiple reviewers flagged unclear instructions and misaligned holes that ate up an extra 30-45 minutes during setup. If you have built a grill before, plan for a learning curve.
Who this griddle is best for
Anyone with limited storage – apartment dwellers, condo owners, and RVers who want a full-size cooking surface that disappears when not in use. Also a solid pick if you prefer ceramic-coated surfaces over traditional carbon steel seasoning.
Who should look elsewhere
If you have a dedicated outdoor spot and never need to fold the stand down, the Blackstone 28″ or 36″ models give you more cook surface in roughly the same footprint.
How to Choose the Best Outdoor Griddle for Your Needs
Picking the best outdoor griddle comes down to five decisions: cooking area, burner count, material, fuel type, and where you will store it. I run through each below with the matching numbers from this list.
For a quick lens on shopping options beyond griddles, our guide to cooking kits for bike touring covers compact cookware for travelers, and the flat top grills for outdoor cooking breakdown digs deeper into premium flat tops worth considering alongside this roundup.
Match cooking area to family size
A 2-burner griddle with roughly 270-360 sq in of cook space handles a couple or small family. A 3-burner around 314-430 sq in covers a family of 4-6 with room for pancakes plus a side dish. A 4-burner pushing 720 sq in is built for a crowd of 6-10.
When in doubt, size up. A 28″ griddle for a family of four is a far better fit than a 17″ model – you can always turn off burners, but you cannot cook more than the surface allows.
BTU output and burner count
BTU measures raw heat input, but evenness matters more than peak BTU. Two well-engineered H-burners around 25,000 BTU total will outperform four cheap circular burners at higher BTU. Look for racetrack or H-shaped burners over straight tubes for more even heat.
Per r/griddling threads on outdoor cooking gear, racetrack and H-shaped burners are now the standard for even heat on any griddle over 17″.
Material: carbon steel vs stainless steel
Carbon steel is the classic griddle top – excellent heat retention, easy to season, requires oil maintenance to prevent rust. Stainless steel is rust-free but slightly slower to heat and often pricier. Cast iron holds heat the longest but takes longer to bring up to temperature.
Owners on r/griddling report that the primary reason they switch from carbon steel Blackstone to stainless options like the Weber Slate or SKOK is rust management, especially after one winter of poor storage.
Fuel type: propane vs natural gas
Propane is portable – you can run a griddle anywhere with a 1 lb or 20 lb tank. Natural gas requires a gas line and an outdoor kitchen, but you never run out of fuel mid-cook and the BTU output is steady. Most of the griddles on this list run on propane; check the manufacturer’s spec sheet for a natural gas conversion kit if you have a built-in outdoor kitchen.
Wind performance and grease management
Recessed cooktops with built-in wind shields hold temperature in 10+ mph breezes that blow flat plates cold. Match the wind performance to where you live and cook. Front-access or rear grease management is the difference between 30 seconds of cleanup and 15 minutes of fishing food out of a corner trap.
Built-in vs freestanding vs portable
Freestanding carts are the most common and most flexible. Portable tabletops work for camping, tailgating, and small patios. Built-in drop-ins are designed for permanent outdoor kitchen installations and often require a separate cabinet or island.
How to Season and Maintain Your Outdoor Griddle in 2026
A carbon-steel griddle needs a thin layer of polymerized oil to be non-stick and rust-resistant. Stainless and ceramic surfaces do not require seasoning but benefit from a thin oil wipe-down after each cook. The first-season schedule below covers the carbon-steel approach that applies to most Blackstone, Royal Gourmet, and Pit Boss models.
First-seasoning (one-time, 45 minutes)
Wash the cooktop with hot soapy water and a non-metallic scrubber to remove factory coating. Dry it completely with a towel, then heat on low for five minutes to evaporate any remaining moisture.
Apply a thin coat of high-smoke-point oil (flaxseed, avocado, or grapeseed) across the entire surface using a folded paper towel. Wipe off any visible pools – the layer should be barely visible.
Heat the cooktop until it just begins to smoke, then let it cool. Repeat this oil-and-heat cycle three to four times. The surface will turn dark brown to black as the polymerized oil layers build up.
After every cook
Scrape the cooktop with a flat-edge metal scraper while it is still warm. Wipe with a paper towel, then apply a paper-towel-thin layer of oil before putting the lid or cover on. This five-minute routine prevents the rust complaints that dominate r/griddling.
Deep-clean every 5-10 cooks
For stuck-on food, pour hot water onto the warm cooktop and let it steam the residue loose. Scrape gently with a flat-edge scraper, dry fully, and apply a fresh seasoning layer. Avoid dish soap on seasoned surfaces – it strips the polymerized oil layer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a griddle better than a Blackstone?
Yes. For shoppers with a bigger budget, stainless-steel options like the Weber Slate line, Traeger Flatrock, and Solo Stove Steelfire outperform a standard Blackstone in wind performance, rust resistance, and heat evenness. Carbon-steel Blackstones remain the value king and the easiest upgrade path if you already own a smaller 17 or 22 inch model.
What size outdoor griddle should I buy?
Match the cooking area to your family size. Couples and solo campers do well with 17 to 22 inch griddles around 268 to 361 sq in. Families of 3 to 5 should look at 24 to 28 inch models with 470 to 517 sq in. Groups of 6 to 10 want a 36 inch 4-burner griddle around 720 sq in. Bigger is generally better when you have the storage space.
How do I season my outdoor griddle?
Wash off the factory coating with hot soapy water and dry completely. Apply a thin coat of high-smoke-point oil such as flaxseed, avocado, or grapeseed across the surface. Heat until the griddle just begins to smoke, let it cool, and repeat the oil and heat cycle three to four times. The cooktop should turn dark brown to black when fully seasoned.
How do you clean and maintain an outdoor griddle?
Scrape the cooktop with a flat-edge scraper while it is still warm after every cook. Wipe with a paper towel, then apply a thin layer of oil. For stuck-on food, pour hot water onto the warm surface and let the residue loosen before scraping. Avoid dish soap on seasoned griddles since it strips the polymerized oil layer. Deep-clean and reseason every 5 to 10 cooks.
What can you cook on an outdoor griddle?
Outdoor griddles handle breakfast foods like pancakes, eggs, bacon, and hash browns. Lunch and dinner options include smash burgers, philly cheesesteaks, fajitas, quesadillas, stir-fry, hibachi-style fried rice, and grilled vegetables. You can also sear steaks, cook fish, and warm tortillas, making a flat top one of the most versatile outdoor cooking surfaces available.
Propane vs natural gas – which fuel is better for an outdoor griddle?
Propane is the right pick for most buyers because it works anywhere you can park a tank. You can run a 1 lb camping cylinder for a tailgate or a 20 lb tank for a backyard. Natural gas makes sense for a permanent outdoor kitchen with a gas line. The BTU output is similar on both fuels; the difference is convenience and portability rather than cooking performance.
What oil is best for seasoning a griddle?
Flaxseed oil is the gold standard for building a tough polymerized seasoning layer. Avocado oil and grapeseed oil are excellent high-smoke-point alternatives. Avoid butter, olive oil, and vegetable oil for initial seasoning since they have lower smoke points and can leave a sticky residue rather than a hard seasoning coat.
Final Verdict: Which Outdoor Griddle Should You Buy in 2026?
After 10 griddles and many pancakes’ worth of testing, the best outdoor griddle for most readers in 2026 is the Blackstone 1517 28″ Omnivore Griddle. It hits the sweet spot of cooking area, two-zone burner control, wind-resistant cooktop, and a 12,000+ review track record that backs the marketing.
If you cook for big gatherings, step up to the Blackstone 36″ 4-Burner Griddle Station. If you want a portable flat top that still has Blackstone build quality, the 22″ Tabletop remains the value pick. For budget shoppers who want three independent burners and a cover in the box, the Royal Gourmet PD1301R delivers surprising capability.
Whichever griddle you choose, take 30 minutes on day one to wash, dry, and season the cooktop. That single step separates owners who get years of non-stick cooking from the ones posting rust photos by next spring. For related outdoor cooking gear that pairs well with a new griddle, our guide to outdoor storage covers covers the side-table and grill-cover protection angle.