Best Outdoor Kitchen Griddles

Even large frying pans aren’t enough for preparing big meals sometimes. You’d also have to keep washing the pans to make different dishes. It’s going to take you a lot of time and effort in cooking up a feast.

Why go through all that hassle when there are kitchen griddles to help you do the job more efficiently? A griddle is a flat cooking surface that’s usually made of thick metal. It can handle high temperatures and allow you to cook a variety of dishes at the same time. It usually comes in a square or rectangular shape, but there are circular griddles, too.

Let’s look more closely into the benefits of using an outdoor kitchen griddle.

Why You Should Use an Outdoor Kitchen Griddle

An outdoor kitchen griddle serves many purposes in cooking. A griddle pan can be used over grills or stovetops. There are also freestanding griddles that are usually electric. It may also come in the form of a flat-top grill that’s perfect for an outdoor kitchen setup.

A griddle can be used in cooking food at high or low temperatures. It’s designed to distribute heat evenly throughout the cooking area. You could expect to get perfectly-cooked dishes every time.

Griddles are bigger than regular frying pans. You can prepare different food together without having to keep switching pans. Griddles allow you to cook an egg or pancakes on one side and a hamburger or bacon on the other.

A griddle pan is shallow, allowing you to flip burgers or pancakes much easier than when you use a frying pan or skillet. Food cooked on a griddle pan also tastes juicier since it’s being cooked in its own grease. And if you’re looking to be healthier, there are inclined griddles as well. These are designed to keep the grease away from your food while also keeping it from dripping into your heat source.

Griddles are made of thick materials like stainless steel, cast iron, or ceramic. They also have a non-stick coating to make cooking easier and more efficient.

These materials are also easy to clean. You only need to scrape off the food residue and rinse or wipe the surface as you would. Griddles don’t need special care techniques to keep them in tiptop shape. Some griddles also have a feature that collects grease so that you can easily dispose of it after cooking.

An outdoor kitchen griddle is versatile and durable. If you love barbecues or grilled cheese sandwiches, owning a griddle is just practical.

Charcoal vs. Propane/Gas

Charcoal griddles are much cheaper than gas griddles. Let’s start with that. You can already get a high-quality charcoal griddle for only around $100. For a high-quality gas griddle, it could cost you more than $500.

But charcoal costs more than a propane tank. A $20 bag of charcoal could last for around 5–10 grilling sessions, depending on how much and how long you grill for. A $20 propane tank could already last you around 20–25 grilling sessions.

If you’re after portability, charcoal is easier to transport than a propane tank since it’s much lighter. A charcoal griddle is also easier to set up. All you have to do is load charcoal into the grill and start up the fire. After it has preheated to your desired temperature, you can grill food to your heart’s content. For a gas griddle, you’d have to connect the hoses properly to avoid possible leaks.

A charcoal griddle can reach higher temperatures than a gas griddle. Searing dishes would be better on a charcoal griddle. A gas griddle heats up quicker, though.

A gas griddle is also easier to manage than a charcoal griddle. It doesn’t take much skill to master cooking on a gas griddle. The method is pretty straightforward. A charcoal griddle may give you a more authentic and smoky flavor for your food, but it takes a while to master it.

6 Best Outdoor Kitchen Griddles for Grilling

Built-In Gas Griddles

Built-in gas griddles are perfect for your outdoor kitchen setup. They can fit right between your countertops, so you won’t have to worry about your preparation area. Lidded grills are better for an outdoor kitchen since they can be used all year round and not just in the summer.

The Napoleon Built-In Prestige 500 Gas Grill has four stainless steel main burners and an infrared rear burner. It has a roll top lid that makes it perfect for cooking even on windy days or in the winter. It also has control knobs that light up. You won’t have to worry about accidentally leaving your grill on because you would know right away.

You have an option between natural gas or propane. For $1,399, you get 500 square inches of main cooking area. With the rear burners, your total cooking area could reach up to 760 square inches.

Table Top Griddles

Table top griddles are perfect for outdoor dining. These compact units can be placed on any table or countertop. They can also be brought to picnics as they’re portable.

The Blackstone Tabletop Griddle provides optimal heat distribution through its two independent H-style burners. With 339 square inches of cooking space, you get to cook all kinds of food from eggs to burgers. It also has a rear grease trap for when you’re cooking juicy meats like bacon. This makes cleanup much easier afterwards.

You can choose between 17 and 22 inches for this griddle. It only comes in the color black and uses propane for its fuel. The griddle only costs $159.99 on Amazon.

Portable Griddles

Portable griddles are perfect for on-the-go grilling. You can take these with you on your camping trips or weekend getaways. They fit right in your car’s trunk and are also easy to assemble.

The BELLA XL Electric Ceramic Titanium Griddle allows you to make 15 pancakes at once. Its non-stick coating is infused with titanium, making it more durable. The coating also doesn’t contain lead and cadmium. It’s eco-friendly and safe for your health. It also cooks food up to 30% faster than other non-stick griddles.

This sleek and modern electric grill only weighs 3.96 pounds. It comes in a copper and black color, making it look more elegant and high-class. And the best part? It only costs $43.35.

Freestanding Griddles

Freestanding griddles are perfect for outdoor barbecues. If you don’t think you can commit to a built-in griddle, this is your next best choice. You can move them around your whole backyard to change things up. And if you have the space, you can even bring these with you while traveling.

The Royal Gourmet Regal GB2000 offers 486 square inches of cooking area. It’s coated with glossy ceramic that allows the surface to heat up quickly. It has two independent burners made of stainless steel. It also has a grease cup for easy cleanup. The grill has a side table where you can prepare your food on. It also has four movable hooks for your grilling accessories. The two large caster wheels also allow you to move the unit around more easily.

This griddle comes in black and uses propane for fuel. Get it now for only $189.99.

High-End Griddles

Removable and dishwasher-safe drip tray is located in front of the plancha grill, which is easy to pull and clean.”]

High-end griddles are made with highly strong and durable materials. They have special features that a regular griddle might not have.

The DIAOD Plancha Gas Grill is used for the preparation of meat and other food without the addition of fat. It has an iron plate grill that’s scratch-resistant and non-stick. The plate is only 5 millimeters thick which makes it heat up fast. It’s also non-toxic and doesn’t oxidate. It has four burners that can be independently controlled. The temperature can also reach up to 600°F. 

This high-end griddle is perfect for an outdoor teppanyaki or deluxe barbecue. You can get it for $1,317.92 on Amazon.

Electric Griddles

The Presto 22-Inch Electric Griddle offers 231 square inches of cooking area. It has a heavy-cast aluminum base that’s almost impossible to bend or dent. Its handles can also be removed so that you can wash the plate or store it in your cabinet. The plate is non-stick and easy to clean. It also has a drip tray for the grease that comes from your food. It has a heat control system that regulates the temperature across the whole plate.

With a removable griddle plate, you can also use this over your stovetop. That means you can cook pancakes or eggs hassle-free indoors. With a high-quality multi-purpose griddle like this, your $70.69 will surely be worth it.

Bonus: Griddle Plates

If you’re only looking for a good-quality pan to go over your stove instead of a whole grill, griddle plates are the way to go.

The 11-inch OXO Good Grips Pro Griddle Pan has a durable hard-anodized aluminum body and stainless steel handle. It’s heat-resistant and conducts heat well. It can even go in your oven for up to 430°F. It’s not compatible with an induction cooker, but it should be good with any other stovetop.

Another good choice for a griddle pan would be the Cuisinart Chef’s Classic Non-Stick Griddle. It’s a rectangular griddle pan that’s perfect for a double-burner stovetop. This allows you to cook more food simultaneously. The pan is non-stick, non-porous, and spreads heat evenly. It could also go in a 500°F oven. It’s not dishwasher-safe, though, so you’d have to wash it with your hands.

If you’re looking for an affordable grill pan, the Lodge Cast Iron Griddle is for you. It’s round and measures 10.5 inches in diameter. It’s perfect for a stovetop, grill, oven, and even a campfire. It’s already pre-seasoned to make it non-stick. This griddle pan retains heat well and distributes heat evenly. You might want to get a handle cover, though, as it could get quite hot.

How to Choose the Best Outdoor Kitchen Griddles

Style

The most important thing in choosing an outdoor kitchen griddle is the style. There are a lot of different types of griddles, as mentioned above. Make sure to think about the type that fits you best. What do you plan on using your griddle for?

The utility type also comes into play here. Charcoal, gas, or electric—which would be the most practical for you? There are pros and cons to every type, so it might be best to research first.

Size and Capacity

It’s also important to consider the size and capacity when choosing outdoor kitchen griddles. These will depend on how much or how often you’re planning to use your griddle.

How much space do you have in your outdoor kitchen for a griddle? Do you plan on hosting backyard parties frequently? Are you going to grill a lot of food at the same time?

Plate Thickness

Plate thickness also matters. Thin griddle plates or pans heat up faster. They also respond to temperature changes better. But they might not be that good at distributing heat evenly. They could also bend when exposed to higher temperatures.

Thick griddle plates or pans are perfect for cooking food at high temperatures. They retain heat better and distribute it more evenly across the surface. They do use up more energy or fuel, though. They also respond to temperature changes slower because of their heat retention feature.

Material and Finish

Commercial griddles are usually made of stainless steel. They’re perfect for achieving high temperatures. They also don’t rust and corrode. These are the griddles you usually see in restaurant kitchens and burger stands.

There are also cast-iron and ceramic griddles. These may be more commonly seen in houses and outdoor kitchens since they’re smaller and more manageable.

You can also encounter chrome-coated griddles. Chrome is a non-porous material, so different flavors wouldn’t transfer to any food. You can freely cook different dishes in succession without worrying about affecting the flavor. Chrome is also non-stick, so you won’t need to use oil to grease the griddle.

The material and finish you should choose for your outdoor kitchen griddle depends on your purpose for it.

Controls

There are two types of controls for outdoor kitchen griddles—manual and thermostatic.

A manual griddle allows you to adjust temperatures freely, depending on what you’re cooking. It might need frequent adjusting, though. This would work best on burgers, steaks, and other types of meat.

A thermostatic griddle allows you to set the temperature to a specific level. It regulates the heat so that the temperature stays the same while you grill. This would be better for cooking eggs, pancakes, and vegetables.

Outdoor Kitchen Griddles

Outdoor kitchen griddles are highly practical to have. It’s one of the easiest and most versatile grills to use. And even if you already have an outdoor grill, you can always just opt for a griddle pan and you’re good to go.

Again, here are the best outdoor kitchen griddles for grilling:

• Best Built-In Gas Griddle: Napoleon Built-In Prestige 500 Gas Grill
• Best Table Top Griddle: Blackstone Tabletop Griddle
• Best Portable Griddle: BELLA XL Electric Ceramic Titanium Griddle
• Best Freestanding Griddle: Royal Gourmet Regal GB2000
• Best High-End Griddle: DIAOD Plancha Gas Grill
• Best Electric Griddle: Presto 22-Inch Electric Griddle
• BONUS – Best Griddle Plates: OXO Good Grips Pro Griddle Pan, Cuisinart Chef’s Classic Non-Stick Griddle, and Lodge Cast Iron Griddle