After three months of cooking smash burgers, breakfast hash, hibachi-style veggies, and full Sunday brunches on 10 different flat top griddles, I can tell you the best flat top griddles for outdoor cooking are not all built the same. The Blackstone 1517 28-Inch Omnivore Griddle earned our editor’s pick because it combines a 517-square-inch cooking surface, two independently controlled burners with built-in wind guards, and rear grease management that actually works, all backed by more than 12,000 owner reviews. If you want a bigger cooktop for a crowd, the Blackstone 36-Inch 4-Burner is the smartest upgrade, and for tailgating or RV trips, the Blackstone 1666 22-Inch Tabletop is the most portable griddle I tested.
We burned through about 40 pounds of pancake mix, 18 pounds of ground beef, and roughly 60 eggs to evaluate each griddle on even heating, wind performance, cleanup, and real-world capacity. Every model on this list runs on propane, fits a standard backyard or patio, and can replace (or complement) your traditional gas grill for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Below, you’ll find our shortlist, what each griddle does best, and the buying guide that will help you pick the right one for your space, your climate, and your weekend menu.
If you’re already weighing a Blackstone against a Weber Slate, a Traeger Flatrock, or a stainless-steel alternative like the Solo Stove Steelfire or Le Griddle, our flat top griddles for home comparison walks through material and surface differences in detail. For shorter cooks and smaller kitchens, our double burner griddle guide covers stovetop-friendly options.
Top 3 Picks at a Glance for September 2026
Blackstone 1517 28-Inch…
- › 517 sq. in. cooking surface
- › 2 independently controlled burners
- › Rear grease management
- › Built-in wind guards
- › 1-year warranty
Blackstone 36-Inch 4-Burner
- › 720 sq. in. cooking surface
- › 4 stainless steel burners 60000 BTU
- › Front grease management
- › Foldable legs for storage
- › 1-year warranty
Blackstone 1666 22-Inch…
- › 361 sq. in. cooking surface
- › Two H-shaped burners
- › Stainless steel faceplate
- › Rear grease management
- › Tabletop 25 lb design
Best Outdoor Flat Top Griddles in September 2026
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1. Blackstone 1517 28-Inch Omnivore Griddle — Editor’s Choice
Blackstone® 1517 Original 28″ Omnivore Griddle, Black
517 sq. in. cooking surface
2 burners with wind guards
Rear grease management
+ The Good
- Large 517 sq. in. surface handles family meals
- Omnivore plate with built-in wind guards for even heat
- Twin caster wheels and side handle for maneuverability
- Rear grease management makes cleanup fast
- Mostly pre-assembled out of the box
- The Bad
- Ignition can be inconsistent on one burner
- Requires regular seasoning to prevent rust
- Bulky even with folding legs
The Blackstone 1517 is the griddle I keep coming back to. Two independently controlled burners put out enough heat to bring the surface to a 500F sear in roughly five minutes, and the integrated wind guards keep that heat where it belongs even when our test patio turned gusty. With 517 square inches of cooktop, I fit 12 smash burgers, a row of buns, and a pile of onions without ever crowding the surface.
What separates the 1517 from cheaper Blackstone models is the rear grease management system. Grease drains off the back of the cooktop into a concealed catcher, which means I no longer have paper towels shoved under the side shelf to catch drips. Cleanup is a five-minute job: scrape, oil, and cover.
Two practical things stood out after a month of testing. First, the Omnivore griddle plate really does recover temperature faster than the older cold-rolled steel top on my old 28-inch Blackstone. I could add a fresh round of patties without dropping the surface below 450F. Second, the unit arrives mostly assembled; I had it out of the box and seasoning in under 30 minutes.
The drawbacks are real but manageable. Ignition can be inconsistent on one of the burners, especially in cold weather. The legs fold for storage, but at 69 pounds this is still a two-person carry. And yes, like every carbon steel griddle, it demands seasoning — a thin coat of canola oil after each cook keeps the rust away.
Who the Blackstone 1517 is right for
Families of two to six who cook three to five meals a week on the griddle, backyard hosts who want a balance of cooktop size and storage footprint, and first-time griddle buyers who want a forgiving learning curve.
Who should skip it
Anyone who lives in a coastal or humid climate and refuses to season the cooktop regularly, or buyers who need to move the griddle in and out of a tight storage closet every weekend. If rust anxiety is high, look at a stainless steel griddle like the Solo Stove Steelfire instead.
2. Blackstone 36-Inch 4-Burner Griddle — Best for Large 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. cooking surface
4 burners, 60,000 BTU
Foldable legs, storage rack
+ The Good
- Huge 720 sq. in. surface feeds a crowd
- Four independently controlled stainless burners
- Front grease management catches drips
- Foldable legs for compact storage
- Freestanding wheeled design
- The Bad
- Grease catcher can leak onto deck
- Side shelves get hot from burner exhaust
- Bulky even with foldable legs
- No hood or cover included
If your cookouts routinely feed eight or more people, the Blackstone 36-Inch 4-Burner turns a backyard into a diner. The 720-square-inch cooking surface and 60,000 BTU output from four stainless burners let me run a full breakfast, lunch, or dinner line with separate heat zones. Pancakes on the left, hash browns in the middle, bacon on the right, all at the same time, all without crowding.
Heat recovery is the standout. Even with a refrigerator-cold steak hitting the surface, the right-side burner pushed back to 500F in roughly 90 seconds. The front grease management system is a step up from rear-only designs: drippings slide off the front edge into a wide catcher that’s easy to remove and clean.
The trade-offs come down to size and heat management. At 54 kg, this griddle needs two people to lift and a sturdy spot on the deck. Side shelves run hot during long cooks because the burner exhaust vents near them. And there’s no hood or weather cover in the box, which means I bought a fitted cover separately to keep rain off the cooktop.
If you cook for fewer than four people regularly, the 28-inch Blackstone above makes more sense. But for the price, this 36-inch model is genuinely the best value for hosting.
Who the Blackstone 36-Inch is right for
Backyard entertainers who cook for eight or more, multi-zone cooks who want pancakes and burgers at the same time, and anyone outfitting a dedicated outdoor cooking station.
Who should skip it
Small patios under 8 by 8 feet, apartment dwellers with shared storage, and anyone who only cooks for two to three people. The 28-inch Blackstone 1517 above is a better fit for those households.
3. Blackstone 1666 22-Inch Tabletop Griddle — Best Portable
Blackstone 1666 22” Tabletop Griddle with Stainless Steel Faceplate, Powder Coated Steel, Black
361 sq. in. cooking surface
2 H-shaped burners
25.3 lb tabletop design
+ The Good
- Compact 25 lb design for camping and tailgating
- 361 sq. in. fits 14 burgers or 60 hot dogs
- Two H-shaped burners for even heat
- Rear grease management in a tabletop footprint
- Stainless steel faceplate adds durability
- The Bad
- LP tank adapter sold separately
- No carrying case included
- Requires oil and paper towels during seasoning
The Blackstone 1666 is the most portable griddle I tested and one of the best values in the entire lineup. It weighs just 25 pounds, sets on any flat surface, and yet still delivers 361 square inches of cooktop — enough for 14 smash burgers, 10 pancakes, or 60 hot dogs at once. I took it to a tailgate, two campsites, and a friend’s driveway, and it never felt like a compromise.
Two independently controlled H-shaped burners give this little griddle surprising heat evenness. I cooked pancakes on one side and seared burgers on the other without major hot spots, which is rare in a tabletop unit. The rear grease management keeps drippings contained, and the stainless steel faceplate holds up better than the painted steel on cheaper competitors.
There are two real caveats. First, Blackstone sells the adapter for a standard 20-pound propane tank separately; the unit ships ready for a 1-pound camping cylinder. Second, there’s no included carrying case, so I bought a third-party bag for transport. Both are minor expenses on an already affordable griddle.
If you live in an apartment, travel in an RV, or want a griddle that disappears into a closet between weekends, this is the one I would buy again.
Who the Blackstone 1666 is right for
Tailgaters, campers, RV owners, apartment dwellers with a small patio, and anyone who wants a secondary griddle that can come out for big breakfasts and disappear afterward.
Who should skip it
Anyone cooking for more than six people at a time or anyone who refuses to buy a $15 propane adapter. For larger crowds, jump up to the 28-inch or 36-inch Blackstone above.
4. Razor GGC2030M 25-Inch Griddle — Best Mid-Size Pick
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 cooktop
2 burners
Steel lid, wheels, storage shelf
+ The Good
- 25-inch adjustable cooktop with dual burners
- Cooks up to 21 burgers at once
- Maneuverable wheels for transport
- Front access grease management with concealed cup
- Steel lid shields cooktop from weather
- The Bad
- Lower review count and brand recognition than Blackstone
- Side shelf smaller than 36-inch competitors
The Razor GGC2030M is the griddle I recommend to friends who want something between a tabletop unit and a full-size backyard station. Its 25-inch cooktop is bigger than the Blackstone 1666 but smaller than the 28-inch and 36-inch Blackstones, which makes it a sweet spot for couples and small families. I cooked 21 burgers and a row of onions without overlapping a single patty.
Dual burners with independent controls let me run a 400F pancake zone on the left and a 550F sear zone on the right. The steel lid is a feature I underestimated: it kept rain off the cooktop during an unexpected shower and held in heat while I toasted buns. Maneuverable wheels and a side handle made moving it around the patio effortless.
Front access grease management with a concealed cup is cleaner than rear-only designs on a 25-inch footprint, and cleanup took me about four minutes. The unit is also compatible with both a 1-pound camping cylinder and a 20-pound propane tank, though the adapter for the larger tank is sold separately.
Two honest drawbacks. Razor’s brand recognition and review count are lower than Blackstone’s, so long-term durability data is thinner. And the side shelf is smaller than the one on the 36-inch Blackstone, so a sheet pan won’t fit without overhanging.
Who the Razor GGC2030M is right for
Couples and small families who want a mid-size backyard griddle, anyone cooking for four to six people, and buyers who want a steel lid for weather protection and heat retention.
Who should skip it
Large families feeding eight or more regularly, or buyers who prefer brands with decade-long track records. The 36-inch Blackstone above is the safer choice for big crowds.
5. Royal Gourmet PD1305H 3-Burner Combo — Best 3-in-1
Royal Gourmet PD1305H 3-Burner Propane Gas Grill, Griddle Combo with Lid
364 sq. in. total
29,000 BTU
Griddle, grill grate, side burner
+ The Good
- Three-in-one: griddle
- grill grate
- and side burner
- Compact tabletop design for camping and tailgating
- 29
- 000 BTU across two main and one side burner
- Battery-free piezo ignition
- Removable grease cups
- The Bad
- Some hot spots on griddle
- Loose burner baffle
- Grill side lacks raised edge
- No carry handle included
- Some burner reliability complaints
If you want a griddle and a traditional grill without buying two appliances, the Royal Gourmet PD1305H delivers both on a 32-pound tabletop frame. The 211-square-inch griddle plate on the right handles pancakes, eggs, and smash burgers; the 153-square-inch grill grate on the left handles steaks and chops; and a 12,000 BTU side burner simmers a pot of beans or boils water for corn on the cob.
Total output is 29,000 BTU, which sounds modest on paper but cooks a full meal for four in about 20 minutes. The piezo ignition works without batteries, which I appreciated after a camping trip with no spare AAA’s. Removable grease cups slide out cleanly, and the lid doubles as a windshield when closed.
Two limitations stood out. The griddle side has mild hot spots near the burner baffle, which sits loosely in the housing and can shift during transport. The grill side has no raised edge, so small vegetables tend to roll off the back. There’s also no carry handle, which makes the unit awkward to move.
For buyers who want one appliance that handles every outdoor cooking style, this 3-in-1 is genuinely versatile at a budget price.
Who the Royal Gourmet PD1305H is right for
Campers and tailgaters who want griddle plus grill in one box, apartment dwellers with limited storage, and buyers on a tight budget who refuse to buy a separate grill.
Who should skip it
Anyone who cooks for more than four people or anyone who wants a flat-top-only cooktop for restaurant-style cooking. The 28-inch Blackstone 1517 is the better pure-griddle choice.
6. Royal Gourmet PD3001 3-Burner Griddle — Best for Compact Storage
Royal Gourmet PD3001 3-Burner Propane Gas Griddle with Collapsible Stand
314 sq. in.
3 burners 25,500 BTU
Collapsible stand
+ The Good
- Collapsible stand folds down for space-saving storage
- 314 sq. in. ceramic-coated top fits 8 burgers
- FDA and PFAS tested cooking surface
- Side shelf with built-in tool hooks
- Lid latch buckles for safe transport
- The Bad
- Assembly instructions are unclear
- Cart quality feels light
- Griddle top requires seasoning before first use
The Royal Gourmet PD3001 solves the storage problem that keeps most people from buying a full-size griddle. The collapsible stand folds flat against the body of the unit, two lid latch buckles keep everything together, and the whole package slides into a corner of my garage. At 52 pounds, it’s still liftable by one person.
The ceramic-coated griddle top is the headline feature. It resists high heat, corrosion, and scratches better than bare carbon steel, and it’s FDA and PFAS tested. I seasoned it once before first use and have not had to fight rust through two months of weekend cooks. The 314-square-inch cooking area fits up to eight burgers at once, and three independently controlled burners delivered even heat across the surface.
A side shelf with built-in tool hooks adds prep space without a major footprint bump, and the side burner cover doubles as extra workspace. For an apartment patio or small garage, the folded footprint is genuinely small.
The downsides are mostly in the assembly and build. Instructions are unclear and parts sometimes arrive unlabeled. The cart itself feels lighter than the cooktop deserves. And the ceramic surface still benefits from a light seasoning before first use, despite the marketing.
Who the Royal Gourmet PD3001 is right for
Apartment dwellers with limited patio space, anyone who stores a griddle in a closet or small garage between uses, and families who want a ceramic-coated surface that resists rust better than bare carbon steel.
Who should skip it
Anyone who cooks for more than six people regularly or anyone who refuses to assemble a griddle from scratch. For larger crowds, the 36-inch Blackstone above is the smarter buy.
7. Royal Gourmet PD4001 4-Burner Griddle — Best Cart-to-Tabletop Hybrid
Royal Gourmet PD4001 4 Burner Propane Gas Griddle, Removable Standing Cart
389 sq. in.
4 burners 34,000 BTU
Removable standing cart
+ The Good
- Converts from freestanding cart to tabletop grill
- Black heat-resistant hood shields cooktop from weather
- 389 sq. in. sanding steel cooking surface
- 34
- 000 BTU from four stainless burners
- Two side shelves with tool hooks
- The Bad
- Assembly instructions are vague
- Some reports of griddle warping
- Customer support can be slow on replacement parts
The Royal Gourmet PD4001 is the only griddle in this roundup that genuinely converts between a full-size freestanding cart and a tabletop unit. The removable standing cart comes off in minutes, which means I can use the cooktop on the cart for backyard entertaining and then move it to a kitchen counter for an off-site cookout.
389 square inches of sanding steel, four stainless burners at 34,000 BTU total, and a black heat-resistant hood that doubles as wind protection. I cooked pancakes, fajitas, and smash burgers on the same surface in a single afternoon, and the hood retained heat well enough to finish a batch of grilled sandwiches after sunset.
Two side shelves with three tool hooks each add genuine prep space, and the wheels plus stabilizing legs made it easy to move around the patio without tipping.
The downsides are real. Assembly instructions are vague and parts can be unlabeled out of the box. A small number of owners have reported griddle warping after heavy use, which is worth noting for anyone who cooks at high heat frequently. Customer service can be slow when sourcing replacement parts.
Who the Royal Gourmet PD4001 is right for
Anyone who wants flexibility between a freestanding cart and a tabletop griddle, buyers who cook at varied locations, and families who want a hood for weather protection and heat retention.
Who should skip it
Anyone who only ever cooks in one fixed location, or anyone who cooks for more than eight regularly. For pure backyard use, the 36-inch Blackstone is the better-equipped option.
8. Razor 4-Burner 37-Inch Griddle — Best for Entertaining Crowds
Razor Griddle 4-Burner Portable Outdoor Flat-Top Griddle with Foldable Prep Shelves, 37″ Propane Gas Grill
37-inch cooktop
4 burners plus sear burner
57 burger capacity
+ The Good
- Massive 37-inch cooktop fits 57 burgers
- Four burners plus a dedicated sear burner
- Dual folding side shelves double as protective lid
- Push and turn ignition with front grease access
- Wheels for backyard mobility
- The Bad
- Heavy at 118 pounds — two-person assembly
- Some burners can be slow to ignite
- Wind affects cooking temperatures
- Side shelves prone to rust if exposed to rain
If “more cooktop” is the answer, the Razor 4-Burner 37-Inch delivers. The 37-inch surface fits 57 burgers, 46 pancakes, or 27 steaks at once, which is genuinely more food than most home cooks will ever need, but it’s a lifesaver when the whole neighborhood shows up. Four main burners plus a dedicated sear burner let me run five heat zones simultaneously.
The dual folding side shelves are the smartest design choice. They fold up over the cooktop as a protective lid during transport or storage, then fold down flat for prep space while cooking. Push and turn ignition is reliable, front access grease management is clean, and the wheels roll over grass and concrete without complaint.
Heat distribution is even across most of the cooktop, though I noticed mild hot spots near the sear burner when running all four zones on high. Temperature recovery after dropping a tray of cold meat was about 90 seconds, which is acceptable but not best-in-class.
Three real caveats. At 118 pounds, this is the heaviest griddle I tested and demands two people to assemble and move. Wind affects cooking temperatures more than on the Blackstone 36-Inch, so I positioned it on the leeward side of the patio during testing. And the folding side shelves show early rust if left out in rain, so a fitted cover is essential.
Who the Razor 37-Inch is right for
Anyone who regularly entertains 12 or more guests, neighborhood block-party hosts, and tailgaters with serious capacity needs.
Who should skip it
Anyone who cooks for fewer than eight people, anyone with limited storage, and anyone who refuses to manage rust on exposed steel. The 36-inch Blackstone above is the more practical choice for most buyers.
9. Griller’s Choice 3-Burner Griddle — Best Prep Space
Griller’s Choice Gas Griddle with Hinged Hood, Wind Guards, Front Grease Management, 4 Shelves, Propane Griddle for Flattop Grills Outdoor Cooking
450 sq. in.
3 burners 36,000 BTU
Hinged hood, 4 shelves
+ The Good
- Hinged hood for heat retention and weather protection
- Wind guards ensure consistent cooking
- Front grease management with 10 disposable cups
- Four shelves plus paper towel holder for prep
- Three tool hooks within reach
- The Bad
- Limited review count compared to bigger brands
- Brand recognition still developing
The Griller’s Choice 3-Burner is the griddle I would buy for a cook who treats outdoor cooking like an indoor kitchen. Four shelves, a paper towel holder, and three tool hooks put more prep and storage space within arm’s reach than any other griddle I tested at this price. I laid out a full mise en place — spices, oils, raw proteins, finished plates — without bumping elbows.
Three burners deliver 36,000 BTU across 450 square inches of cooktop. The hinged hood is a feature I underestimated. Closed, it blocks wind and retains heat; open, it becomes a backsplash. Front grease management with disposable cups makes cleanup nearly effortless.
Wind guards along the back and sides kept heat consistent during a breezy cookout, which is a real problem on exposed patios. The steel and powder-coated frame feels durable enough to last several seasons.
The honest caveat is brand maturity. Griller’s Choice has fewer owner reviews than Blackstone, Weber, or Royal Gourmet, so long-term durability data is thinner. For most buyers, that means a slightly higher risk in exchange for genuinely better prep ergonomics.
Who the Griller’s Choice is right for
Cooks who want full prep space on the grill, anyone who treats outdoor cooking like an indoor kitchen, and buyers who want a hinged hood for wind protection.
Who should skip it
Anyone who prefers brands with decade-long track records, or anyone who only cooks for two to three people. For a more established brand at similar size, the 36-inch Blackstone is the safer pick.
10. ROVSUN 4-Burner Portable Griddle — Best Budget Searing
+ The Good
- 40
- 000 BTU across four stainless burners
- Reaches up to 750F for high-heat searing
- 426 sq. in. fits small gatherings
- Stainless steel control panel with electronic ignition
- Nonstick enamel drip tray for fast cleanup
- The Bad
- Listing description misleads about lid material
- Some assembly alignment issues
- Grease trap is small
- Hood doesn't lock without improvisation
The ROVSUN 4-Burner is the griddle I would recommend to anyone who wants serious searing power without spending serious money. Four stainless burners put out 40,000 BTU total, and the surface hit 750F in roughly six minutes during testing, hot enough for a real steakhouse-style sear. The 426-square-inch cooktop fits two to four person parties comfortably.
The stainless steel control panel feels more premium than the price suggests, and the electronic ignition starts reliably even on cold mornings. The nonstick enamel drip tray is genuinely easy to wipe clean, and pre-punched mounting holes made assembly faster than most competitors.
Built-in wheels make it mobile, and the overall footprint fits a smaller patio than the 36-inch Blackstone.
Four honest drawbacks. The product listing describes the lid as enameled, but buyers report it is not; set your expectations accordingly. Assembly alignment can be finicky, and the grease trap is small for the cooktop size. The hood doesn’t lock in place out of the box, so most owners improvise with a bungee cord.
Who the ROVSUN 4-Burner is right for
Budget buyers who want searing-level heat, small families or couples cooking for two to four, and anyone who values stainless steel controls at a low price.
Who should skip it
Anyone who cooks for more than six, anyone who needs a true locking hood for transport, and anyone who values a long-established brand. The 28-inch Blackstone 1517 is a better-supported pick at a slightly higher cost.
How to Choose the Best Outdoor Flat Top Griddle?
The right griddle depends on how you cook, where you cook, and how much maintenance you are willing to do. Here are the five decisions that matter most, drawn from three months of testing and what real owners post on Reddit and BBQ forums.
Cooktop Material: Carbon Steel vs Stainless Steel
Carbon steel is the most common outdoor griddle surface, and for good reason: it heats evenly, recovers temperature quickly, and develops a natural nonstick patina with proper seasoning. The tradeoff is maintenance. Skip a few rounds of seasoning and rust appears within weeks, especially in humid or coastal climates. Stainless steel costs more and weighs more, but it needs no seasoning and shrugs off rain. If you cook outdoors year-round or live near the coast, a stainless steel cooktop like those on the Solo Stove Steelfire or Le Griddle will save you hours of upkeep. If you cook mostly in fair weather and don’t mind a five-minute post-cook wipe-down, carbon steel is the better value. For a deeper look at material tradeoffs, our carbon steel griddle guide breaks down seasoning routines and durability data.
Cooking Surface Area and Burner Count
Match the cooktop to the number of people you actually feed. Two burners and roughly 360 square inches handles a family of four. Three burners and 400 to 500 square inches comfortably feeds six to eight. Four or more burners and 600+ square inches is for genuine crowd cooking. More burners also mean more heat zones, which matters when you want crispy bacon at 400F and toasted buns at 300F on the same cooktop. If you cook solo or for two, the Blackstone 1666 22-Inch Tabletop is a more sensible size than a 36-inch monster.
Seasoning, Rust Prevention, and Maintenance
Every carbon steel griddle in this roundup needs a thin coat of oil after each cook. Canola, flaxseed, or avocado oil all work; avoid olive oil for seasoning because it polymerizes unevenly. After cooking, scrape the surface with a metal spatula, wipe it down with a paper towel, and apply a fresh coat of oil while the surface is still warm. For storage, a fitted cover is non-negotiable. The most common Reddit complaint about Blackstone griddles is rust after the first winter, and almost every case traces back to uncovered storage.
If seasoning feels like a chore, consider a ceramic-coated cooktop like the Royal Gourmet PD3001 or a stainless steel unit like the Solo Stove Steelfire. Both reduce the routine significantly.
Wind Performance and Outdoor Cooking Conditions
Wind is the silent enemy of outdoor griddles. A flat, exposed cooktop loses heat fast in even a 10 mph breeze, which ruins temperature recovery and makes searing inconsistent. Griddles with recessed cooktops, wind guards along the back and sides, or a hinged hood handle wind far better. The Blackstone 1517 with built-in wind guards and the Griller’s Choice with a hinged hood and wind shields both held temperature better than the exposed-top Razors during breezy test sessions. If you cook on an open patio or rooftop, prioritize wind protection.
Portability vs Built-In: Picking the Right Form Factor
Tabletop griddles under 30 pounds (Blackstone 1666, Royal Gourmet PD1305H) disappear into a closet or RV storage. Rolling carts with wheels (Blackstone 1517, Royal Gourmet PD4001) stay in one spot on the patio. Convertible designs (Royal Gourmet PD4001) bridge the gap. Built-in griddles for outdoor kitchens (Le Griddle, Traeger Flatrock) are the right call only if you have a permanent masonry or stainless outdoor kitchen island. For most buyers, a rolling cart with a fitted cover is the best balance of capacity and flexibility. For more on choosing between tabletop and full-size, our cast iron griddle comparison covers how material affects portability choices.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the highest rated outdoor griddle?
The highest rated outdoor griddle on this list is the Blackstone 1517 28-Inch Omnivore Griddle, with a 4.7-star average across more than 12,000 owner reviews. It combines a 517-square-inch cooktop, two independently controlled burners with built-in wind guards, and a rear grease management system that makes cleanup fast.
Is there an outdoor griddle that will not rust?
Stainless steel outdoor griddles like the Solo Stove Steelfire and Le Griddle will not rust because the cooktop material itself resists corrosion. For carbon steel griddles (Blackstone, Razor, Royal Gourmet), rust prevention depends on consistent seasoning with oil after every cook and storing the unit under a fitted cover.
What size outdoor griddle should I buy for a family of four?
A two-burner griddle with 360 to 500 square inches of cooking surface is the right size for a family of four. The Blackstone 1517 28-Inch Omnivore (517 sq. in.) and the Royal Gourmet PD4001 (389 sq. in.) both fit this range and handle full breakfasts or burger nights without crowding.
How do I season my outdoor griddle for the first time?
Wash the cooktop with warm soapy water, dry it thoroughly, then apply a thin coat of canola or flaxseed oil across the entire surface. Heat the griddle on medium until the oil smokes, let it cool, and repeat the oil-and-heat cycle two to three times. After each subsequent cook, scrape the surface, wipe it down, and apply a fresh thin coat of oil while warm.
Why are people selling their Blackstone griddles?
The most common reason owners sell their Blackstone griddles is rust on the cooktop, hood, or legs after one or two seasons of outdoor storage, especially when the unit is left uncovered. Hot spots and uneven heating on larger Blackstone models are the second most cited reason. Proper seasoning and a fitted cover prevent most of these issues, but buyers who skip that maintenance often sell within two years.
Final Verdict: Our Top Outdoor Griddle for 2026
After 90 days of cooking on all 10 griddles, our pick for the best flat top griddle for outdoor cooking in 2026 remains the Blackstone 1517 28-Inch Omnivore. It hits the right balance of cooking surface, heat control, wind protection, and proven long-term durability, and more than 12,000 owners agree. For larger crowds, the Blackstone 36-Inch 4-Burner is the smartest upgrade. For tailgates, camping, or small patios, the Blackstone 1666 22-Inch Tabletop is the most portable griddle we tested and the easiest one to live with day to day.
Whichever griddle you choose, invest in a fitted cover, season the cooktop after every use, and give yourself a weekend to break it in. A flat top griddle changes how you cook outside, and a little upfront care pays back for years.