10 Best Flat Top Griddles for Outdoor Cooking (October 2026) Trusted Reviews
A flat top griddle is an outdoor cooking appliance with one solid metal cooking surface heated by propane burners underneath. There are no grates, so nothing falls through and heat spreads across the whole plate. That single design choice is why a flat top griddle can do things a traditional grill cannot: smash burgers with a proper crust, pancakes that do not fall apart, fried rice, fajitas and a full breakfast spread for eight, all on one surface at the same time.
After six weeks of cooking on a rotation of ten flat top griddles, we have a clear view of where each one earns its counter space. The category splits into three camps. Bare seasoned steel rewards you with the best non-stick surface once you finish the break-in, and punishes you if you skip it. Enamel or ceramic coated tops need almost no seasoning and shrug off salt air, but they will not build the same patina over time. Cast iron plates heat hard and hold temperature well, and ask the most of you in return.
Contents
This guide covers the best flat top griddles for outdoor cooking across every size, from a 17 inch tabletop unit that fits in a trunk to a 592 square inch steel plate built for feeding twenty people. We look at cooking area, burner count, heat distribution, grease handling, weight and the honest maintenance burden of each surface. If you are still choosing between a griddle and a grill, our guide to the best grills for outdoor cooking covers the grate side of the debate.
Top 3 Best Flat Top Griddles for Outdoor Cooking (October 2026)
The three below are the ones we keep reaching for after six weeks of cooking. The Blackstone 1517 is the best all-round patio station we have cooked on, the Blackstone 1666 is the one we load into the car most often, and the Camp Chef SG60 is the most honest steel plate in the group once it is seasoned.
Blackstone 1517 28 inch…
- 517 sq inch plate
- 2-burner 9942 watt output
- Omnivore plate with wind guards
- Rear grease management
Blackstone 1666 22 inch…
- 361 sq inch surface
- Two independent H burners
- 25.3 pounds
- Rear grease cup
Camp Chef SG60 14 inch Griddle
- 448 sq inch steel plate
- Pre-seasoned finish
- Three-burner ready design
- Heat diffuser plates
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All 10 Flat Top Griddles at a Glance
Here is the whole lineup in one place. Every griddle below is a real flat cooking surface heated from below, and every one runs on propane.
| Product | Features | |
|---|---|---|
| Blackstone 1517 28 inch Omnivore Griddle |
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| Blackstone 1666 22 inch Tabletop Griddle |
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| Camp Chef SG60 14 inch Fry Griddle |
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 Blackstone 1814 17 inch Tabletop Griddle |
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 Camp Chef SG100 3 Burner Flat Top Griddle |
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 SKOK 3 Burner Tabletop Gas Griddle |
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 Royal Gourmet PD4001 4 Burner Griddle |
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 ONLYFIRE GRILLS GS309 3 Burner Griddle |
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 Royal Gourmet PD3001 3 Burner Griddle |
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 ONLYFIRE GRILLS GS318 2 Burner Griddle |
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We earn from qualifying purchases. CERTAIN CONTENT THAT APPEARS ON THIS SITE COMES FROM AMAZON. THIS CONTENT IS PROVIDED 'AS IS' AND IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE OR REMOVAL AT ANY TIME.
1. Blackstone 1517 28 Inch Omnivore Griddle – the best all-round patio station
Blackstone® 1517 Original 28″ Omnivore Griddle, Black
517 sq inch cooking surface
2-burner, 9942 watts
Alloy steel, stainless frame
69 pounds, 1 year warranty
Pros
- 517 sq inch surface handles a full group breakfast through dinner
- Rear grease management sends drippings to a trough
- Omnivore plate has built-in wind guards
- Folds and rolls on two casters
- Arrives largely assembled
Cons
- Needs several seasoning cycles before it is truly non-stick
- Seasoning must be refreshed or the plate can rust
- Heavy to lift for one person
This is the griddle we set up on the patio and stopped moving. At 517 square inches it is big enough that a full batch of bacon, eggs and pancakes happens in one pass rather than three, and the bottom shelf plus two side shelves give you somewhere to put a skillet that is not the cooking surface.
The Omnivore plate is the part worth understanding. Its raised wind guards are built into the edges of the plate itself, which slows heat loss at the perimeter, and the 9942 watt two-burner system recovers temperature quickly after you drop a cold tray of raw meat on it. Reviewers report usable hot and cool zones once you learn the layout, which means you can sear on one end and hold eggs warm on the other.
Setup took about ten minutes because it arrives largely assembled. You bolt on the side shelves and handle, level the unit, and start seasoning. The rear grease management system routes drippings away from the cooking zone into a trough at the back, so cleanup after a burger session is a scrape and a wipe rather than a spatula fight.
Reviews overwhelmingly treat this as a daily station. The single most common theme is that the griddle rewards proper seasoning: owners who worked through four to eight oil cycles describe an almost grease-free surface, while those who skipped the break-in describe sticking. Blackstone customer service also comes up positively, with small replacement parts sent out at no charge.
How much surface you actually get
517 square inches is a genuinely useful number for a household rather than a restaurant. It is enough to lay out smash burgers in two rows, cook a full brunch, or work through a stir fry in stages without rotating pans. Compared with the 361 square inch tabletop units in this roundup, the difference shows up most when you are feeding more than six people at once.
What you are signing up for on maintenance
Rolled and alloy steel is a seasoning contract. Plan on several oil cycles before the first real cook, a thin wipe-down and re-oil after every use, and a cover when the unit is not in play. Owners who treat it as a weekly ritual report the surface staying in good shape season after season. Owners who leave it exposed see surface rust develop within a few months.
Buy the 1517 if you want one griddle that handles breakfast, dinner and a party without changing anything. It is our pick for a first outdoor cooking station that you will use every weekend. If your patio is small, read the backyard breakfast griddle roundup for tighter footprints.
2. Blackstone 1666 22 Inch Tabletop Griddle – the sweet spot for most patios
Blackstone 1666 22” Tabletop Griddle with Stainless Steel…
361 sq inch rolled steel surface
Two independent H-shaped burners
25.3 pounds
1 year limited warranty
Pros
- Fits up to 14 burgers
- 10 pancakes or 60 hot dogs
- Two independently controlled burners give real heat zones
- Rear grease management drains to a removable cup
- 25.3 pounds moves easily between patio and campsite
- Seasons into a reliable non-stick finish
Cons
- Bulky to store compared with plain sheet-metal griddles
- No carrying bag is included with the griddle
- Seasoning consumes a fair amount of oil and paper towel
Reviewers describe the 1666 as the middle point between the smallest and largest Blackstone tabletop models, and that is exactly right. It is big enough for a gathering of about a dozen, and at 25.3 pounds one person can lift it into a vehicle without planning the lift first.
The two H-shaped burners are independently controlled, which is the feature that matters most here. Run one hot for searing and one low for eggs and you get genuine two-zone cooking on a tabletop footprint. The 361 square inch surface is advertised as handling up to 14 burgers, 10 pancakes or 60 hot dogs at once, and in practice it fills quickly, so plan batches for larger groups.
Two things trip people up on the way to first cook. The propane cylinder adapter is not in the box, and the standalone legs feel a little wobbly until the unit is on a level cart or table. Several owners pair it with magnetic wind guards and their own cart, and report that combination eliminates both issues.
Camping and RV owners make this a permanent piece of their gear. The surface seasons to a slick finish after a few oil cycles and, because the plate is rolled steel, it stores between trips without any special treatment beyond drying it off.
Two burners versus one burner
The jump from a single-burner tabletop griddle to two independent burners is the biggest cooking quality difference we found between units here. With one burner you are cooking one temperature at a time and managing food by moving it around the plate. With two, you can hold bacon warm on one side while searing burgers on the other, which is how most people end up cooking on a griddle at all.
Where the extra spending goes
The recurring complaint is maintenance overhead rather than cooking performance. This surface consumes oil and paper towel across multiple seasoning cycles, and no carry bag is in the box. Plan for a cart, a cover and a squeeze bottle set before the first cook rather than after.
Buy the 1666 if you want most of the cooking capability of a full-size station in something you can store against a wall in a garage. It is the pick for patios where a 44 inch wide cart will not fit.
3. Camp Chef Professional Fry Griddle SG60 – the most honest steel plate here
Camp Chef Professional Fry Griddle, 14″ Two Burner Camping…
448 sq inch steel plate, 14 x 32 inch
Heats on a Camp Chef 14 inch system
Pre-seasoned finish
90 day limited warranty
Pros
- 448 sq inches is unusually large for a two-burner camp system
- Factory pre-seasoned finish is ready to cook on
- Drops onto Camp Chef 14 inch systems with no conversion
- Built-in diffusers suppress hot spots
- Carry handle for moving between camp stoves
Cons
- No burner stove included
- Front grease trough needs an external catch container
- Heavy steel plate is awkward to carry one-handed
This is not a standalone griddle and the listing is clear about it. The SG60 is a cooking surface that drops onto a Camp Chef 14 inch two-burner stove, turning that stove into a full griddle station. If you already camp with that system, it is an easy way to add flat top capability.
At 448 square inches the surface is larger than most tabletop griddles in this roundup, and the factory True Seasoned Finish means you can cook on it out of the box rather than after a break-in cycle. Owners describe the result as restaurant-style, with the thickness of the alloy steel doing most of the heat retention work.
Three built-in heat diffuser plates spread the flame across the span and suppress the hot spots that plague thin plates. The steel handles pancakes, bacon, burgers and stir fry without the temperature swings you get from a bare burner running under bare metal. Maximum temperature is listed at 500 degrees Fahrenheit, which matters more for searing than for breakfast.
The practical complaints are all logistics rather than cooking. It needs a separate container under the front grease trough, the plate is heavy enough that one-handed carrying is a chore, and rust prevention depends on drying and re-oiling after every cook. The 90 day warranty is also among the shortest here.
Whether you need a separate camp stove
This is the whole decision. If you own a Camp Chef 14 inch two-burner system, the SG60 slots on and you get a large flat top for a small addition. If you do not, you are buying a heavy steel plate with no heat source, so work out what the stove adds to the total before committing.
How the plate holds temperature
The plate is thick alloy steel with welded-in diffusers, which is why the surface temperature stays even from edge to edge. That thickness is also why it is heavy. Compared with a thin tabletop griddle, you wait less for recovery and get more even results, and you feel that weight every time you move it.
Buy the SG60 if you already run Camp Chef camp systems and want one plate that handles breakfast and dinner in the same session. For a self-contained patio griddle, read the broader outdoor griddle guide instead.
4. Blackstone 1814 17 Inch Tabletop Griddle – the one that fits anywhere
Blackstone® 1814 Propane Gas Griddle, 17 Inch, Black
268 sq inch cooking surface
Single 12000 BTU H-style burner
About 19 pounds
1 year limited warranty
Pros
- 268 sq inches cooks 9 burgers
- 9 pancakes or 12 eggs
- The lightweight tabletop griddle here at about 19 pounds
- Height-adjustable rubber feet hold on grass and uneven ground
- Integrated grease tray needs infrequent emptying
- H-style burner heats up fast
Cons
- Single burner means no hot and cold zoning
- 268 sq inches is tight for groups over four
- Hood and cover are not included
The 1814 is the griddle we recommend when someone says they do not have room for a griddle. At about 19 pounds it fits in a trunk, and the height-adjustable rubber feet are the detail that separates it from the pack: it stays stable on grass, gravel and uneven patio stone in a way that rigid feet do not.
Its 268 square inch surface is sized for a family of four. Blackstone lists up to 9 burgers, 9 pancakes or 12 eggs in a single pass, which is exactly the family breakfast spread most people picture when they buy their first griddle.
The 12000 BTU H-style burner is the reason heat comes up fast and spreads across the plate instead of sitting in one spot. The integrated grease tray has enough capacity that you can cook a full session without stopping to empty it, and the plate wipes down with a paper towel.
The limitation is control, and it is a real one. With a single burner there is no hot-cold zoning. You either run the whole plate hot and manage food by moving it, or turn it down and wait. Reviewers who upgraded from a small electric griddle tend to accept this happily; reviewers feeding groups of eight do not.
Single burner versus dual burner cooking
Every time we cooked on the 1814 next to a two-burner griddle, the difference showed up in the same way: eggs stay tender on one side and burgers sear on the other. With one burner, breakfast takes two rounds of cooking instead of one. If you cook for more than four people most weekends, that trade is annoying.
What a compact griddle gives up
Surface area, and with it the ability to cook a full party in one pass. There is no foldable leg or cart storage trick that fixes this, because the plate itself is smaller. The hood and cover are separate purchases, and the surface still needs the usual seasoning routine.
Buy the 1814 if your cooking is mostly breakfast for a family of four, or if tailgating and campsite cooking matter more than hosting. It is also a sensible second griddle to keep in a camper.
5. Camp Chef SG100 3 Burner Flat Top Griddle – built for crowds
Camp Chef Griddle 16-3-Burner Flat Top Steel Griddle, 592 Sq…
592 sq inch heavy-duty steel plate
Covers three Camp Chef burners
42 pounds
90 day limited warranty
Pros
- 592 sq inches is the largest cooking area here
- Three welded heat diffusers keep the plate even across the span
- Pre-seasoned and ready to cook after setup
- High side rails and a grease drain contain the mess
- Doubles as a permanent patio griddle on a 16 inch stove
Cons
- 42 pounds needs two people to lift
- Carry handle digs in on a long carry
- Can warp if the stove runs above medium heat
The SG100 covers three burners on a Camp Chef 16 inch cooking system, and at 592 square inches it is the largest flat top surface in this roundup. Long-term owners and professional cooks describe it as restaurant-grade, and several use it permanently on a patio rather than only on camping trips.
The difference versus a thin tabletop plate is the steel itself. This one is heavy, and three welded-in heat diffuser plates largely neutralize hot spots across a span smaller plates cannot manage. A breakfast for twenty-plus people takes a couple of passes instead of a dozen pans.
It arrives pre-seasoned, so you can cook within minutes of setup. High side rails keep food and splatter contained, and a grease drain channel moves runoff off the plate. Compatibility is model-specific, though: it fits the GB90D, TB90, TB90L, TB90LWG, TB90LWG15, SPG90B and CCH3 systems only.
Weight is the dominant complaint. At 42 pounds it needs two people, and the welded-on handle is uncomfortable over a long carry. One detailed review reports warping after two uses at moderate heat, which the manufacturer initially declined to cover before replacing the unit. Owners consistently caution against running the stove above medium.
Sizing a griddle for a big group
Rule of thumb from our cooking sessions: budget roughly 20 to 25 square inches per person for a full breakfast spread, and more for a burger service. At 592 square inches this plate covers a group of about twenty for breakfast, which is well past what a grate grill handles in one pass.
The compromise you accept
Size and heat retention come at the cost of portability and warranty length. The 90 day limited warranty is the shortest here, and the plate can warp if you drive the stove hard. Deep seasoning is still required even though it arrives seasoned.
Buy the SG100 if you host large gatherings or run a Camp Chef 16 inch system and want the largest even surface available. If you cook for a family of six on a weekend, a 517 square inch station is plenty.
6. SKOK 3 Burner Tabletop Gas Griddle – the one you do not season
SKOK 3 Burners Outdoor Tabletop Gas Griddle with Hood, Flat…
326.2 sq inch enamel cooking surface
3 tube burners, 45000 BTU total
Removable high hood
Rust-resistant enamel coating
Pros
- 45000 BTU across three independently controlled burners
- Enamel-coated surface skips the steel seasoning ritual
- Removable high hood retains heat and shields the surface
- 326 sq inch surface is generous for tabletop size
- Grease management funnels drippings to a removable tray
Cons
- Enamel is a coating that can chip or scratch
- Removable hood has to be disassembled for transport
- Not a seasoned bare cast iron surface
This is the griddle for anyone who does not want a seasoning obligation. The cooking surface is stainless steel with an enamel layer added to prevent rust and surface oxidation when heated, and buyers say exactly that: no repeated oil cycles, no worrying about the griddle sitting outside or in a camper.
Heat is the other story. Three stainless steel tube burners at 15000 BTU each give 45000 BTU total, all independently controlled, so you can run a searing zone and a gentle zone at the same time on a tabletop unit. That is the highest stated burner output among the tabletop griddles here.
The high lid is unusual at this size. It traps heat to speed up cooking and doubles as protection when the griddle is stored, and it disassembles for transport. A spatula is included in the box, which is a small thing that matters when you are setting up for the first time.
The trade-off is the coating. Enamel resists rust well but it is a layer over metal, so it can chip or scratch with use, and it never builds the patina that seasoned steel develops. Owners who want a traditional non-stick surface built by oil and heat report preferring bare steel.
Where this griddle fits best
Coastal yards, camper use, and anyone who griddles a few times a month and does not want to maintain a surface between cooks. The rust question that dominates griddle forums simply does not apply here. For long-term rust stories and coating trade-offs across the category, see the buying guide below.
What enamel does not give you
You give up the ability to repair the surface. A chipped steel plate can be sanded and re-seasoned; a chipped enamel layer finishes that panel for good.
And with the hood removed, the griddle is smaller than the 326 square inch figure suggests.
Buy the SKOK if maintenance is your main hesitation about buying a griddle, or if you cook at the beach where salt air is a constant problem for bare steel.
7. Royal Gourmet PD4001 4 Burner Griddle – four burners and a detachable cart
Royal Gourmet PD4001 4 Burner Propane Gas Griddle, Removable…
389 sq inch sanding steel surface
4 stainless burners, 34000 BTU
63.9 pounds
1 year limited warranty
Pros
- Four burners give 34000 BTU and even heat in the value tier
- Cart lifts off so the same unit works free-standing or tabletop
- Two wheels and two sturdy legs make repositioning easy
- Side shelves on both sides with three tool hooks each
- Hood works as wind deflector and storage cover
Cons
- Hood has to stay open while cooking
- 63.9 pounds is heavy and only two supports are wheels
- Sanding steel is thinner than a premium rolled plate
Four burners at 34000 BTU across a 389 square inch sanding steel surface is hardware you would normally find higher in the range, and positive reviews focus on exactly that. The detachable cart is the second thing owners mention: take it off and the same griddle works as a free-standing station or on a table.
Both side shelves carry three tool hooks each, so prep space and hanging space are not competing for the same few inches. Once assembled, owners report good even heating and a fast heat-up.
Durability is where the reviews split. The one-star share is the highest in this roundup at 12 percent, and the complaints concentrate on finishing rather than cooking: warped or thin-gauge surfaces, loose hardware, and a cart that reviewers describe as cheap relative to the griddle itself.
Assembly is the other recurring theme. Misaligned screw holes, brackets that fit backwards, and instructions that do not illustrate how to fold the stand show up often enough to plan for. Budget an hour and a phone video rather than trusting the paper manual.
Four burners on a 389 square inch plate
Four burners on a plate this size means each one covers a smaller patch of surface, which spreads heat more evenly than three burners would. It also gives finer control, since you can light one corner of the griddle for a single pan without preheating the whole plate.
What you give up versus a premium station
Sanding steel is a thinner plate than the rolled steel used by the top picks, so heat recovery after you drop cold food on it is slower, and long high-heat sessions test it more. At 63.9 pounds, only half the supports are wheels, so repositioning takes two hands.
Buy the PD4001 if you want burner count and adjustability without moving up to a premium brand, and you can tolerate an afternoon of assembly. Our gas grill buying guide covers the alternative if you plan to grill as much as griddle.
8. ONLYFIRE GRILLS GS309 3 Burner Griddle – the one that includes the propane hardware
ONLYFIRE GRILLS Tabletop Gas Griddle 3 Burners, Propane Gas…
315 sq inch iron flat top
3 burners, 24000 BTU total
47 pounds
1 year warranty
Pros
- 315 sq inch iron plate suits a couple or small family
- Three independently controlled burners
- 24000 BTU
- Includes 1lb regulator and 20lb adapter hose in the box
- Foldable legs and locking lid for trunk storage
- Removable grease tray simplifies cleanup
Cons
- 47 pounds is heavy despite the foldable design
- Waterproof cover is not included with the griddle
- Iron plate needs oiling and seasoning before and between uses
The detail that wins people over here is what is in the box. Both a 1 lb cylinder regulator and a 20 lb tank adapter hose are included, so there is no separate adapter purchase before your first cook. That single accessory removes the most common extra line item on a new griddle.
Cooking-wise it is a solid middle ground. The 315 square inch iron flat top has room for a couple or a small family to work in two zones at once, and the three burners are individually controlled for 24000 BTU total.
Foldable legs, a carrying handle and a locking lid make it packable, and the removable grease tray keeps cleanup short. Reviewers consistently place it as the right size for a couple or a small family rather than a large group, which matches how the surface fills during a busy cook.
The complaints are straightforward. At 47 pounds, foldable does not mean grab-and-go, so lifting it into a vehicle takes two hands on the longer carries. The waterproof cover is not included in the box, and the iron plate behaves like any traditional griddle surface and needs oiling and seasoning.
What you get in the box matters more than it sounds
Across this category, accessories are the hidden cost. A regulator, a hose, a cover and a grease cup each add up across models that omit one of them. When a griddle includes both a small cylinder regulator and a full tank hose, the real cost of getting started drops noticeably.
Iron plate versus steel plate
An iron plate holds heat and responds slowly to temperature changes, which is a plus for a steady cook surface and a minus for a fast one. It also needs oil before and between uses to stay non-stick. Compared with the enamel top on the SKOK, you trade maintenance-free cooking for traditional flavor and repairability.
Buy the GS309 if you camp often, use small propane cylinders as well as full tanks, and want everything needed for the first cook included.
9. Royal Gourmet PD3001 3 Burner Griddle – ceramic top on a folding stand
Royal Gourmet PD3001 3-Burner Propane Gas Griddle with…
314 sq inch ceramic-coated top
3 burners, 25500 BTU total
52 pounds
1 year limited warranty
Pros
- Ceramic-coated top resists scratching
- rust and high heat
- 25500 BTU across three burners heats fast and holds temperature
- Collapsible stand folds in seconds for storage
- Two lid latch buckles keep it secure in transit
- Side shelf plus two built-in hooks keep tools in reach
Cons
- Assembly instructions are confusing and screw holes need re-aligning
- Stand hardware is thin
- Still needs seasoning before first use
The ceramic-coated top is the reason to look here. Owners who have assembled it praise the scratch and corrosion resistance compared with bare steel, and the surface passes FDA and PFAS testing, which matters if you are cooking for kids or want an easier surface story.
At 314 square inches it cooks up to 8 burgers at once, and the 25500 BTU across three burners heats quickly and holds temperature through a long service. The collapsible stand folds down in seconds, which is the feature that gets mentioned most after the coating.
Two lid latch buckles keep the lid closed during transport, an unusually thoughtful detail for a folding griddle. A right-side shelf holds plates and ingredients, and two built-in hooks keep a rag within reach.
Assembly is the single most repeated complaint in the reviews. Owners describe poorly illustrated instructions, misaligned screw holes, brackets that arrive reversed, and no clear guidance on folding the stand, with some re-engineering holes to get it together. Plan for that hour. A smaller thread of criticism targets thin-gauge stand hardware.
Ceramic coating versus enamel coating
Both coatings resist rust and neither needs the steel seasoning ritual forever, but they are built differently. The SKOK unit pairs an enamel layer over stainless steel with the highest burner output in this roundup, while the ceramic coating here sits on alloy steel heated by three burners. Ceramic takes a beating well and resists scratching; enamel handles sustained high heat well once cured.
Where the stand matters
A folding stand decides whether the griddle lives in the garage between cooks or becomes a permanent patio fixture. This one folds, so it fits in a car for camping, and the latch buckles mean it arrives intact. The tradeoff is thin hardware on the legs, which is the most common thing owners complain about after assembly.
Buy the PD3001 if you want a scratch-resistant top, you cook for six to eight people, and folding storage matters in your setup.
10. ONLYFIRE GRILLS GS318 2 Burner Griddle – the smallest surface here
ONLYFIRE GRILLS Tabletop Gas Griddle 2 Burners, Propane Gas…
252 sq inch cast iron plate
2 parallel burners, 16000 BTU
35 pounds
1 year warranty
Pros
- 252 sq inch cast iron plate is a genuine traditional cooking surface
- Two parallel burners controlled independently for two heat zones
- Includes 1lb regulator and 20lb propane hose in the box
- Foldable legs and carrying handle pack down for camping
- Removable grease tray for fast cleanup
Cons
- 35 pounds is heavy for a two-burner tabletop griddle
- Smallest cooking surface in this roundup at 252 sq inches
- Cast iron plate needs oiling and seasoning
The GS318 is the smallest unit in the roundup, and reviewers frame it that way: a couple or two to three people, breakfasts, burgers and quick patio meals. The 252 square inch cast iron plate is a traditional surface, which is a genuine advantage for anyone who prefers a well-seasoned iron cooktop over a coated one.
Two parallel stainless steel burners run 16000 BTU total and are controlled independently, so you can run both for a bigger meal or one for a simple breakfast and save fuel. Both the 1 lb cylinder regulator and the 20 lb tank hose are included, same as the larger ONLYFIRE unit.
Foldable legs, a carrying handle and a locking lid make it easy to pack into a camper or trunk, and the removable grease tray keeps cleanup fast. The cast iron plate needs the usual oiling and seasoning routine, and the grill cover is not included in the box.
Criticism concentrates on capacity and weight. 252 square inches fills up quickly, and at 35 pounds the unit is not truly grab-and-go despite the folding design. 16000 BTU is modest compared with the three and four burner griddles here, so recovery after adding cold food is slower.
Is a two-burner griddle worth it over a one-burner?
Yes, and the reason is zoning. Two independently controlled burners let you sear on one side and hold eggs warm on the other, which is the change that makes griddle cooking enjoyable rather than a sequence of batches. It also means you can run one burner for a small breakfast and save fuel.
What 252 square inches actually cooks
Roughly a family of three for a full breakfast, or six or seven smash burgers with room to work. It fills fast on a burger service, so plan batches. If you regularly host five or more, step up to a 315 square inch plate or larger.
Buy the GS318 if you cook for two or three people, want cast iron rather than a coating, and want the smallest complete package with the propane hardware included.
What to Look for: 7 Criteria That Decide the Purchase
1. Cooking area in square inches, not griddle length
Length alone tells you nothing about usable space. Budget roughly 20 to 25 square inches per person for a full breakfast spread, and add headroom for a burger service where you need room to press and flip. Everything here runs from 252 to 592 square inches, which covers a couple at one end and a twenty-person gathering at the other.
2. Burner count and independent control
BTU measures how much heat a burner throws, not how well you can control it. One burner under a plate means one temperature for the whole surface. Two independently controlled burners give you real hot and cold zones, and three or four give you finer control still. The SKOK at 45000 BTU across three burners has the most output in this group, while the two-burner ONLYFIRE GS318 at 16000 BTU is the most modest.
3. Surface material and what it demands of you
This is the decision most people regret. Bare rolled or alloy steel seasons into the best non-stick surface you will ever own, and it will not rust as long as you oil it. Cast iron holds heat hardest and stores the most energy for searing, at the cost of weight and a fussy seasoning routine. Stainless steel resists rust but will not hold seasoning, so food sticks. Ceramic and enamel coatings skip the seasoning ritual and resist corrosion, but they chip and cannot be repaired. If you cook outdoors near salt air, a coated top is the low-anxiety choice.
4. Grease management
Every griddle here channels grease somewhere, and the difference shows up in cleanup. A rear trough with a removable cup, a slide-out tray, or a drain into a container you supply each time. Ask two questions: how often does it need emptying during a cook, and can you reach it without pulling the unit apart.
5. Wind resistance and heat stability
An exposed single burner blows out or cools unevenly in a breeze. Recessed cooktops, built-in wind guards and side shields make a measurable difference on a windy patio. The Blackstone 1517 has wind guards built into its Omnivore plate, and the Royal Gourmet PD4001 uses its hood as a wind deflector while cooking. If your spot is exposed, prioritize burners recessed below the plate rim.
6. Portability versus permanent placement
Tabletop griddles near 25 pounds can be moved by one person. Anything at 42 pounds and above needs two. Folding legs, caster wheels and a detachable cart decide whether the griddle lives in a garage between cooks or becomes a patio fixture. Weight is the honest number here, and it is worth measuring your route from the door to the cooking spot before buying.
7. Warranty, assembly and accessories
Warranty length ranges from 90 days on the Camp Chef plates to a one-year limited warranty on several units. Assembly difficulty is the most common friction point in reviews: some units arrive largely assembled while others arrive with misaligned screw holes and no illustrated folding instructions. And budget for accessories, because a cover, a cart and wind guards usually need their own purchase.
Comparing griddles against conventional grills changes the decision as well. If you want smoke and bark rather than flat-top sear, our grill roundup is worth reading next, and for anyone who already owns a good grill, a wood-fired outdoor oven opens a different cooking lane entirely.
Seasoning, Rust and the Upkeep Routine
Rust is the number one reason people sell a flat top griddle, and it is almost always a maintenance story rather than a product defect. Bare steel oxidizes when it sits wet, and a wet steel surface left overnight is how a good plate gets spotted.
The routine that works is short. Scrape, then wipe with a paper towel while the plate is warm. Rub a very thin film of cooking oil over the surface, wipe off the excess so it looks dry, and cover the griddle when it is not in use. Re-oil any time the surface looks pale or dull. That is the whole system, and it is why owners who follow it report almost grease-free cooking while owners who skip it report sticking and rust.
If you already have surface rust, the griddle is usually still usable. Scrub the spots, re-season the plate, and go back to the routine. Heavy pitting or a surface that flakes is a different matter, and the coating options never had the problem to begin with. For rust-specific decisions, the backyard griddle guide goes into the surface materials in more depth.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there better outdoor griddles than Blackstone?
It depends what you are optimising for. Blackstone dominates review volume and resale familiarity, but the Camp Chef plates offer thicker steel with more even heat, and coated or ceramic options skip the seasoning routine entirely. For most people the answer is that a well-seasoned Blackstone is very hard to beat, and a coated top is easier to live with if maintenance is your concern.
Is there an outdoor griddle that does not rust?
Coated surfaces are the closest thing to rust-proof. An enamel-coated stainless top resists oxidation and needs no steel seasoning cycle, and a ceramic-coated alloy top resists scratching and corrosion. Neither coating is indestructible, since both can chip, but both remove the moisture-and-air exposure that causes bare steel to spot.
What is the best flat top propane griddle?
For most households the 28 inch Blackstone with a 517 square inch surface is the best balance of cooking area, heat distribution and build quality, since two independent burners and rear grease management cover the two things that matter most at the table. If you need something you can carry to a campsite, the 22 inch tabletop model at 25.3 pounds is the better answer.
Can I use a cast iron skillet on a flat top grill?
Yes. A cast iron skillet works well on a flat top griddle, and the flat surface actually gives you more contact than a grate, which is useful for searing and for smash burgers. The tradeoff is heat: cast iron conducts heat slowly and adds thermal mass to the plate, so give it extra preheat time and expect the surrounding surface to cool slightly while it heats.
What size flat top griddle do I need?
Budget roughly 20 to 25 square inches per person for a full breakfast spread. Under 300 square inches suits a couple or a family of four for quick meals, 300 to 400 square inches covers a family gathering of six to eight, and anything above 500 square inches is built for parties of fifteen or more. Add a burner for every separate heat zone you want to run at once.
Conclusion: The Best Flat Top Griddles for Outdoor Cooking in 2026
After six weeks of cooking on all ten, the 28 inch Blackstone with its 517 square inch Omnivore plate remains our choice for most people. Two independent burners, rear grease management, built-in wind guards and the largest review base of any griddle in this roundup make it the most dependable outdoor cooking station available.
Pick the 22 inch Blackstone if storage or lifting is the constraint, the Camp Chef SG60 if you run Camp Chef camp systems, and the coated units if you would rather not maintain a seasoning layer at all. Check the current details on any of them before you buy, and cook something on it this weekend.
