If you are in a hurry I recommend the Blackstone 1984 Flat Top Griddle as the best camping griddle for its huge cooking area, prep space, and portability.
There’s nothing better than a delicious, hot breakfast after spending the night outdoors. Whether you’re camping or hiking, a good breakfast can make your day that much better. However, cooking breakfast over an open flame can take a lot of time.
In this blog post, we will teach you everything you need to know about camping griddles. We’ll discuss the different types of griddles available, how to choose the right one for you, and the top picks for the best griddles on the market.
Choosing the Best Camping Griddle
There’s a huge range of camping griddles that come in all shapes and sizes and include multiple features.
Here’s what to look for when you’re looking through the best camping griddles.
Weight & Portability of Your Camping griddle
Camping is already tough to set up with your tent, sleeping arrangements, food, coolers, backpacks, and other gear.
If you’re looking for the best camping griddles you’ll want to consider how much work you’re willing to put in.
The top-of-the-line models will have everything you need to cook and could feed four families at once but they’ll also weigh a ton and be a pain to haul around.
If you’re someone who cares deeply about getting the best food in the outdoors this won’t be a problem for you.
For others, you’ll want to choose a smaller size that can just feed your family and fits conveniently on a tabletop.
Cooking Surface Size
The top gas grill griddle is going to have a huge amount of space that you can fill up with food until everyone has a stomach ache.
Usually, these come with four different burners and require a 20lb propane tank to get everything heated up.
If you have several groups camping together or you have a large family, this is going to be your best option.
Otherwise, you’ll want a smaller surface area where you can just cook enough food during your camping trips for your family alone.
Consider the Heat Source
The larger griddles on this list must have a large propane tank in order to have enough heat to fire up all the burners.
These usually have an electric igniter that makes it easy to get your burners started.
There are some steel griddles though that don’t come with any extra heating system and you can throw them on top of what you already have.
That means you control what the heat source is and if there is a grill at your campsite you can simply throw the griddle on top of what’s already there.
Type of Camping Griddle
There are all kinds of griddles from cast iron to stainless steel and some have grill intentions on them while others are a smooth even surface.
What you choose will ultimately depend on what you like.
If you find yourself cooking up a ton of burgers and steaks on your trips then a cast iron griddle that has some grill marks on it is probably going to be best.
If you’re making a ton of bacon and potatoes for breakfast food then the steel griddle that has an even surface will suffice.
Cleaning Ease
You’ll want to get something that can be easy to clean because trying to get everything put away without a sink and large flat surface is going to be hard.
Whether you’re looking at a gas griddle or one that sits on top of a grill, you’ll want to make sure the cooking surface is easy to clean.
That means if you’re looking at a cast iron you want to make sure it is pre-seasoned so the food doesn’t stick to the surface.
If you’re looking at a gas griddle then try to get one that has a grease catcher so you don’t have to waste a ton of towels getting everything cleaned up.
Extra Features
If you’ve ever cooked in the outdoors then you know how hard it can be to manage all your utensils, prepped food, camping plates, seasonings, and everything else.
That’s why it’s extremely nice if you find portable griddles that have a ton of extra features that can help you out like prep stations.
Flat surfaces are your bread and butter in the outdoors so the more you griddle has, the easier it will be to cook.
You’ll also find features that aren’t as necessary to cook with but sure make life easy like utensil hooks and bottle openers.
Best Overall: Blackstone 1984 Original Heavy Duty Flat Top Griddle
If you’re looking for the absolute top-of-the-line best camping griddle than look no further than the 1984 Blackstone Griddle.
The cooking surface alone is big enough to cook a feast for 12 so you don’t have to worry about running out of space with this 36 inch wide cast iron griddle.
You’ll get four different burners on the gas grill griddle so you don’t have to use up all the space but you can get great heat distribution.
It’s a propane gas grill that’ll require a 20lb tank that hooks up to the gas line to keep your flat top nice and hot.
It’s packed with features including the double flat prep stations where you can keep your prepared food or stack what’s already done.
There’s a ledge that sticks out slightly from the griddle top that allows you to put some oil, spices, or other cooking gear while you’re fixing up your meals.
Attached to the ledge are four stainless steel hooks where you can hang your tongs and other helpful cooking utensils.
The convenient grease trap located at the back of the griddle that makes cleaning super easy when you’re done.
You’ll get a couple of wheel locks to make sure the heavy outdoor griddle stays in place and a flat try underneath the griddle top for storing away extra items or food.
When it’s all said and done there isn’t any competitor out there that’ll outdo the Blackstone 1984 so if you’re looking to be the king chef of the outdoors, this is your throne.
Best for Portability: Blackstone Tailgater 2 Burner Portable Gas Grill
Blackstone is one of the premium builders of camping griddles so it should be no surprise to see them in the top two spots on this list.
The unique Tailgater stainless steel design does it all and combines a three-in-one cooking attack that’ll have you prepared for any meal.
You get a cast iron camping griddle, a camping grill, and two burners that are accessible by removing the box grill or griddle.
It’s an extremely portable camping griddle too compared to a lot of other Blackstone models so you’ll get the high-quality build with convenience while camping.
All the legs are adjustable so you can get an even cooking surface on just about any ground level
You’ll get a vent and temperature gauge with your grill box and cast iron grates give your meats those beautiful marks running across the surface.
There are a couple of side trays on either side of the portable camping griddle where you can place your spices or cooking tools without having to set them on the ground.
If you’re wanting a combination of a premium camping stove along with portability for your outdoor cooking, the Blackstone Tailgater checks all the boxes.
Blackstone Flat Top Gas Grill Griddle
With such a quality brand it’s very hard not to put the Blackstone griddles in the top three spots on this list.
This Flat Top Gas is really a simplified and smaller camp stove than the 1984 version.
It only has two burners instead of four but the cooking surface is still large enough to feed an entire family.
There’s a convenient flat tray below the stainless steel burners for putting extra camping gear or cooked food so you don’t have to worry about placing anything on the ground or awkward spots.
The legs actually fold up once you take the tray off so it’s actually one of the better portable camping griddles you’ll find.
The gas grill griddle requires a 20lb propane tank to hook up but it’s worth the extra space because this is one of the best camping griddles you’ll find for the outdoors.
Country Smokers The Highland 4-Burner Portable Griddle
If you’re not wanting to throw the huge investment into a Blackstone, the next best options is going to be the Country Smokers HIghland Griddle.
It’s simple to use and has even heat distribution thanks to the four different burners you can manually control.
it’s perfect for a camping trip when you have a significant amount of people joining because you can cook breakfast for 10 on this large camp stove.
It’s a portable griddle too as all the legs fold up underneath the griddle top making it small and easy to transport.
A couple of handles stick out from the sides too so you don’t have to wait till the entire thing cools down before moving it around.
There’s a little grease cup right below the stainless steel tabletop griddle that can make cleaning easy, just don’t knock it over while cooking.
The Country Smokers gas portable grill makes a lot of sense for outdoor cooking and is a great option for quickly and efficiently cooking your meals.
Cuisinart CGG-501 Gourmet Gas Griddle
Cuisinart is no stranger to cooking gear and the CGG-501 Gourmet Gas Griddle is the perfect size for a small family to enjoy their meals during a camping trip.
This camping stove has a solid 258 inches of even heat distribution thanks to the double stainless steel burner design that you can control manually.
It’s probably the most portable tabletop griddle that has the best high-quality build on the list and only weighs 30lbs so it’s easy to take outdoors.
You’ll still need a 20lb propane gas tank to get it cooking outdoors but it’ll only take you about 10 minutes to get the entire thing set up and ready.
there’s a convenient hole on one side of the outdoor griddle where a grease cup sits so you can easily get rid of your grease for an easy cleanup.
If you’re the type of camper that likes to have an efficient setup so you can focus on your outdoor adventure, the Cuisinart Gourmet Griddle is your best choice.
Blackstone 1666 Tabletop Griddle
It’s no surprise to see Blackstone back on this list and the 1666 Tabeltop Griddle is a stainless steel beauty and perfect for the camper who doesn’t want a huge setup.
There are a couple of burners you can control individually for an even cooking space and there’s plenty of space to cook for a small family of four or five.
This model of the Blackstone outdoor griddle does come with a hood to protect your food and also speed up cooking times by keeping the heat in.
You don’t have to get it that way though, there are several options you can choose from like a hood, hose & regulator, and resistant cover.
A grease tray hides in the back to make cleaning up a lot easier and you’ll just have to run a paper towel over the griddle top once you’re done.
You’ll have to hook up some propane gas to keep the flat top griddle going but if you want a top-of-the-line portable option, no one does it better than Blackstone.
Royal Gourmet 3-Burner Portable Gas Grill Griddle
With a large cooking surface compared to some of the other tabletop griddle options, you’ll be able to fit in more food for more people on the Royal Gourmet.
The Royal Gourmet has a nice grease tray hiding in the machine and there’s a hole on the top of the outdoor griddle you can easily wipe grease into.
It’s an extremely portable unit and comes with its own cover which you can’t say about a lot of other griddles on the list.
The three independent burners on the Royal Gourmet make it one of the larger cooking surfaces while still being easy to transport.
If you’re looking for a portable flat top grill that can still cook up a large amount of food the Royal Gourmet will not let you down.
PIT BOSS 2 Burner Table Top LP Gas Griddle
Simple, straightforward, and quality all describe the Pit Boss Two Burner and you’ll have no issues getting this camp stove to perform.
It’s got a couple of independent burners you can manually control to cook foods and plenty of non-stick surface to prepare for a small family.
The grease tray on the left side of the flat top griddle makes it easy to clean with a quick wipe from a paper towel.
It comes with a cover to protect the steel griddle and a gas line adapter cord to hook up to propane. You don’t need a 20lb tank either, you can use a much smaller propane tank.
The Pit Boss is the perfect camping griddle for the camp chef who doesn’t want to mess with a big setup.
Victoria Rectangular Cast Iron Double Burner
It doesn’t get much simpler than this Victoria Cast Iron Double Burner.
It does require you to have your own burners so that all you have to do is lay down the pre seasoned cast iron on top and get to cooking multiple foods.
The Victoria is the most portable flat top you’re going to find because it doesn’t have a self-heating system attached but you don’t have to invest in a huge setup if you already have some burners.
You’ll get two different cast iron griddles making the large cooking surface perfect for cooking for multiple family members or friends.
There are a couple of handle grips on either side of the grill surface making it very easy to pick up and place around the site when it’s time to eat.
Make life easy if you already have the heating system and get two convenient griddles from Victoria that are ready to go.
Camp Chef Reversible Pre-seasoned Cast Iron Griddle
When you want to bring your camping trip back to the basics the Camp Chef Cast Iron Griddle has exactly what you need.
It’s a singular flat surface griddle that’s perfect for cooking pancakes, potatoes, eggs, steaks, or any meal that isn’t liquid.
It’s a preseasoned nonstick surface that fits easily into all your gear for your next family camping trip.
If you already have your burner setup ready than the Camp Chef is a great option to throw on top.
The Camp Chef is double-sided too so you can get those perfect grill lines or use the even surface for eggs or bacon.
Coghlan’s Two Burner Non-Stick Camp Griddle
The most inexpensive and easiest non stick cooking surface on this list, the Coghlans’s Camp Griddle is you’re go-to portable griddle if you already have the burners in place.
It’s not a reversible griddle so you’ll only get the flat, even surface but it gets the job done and makes enough food for a couple splitting breakfast or dinner.
It’s a simple piece of cooking equipment and works perfectly for your charcoal grill or tabletop grill.
The Coghlan camp griddle much simpler than most camping griddles and will last you a long time as long as you keep up with cleaning it.
FAQ
Are outdoor griddles worth it?
Outdoor griddles are definitely a great investment if you love camping and want to cook up some large amounts of food over an even heating surface. Not only do they make it easy to cook multiple items at once, but many of them come with their own covers which keeps the heat in and the food safe.
What’s the difference between a flat top grill and a griddle?
A flat top griddle traditionally doesn’t have any grill marks or intentions and has an even surface whereas a regular griddle can have both an even surface on one side and a side that contains grill marks or indentions.
Is a steak better on a grill or griddle?
Steaks usually contain more flavor when cooked on a grill due to the charcoal or wood that is added.
The Best Camping Griddle
I recommend the Blackstone 1984 Original Flat Top Griddle as the best camping griddle because of its large cooking surface, multiple prep stations, and convenient features. It’s really about the details and the Blackstone has them all, from utensil hooks to a bottle opener, no other griddle matches the quality and functionality of the Blackstone.
