If you’ve ever flipped pancakes on a griddle at sunrise or seared smash burgers for a crowd, you already know the magic of cooking on a flat top grill. Whether you call it the best outdoor griddle, the best flat top grill, or just your go-to cookout hero, these versatile cooking surfaces bring the heat—literally and figuratively. For 2025, we’re breaking down the best griddles of the year to help you find the perfect match for your backyard feasts, tailgates, or camping trips.

This year’s lineup features everything from compact flat tops for small patios to full-blown griddle stations ready to feed an army. We’ve scoured the market to bring you the best flat top 2025 has to offer, factoring in build quality, heat distribution, ease of cleaning, and overall value. Whether you’re a seasoned griddle master or just dipping your spatula into the world of flat top cooking, this guide has you covered. Let’s dive into the sizzling details.

Top Eight Best Outdoor Griddles

Now that you know what to look for in a griddle, take a moment to compare the 8 best outdoor griddles.

1. Blackstone 36-Inch 4-Burner Cooking Station

Blackstone Products is one of the most recognizable brands when it comes to outdoor griddles.

The company’s original 36-inch flat top grill is a popular option due to its large cooking area and solid cart.

The griddle includes a stainless-steel flattop with 720 square inches of cooking space. It also has four separate burners with independent heat control.

You can easily adjust the temperature of each burner using a knob on the front of the cart.

The cart has two side shelves, a lower shelf, a paper towel holder, a removable cutting board, and four wheels with locking mechanisms.

Due to the size of the cart, the 36-inch Blackstone flat top grill is best suited for use in your backyard.

Pros 

• Reasonable price for a large outdoor griddle
• Includes a large cooking surface with four burners
• The cart includes shelves and a removable cutting board

Cons

• The 36-inch griddle is not portable or easy to transport

For some, the Blackstone Griddle is the only way to go, however, if you are looking for Blackstone Griddle Alternatives, then the next few griddles on our list will fit the bill!

2. Razor Griddle 37-Inch Outdoor Steel 4-Burner Gas Griddle

First up on our list of Blackstone Griddle Alternatives is Razor Griddles.

The Razor 37-Inch Griddle is a closer runner-up to the Blackstone 36-Inch Griddle. Both options include four burners and are available for about the same price.

However, the Razor griddle offers slightly more power, with up to 62,000 BTUs instead of 60,000. 

The stainless-steel surface is also slightly larger. It offers 750 square inches of cooking space instead of 720 square inches. 

The Razor griddle also sits on a cart with four wheels. Two of the wheels are extra-large, making it easier to roll the griddle around your yard.

You can also fold the cart when storing or transporting it.

The cart has two folding shelves and a lower shelf. The folding shelves are not incredibly stable but should support a few items. 

Pros 

• Offers a large cooking surface
• Includes four burners with a total of 62,000 BTUs
• The cart folds for easier storage

Cons

• The side shelves do not feel too stable

3. Cuisinart CGG-888 22-Inch Round Flat Top Surface Gas Grill

The Cuisinart CGG-888 has a round design instead of the rectangular design found on most outdoor griddles.

The round shape gives you less cooking space but also takes up less room in your yard.

The round cooking surface is 22-inches in diameter and is covered with a stainless-steel lid.

The lid has a vent, allowing you to easily steam, bake, smoke, or roast various foods. 

A grease cup sits below the cooking surface. The grease is automatically funneled to the cup for easy clean-up. 

The griddle sits on a rolling cart and has a foldable tray on the side. The propane tank sits inside the cart.

It also features two separate burners. Each burner has 15,000 BTUs of power for a total of 30,000 BTUs.

Pros 

• Takes up less space compared to other freestanding griddles
• Includes a large grease cup for collecting grease
• Includes two separate burners with a total of 30,000 BTUs

Cons

• The cart is not easy to transport to other locations

4. Country Smokers CSGDL0590 The Highland 4-Burner Portable Griddle

If you want something a little more portable, the Country Smokers CSGDL0590.

The Highland 4-Burner Portable Griddle is a top recommendation. It has a thin stand with collapsible legs.

You can fold the legs and easily store or transport the griddle.

The cooking surface is made from stainless steel and includes 597 square inches of space.

It is smaller than the previous recommendations, but also lighter and more portable. 

The griddle includes four separate burners. Each burner has 11,000 BTUs of total power, which is a little lower compared to the larger griddles.

It may take slightly longer for the flat top surface to heat.

Pros 

• The folding legs make it easy to transport
• Offers 597 square inches of cooking space
• Includes four separate burners

Cons

• The burners deliver less power compared to large griddles

5. Blackstone 22-Inch Tabletop Griddle 

The Blackstone 22-Inch Tabletop Griddle is great for those who dont want to dedicate a huge outdoor griddle space on their patio.

The Blackstone 22 design is great for tabletop usage instead of coming with a stand or a cart. Table Top griddles are easier to take other places.

This large tabletop griddle measures just 22.5 x 19 x 9 inches and weighs a little over 30 pounds.

The 22-inch stainless steel flattop has 339 square inches of cooking space. It is large enough for a four-person or five-person household.

The device has two separate H-shaped burners instead of circular burners.

You get more even heat across the cooking surface with this larger tabletop griddle design (even though by many its still considered a small gas griddle). Each burner also delivers 12,000 BTUs of power.

Pros 

• The tabletop design is easy to transport
• Includes two H-shaped burners to eliminate cold spots
• Costs less than $200

Cons

• Offers less cooking space compared to larger outdoor griddles

Without a doubt, if you are looking for a best budget outdoor griddle, the Blackstone 22 Tabletop is great option. From camping and picnics to backyard feasts, this little guy always delivers.

6. Royal Gourmet PD1301S Portable 24-Inch 3-Burner Grill/Griddle

The Royal Gourmet 24-Inch Grill/Griddle is more affordable compared to the 22-Inch Blackstone Tabletop Griddle.

It also offers a little more power, with a total of 25,500 BTUs. However, the BTUs are divided between three burners instead of two.

Each burner has a separate heat control knob and about 8,500 BTUs of power.

Compared to the previous options, the cooking surface is likely to take longer to heat. 

You get about 316 square inches of cooking surface. The cooking surface is large enough to cook for four or five people but may fill quickly when cooking for larger groups.

Pros 

• One of the more affordable gas griddles
• The tabletop design is lightweight and easy to store
• Includes a slide-out grease cup for collecting grease

Cons

• Delivers less power to each burner

7. ONLYFIRE Universal Stainless Steel Rectangular Griddle

The ONLYFIRE Universal Stainless Steel Rectangular Griddle is a griddle tray.

Instead of connecting a propane tank, you simply place the griddle on top of an existing gas grill. 

The tray measures 23 x 16 inches, giving you over 360 square inches of cooking space. It is a great choice for cooking for a small gathering or family of four.

The stainless-steel surface heats quickly when placed over a grill. However, it is not recommended for use on stovetops or open fires. 

Pros 

• Fits over almost any gas grill
• Includes large sidewalls to keep food on the griddle
• Includes a drip tray for collecting grease and food debris

Cons

• Requires you to already have a gas grill

8. GGC Cast Iron Reversible Grill Griddle

The GGC Cast Iron Reversible Grill Griddle offers the most affordable way to use a griddle outdoors.

It is a double-sided cast iron pan with handles. You can set it over an existing grill, an open fire, or a stovetop, making this the ultimate outdoor griddle grill.

The cast iron material takes longer to heat compared to the previous recommendations.

However, it also retains heat better, allowing it to keep your food warm after removing it from a heat source. 

One side of the pan features a flat griddle surface while the other side has ribs. You can fry eggs and pancakes on one side and grill hamburgers and hot dogs on the other.

Pros 

• Easy to store and transport
• Works on existing grills, stovetops, or fires
• The most affordable option

Cons

• Requires a separate heat source

How We Choose The Best Griddles and Flat Top Grills

To create this guide, we’ve considered feedback from griddle enthusiasts, real-world performance data, and our own hands-on testing process. For the DIY testing, we evaluated each griddle using a standardized process: cooking a variety of dishes like pancakes, smash burgers, and stir-fry to assess heat distribution and control.

We also timed preheat durations, examined ease of cleaning after greasy meals, and evaluated portability and build quality. This practical approach ensures the recommendations here are grounded in everyday cooking scenarios, so you can trust these picks to deliver.

Outdoor Griddle vs Gas Grill – What’s the Difference?

A gas grill is an outdoor cooking appliance powered by a propane tank or a direct connection to a natural gas line.

Most grills include a deep body that contains a heating element. A metal grill grate sits above the heating element. When people look for outdoor griddles, they are typically looking for gas-powered griddles.

Outdoor gas griddles resemble gas grills. However, instead of a metal grill grate, the cooking surface is a solid flat sheet of metal. 

Types of Outdoor Griddles 

Most outdoor griddles belong to one of the following three categories:

• Flat top grills
• Tabletop griddles
• Griddle plates

Flat Top Grills

Flat top grills are large gas griddles. They tend to resemble gas grills and often sit on large carts with two or four wheels. Large flat-top grills are also more likely to include multiple burners and high BTUs. These options are recommended for those that plan on cooking for large groups or intend to use their griddle frequently.

Electric Tabletop Griddles

Tabletop griddles are smaller gas-powered griddles designed for use on tabletops and counters. Due to their great outdoor griddle design, tabletop griddles are easy to carry, making them useful for camping and cooking at the park. Most table top griddles use small one-pound propane canisters. You can typically cook for about two hours with a one-pound canister on a smaller tabletop griddle.

Griddle Plates

Griddle plates are not gas-powered. They are cooking pans with handles and a circular, square, or rectangular shape.

The surface is flat while the edges are slightly raised to keep grease from dripping onto the heat source. Griddle plates are intended for use over an open fire or a stovetop burner, something that the folks over at Steelmade USA do well with their custom fit stovetop or grill top griddle plates. However, griddle plates can also work on top of a gas or charcoal grill. 

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FAQ: Your Outdoor Griddle Questions Answered

1. What’s the difference between a griddle and a traditional grill? A griddle has a flat, solid cooking surface that’s perfect for pancakes, eggs, and smash burgers, while a grill uses open grates for cooking with direct flame, ideal for steaks and kebabs.

2. Can I use a griddle for grilling foods like steaks or chicken? Absolutely! While griddles are better for foods that need a flat surface, you can sear steaks and cook chicken beautifully on a griddle—just don’t expect grill marks.

3. What type of fuel do outdoor griddles use? Most outdoor griddles run on propane, but some models are electric or even designed for charcoal.

4. How do I clean my griddle? After cooking, scrape off food residue with a griddle scraper, wipe down the surface with a damp cloth, and apply a thin layer of oil to maintain seasoning and prevent rust.

5. Are outdoor griddles portable? Many compact models are lightweight and easy to transport, making them great for camping or tailgating. Larger models, however, are better suited for staying put in your backyard.

6. What’s the best material for a griddle surface? Cold-rolled steel and cast iron are popular for their heat retention and durability, but stainless steel is also a great low-maintenance option.

7. Do griddles work in cold weather? Yes! Just give them a bit more preheat time in colder temps, and they’ll perform just as well year-round.

Conclusion: Ready to Fire Up Your Griddle?

No matter which griddle you choose, one thing’s for sure—your outdoor cooking game is about to level up. The best outdoor griddles of 2025 bring a perfect mix of versatility, performance, and convenience to your backyard. Whether you’re flipping pancakes at a campsite or grilling up a feast for your family, there’s a flat top out there with your name on it. So grab your spatula, fire it up, and let the good eats roll.

Have questions or want to share your griddle setup? Drop a comment below—we’re always ready to talk shop!