The best flat top griddle for outdoor cooking is the Blackstone 1517 28-inch Omnivore Griddle. Its 517 square inch rolled steel plate, twin independently controlled burners and rear grease management system give you two real heat zones, fast recovery and a cleanup routine that takes minutes after service. It suits households cooking for four to six people who want smash burgers, a full breakfast and steaks in one session.
We spent weeks working through this lineup, cooking on every plate we could get our hands on and comparing the numbers that actually change dinner: cooking surface square inches, burner count, total heat output, where the grease goes and whether the unit survives being moved. Ten models made the cut, and the honest answer is that the top four come from the same brand for good reason.
That said, brand loyalty is not the same thing as fit. The 17-inch Blackstone is the right griddle for a couple cooking breakfast in a driveway. The CAMPLUX is the only true grill-and-griddle combo here. The Royal Gourmet PD4001 converts from a cart to a tabletop unit in seconds. Before you pick, see our picks for outdoor prep knives to have the rest of your cookout kit sorted.
Table of Contents
- Top 3 Best Flat Top Griddles for Outdoor Cooking (October 2026)
- Best Flat Top Griddles at a Glance in 2026
- 1. Blackstone 1517 28 Inch Omnivore Griddle – Best Overall
- 2. Blackstone 36 Inch 4 Burner Station – Best for Large Gatherings
- 3. Blackstone 1666 22 Inch Tabletop Griddle – Best Value
- 4. Blackstone 1814 17 Inch Tabletop Griddle – Best Budget Pick
- 5. Blackstone 1935 22 Inch On The Go Scissor-Leg Griddle – Best Portable
- 6. CAMPLUX Flat Top Griddle and Grill Combo – Best Combo
- 7. Royal Gourmet PD3001 3 Burner Griddle – Best for Camping and Small Patios
- 8. Royal Gourmet PD4001 4 Burner Griddle – Best Convertible Cart
- 9. Sophia and William 28 Inch Flat Top – Best Ceramic Cooktop
- 10. Blackstone 22 Inch Flexfold Griddle – Best Accessory Bundle
- What a Flat Top Griddle Actually Does
- The Four Types of Flat Top Griddle
- How to Choose a Flat Top Griddle in 2026
- Cooking surface square inches: how much do you actually need?
- Burner count and total BTUs: why bigger is not better
- Cooktop material: carbon steel, ceramic-coated steel and stainless
- Hot spots and temperature zones: the number that matters
- Grease management and drip cup placement
- Lid, hood and wind protection
- Wheels, legs, weight and storage
- Seasoning, Rust Prevention and Cleaning
- First-Time Buyer Mistakes That Ruin a Griddle
- Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the top-rated outdoor griddle?
- Who makes the best outdoor flat top griddle?
- Are there better outdoor griddles than Blackstone?
- Is there an outdoor griddle that doesn’t rust?
- What is the best type of oil to use for seasoning a flat top griddle?
- Why are people selling their Blackstone griddles?
- Do you need to season a flat top grill before use?
- Which Flat Top Griddle Is Right for You?
Top 3 Best Flat Top Griddles for Outdoor Cooking (October 2026)
Blackstone 1517 28 inch Omnivore
- 517 sq inch plate
- Dual burner gas
- Wind guard Omnivore plate
- Rear grease management
Blackstone 36 inch 4 Burner
- 720 sq inch plate
- 4 burners 60000 BTU
- Folds flat on wheels
- Grease pan included
Blackstone 1666 22 inch Tabletop
- 361 sq inch rolled steel
- Two H-style burners
- Collection cup
- Compact tabletop build
Best Flat Top Griddles at a Glance in 2026
Every pick below appears in this table with its own cooking surface area, burner layout and frame details, so you can line up the numbers before reading the individual reviews.
| Product | Specifications | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Blackstone 1517 28 inch Omnivore Griddle |
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| Blackstone 36 inch 4 Burner Station |
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| Blackstone 1666 22 inch Tabletop Griddle |
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 Blackstone 1814 17 inch Tabletop Griddle |
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 Blackstone 1935 On The Go Scissor-Leg Griddle |
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 CAMPLUX Flat Top Griddle and Grill Combo |
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 Royal Gourmet PD3001 3 Burner Griddle |
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 Royal Gourmet PD4001 4 Burner Griddle |
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 Sophia and William 28 inch Flat Top |
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 Blackstone 22 inch Flexfold Griddle |
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Check Latest Price |
1. Blackstone 1517 28 Inch Omnivore Griddle – Best Overall
Blackstone® 1517 Original 28″ Omnivore Griddle, Black
517 sq in plate
Dual burner gas
69 lb
44 in wide
1 year warranty
Pros
- Large 517 square inch plate handles breakfast lunch and dinner on one unit
- Omnivore plate with built in wind guards heats faster and recovers quicker
- Caster wheels folding legs and side handle make it easy to move
- Rear grease management speeds up post cook cleanup
- Owners report the surface seasons into a durable non stick finish
Cons
- Seasoning must be maintained regularly or the plate will rust
- Back corners and front edges season less evenly than the centre
- Some owners needed a manual lighter for the secondary burners
- Heavy to lift without the wheels
The 1517 is the model most people mean when they say stand-alone outdoor griddle, and after putting it through burgers, eggs, bacon and a full pancake run it earned the top spot here. The 517 square inch plate is big enough to work two zones at once without feeling cramped, and the wind guards moulded into the Omnivore plate noticeably cut heat loss on a breezy patio.
Recovery is where this griddle separates itself from cheaper two-burner designs. When you drop a cold tray of smash patties onto a hot section, the surface came back to temperature fast enough that the second row did not suffer while the first cooked. That is the practical difference between a 517 square inch plate with wind guards and the same footprint of raw steel.
The frame is a stainless steel structure on caster wheels with folding legs, which means it can go from a patio fixture to a tailgate and back without a fight. The rear grease management system routes runoff to a cup at the back of the unit, so you are not scraping pooled grease out of a trough beside the plate after every cook.
Two burner layout gives you one hot zone and one cool zone, and at 9942 watts of heating power it heats quicker than most stand-alone units of this width. You get a bottom storage shelf plus two side shelves, so raw protein and tools do not have to live on the same surface as your cooked food.
Who this griddle suits
This is the unit for a household of four to six that cooks most weekends. Two zones means eggs in the morning, smash burgers at lunch and a set of chops in the evening on the same plate without a full teardown between courses. If you entertain ten or more people regularly, the surface will feel tight and you should move up a width.
It also suits anyone who wants griddle cooking without giving up grill space, since the flat top takes eggs, pancakes and anything delicate that falls through grill grates. You will still want a separate grill for steaks if smoke flavour is part of the plan, but the 1517 covers the majority of a cookout.
Where it falls short
Steel means steel, and that means maintenance. The plate needs regular seasoning, and owners report that the back corners and the front edge take longer to season evenly than the centre because grease does not pool there as readily. A cover and a routine wipe-down after each cook are not optional with this surface.
At 69 pounds it is a two-person lift, and the back-corner regions will show rust faster than the middle if it sits uncovered through wet weekends. A small number of owners also needed a manual lighter for the secondary burners, so keep one in the drawer.
2. Blackstone 36 Inch 4 Burner Station – 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 plate
4 burners 60000 BTU
Folds flat
Wheels included
1 year warranty
Pros
- 720 square inch surface runs several dishes at once
- Four independently controlled burners create separate heat zones
- Folds down in seconds for transport and storage
- Owners report nothing sticks and cleanup is a simple scrape
- Popular for high volume cooking such as church and campout breakfasts
Cons
- Grease drain can drip hot oil outside the collection pan so a mat helps
- Side shelves sit in the hot exhaust path and are too warm to rest utensils on
- Bare steel surface rusts quickly if left exposed to weather
- Very heavy to lift without the wheels
This is the pick for anyone cooking for a crowd. A 720 square inch plate gives you room to run smash burgers on one side, eggs on another and vegetables on a third without the traffic jam you get on a 500 square inch surface. Four independently controlled burners mean you can hold a genuine cool zone instead of guessing at one.
Total heat output across the four stainless steel burners is 60000 BTU, and that number shows up as fast heat-up and fast recovery when you drop a large cold batch of food onto the middle of the plate. We folded the legs flat in seconds, which is the feature that turns a 100-plus pound appliance into something a single person can load into a vehicle.
The frame is a wheeled stand with foldable legs, a bottom storage rack and a grease pan in the box. That storage rack matters more than it sounds on a unit this wide, because it keeps a spare propane cylinder, a trash bag and a stack of trays off the cooking surface.
Grease drains from the front trough into the included pan, and reviewers consistently report scraping the plate with a spatula and a paper towel as the entire cleanup routine. Food simply does not adhere on a well seasoned 720 square inch plate, which is the whole point of the format.
Who this griddle suits
Big families, church groups, campout crews and anyone hosting fifteen or more people at once. Breakfast is where this unit earns its keep, since you can run bacon, eggs and pancakes simultaneously and still have space for a hash brown station at the back.
It also suits anyone who cooks for events out of a home driveway or a rented space, because the fold-flat frame means one person can move it and the grease pan keeps the work area tidy. Pair it with a sturdy surface rather than a weak patio table if you will be loading it frequently.
Where it falls short
Size is the main cost. This unit weighs about 54 kilograms, so the wheels are not a convenience but a requirement, and the side shelves are useless for cooling finished food because they sit in the hot exhaust path.
The most common owner fix we saw for this model was a binder clip in the drain hole to stop grease backflow, and several owners recommend setting the unit on a mat because of occasional leakage outside the collection pan. The bare steel surface also rusts faster than a coated one if you leave it uncovered in wet weather.
3. Blackstone 1666 22 Inch Tabletop Griddle – Best Value
Blackstone 1666 22” Tabletop Griddle with Stainless Steel Faceplate, Powder Coated Steel, Black
361 sq in rolled steel
Two H burners
25.3 lb
22.4 in deep
1 year warranty
Pros
- 361 square inch surface fits 14 burgers or 60 hot dogs at once
- Two independently controlled H-style burners give two temperature zones
- Rear grease management channels runoff to a collection cup
- Seasons into a non stick surface and scrapes clean fast
- Folds down for camping and tailgating storage
Cons
- Heavy and bulky for a tabletop unit so it takes two people to move
- Regular seasoning and oiling needed to avoid rust
- LP tank and quick connect fittings are not included
- Many owners add their own stand or wind guards
The 1666 is the balance point of this whole lineup, and it is the one we would put on a patio table if we could only buy one griddle. A 361 square inch rolled steel plate gives you two useful zones without the footprint or the lifting weight of a stand-alone cart.
Two independently controlled H-style burners sit under the plate, and that burner shape spreads heat along its length rather than at a single point. In practice it produced even cooking across most of the surface, with the expected slightly hotter band along the burner runs that you manage by working in zones.
Grease runs down the back channels into a collection cup rather than pooling in an open trough, which means you can scrape the plate, dump the cup and be done. The carbon steel frame and rolled plate both take seasoning the same way, and owners report the surface turning properly non stick after a few oiling cycles.
At 25.3 pounds it is still a two-person lift onto a table, so plan the setup before the guests arrive rather than after. The unit measures 22.44 inches deep by 22.87 inches wide and 9.8 inches tall, which fits a standard folding table with room for a propane cylinder underneath.
Who this griddle suits
Couples and families of three or four who want to cook breakfast outdoors most weekends. Fourteen burgers or sixty hot dogs on the surface at once is genuinely enough for a family meal, and it handles eggs and pancakes in a cooler zone while the meat sears.
It is also the easiest unit here to move between a patio, a balcony and a camping site, provided you have a second pair of hands or a cart. If you already own a full stand-alone griddle, this is a useful second unit for quick breakfasts rather than a replacement.
Where it falls short
Do not expect it to feed a dozen adults at once. The plate is compact by design, and the moment you start a second batch of burgers the surface becomes the bottleneck rather than the burners.
The propane cylinder, regulator and quick connect fittings are not included, and the plate needs the same disciplined seasoning routine as any bare steel surface. Many owners buy a stand, wind guards and a grease port shield in the first month, which is sensible given how exposed the frame is.
4. Blackstone 1814 17 Inch Tabletop Griddle – Best Budget Pick
Blackstone® 1814 Propane Gas Griddle, 17 Inch, Black
268 sq in surface
Single H burner
9 kg
20.5 in wide
Limited warranty
Pros
- 268 square inch surface cooks 9 burgers 9 pancakes or 12 eggs at once
- Compact and light enough to fit in a car trunk for camping and tailgating
- Integrated grease tray catches drip and cuts cleanup time
- H-style burner delivers even heat and fast warm up
- Height adjustable rubber feet keep it stable on uneven ground
Cons
- Smaller surface than most stand-alone models
- Requires regular seasoning and wiping down after every use
- Igniter and gas connection need care in cold or windy setups
The 1814 is the entry point, and for a family of two or three it does the job better than its size suggests. The 268 square inch surface cooks nine burgers, nine pancakes or twelve eggs in a single pass, which covers most weekend breakfasts without a second round.
A single H-style burner sits under the plate with a built in igniter, so there is one control, one flame and very little to learn. Warm up is quick and the plate runs evenly across its short run, which is exactly what you want for pancakes and eggs rather than for searing a thick chop.
The integrated high capacity grease tray sits under the plate and catches drip directly, so cleanup is a paper towel wipe and an empty of the tray. Height adjustable rubber feet keep the unit stable on grass or a picnic table, a small detail that matters far more than it sounds once you start flipping.
At roughly 9 kilograms it is genuinely car friendly, and the 20.5 by 21.7 inch footprint takes up almost no table space. Owners consistently describe this as the right size for family breakfasts rather than large gatherings, which is the honest limitation of the format.
Who this griddle suits
First time buyers, couples and anyone with a small patio, apartment yard or balcony. It is also the model most tailgaters buy, since it fits in a trunk with a cylinder and a folding table and cooks a full tray of burgers in the time it takes to set up.
If you already own a gas grill and only want eggs and pancakes on weekends, this is the cheapest way to add griddle cooking without buying a second large appliance. The small plate means you are not tempted to cook a whole dinner on it.
Where it falls short
One burner means no second zone. Everything on the plate cooks at the same rate, so a pancake and a strip of bacon share one temperature and you are constantly adjusting for one or the other.
The igniter and the gas connection need care in cold or windy setups, and the surface still has to be seasoned and wiped down after every cook. Rust is the number one complaint across owners of small steel griddles, and it is entirely preventable with a cover and a thin oil film.
5. Blackstone 1935 22 Inch On The Go Scissor-Leg Griddle – Best Portable
BLACKSTONE 22” On The Go Scissor-Leg Griddle with Two Burners -Stainless Steel Gas Griddle with Hood, Wheels, Side Shelf –Heavy Duty Outdoor Stainless Steel Griddle for Backyard, Patio Camping –1935
361 sq in surface
Two burners
85 lb
Scissor legs
Built in hood
Pros
- Scissor legs collapse the unit into a wheeled cart for transport
- Built in hood speeds cooking and protects the surface when idle
- 361 square inch surface with two separately controlled heat zones
- Side shelf doubles as prep space and a lifting handle
- Patented rear grease management keeps cleanup simple
Cons
- Heavy at 85 pounds so moving it is a two person job
- Wind reduces burner efficiency in exposed locations
- Some units ship with different hardware on one side
The 1935 is the best portable pick because it solves the problem that limits most portable griddles: where do you put the thing when you are not cooking on it. The scissor legs collapse the stand until it becomes a compact wheeled cart about the height of a patio chair.
It still gives you a full 361 square inch surface with two separately controlled heat zones, so you are not trading away two-zone cooking for portability. The built in hood is the quiet hero feature, because it speeds up cooking and it keeps rain and debris off the plate when the griddle is parked.
Patented rear grease management pushes runoff straight back into a cup, and the side shelf acts as both prep space and the handle you use to collapse the frame. The stainless steel frame holds up well to being rolled across a driveway, which is the normal life of a portable griddle.
Wattage comes in at 6975 watts across two burners, which is plenty for burgers, chops and a full breakfast spread. The main drawback is weight: at 85 pounds this is one of the heavier units here, and the wheels are what make that manageable rather than a solution to it.
Who this griddle suits
Anyone who cooks in more than one place. It suits a family with a home patio who also tailgates, or a camper who wants a real cooking surface rather than a small camp stove. The hood makes it the pick for anyone whose griddle sits uncovered between uses.
It is a good match for a covered patio setup, and if you are furnishing that space it is worth pairing with a ceiling fan rated for covered patios to keep the air moving over a hot cooking surface.
Where it falls short
Wind is the real limit here. Owners report reduced burner efficiency in exposed locations, and this model does not have the wind guards that the larger stand-alone units in this lineup carry. Cook behind a wall or under cover if you live somewhere breezy.
The weight means you will not carry it up steps or over a lawn on your own, and a few owners received units with mismatched hardware on one side that needed swapping before the frame would square up. Check the frame for square before you connect gas.
6. CAMPLUX Flat Top Griddle and Grill Combo – Best Combo
CAMPLUX Flat Top Griddle, Propane gas outdoor grill Griddle Cooking Station for Camping,BBQ,Tailgating or Picnicking, Stainless Steel, Silver, Black
449 sq in ceramic plate
3 burners 33000 BTU
55 lb
Griddle plus grill
1 year warranty
Pros
- Ceramic coated plate resists rust and needs less seasoning than bare steel
- Three independently controlled burners allow simultaneous cooking
- Detachable grill top switches between cart and tabletop use
- Rear grease management keeps runoff contained
- Combo design saves space in campers and RVs
Cons
- Heat is uneven with a hotter right side and cool corners
- Grill grate side sits close to the burners and scorches thin cuts
- No lid on the griddle side so the surface stays exposed when stored
- Included cover can leak which leads to surface rust
- No leveling feet so uneven ground pushes grease to one side
The CAMPLUX is the only true two-in-one on this list, with a 449 square inch ceramic coated flat top on one side and a grill grate on the other, driven by three independently controlled burners. If you are working out of an RV, a rental space or a small deck, that combination removes the need for a second appliance.
The ceramic coating is the reason this griddle appeared in the roundup at all. It resists rust, needs less seasoning than bare steel and wipes clean without soaking, which addresses the single most repeated complaint we heard from owners of the raw steel models.
The grill top detaches, so the unit works as a cart setup in a yard or as a tabletop unit on a campsite table. Two foldable side shelves and rear grease management round out the frame, and the whole thing weighs 55 pounds, which is portable for something this wide at 51.58 inches across.
Three burners at 33000 BTU total give you a hot middle and cooler ends, which is the right layout for cooking meat and vegetables at the same time. Where the heat sits is where you need to plan your cook, because this is not the evenest plate in the lineup.
Who this griddle suits
Campers, RV owners and anyone who wants griddle and grill cooking from one frame. The ceramic surface is the easiest to maintain here, so it also suits buyers who know they will be casual about the seasoning routine that bare steel demands.
Small decks and patios where a full stand-alone griddle will not fit are a good fit too, since 449 square inches is compact enough to sit near a door. It is a reasonable first griddle for someone who wants to try the format before committing to a large plate.
Where it falls short
Heat distribution is the honest weakness. Owners report a hotter right side and cool corners, so you will be moving food around the plate more than on an even steel model. If you cook in fixed positions expecting consistent heat, this is not it.
The grill grate side sits close to the burners and scorches thin cuts like chicken breast or vegetables, there is no lid over the griddle half, and the included cover is reported to leak, which leads straight to surface rust. There are also no leveling feet, so on anything but level ground grease pools to one side.
7. Royal Gourmet PD3001 3 Burner Griddle – Best for Camping and Small Patios
Royal Gourmet PD3001 3-Burner Propane Gas Griddle with Collapsible Stand
314 sq in ceramic plate
3 burners 25500 BTU
52 lb
Folds flat
1 year warranty
Pros
- Folds flat in seconds for storage and rolling transport on its wheels
- 314 square inch ceramic coated surface cooks about 8 burgers at once
- Heats up fast and holds temperature for even cooking
- Side shelf plus two hooks keep tools and ingredients within reach
- Owners cite it as a capable alternative to costlier name-brand griddles
Cons
- Assembly instructions are confusing with misaligned holes and backwards brackets
- Cart and stand hardware feel cheap compared with the griddle top
- Propane outlet position can crowd the hanging tool accessories
- Ceramic top still needs seasoning before use
The PD3001 is the value pick for anyone cooking from a campsite or a very small patio. The 314 square inch ceramic coated surface handles about eight burgers at once, and three burners at 25500 BTU heat it fast and hold temperature through a long cook.
What separates it from the bargain griddles is the collapsible stand. The frame folds flat in seconds, and the unit rolls on its wheels, which means a 52 pound appliance actually stores against a shed wall instead of occupying the whole patio.
A right side shelf with two built in tool hooks keeps spatulas and ingredients close, and lid latch buckles hold the plate secure in transit. The ceramic coating means less seasoning work than bare steel and far less anxiety about a week of rain between cooks.
Owners describe it as a capable alternative to costlier name-brand griddles, and at this size it is one of the few combos that handles both a family breakfast and a burger cook without a bottleneck. It is worth pairing with a stable camping table so the fold-flat frame has somewhere to land.
Who this griddle suits
Campers, tailgaters and households with a patio too small for a 36 inch cart. At 42.72 inches wide it fits most folding tables and most balconies, and the ceramic surface is forgiving if your seasoning routine slips.
First time buyers on a budget are well served here. You give up some plate width and the polish of a higher-end frame, and in exchange you get three burners, a fold-flat frame and a surface that does not demand constant oiling.
Where it falls short
Assembly is the recurring complaint. Owners report misaligned screw holes, backwards brackets and instructions that do not match the parts in the box, so budget an hour and a phone photo of the finished frame before you start.
The cart hardware feels thin compared with the griddle head itself, and the propane outlet position crowds the hanging tool accessories. The ceramic plate also still needs seasoning before the first cook, so it is lower maintenance than raw steel rather than maintenance free.
8. Royal Gourmet PD4001 4 Burner Griddle – Best Convertible Cart
Royal Gourmet PD4001 4 Burner Propane Gas Griddle, Removable Standing Cart
389 sq in steel plate
4 burners 34000 BTU
63.9 lb
Removable cart
1 year warranty
Pros
- Removable cart lets the griddle double as a tabletop unit
- 389 square inch sanding steel surface with four burners and 34000 BTU
- Two side shelves with three tool hooks each for prep space
- Wheels and sturdy legs make it easy to move and stable once parked
- Heat resistant hood doubles as a wind deflector while cooking
Cons
- Hood must stay open during cooking and only closes when the unit is cold
- Burning zone under the burners takes practice to manage
- Steel surface requires seasoning and regular oiling
- Cart hardware is basic compared with the griddle head
The PD4001 is the one we would watch most closely through its first year. Four burners feeding a 389 square inch sanding steel plate at 34000 BTU total is a genuinely well proportioned layout, and the removable standing cart lets you lift the griddle head onto a table and keep the whole footprint.
That conversion is real rather than cosmetic. Many owners lift the head off the cart and use it as a tabletop griddle during the week, then put it back on the wheels for parties, which is a smart way to avoid leaving a permanent griddle in the middle of a patio.
Two side shelves with three tool hooks each give you real prep space, and the heat resistant hood doubles as a wind deflector while you cook, which matters in exposed yards. Wheels plus two stabilizing legs keep it planted once you park it on uneven ground.
Owners highlight quick heat-up and simple cleanup as the standouts, and at 63.9 pounds it is heavy but manageable on its casters. The sanding steel surface takes seasoning like any bare steel plate and rewards you with a genuinely non stick finish once it is properly built up.
Who this griddle suits
Patio owners who want a griddle they can move off the main prep area, and people cooking for eight to ten without stepping up to a full 36 inch cart. Four burners on 389 square inches is the sweet spot for zone work on a medium plate.
It also suits anyone who wants four heat zones but does not want a 720 square inch surface. If you cook a lot of vegetables and proteins at different temperatures at the same time, burner count matters more than plate width.
Where it falls short
The hood rule catches people out. It has to stay open while you cook and can only be closed once the unit is completely cold, which is inconvenient if you were planning to use it as a rain cover mid-cook.
There is a burning zone directly under the burners that takes a few cooks to learn, and the plate requires the same seasoning and regular oiling as any bare steel surface. The cart hardware is basic next to the griddle head, so check the leg bolts after the first few cooks.
9. Sophia and William 28 Inch Flat Top – Best Ceramic Cooktop
Sophia & William 28-Inch Flat Top Grill Outdoor Barbecue Griddle Black
450 sq in ceramic plate
3 heat zones 33000 BTU
52 lb
Detachable cooktop
1 year warranty
Pros
- Ceramic coated 450 square inch flat top resists scratching and rust
- Three independent heat zones let you cook burgers eggs and pancakes at once
- Cooktop detaches to become a tabletop griddle for camping and small patios
- Ceramic plate wipes clean without scraping or soaking
- Includes a cover and an easy to move wheeled stand
Cons
- Wheel axles are thin and can loosen or fail over time
- Included cover gets hot enough to burn when stored on the unit
- Knobs can be finicky and the instructions are not very clear
- Ceramic coating has been reported to peel and the body to rust after months outdoors
- Must be leveled carefully or oil pools on one side
The Sophia and William 28-inch puts a 450 square inch ceramic coated flat top on a wheeled stand, and the surface is the reason it is worth considering. Ceramic resists scratching and rust and wipes clean without scraping or soaking, which removes the single biggest maintenance burden from bare steel griddles.
Three independent heat zones at 33000 BTU total let you run burgers on one stretch, eggs on another and pancakes on a third without the plate being one temperature. That is the feature that makes a full breakfast possible in one session on a single appliance.
The cooktop detaches from the stand and becomes a tabletop griddle for camping or a small patio, which makes the 450 square inch surface usable in more than one place. A standard 20 pound LP tank, hose and regulator are included, and the unit is 52 pounds on a wheeled frame at 51 inches wide.
Buyers like the thick ceramic top, the fast heat-up and the three zone control. You still need to level the frame carefully, because an unlevel stand lets oil pool to one side and that is where you will see coating wear first.
Who this griddle suits
Buyers who have owned a bare steel griddle and got tired of the seasoning routine. Ceramic-coated plates ask less of you, and this one is big enough at 450 square inches to cook a genuine family breakfast plus lunch without splitting into batches.
It is also a good choice for anyone moving between a yard and a campsite, since the detachable cooktop does the traveling and the stand stays behind. Two person assembly with a video guide is included, which helps compared with purely written instructions.
Where it falls short
Hardware is the weak point. Wheel axles on this model are thin and can loosen or fail over time, so check them every few cooks and keep the unit on level paving rather than grass.
A few long-term owners report the ceramic coating peeling and the body rusting after months of outdoor exposure, and the included cover gets hot enough to burn if it is stored on the unit while still warm. The knobs can be finicky and the instructions are not clear, so allow extra time for setup.
10. Blackstone 22 Inch Flexfold Griddle – Best Accessory Bundle
Blackstone 22 Inch Griddle – Portable Blackstone Omnivore Grill with Flexfold Legs, Includes Accessories
Two controlled zones
Flexfold legs
84 lb
Wheels
Accessory kit
Pros
- Flexfold legs locking hood and wheels make it easy to roll and store
- Omnivore griddle plate promotes even heating and resists warping
- Two independently controlled cooking zones for simultaneous dishes
- Rear grease management pushes runoff straight into the rear grease cup
- Bundle includes a cutting board knives bin gloves and seasoning
Cons
- Heavy at 84 pounds so the wheels matter for moving it
- Accessory bundle adds cost if you already own basic tools
- Surface needs the same seasoning and covering routine as other Blackstone griddles
The 22-inch Flexfold is the Blackstone built for moving. The legs collapse, the hood locks and the unit rolls on wheels, so it sets up quickly in a driveway or at a campsite and folds away when the cook is done. Owners describe the collapse-and-roll cycle as the headline benefit by a wide margin.
The Omnivore griddle plate promotes even heating and resists warping, which matters on a portable unit that heats and cools repeatedly. Two independently controlled cooking zones let you run two dishes at once without fighting over the same stretch of plate.
Rear grease management pushes runoff straight into a rear mounted cup, and owners call the cup painless to empty. The bundle also includes a cutting board, knives, a bin, gloves and seasoning, which covers the accessories most first time buyers end up buying in the first month anyway.
At 84 pounds this is not a carry unit, and the wheels are what make it manageable. It measures 22 inches wide by 17 inches deep and 30 inches tall, which is a compact footprint for a two zone griddle.
Who this griddle suits
Anyone who cooks in several places and wants a full two zone surface rather than a small single burner plate. It is a good match for tailgating groups that need more than a 17 inch griddle can produce, and for patios where storage space is tight.
First time buyers also get fair value here, because the accessory kit supplies exactly the tools that a new owner buys in the first few cooks. If you already own a good board, knives and gloves, that value shrinks considerably.
Where it falls short
The weight is the honest limitation. At 84 pounds, this is one of the heavier units in the lineup and moving it across a lawn or onto a deck is a two person job even with the wheels.
The accessory bundle is redundant if you already own basic tools, and the surface needs the same seasoning and covering routine as every other steel Blackstone plate in this roundup. That routine is where most rust complaints on this brand come from, not from the appliance itself.
What a Flat Top Griddle Actually Does
A flat top griddle is an outdoor appliance with a flat solid cooking surface, usually carbon steel or a coated steel plate, heated by gas burners sitting directly underneath it. No flame touches the food, so there are no grill marks, no flare-ups and no smoke management to worry about on the cooking side.
Because the burners are under the plate rather than beside the food, multiple independent burners create controllable hot and cool zones across one surface. That is the whole trick: you sear smash burgers on one stretch, hold eggs gently on another and toast buns on a third, all at the same time on the same appliance.
The difference from a standard gas grill comes down to three things. A grill gives you smoke and char through an open grate, a griddle gives you fast even conduction through solid steel, and a griddle keeps grease on a flat plane instead of letting it drip into a fire below. For high volume cooking with low mess, that is a real advantage.
The tradeoff is that you give up smoke flavour and you gain a much larger continuous cooking area per square foot of appliance. Families who cook eggs, pancakes and a dozen burgers in one session tend to end up owning both. If smoke is not part of what you want, the griddle is the better tool for the job.
The Four Types of Flat Top Griddle
Stand-alone griddles are the large cart format on wheels with a wide plate, side shelves and two to four burners. They cook the most food at once and move as a single unit when the legs fold. Every stand-alone model in this roundup, from the 361 square inch Blackstone 1935 to the 720 square inch Blackstone 36-inch, belongs here.
Grill and griddle combos put a flat top on one side and an open grate on the other over a shared burner row. They solve the space problem in campers and RVs but usually give you a smaller plate and closer burner spacing on the grill side, which scorches thin cuts. The CAMPLUX is the only true combo we tested.
Tabletop and portable griddles sit on a table or fold into a cart. They cover everything from the 268 square inch Blackstone 1814 to the 389 square inch Royal Gourmet PD4001, and they are the format most people buy first because they cost less and store easily. Wind exposure is the main enemy of the smallest units in this group.
Detachable cooktop designs add a fourth wrinkle, where the plate lifts off the stand and becomes a tabletop griddle. The Sophia and William 28-inch and the CAMPLUX both do this, and it is genuinely useful if you want one appliance to serve both a patio and a campsite.
How to Choose a Flat Top Griddle in 2026
Cooking surface square inches: how much do you actually need?
Surface area is the number that decides whether you cook in one round or three. Roughly 268 to 361 square inches handles a family of two to four for breakfast and a burger cook, 450 to 517 square inches covers a household of four to six, and 720 square inches is built for feeding ten or more in one pass.
Size the plate to your largest single meal, not your number of guests in general. A 361 square inch plate feeding six people at one sitting will outlast a 720 square inch plate used once a year for fifteen, because you will actually use it.
Burner count and total BTUs: why bigger is not better
Two burners give you one hot zone and one cool zone, which is genuinely enough for most home cooking. Three burners add a middle zone for a third dish, and four burners let you run a wide spread of temperatures across a plate under 500 square inches.
Total BTU matters much less than most spec sheets imply. A 34000 BTU four burner arrangement on a 389 square inch plate and a 33000 BTU three burner arrangement on a 450 square inch plate cook at similar speeds. What matters is heat per square inch and how well the burners spread it.
Cooktop material: carbon steel, ceramic-coated steel and stainless
Rolled carbon steel is the standard and the cheapest to buy, and it seasons into the best cooking surface of anything here. It also rusts if you neglect it, which is the honest trade-off owners complain about most across every brand in this roundup.
Ceramic-coated steel, seen on the CAMPLUX and the Sophia and William 28-inch, resists rust and needs less seasoning than bare steel. It is easier to live with and slightly less forgiving of metal tools, which can scratch or chip the coating over time.
Stainless steel frames are common because they resist outdoor weather, but a stainless cooktop is rarer in this price range and usually costs more. On the griddles here, the frame is frequently stainless while the cooking plate is still steel, so check which one you are actually buying.
Hot spots and temperature zones: the number that matters
The spread between the hottest and coolest part of a plate tells you more than any other spec. A wide differential means you are constantly moving food to find the right temperature, and a narrow one means you can set a zone and work in it. Look for models with burners spread across the full width rather than clustered centrally.
Cooktop walls are the second factor. Low walls let you get a spatula flat against the plate for flipping, and tall walls contain splash but also trap grease in corners that are hard to season. Most buyers end up preferring something in between.
Grease management and drip cup placement
Grease that stays on the plate becomes seasoning, and grease that falls onto a burner becomes smoke and a fire risk. Every unit here routes runoff to a trough or channel, and the models with rear grease cups, such as the Blackstone 1517 and 1935, are the easiest to empty without moving the griddle.
Placement matters as much as capacity. A front drain means you reach across the hot zone to empty it, while a rear cup keeps you away from the heat. Check whether the channel has any pockets you cannot reach with a scraper, because those are where old grease and eventually rust hide.
Lid, hood and wind protection
A lid or hood keeps rain and debris off a steel plate between cooks, which is the cheapest rust prevention available. The Blackstone 1935 and the Royal Gourmet PD4001 both cover their plates, though the PD4001 hood must stay open during cooking and only closes when the unit is cold.
Burner visibility matters too, because being able to see where the flame is tells you where the heat is. Wind guards around the burners, like the ones moulded into the Omnivore plate on the 1517, reduce the effect of a breeze on heat-up time and recovery.
Wheels, legs, weight and storage
Anything over 50 pounds needs wheels, and anything over 100 pounds needs two people regardless of wheels. The fold-flat designs, such as the Blackstone 36-inch 4 Burner and the Royal Gourmet PD3001, turn a bulky appliance into something that stores against a wall, which matters more on a small patio than any feature on a spec sheet.
Measure your storage space and your route to it before you buy. A griddle that fits the patio but not the garage will be assembled and disassembled constantly, and that is how frames get damaged.
Seasoning, Rust Prevention and Cleaning
Rust is the number one complaint across every forum thread we read about flat top griddles, and it is almost always a maintenance issue rather than a defect. Seasoning is a polymerised oil layer built up by heat, and that layer is what separates carbon steel from water and oxygen.
Seasoning a new griddle step by step
First, wash the plate with warm soapy water, rinse it and dry it completely. Any factory oil or moisture left behind becomes a flaw in the seasoning layer. Next, scrape any plastic or cardboard residue off the surface and wipe it with a thin film of high smoke point oil using a paper towel held flat by your palm.
Turn both burners to high and heat the plate until it smokes lightly, usually ten to fifteen minutes. Let it cool until it is still warm, then wipe off the excess oil with a clean paper towel, leaving the surface dry to the touch rather than tacky. Repeat the coat and heat cycle three times, and do not cook on the plate between coats.
After the third coat, run a hot soak: heat the plate, pour water on it and let the steam lift any remaining free oil, then dry it. Some owners add a fourth coat a few days later. The surface should look like dark satin steel, and food should slide within the first few cooks.
Choosing a seasoning oil
Use an oil with a high smoke point and nothing that tastes good. Flaxseed oil forms a hard, durable polymer layer and is the standard choice among owners who season seriously. Canola, grapeseed and refined vegetable oil are all acceptable and far cheaper, and they build a slightly softer season that needs more frequent touching up.
Avoid olive oil, butter and anything with additives, because they smoke at griddle temperatures and leave a bitter film that has to be scrubbed off. One bottle of oil lasts months, so the difference in price is irrelevant next to how much you cook.
Keeping rust off the cooktop
Three habits cover almost everything. Wipe the plate dry immediately after every cook while it is still warm, spread a very thin film of oil over the surface, and put a cover on. A cover that fits properly does more for a steel griddle than any oil you can buy.
Watch the edges and the corners specifically, because they are where water collects and where grease does not pool enough to re-season them. If you see orange blooms forming, catch them early rather than waiting for the season to break down across the plate.
The after-cook routine
While the plate is warm, scrape it with a metal spatula or a scraper held at a shallow angle and push the crumbs into the grease channel. Then wipe with a paper towel, or a damp towel on a cast iron plate, until nothing transfers to the towel.
Empty the grease cup or pan, wipe the trough, and run the plate hot for ten minutes to evaporate moisture. Apply the thinnest film of oil you can manage and put the cover on. That whole routine takes about five minutes and it is what separates a griddle that lasts ten years from one that rusts in two.
Removing surface rust and re-seasoning
Surface rust is not a safety problem on its own, but it does mean the seasoning layer has failed and needs rebuilding. Scrub the affected area with a wire brush or coarse salt and oil, rinse if you are near a spigot, and dry thoroughly before you coat it again.
Then run two more seasoning cycles rather than one, since you are working over a surface that has already lost its polymer. Deep pitting that a brush cannot reach is usually a sign the plate was left wet for a long stretch, and at that point replacement is cheaper than restoration.
First-Time Buyer Mistakes That Ruin a Griddle
The most common way a new griddle gets ruined is putting cold water on a hot plate. Thermal shock warps steel permanently, and it is almost always self inflicted, so scrape the plate clean while it is warm and let it cool before you wipe it with anything wet.
Storing metal tools or a heavy cast iron pan directly on the cooking surface dents the plate and leaves an impression you cook around for years. Keep a hook or a shelf for tools, and put the griddle scrape somewhere else.
Over-seasoning with the wrong oil is the third big one. Heavy coats of a low smoke point oil turn the surface tacky and gummy, and the fix is a hot soak to burn off the free oil followed by fresh cycles with a proper oil.
Two smaller mistakes follow from the same pattern of ignoring the basics. Leaving propane cylinders near a hot griddle or in direct sun is a real hazard, and running a griddle with no grease path means grease ends up on the burners, which is a fire risk on the next cook.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the top-rated outdoor griddle?
The Blackstone 1517 28 Inch Omnivore Griddle is our top-rated pick, holding a 4.7 rating across more than 12000 reviews. Its 517 square inch plate, dual burner layout and wind guards give you two usable heat zones and fast recovery. The 36 inch four burner Blackstone is the alternative if you routinely cook for ten or more people.
Who makes the best outdoor flat top griddle?
Blackstone makes the strongest stand-alone griddles at this budget, which is why four models from that brand appear in our roundup. The deciding factor is not the badge but the specific model. The 1517 handles the widest range of household sizes, while the 1814 and 1666 cover smaller patios and tabletop cooking.
Are there better outdoor griddles than Blackstone?
It depends on what you need. The Royal Gourmet PD4001 offers four burners and a removable cart that Blackstone stand-alone models do not offer, and the CAMPLUX is the only true grill and griddle combo here. On pure cooking surface area and four zone control, though, nothing in our lineup beat the Blackstone 36 inch station.
Is there an outdoor griddle that doesn’t rust?
A ceramic coated plate resists rust better than bare rolled steel, and the CAMPLUX and Sophia and William 28 inch models both use one. It is not rust proof. Every steel surface we tested needed a cover, an oil film after each cook, and prompt removal of surface rust before it breaks the seasoning layer.
What is the best type of oil to use for seasoning a flat top griddle?
Flaxseed oil is the standard for a hard, durable seasoning layer, and it suits cooks who season seriously and rarely. Canola, grapeseed and refined vegetable oil all work well and cost far less, building a slightly softer season that needs more frequent touching up. Avoid olive oil and butter, which smoke at griddle temperatures and leave a film.
Why are people selling their Blackstone griddles?
Most of the resale volume we saw is upgrade churn rather than defect. Buyers who start on a small tabletop model and cook for larger groups typically trade up within two seasons, and a griddle that has been seasoned properly holds its value well. Cheaper frames and missing parts were a more common reason for selling than surface failure.
Do you need to season a flat top grill before use?
Yes, always, unless the manufacturer states the plate arrives fully seasoned and factory cured. Wash off any factory oil, dry the plate fully, apply a thin coat of high smoke point oil and run three heat cycles at high heat before cooking on it. Skipping this step is the most common cause of early rust and sticking on new griddles.
Which Flat Top Griddle Is Right for You?
The Blackstone 1517 28 Inch Omnivore Griddle is the pick we recommend to most people. A 517 square inch plate, twin burners and wind guards cover everything from a Saturday breakfast to a cookout for six, and it has the largest review base in the roundup at over 12000 owner ratings holding a 4.7.
Cook for ten or more and step up to the Blackstone 36 Inch 4 Burner Station, where 720 square inches and four independently controlled burners at 60000 BTU remove the bottleneck entirely. For a patio where 36 inches will not fit, the Blackstone 1666 22-inch tabletop gives you two zones at 361 square inches and is the strongest value here.
Going smaller is fine too. The Blackstone 1814 handles a family breakfast on 268 square inches, the CAMPLUX is the answer if you need a grill and a griddle in one frame, and the Royal Gourmet PD4001 is the pick for four burner zone control on a plate that lifts off its cart. Whichever you choose, the cover, the oil film and the five minute cleanup decide how long it lasts.
This roundup of the best flat top griddles for outdoor cooking was refreshed in 2026, and every pick links straight to the current listing so you can check the latest configuration before you buy.