The Best Portable Outdoor Griddles

The Best Portable Outdoor Griddles

There’s nothing better than an outdoor grilling session in the backyard with the whole family. The smell of delicious meats and veggies wafting around for everyone to enjoy, the soothing sound of the sizzling gristle as burgers are flipped, and everyone enjoying each other’s company and conversation. Grills bring people together. They also take up a whole chunk of your yard or deck (not to mention your bank account). Luckily, there’s a portable and convenient solution to this problem: outdoor griddles. Outdoor griddles are like grills, except they're gas-heated and a whole lot smaller. The cooking surfaces are very similar to those on full-sized grills, so you’ll be able to cook as many burgers and dogs as you would on your grill while taking up a fraction of the yard space. Let our list of the best outdoor griddles be your ultimate guide to space-saving grilling.

Royal Gourmet 3-Burner Propane Gas Griddle

The gourmet griddle

This 23.6” gas griddle from Royal Gourmet is the perfect size for backyard party grilling.
Best Overall

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Royal Gourmet’s three-burner gas griddle’s got everything you need from a portable grill. First off, the 316 square-inch cooking area is razor-close to what full-sized grills have, so you’ll still be able to cook for the whole family at once. The porcelain-enameled flat top offers non-stick grilling and even heat distribution, and the flat top is also detachable, so you can put those patties right onto the grill for that classic grill-lined taste. Royal Gourmet installed a removable oil cup that collects grease and residue while cooking, making clean-up quick and easy. This griddle is portable enough for camping but big enough for parties, and you can cook up to 15 patties at once on this bad boy. What’s not to love?

Pros:

  • Each burner is separately adjustable
  • 316 square-inch cooking area allows for 15 patties at once
  • Removable oil disposal makes for fast clean-ups

Cons:

  • The oil cup doesn’t always catch all of the grease

Tacklife 23-Inch Propane Gas Griddle

Sizzle while you save

Tacklife’s heavy-duty 23” gas griddle is ideal for those interested in downsizing without downgrading.
Runner Up

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This three-burner griddle from Tacklife is exactly what your backyard is missing. You might think that getting a griddle instead of a grill would make it harder for you to grill for a whole party, but Tacklife’s 23” griddle is here to prove otherwise.

This one’s 355 square-inch cooking area gives you plenty of room to grill a dozen patties and warm up the buns while you’re at it. The griddle comes equipped with a gas hose that connects to a 20-pound propane tank, making it viable for many grilling sessions. Tacklife’s stainless steel control panel and ergonomic pentagonal burner knobs are slick, shiny, and easy to clean. The asking price for this pick is a bit higher, but we think it’s worth a look for anyone in need of a high-powered griddle with a party-sized cooking surface.

Pros:

  • The 3mm baking tray is made of steel and doesn’t deform from long-term use
  • Three separately controlled burners with a 25,500 BTU heat output
  • It comes equipped with a built-in removable grease box for easy cleaning

Cons:

  • The front end of the tray may be less hot than the rest

Blackstone Portable Gas Griddle

The little griddle

This bite-sized little beauty from Blackstone is a must-grab for campers looking to grill on the go.
Best Compact

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If you’ve liked what you’ve heard about our first two picks but need something a little more portable, look no further than this little powerhouse from Blackstone. The griddle technically has one burner, but it’s a precisely placed “H” shape that provides even heat distribution throughout the whole tray. Perfect for camping and hiking trips, this griddle uses hyper-convenient one-pound propane tanks that can be whipped out anywhere, anytime. While this griddle is meant for portable use, the cooking surface is nothing to scoff at. With a 260 square-inch surface, you’ll be able to grill patties for every camper with no issues. For campers and tailgaters tired of dealing with charcoal grills, we can’t recommend this pick enough.

Pros:

  • Innovative “H” shaped burner gives you even heat distribution
  • 260 square-inch surface is portable enough for travel without being too small
  • Easy to store and clean

Cons:

  • It’s quite heavy for a smaller griddle

Cuisinart Two-Burner Gas Griddle

Bring home the bacon

Cuisinart’s impressive two-burner gas griddle is a happy medium between full-sized and portable griddles.
Best For Families

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We like to think of this griddle from Cuisinart as the “Goldilocks” griddle because it’s not too big, not too small — it’s just right. With a two-burner system and 285 square-inch cooking surface, you get a little less space than you will on some of our other picks, but for people with smaller yards who want to save as much space as possible, every inch counts. It’s still portable enough for camping and tailgating, but large enough to serve as the main outdoor grill for your deck, balcony, or yard. The cooking surface is made out of heavy-duty cold-rolled steel for maximum durability and longevity. We love the layout of this griddle, too. Its front control panel is a nice, shapely curve that feels modern and classic simultaneously. For families and people looking to save a little space in the yard, this is the pick for you.

Pros:

  • Aesthetically pleasing control panel
  • A happy medium between smaller and bigger griddles
  • Assembly takes under ten minutes with no need for tools

Cons:

  • The grease tray might not catch all the grease
  • Asking price is a bit steep

Blackstone 36” Griddle with Side Shelf

Griddle with the greats

This XL griddle from Blackstone gives you all the grilling area of a full-sized grill without the bulk.
Premium Pick

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If you’re dead set on buying a griddle, but you don’t want to miss out on any of the grilling space provided by traditional grills, look no further than this pick from Blackstone. With a whopping 720 square-inch cooking surface, you won’t be missing that old bulky grill in the slightest. The four independently adjustable burners make for even heat distribution and versatility. The griddle is stationed on top of a wheeled table equipped with two side shelves for accessories and one bottom shelf for propane tanks. You’ll be able to grill for the whole party and then some with this monster in your backyard. With the bigger size and added storage area comes a much higher price point, but we recommend this griddle for anyone who wants the extra cooking surface and doesn’t mind paying for it.

Pros:

  • The 720 square-inch cooking surface gives you as much room as a traditional grill
  • Four independently adjustable burners
  • Two side shelves and one bottom shelf for accessories and propane storage

Cons:

  • Far more expensive than our other picks
  • Not portable enough to travel with

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use charcoal in my gas griddle?

No, griddles utilize a two- or three-burner gas-powered system that leaves no room for charcoal. Charcoal is only necessary for non-gas powered grills. Just stock up on some propane tanks, and you’ll be grilling on your griddle in no time.

Are gas griddles portable enough to travel with?

Yes, most gas griddles are small enough to easily travel with, which makes them the perfect companion for camping and hiking trips. You can invest in more portable-sized propane tanks to make things even easier for light travel. Gas griddles require no electricity to function, so all you need is your propane tank and griddle no matter where you are.