Imagine the sizzle of bacon hitting a hot, flat surface on a sunny Saturday morning. Doesn’t that sound amazing? Many of us dream of that perfect outdoor cooking setup, a place where we can flip pancakes for the whole family or sear juicy burgers without juggling multiple pans on a tiny grill grate. But when you start looking at backyard griddles, the choices can feel overwhelming. You see different sizes, materials, and features, and suddenly that simple dream feels complicated.
Choosing the right griddle means balancing price, space, and what you actually plan to cook. Do you need a small tabletop model or a massive, permanent fixture? These decisions affect your whole outdoor cooking experience. We understand the confusion! That’s why we’ve put together this complete guide to break down everything you need to know about backyard griddles.
By the end of this post, you will know exactly what features matter most for your lifestyle. We will explore the best types available today and help you avoid common buying mistakes. Get ready to turn your backyard into the ultimate cooking destination!
Top Backyard Griddle Recommendations
- Cook for a Crowd: Whether you are cooking for a large or small group this griddle is equipped to handle the load. This 28” griddle has 524 square inches of cooking space and can hold up to 21 burgers or 15 pancakes so you can get to eating faster.
- Versatile Cooking Space: Make a variety of foods for breakfast, lunch, and dinner on this griddle top. Whether you are in the mood for traditional barbecue, breakfast foods, or gourmet grilled cheese you can make it on your griddle.
- Two H-Style Burners: This griddle features two independently controlled H-style burners with a combined 34,000 BTUs so you can cook on lower heat on one side of the griddle while another part of your meal cooks on a higher heat on the other side.
- Hassle-Free Cleanup: Make grease disposal easy by using the Blackstone-patented rear grease management system. Push any food debris or grease to the back of your griddle to collect in the rear grease cup for easy cleanup and disposal.
- Counter-Height Side Shelves: Enjoy the extra meal prep and serving room provided by the dual side shelves on this griddle and work on them more comfortably at their taller counter height.
- Free-standing Cart to Tabletop Design: This griddle adapts effortlessly to any outdoor setting, shifting from a stand grill to a tabletop grill when removed from the cart, offering flexible cooking wherever you want with ease and convenience
- Griddle Hood: The black heat-resistant hood keeps the cooking surface clean and shields it from unwanted elements, extending the griddle's lifespan when not in use. During cooking, keep the hood open to serve as a wind deflector and DO NOT CLOSE IT
- Consistent Even Heating: With a 389 sq. in. Sanding steel cooking surface and 34,000 BTU generated by four stainless steel burners, the grill caters to you with uniform heat distribution for perfectly cooked meals every time
- Handy Side Shelves: Side shelves on both sides provide extra preparation space for cooking, with room for items such as cooking ingredients, spices and plates. Each shelf also features 3 hooks for hanging tools
- Effortless Mobility and Solid Stability: Equipped with two wheels and two sturdy legs, this griddle offers easy mobility and exceptional stability when stationed, allowing you to move it effortlessly to your preferred cooking location
- Versatile Side Tables: Two side tables, equipped with a towel rack, a knife holder and tool hooks, keep cooking essentials handy and offer ample prep space to place seasonings, tools and plates. In addition, it can be folded down for better storage
- Ceramic-coated Griddle Top: Ceramic-coated gas griddle top boasts rust-and-scratch resistance, acid-and-alkali resistance and corrosion resistance. It delivers optimal heat distribution and even cooking on the propane griddle surface and is easy to clean
- Double-layer Shelves: Double-layer shelves at the bottom offer two big storage parts to orderly accommodate utensils, boxes, etc
- Extra Large Cooking Surface: An overall 994 sq. in. cooking surface holds up to 50 burgers at once, serving 9-10 people. Large cooking space and six independently controlled burners allow you to cook various foods simultaneously
- Upgraded Storage Cart: Our upgraded storage cart features plenty of storage space where you can organize grill essentials orderly and eliminate mess: double-layer shelves on the left, front spice rack on the right, a cylinder base behind the rack
- Space-saving Storage: Aside from outstanding portability, the collapsible stand design also effectively saves storage space. You can fold it down in seconds for easy storage, no more worrying about your griddle taking up too much space
- Spacious Cooking Area: With a spacious 314 sq. in. cooking area, you can cook up to 8 burgers at once. High-quality ceramic-coated griddle top delivers high temps and maintains even heat for impressive and consistent cooking results
- Ceramic-coated Griddle Top: Engineered with state-of-the-art technology, our ceramic-coated griddle top boasts better high-temperature resistance, corrosion resistance, and scratch resistance. Note that the griddle top should be seasoned before use
- Safety Features: The griddle top can pass FDA and PFAS testing for safer and healthier cooking. During transportation of this griddle, two lid latch buckles ensure firm closure for enhanced security, avoiding the risk of accidentally popping open
- Extra Prep Space: A side shelf on the right side provides a perfect solution for positioning plates or ingredients, while two built-in hooks are ideal for hanging rags, thus keeping your cooking essentials within arm's reach
- Griddle on the Go: This griddle is compact and portable so you can take it to the beach, on a picnic, camping, to a tailgate, etc.
- Surprisingly Spacious Cooking Area: This compact griddle is more spacious than you would think. Cook up to 14 burgers at a time on the 22” griddle top with 361 square inches of cooking space.
- Versatile Cooking Space: A griddle top is a versatile cooking surface that can handle a variety of foods such as bacon, pancakes, veggies, burgers, and more.
- Two Evenly Heated Zones: Cook a few different items at different temperatures on the same griddle top thanks to two independently heated burners that put out a combined 24,000 BTUs and evenly heat the whole griddle top.
- Quick Cleanup: Guide any food debris and grease to the back of your griddle to be collected in the Blackstone-patented rear grease management system for easy grease disposal.
- Griddle on the go: Blackstone on the go portable griddle features a collapsible "Roll and Go" scissor leg design for easy transportation to the beach, park, campground, tailgate, or any other outoor location. When you've decided to call it a night, our outdoor griddle folds to become a convenient cart.
- Side shelf to keep your cooking space organized: The side shelf of our gas griddle can be used to prep your food, hold spices and condiments, or to keep your cooking tools handy. The large handle on the side will help you raise and collapse the griddle easily.
- Multipurpose 22" cooking surface: Blackstone griddles aren't just for pancakes and sunny-side-up eggs. You can make everything from fried rice, burgers, steak to anything your stomach inspires you to cook up. Your cooking options are only limited to what you can imagine.
- Two individually controlled knobs: Two adjustable heat zones on our camping griddle makes for a versatile cooking surface where you can cook several foods at once and not burn a thing This also allows you to keep certain foods warm while others cook.
- Patented rear grease management system: If you plan on cooking bacon or any other juicy meats, clean-up can be tedious. Luckily, our stainless steel griddle features a rear grease trap that collects all the mess and makes after-cooking clean-up a breeze.
- RESTAURANT STYLE COOKING - With 470sq inches of flat top grilling, This griddle is perfect for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Cook eggs, pancakes, Quesadillas, grilled cheese, steak, Potatoes, Teppanyaki style foods and more. Also enjoy a bottom shelf and two side shelves for food storage and prep
- REPLACE YOUR STANDARD GRILL - Replace your grill or BBQ with a Blackstone griddle and never look back. This grill is simple to use and easy to assemble, so you'll be cooking in no time. Eliminate the hassle of kerosene, charcoal and matches; this grill includes an easy start, Battery powered push button ignition. With the simple push of a button your griddle is ready to go. Take the headache away from outdoor cooking and spend more time enjoying the outdoors
- TRANSPORT WITH EASE - Easily wheel Around your yard or transport from your backyard to the campsite thanks to the removable griddle top, fold up legs and four industrial strength caster wheels. Built with removable griddle top, foldable legs and two wheels.
- SATISFACTION GUARANTEE - If you are not completely satisfied at any point please feel free to contact Blackstone directly or return the product. Blackstone is a leader in the outdoor cooking category and stands behind their product large or small, guaranteeing your satisfaction.
- Sidoriak, Paul (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 144 Pages - 06/05/2018 (Publication Date) - Ulysses Press (Publisher)
The Ultimate Buying Guide: Your Backyard Griddle Adventure Awaits
Ready to cook amazing meals outside? A backyard griddle is a fantastic outdoor cooking tool. It heats up fast and gives you a huge, flat surface for cooking. This guide helps you pick the perfect one for your yard.
Key Features to Look For
When shopping, check these important parts. They make cooking easier and the griddle last longer.
Cooking Surface Size
- Bigger is often better. Think about how many people you usually cook for. A large surface lets you cook pancakes, eggs, and bacon all at once!
- Look at the square inches (sq. in.). A small family might need 300 sq. in., while bigger parties need 600 sq. in. or more.
Heat Control and Burners
- Good griddles have multiple burners. This means you can have one hot spot for searing and a cooler spot for keeping food warm.
- Look for independent heat controls. Each burner should have its own knob. This gives you precise temperature control.
Grease Management
- Cooking creates grease. A good system catches it easily.
- Check for a removable grease tray or cup. Cleaning this out after cooking is much simpler.
Important Materials Matter
What your griddle is made of affects how well it cooks and how long it stays in good shape.
The Griddle Top (Cooking Surface)
- Cold-Rolled Steel: This is common. It heats up evenly once it gets hot. It needs seasoning (oiling and heating) before the first use to prevent rust and create a non-stick surface.
- Stainless Steel: More expensive, but it cleans up easier and resists rust better.
The Frame and Lid
- Most frames use powder-coated steel. This coating helps protect the metal from rain and rust.
- A sturdy lid is helpful. It protects the cooking surface when you are not using the griddle.
Factors That Improve or Reduce Quality
Not all griddles are built the same. A few details show you if the quality is high or low.
Factors That Improve Quality (Go for these!)
- Thick Steel: Thicker steel holds heat better. Thin metal loses heat quickly when you put cold food on it.
- Strong Wheels: If you plan to move it, make sure the wheels are large and durable.
- Easy Assembly: Read reviews. Some models are notoriously hard to put together.
Factors That Reduce Quality (Watch out for these!)
- Thin Burners: Weak burners mean uneven heating. Hot spots burn your food.
- Flimsy Side Shelves: If the side tables wobble when you set a plate down, the overall build quality is probably low.
User Experience and Use Cases
Think about how you plan to use your griddle every week. This guides your final choice.
Breakfast Powerhouse
Griddles shine at breakfast. You can cook a huge stack of pancakes for a crowd. Or, flip bacon, eggs, and hash browns all at the same time. The large surface means no more cooking in batches!
Lunch and Dinner Versatility
Don’t just think breakfast. Smash burgers cook perfectly on a hot griddle. Sauté vegetables for fajitas right next to your chicken. Many people use them for stir-fries too. A good griddle replaces several pans at once.
Cleaning Up
A quick wipe down is often all it takes, especially if you clean it while it’s still warm. A well-seasoned surface makes wiping away food scraps simple. This ease of cleaning is a huge win over traditional grills.
Backyard Griddle Buying Guide FAQ
Q: What is the most important thing to check before buying?
A: Check the thickness of the cooking surface. Thicker steel cooks more evenly. Thin steel causes frustrating hot spots.
Q: Do I have to season a new griddle?
A: Yes, most cold-rolled steel griddles need seasoning. This process involves oiling the surface and heating it up several times. Seasoning protects the steel from rust and helps food release easily.
Q: How many BTUs do I need?
A: BTUs measure heating power. For a medium-sized griddle (around 400 sq. in.), look for at least 30,000 total BTUs spread across all burners. More BTUs mean faster heat-up times.
Q: Can I use my griddle in the rain?
A: No. You should cover your griddle when it is not in use. Rain causes rust, especially on steel surfaces. Always store it under a cover.
Q: Are propane tanks the only fuel source?
A: Most backyard griddles run on standard 20-pound propane tanks. Some larger, stationary models can be converted to natural gas if you have a line run to your patio.
Q: How do I clean grease off the cooking surface?
A: Scrape the bulk of the food and grease into the grease trap while the griddle is still warm. Use a griddle scraper. Once cool, wipe the surface down with a damp cloth or paper towels.
Q: What is the difference between a griddle and a flat-top grill?
A: They are often the same thing! “Griddle” usually refers to the portable or smaller outdoor units. “Flat-top grill” often describes larger, built-in outdoor kitchen units, but the cooking concept is identical.
Q: Will a griddle work well in cold weather?
A: Yes, they generally work better than traditional grills in the cold. The solid surface traps heat well, so you can still cook pancakes even when it is chilly outside.
Q: Are side burners useful?
A: Side burners are very useful. You can boil water for coffee or heat up sauce while your main food cooks on the flat top. It acts like a full outdoor stove.
Q: How long should a good quality griddle last?
A: With proper care, seasoning, and using a good cover, a quality steel griddle should last 5 to 10 years. Stainless steel models can last even longer.