Camping griddle: What chefs choose in 2023

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Best camping griddle

BLACKSTONE 1813 TABLETOP GRIDDLE

blackstone 1813 tabletop griddle

A winning tabletop griddle with lots of cooking space and spot-free heating.

Best grill griddle combo

royal gourmet gd401c GRILl griddle

Royal gourmet GD401C grill griddle

An all-around flat top gas grill griddle for a premium 2-in-1 camp cooking experience.

Best portable griddle

lodge reversible cast iron griddle

Lodge reversible cast iron griddle

A sturdy and straightforward reversible griddle that’ll last for a lifetime.

A camping griddle is a must-have accessory that can make your camping trip much more enjoyable. Whether it’s pancakes in the morning or burgers at night, a camping griddle will be all the difference. It’s a lifesaver for feeding large groups of people, too. 

Camping griddles have been around for centuries. The first recorded use of a camping griddle was by the Roman army, who used them to cook their meals while on the march! Since then, they’ve undergone many changes in types and styles – and it might be difficult to choose the perfect fit for you. 

If you’re interested in camp cooking, you’ll want to get your hands on a camping griddle. Whether you’re looking for a small and lightweight option or something durable and affordable – we got you covered.

Best camping griddles in 2023

Now, let’s see what’s so special about our selected top 3 best camping griddles in detail.

1. Best camping griddle overall: Blackstone 1813 Tabletop Propane Griddle

blackstone 1813 tabletop griddle
Best camping griddle

Specifications

  • Weight: 37.5 pounds
  • Materials: Stainless steel
  • Dimensions: 23.6 x 23.6 x 13 inches 
  • Cooking surface: 339 square inches
  • Heat source: Propane gas

Pros

  • Built-in grease catcher
  • Easy to clean with a quick wipe
  • Hood speeds up heating and keeps the griddle clean between uses
  • Even heating 
  • Two adjustable burners

Cons

  • Hard to keep the cooler zone – surface heats evenly even with one burner on 
  • Weighty
  • Carry bag should be purchased separately

If you’re looking for something that’s simply the best of the best – Blackstone is your pick. With so many models of quality camping cookware, the 1813 Propane Griddle made its cut with its outstanding cooking space, hooded design, and spot-free heating. 

The cover with which Blackstone 1813 comes not only protects it when not in use but also makes it easier to store. The whole griddle is super easy to assemble and clean, so the washing part doesn’t steal the joy after your delicious dinner. 

Though compared to competing griddles, Blackstone 1813 is bulkier – the heavy gauge comes at the expense of weight. Other than that, it’s perfectly sized to be portable while massive enough to cook everything in a single shot. 

All in all, it’s a top-quality griddle that adds lots of extra joy to outdoor cooking. Blackstone 1813 is a versatile option, so you’ll also be able to cook camp-like foods at home. 

Bonus tip

Don’t forget to season your griddle before the first use and then between uses. Any organic oil like vegetable oil works – coat your griddle with it and leave a burner on high. The oil will burn off, leaving a slippery coating on the metal.

Royal gourmet GD401C grill griddle
Best camping grill griddle combo

Specifications

  • Weight: 91 pounds
  • Materials: Stainless steel
  • Dimensions: 66.1 x 21.7 x 36.6 inches 
  • Cooking surface: 585 square inches
  • Heat source: Propane gas

Pros

  • Gas and grill with two spacious cooking zones
  • Foldable design for compact storage and transportation
  • Automatic ignition system 
  • Removable grease tray and cup
  • Two side tables for food preparation or cooking supplies’ storage
  • Hanging bar with hooks

Cons

  • Requires several tools to first assemble 
  • Cover would be helpful
  • Could heat faster 
  • Bulky

One thing you’ll find people saying about camping griddles is that they could have a stove that would make cooking far more convenient. Well, that’ll never be the case with a grill and griddle combo. It just has all you need for a premium cooking experience and more.

Serving as 2-in-1 cookware, Royal Gourmet GD401C is still very compact and portable thanks to its collapsible legs and locking casters. It weighs more than just a griddle, but if that’s not an issue – it’ll easily fit your trunk on a car camping trip. 

This camping griddle has four burners for two spacious cooking zones. They heat evenly and offer incredible space to cook multiple meals at once and feed large groups. And you can prepare food using the same grill-griddle combo, using two roomy side tables. 

Royal Gourmet GD401C is a flexible yet stable option. Lockable caster wheels allow easy moving around and sturdy footing on the ground while grilling. Overall, it’s a camping griddle and grill combo worth adding to your camping gear if you’re looking for something that best fits both grill and griddle worlds.

Bonus tip

Metal and iron parts can rust in dew or rain. If you’re grilling in such conditions, cover them properly. When not in use, keep griddles and grills in a dry place.

3. Best portable camping griddle: Lodge Pre-Seasoned Cast Iron Reversible Grill Griddle

Lodge reversible cast iron griddle
Best portable camping griddle

Specifications

  • Weight: 8 pounds
  • Materials: Cast iron
  • Dimensions: 16.75 x 9.5 x 0.63 inches 
  • Cooking surface: 159 square inches
  • Heat source: Stove top, campfire, grill, oven 
  • Fits over 2 burners

Pros

  • Pre-seasoned 
  • Unparalleled even heating 
  • Dual handles 
  • Portable option

Cons

  • Not the easiest to clean

Cast iron always stands at the front line when it comes to quality cookware that’ll serve you for a lifetime. Lodge Reversible Griddle is a perfect choice if you already have a stovetop or are an open campfire cooking lover. Cast iron, of course, isn’t the most lightweight option you can get, but an 8-pound griddle is totally manageable. 

Lodge has been leading the market for nearly a century, so it’s no surprise their Reversible griddle is so well-thought, versatile, and durable. You can use its smooth or grill surface on any heat source, except the microwave, from the stovetop to open fire. 

Lodge Reversible heats quite fast, and its raised lips come in handy for collecting grease while cooking. It also features two handles for comfortable moving around – with thick gloves while it’s warm, of course. 

Overall, it’s an excellent product for its price that’s bound to become the number one cooking supply in your (camp) kitchen.

How to maintain a cast iron griddle
  1. Hand-wash your griddle with mild soap or just water. 
  2. Use a lint-free cloth or paper towel to quickly and fully dry the griddle.
  3. Rub the cookware with a very thin layer of vegetable oil, ideally while it’s still warm.
  4. Hang or keep cookware in a dry area.

Runners-up

There are also other camping griddles with some unique features worth looking into. Let’s get down to them!

Royal gourmet PD1300
Well-built tabletop griddle

Specifications

  • Weight: 30 pounds
  • Materials: Stainless steel
  • Dimensions: 18.1 x 18.1 x 9.1 inches 
  • Cooking surface: 316 square inches
  • Heat source: Propane gas

Pros

  • Three adjustable burners
  • Durable piezo ignition
  • Removable oil cup for grease residue collection

Cons

  • The top isn’t teflon-coated so needs seasoning 
  • Some grease can come out of grease catcher
  • Sharp corners can tear the cover

Royal Gourmet PD1300 3-Burner Propane is a well-built griddle with decent heat control and non-stick coating. With its sizable 316 square-inch cooking surface, this conventional steel grill griddle can handle most camping, tailgating, or backyard cooking duties. 

It lights easily with piezo ignition and heats steadily and quickly for finger-licking meals without bothering you with long, irritating washes afterward. Just sprinkle a bit of water and wipe the griddle with a paper towel. Then, finish with some vegetable oil, and you’re off to the next use. 

Another great option the PD1300 griddle has is the ability to level it up if you’re placing it on uneven terrain – a real game changer in terms of comfort and prevention of spilling the oil out. 

Though you might struggle a bit with a sticking surface, it’s not an issue if you season your griddle properly before using it for the first time. 

Overall, it’s a sturdy, porcelain-coated grill that’s built to last. For around $139, you get everything you expect from a griddle, plus a little extra.

Blackstone flat top gas grill
Spacious grill griddle station

Specifications

  • Weight: 69 pounds
  • Materials: Alloy steel
  • Dimensions: 44.5 x 19.5 x 33.5 inches 
  • Cooking surface: 470 square inches
  • Heat source: Propane gas

Pros

  • Built-in shelves for food prep and storage
  • Battery-powered push button ignition
  • Easy transportation
  • Built-in grease catcher

Cons

  • Could have a hood to hold heat
  • Might take some time to assemble it for the first time

If you’re up to a restaurant-like cooking experience for groups of people, Blackstone Flat Top Gas Grill Griddle Station will give you just that. It features a 470 square-inch cooking surface and is a massive griddle for preparing anything from scrambled eggs to Asian-style plates.

This gas griddle station offers four adjustable heat zones for making several foods at once and keeping prepared dishes warm while others are still in progress. Blackstone Flat Top Station uses a standard 20-pound propane tank for you to cook on the most extended trips. It has an electronic ignition for easy lighting and well-thought food storage and preparation shelves. 

Although it’s quite a heavy option, you can still move Blackstone Flat Top Station around with ease thanks to its removable griddle top and foldable legs. 

All in all, it’s a convenient and spacious griddle that’ll refine your camp cooking experience for years to come.

Coghlans camp griddle
Budget pick

Specifications

  • Weight: 1.8 pounds
  • Materials: Aluminum
  • Dimensions: 16-1/2 x 10 inches 
  • Cooking surface: 161 square inches
  • Heat source: Camp stove 
  • Extends over 2 burners

Pros

  • Dishwasher-safe
  • Integrated hook for storing 
  • Easy to clean non-stick surface

Cons

  • So non-stick that you might need to “chase” your meal sometimes

If you’re searching for something simple, lightweight, and budget-friendly, Coghlan’s Two Burner Non-Stick Camp Griddle is for you. It’s a 1.8-pound heavy gauge aluminum griddle that’ll find its space among every camping gear. 

On most camp stoves, Coghlan’s expands over two burners and gives plenty of space for cooking a full meal. The non-stick surface makes it super easy to clean with a single wipe. And when you’re back home, just let the dishwasher do its job. 

Raised sides minimize spills and spatter, but since there isn’t a drain, you’ll need to speed up while frying bacon or other fatty dishes.

Coghlan’s camping griddle heats fast and distributes heat decently. Make sure you clean it till dry and oil it up before storing it to prevent rust; it’ll serve you long. It’s exactly what you’d expect from a traditional camping griddle at a low price.

razor griddle GGC2030M
Compact camping griddle

Specifications

  • Weight: 49.6 pounds
  • Materials: Stainless steel, cast iron
  • Dimensions: 35.55 x 43 x 20.47 inches 
  • Cooking surface: 318 square inches
  • Heat source: Propane gas

Pros

  • Built-in grease catcher
  • Foldable design for convenient storage or transportation
  • Two adjustable burners
  • Lid included in the package

Cons

  • Adapter from a 20L propane has to be purchased separately
  • Heat is a bit lower on corners 

Razor Griddle is a compact, straightforward, and versatile camping griddle. Its heavy-duty and versatile construction is worth the word. Razor Griddle features a roomy cooking surface that’ll quickly cook several meals at once. 

It’s super easy to assemble – learning the suitable way to stand it took no more than five minutes. This camping griddle uses a 1L propane tank, so we recommend choosing the bigger 20L option for longer trips. Just be sure to get an adapter, as it doesn’t come in the package. 

Razor Griddle has a good weight-to-size ratio and folds up easily for transportation. It’s a low-profile griddle that can fit any trunk, so you won’t ever have to deal with portability issues.

Little Griddle GQ230
Versatile camping griddle

Specifications

  • Weight: 14.5 pounds
  • Materials: Stainless steel
  • Dimensions: 25 x 16 x 6.5 inches 
  • Cooking surface: 392 square inches
  • Fits over two burners

Pros

  • Underneath cross-bracing for even heating
  • Removable side handles 
  • Easy cleanup
  • 100% restaurant-grade stainless steel
  • Doesn’t need seasoning

Cons

  • Might be slower to heat 

Little Griddle GQ230 Professional is a premium-grade griddle that you can universally use among different campfire grills. 

It’s made entirely of stainless steel and includes large sidewalls, a full-width grease well, and underside cross-bracing to facilitate even heating. Removable handles fasten firmly and provide easy movement. 

Little Griddle GQ230 is a worth-considering fit for those who demand professional quality results. The GQ230 converts your grill into an outdoor kitchen and opens up a wide range of cooking options. It’s made of solid gauge stainless steel and built to the highest standards.

How to clean a stainless steel griddle

After you finish cooking, switch off the grill. While the griddle is still warm, use a stainless steel scraper to transfer food residue to the grease trough. 

  1. Sprinkle cooking oil or add about ¼ cup of water to the cooking surface to remove any residue. Use a high-temperature grill scrubber to clean it. If you use water, be sure the griddle has cooled sufficiently so that the hot steam or grease spray from water contacting the hot surface won’t injure you. 
  2. Use paper towels to clean the grease trough when the griddle has completely cooled. Place the griddle inside the grill cabinet or another dry place for storage.

Budget-friendly flat top griddle: Pit Boss PB336GS Two Burner Portable Flat Top Griddle

Pit Boss PB336GS portable flat top griddle
Budget-friendly flat top griddle alternative

Specifications

  • Weight: 24 pounds
  • Materials: Stainless steel, cast iron
  • Dimensions: 20.47 x 17.32 x 10.83 inches 
  • Cooking surface: 289 square inches
  • Heat source: Propane gas

Pros

  • Two adjustable burners
  • 4.7mm pre-seasoned surface
  • Easy push and turn ignition
  • Portable 
  • Non-slip legs for stability

Cons

  • Doesn’t heat very evenly

Pit Boss PB336GS is a cheaper flat top griddle alternative that comes pre-seasoned, includes a cover, and offers decent quality for its price. It has a solid construction with two adjustable front legs, making it a portable camping griddle to add to your equipment. 

It’s straightforward to set up and level it out on a surface. Seasoning is simple, too; you can just clean it with baking soda or lemon juice and rinse some olive oil. Although it doesn’t heat as evenly as other options reviewed, when you get used to it – the hot spots are no longer an issue.

After all, it’s a budget-friendly flat top griddle that does what’s expected.

Sensarte aluminum griddle
Reversible aluminum-made griddle alternative

Specifications

  • Weight: 4.4 pounds
  • Materials: Aluminum
  • Dimensions: 19.5 x 10.7 inches 
  • Cooking surface: 190 square inches
  • Heat source: Gas
  • Fits over two stove burners

Pros

  • Decent heat retention and distribution
  • Grease trap and hanging hole design
  • Easy cleanup

Cons

  • Might become more difficult to clean over time 
  • Not that durable compared to cast iron

Sensarte Reversible Griddle is a straightforward, sturdy, and quality product that serves as a 2-in-1 grill and griddle. It heats relatively well, fits the standard 2-burner camp stove nicely, and is an excellent value for money overall. The cast aluminum it’s made of makes it a comparably light option. 

This camping griddle has a grease trap and hanging hole design for easy storage when not in use. 

Though don’t be too fast to retire your cast iron griddle for aluminum. Yes, aluminum might come non-stick and be faster to wash with soap and water, but it does become harder to clean it over time.

Things to look for in a camping griddle: Buyer’s guide

Essentially, a camping griddle gives you a big flat surface on which you can quickly prepare lots of food without being constrained by the size of skillets. Unlike a camping grill, it keeps all parts of the dish on its surface, so fat and oil doesn’t drip off through the grill grates.

There are many various types of materials, cooking surfaces, and features that come with camping griddles. If you’re in the market for a new camping griddle, you should keep a few things in mind.

Size

The bigger the size of a camping griddle, the more people you can feed at once. If you’re only cooking for yourself or a small group, a smaller option starting at 150 square inches will suffice. Larger camping griddles come at around 500 square inches or more. 

If you’re planning to use your griddle with a camping stove – match their sizes. You should go for a bigger griddle that won’t interfere with the lid or side wind guards. 

Weight

If you plan on carrying your camping griddle long distances, you’ll want to get a lighter option – aluminum griddles are no-brainers when it comes to minimum pounds.

But there’s always a trade-off. Heavier cast-iron griddles are more durable, easier to season and have better heat control for even cooking. 

Ease of movement

It’s easier to transport griddles onto and off surfaces with built-in side handles than grindles without handles. 

And if you intend to cook the main meal on your griddle and sides in pots on the stove, hunt for a model with extended side grips. This way, you’ll be able to transfer your hot griddle safely. 

Number of burners

More burners mean more temperature control. This is especially important if you plan to cook lots of food at once. 

Burners create hot and cold zones on the griddle surface. The space straight over the burner will be hotter, while areas near the sides will be cooler. So – the higher the number of burners, the faster and more even the surface heating. Similarly, burners will allow you to keep one meal warm while finishing the other. 

Heat source

You’ll also need to think about how you’ll bring your griddle up to operational temperature. If you have a camp stove, ensure the griddle you buy fits the stove. 

Also, look for a griddle with decent flame control if you get an integrated heat source all-in-one design. Keep in mind that carrying a gas cylinder can significantly increase the weight of your camping supplies.

Maintenance

Cleaning and maintaining your camping griddle is vital to extend its lifespan. Some materials, like stainless steel or cast iron, are better than others at resisting rust and corrosion. 

Most seasoned surfaces require some maintenance to keep them functioning properly. A surface like aluminum that cleans with a quick wipe is a huge advantage for camping spots with no running water nearby. 

Surface design

Camping griddle surfaces can be either smooth or ridged/grooved. Smooth surfaces are better for cooking pancakes, eggs, or bacon, while ridged or grooved will cook you excellent meats and fish. 

Got anything to add?

Have any experience to share or questions to ask about camping griddles? Leave a comment below. 

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