Every busy Mexican kitchen has a plancha: a wide, flat sheet of hot steel where skirt steak sears for carne asada, peppers and onions soften for fajitas, tortillas warm in stacks and taco meat gets pressed thin and crisp. An outdoor propane griddle puts that same working surface on your patio. It is not a grill with grates, and that is the point. Juices and fat stay on the steel instead of dripping into the flame, small pieces of onion do not fall through, and you can run a hot zone and a warm zone side by side.
This guide covers freestanding propane flat-top griddles, from compact two-burner carts to a six-burner, 44-inch station, plus one grill-and-griddle combo. For each we list the cooking area, burners, BTU, plate, grease system, lid and fuel, taken from the maker or the Amazon listing. Where neither gives a figure, we say “Not stated” rather than borrow one.
Julia’s earns a commission on purchases made through links on this page, at no cost to you. Recommendations are based on what a restaurant kitchen looks for, product specifications and verified buyer reports.
Quick verdict: which outdoor griddle to buy
For most backyards, the best outdoor griddle is the Blackstone 36-inch Original Griddle with Hood: 768 square inches of cooking space, four independently controlled heat zones, rear grease management and a hood to protect the plate between cooks. If your patio is smaller, the Blackstone 28-inch Omnivore Griddle with Hood gives you two zones in less space. For a side burner to boil or fry next to the flat top, look at the Camp Chef Gridiron Pro 36; for very big crowds, the six-burner Royal Gourmet 44-inch; and if you want grates as well as a griddle, the Royal Gourmet 4-Burner Grill and Griddle Combo.
The table below compares the five picks we would steer most cooks toward, one for each kind of backyard. All eight griddles are reviewed in full after it.
Five outdoor griddles side by side
Cooking area, burners and lid for our five standout picks, as each maker or Amazon listing states them.
| Griddle | Best for | Cooking area & burners | Lid & grease | Buy on Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Blackstone 36-inch Original Griddle with HoodBest overall
|
Family cookouts, four heat zones | 768 sq in, 4 zones | Hood; rear grease cup | View on Amazon |
Blackstone 28-inch Omnivore Griddle with HoodBest for smaller patios
|
Four to six people, less space | 524 sq in, 2 burners | Hood; rear grease cup | View on Amazon |
Camp Chef Gridiron Pro 36 Flat-Top GrillBest with a side burner
|
Griddle plus a pot of beans | 36-inch top; 30,000 BTU side burner | Hinged lid; grease system not stated | View on Amazon |
Royal Gourmet 44-inch 6-Burner Gas GriddleBiggest cooking area
|
Parties, big batches | 994 sq in, 6 burners, 78,000 BTU | No lid; ceramic-coated top | View on Amazon |
Royal Gourmet 4-Burner Grill and Griddle ComboBest grill-griddle combo
|
Grates and a flat top in one | 296 sq in griddle + 314 sq in grill, 4 burners | Cover included; grease tray and cup | View on Amazon |
Product images from Amazon. Specifications as stated by each maker or Amazon listing; check the listing before you buy.
Our picks for the best outdoor griddle
These eight griddles cover the sizes most backyards need: a 28-inch two-burner for a small patio, the 36-inch four-burner class that most families end up with, and a 44-inch six-burner for people who cook for a crowd. Each pick explains who it suits, the specs that matter on a flat top, and one honest reason to skip it.
1. Blackstone 36-inch Original Griddle with Hood – Four Zones Under One Hood
This is the size most families settle on, and Blackstone’s current Original 36-inch adds the two things older carts left out: a hood and a grease system that pushes everything to the back. Blackstone gives the cooking area as 768 square inches across four independently controlled heat zones, and says the plate can hold 30 burgers or 27 New York strips at once.
Four zones are what make a 36-inch top useful for Mexican cooking. Run the left side hot for skirt steak or chicken thighs, the middle at medium for peppers and onions, and keep the far right low for tortillas and for resting meat, the way a taqueria line works its plancha. The listing describes Blackstone’s Omnivore griddle plate with built-in wind guards, which the maker says helps hold heat outdoors.
The reinforced, X-braced hood covers the plate between uses, and Blackstone says the rear grease management system directs fat and debris into a cup at the back, so you scrape away from yourself rather than toward the front edge. Ignition is electric push-button. Folding side shelves, an extendable shelf, tool hooks and the BAR accessory rail give you landing space for a cutting board and a stack of plates.
Blackstone lists the unit at 135 pounds and about 64.5 inches wide with the shelves out, so measure your patio. Care is the usual seasoned-steel routine: Blackstone’s instructions are to clean with minimal water and no soap, then finish with a light layer of oil to protect the seasoning.
Why we like it
- 768 square inches across four independent heat zones (Blackstone)
- Hood protects the plate between cooks
- Rear grease management collects fat at the back
- Electric push-button ignition and caster wheels
- Folding and extendable side shelves for prep
Key specifications
| Model | 2322 |
|---|---|
| Cooking area | 768 sq in (36-inch plate) |
| Burners | 4 independently controlled heat zones |
| BTU | Not stated by Blackstone or the listing |
| Plate material | Omnivore griddle plate with wind guards (steel type and thickness not stated) |
| Grease management | Rear grease system with cup |
| Lid | X-braced hood |
| Fuel | Propane (tank not included) |
Why we recommend it
It is the most complete package among the 36-inch griddles we could find in stock: room for a family’s worth of carne asada and fajita vegetables at once, four zones to keep each at its own heat, a hood, and rear grease that keeps the front edge clean. If you are buying one outdoor griddle for a household of four to eight, start here.
Skip it if you have a narrow balcony or need to lift the griddle into a truck. At 135 pounds and over five feet wide with the shelves out, it is a backyard appliance, not a portable one, and Blackstone does not publish a BTU figure for this model.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Four zones for a full meal at once
- Hood included
- Rear grease keeps the front clean
- Plenty of shelf space
Cons
- Heavy at 135 lb
- BTU not published
- Needs a wide patio
2. Blackstone 36-inch 4-Burner Griddle Cooking Station – The Classic Open Cart
Before hoods and accessory rails, this was the griddle that made backyard flat tops popular, and it is still sold. It is the simpler version of our top pick: a 36-inch steel top on a wheeled cart with four independently controlled stainless steel burners, which the listing and Blackstone both put at 60,000 BTU in total.
Blackstone’s own page for model 1554 describes a 720-square-inch griddle top of rolled carbon 7-gauge steel with four adjustable heat controls and a built-in igniter. That is a thick, heavy plate, the kind that holds heat well when you drop a pound of cold arrachera on it. The listing adds foldable legs, a grease pan and a bottom storage rack.
The one area where sources disagree is the grease system. The Amazon listing describes a front grease management system, while Blackstone’s page for the same model number lists rear grease management, so check the photos on the listing you buy from. There is no hood: you will want a cover, and the plate needs a coat of oil after every cook to keep rust away.
Why we like it
- 60,000 BTU from four independent burners
- 720 sq in of rolled carbon 7-gauge steel (Blackstone)
- Foldable legs and wheels
- Bottom rack for tools and the tank
Key specifications
| Model | 1554 |
|---|---|
| Cooking area | 720 sq in (Blackstone) |
| Burners | 4 stainless steel, independently controlled |
| BTU | 60,000 total |
| Plate material | Rolled carbon 7-gauge steel (Blackstone) |
| Grease management | Grease pan; listing says front, Blackstone’s page says rear |
| Lid | None |
| Fuel | Propane (tank not included) |
Why we recommend it
Choose it if you want the full 36-inch, four-burner surface without paying for a hood and extra shelving, or if you already own a cover. The stated 60,000 BTU and thick steel plate are what you want for searing a big batch of steak for tacos.
Skip it if you leave your griddle uncovered outdoors. With no hood, the plate is exposed to rain and dew, and seasoned steel rusts quickly when it gets wet.
Pros and cons
Pros
- 60,000 BTU stated
- Thick rolled steel top
- Foldable legs
Cons
- No hood or lid
- Grease position described inconsistently
- Older design than our top pick
3. Blackstone 28-inch Omnivore Griddle with Hood – Two Zones for a Smaller Patio
If a 36-inch cart will not fit, this 28-inch model keeps the features that matter. The listing gives 524 square inches of cooking space, enough for 21 burgers or 15 pancakes, on Blackstone’s Omnivore plate with built-in wind guards, plus two independently controlled H-style burners.
Two zones are enough for most weeknight Mexican cooking: one side hot for chicken or steak, the other at medium for onions, peppers and warming tortillas. The integrated hood protects the top when you are done, and Blackstone’s patented rear grease management lets you push fat and scraps toward a cup at the back.
The side shelves sit at counter height, which matters more than it sounds when you are slicing meat next to the griddle. Two wheels let you roll it into place, and ignition is electric. The listing carries a one-year limited warranty.
Why we like it
- 524 sq in on a compact cart
- Two independently controlled H-style burners
- Integrated hood
- Rear grease management
- Counter-height side shelves
Key specifications
| Model | 1883 |
|---|---|
| Cooking area | 524 sq in |
| Burners | 2 H-style, independently controlled |
| BTU | Not stated in the listing |
| Plate material | Omnivore griddle plate with wind guards (steel type not stated) |
| Grease management | Rear grease cup |
| Lid | Integrated hood |
| Fuel | Propane |
Why we recommend it
It suits couples and families of four who cook outside a few times a week and do not have room for a 36-inch station. You give up two zones and some surface, but keep the hood and rear grease system of the larger model.
Skip it if you regularly cook for eight or more. A 28-inch top fills up quickly once steak, vegetables and tortillas all need their own space.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Fits smaller patios
- Hood included
- Counter-height shelves
Cons
- Only two heat zones
- BTU not stated
- Tight for big groups
4. Camp Chef Gridiron Pro 36 Flat-Top Grill – A Side Burner Built In
A flat top cannot boil water or hold a pot of charro beans. Camp Chef’s answer is to bolt a burner onto the side. The Gridiron Pro 36 pairs a 36-inch preseasoned griddle with the included Sidekick burner, which Camp Chef rates at 30,000 BTU and says can take a stockpot or any of its 14-inch accessories, such as a pizza oven or a BBQ box.
For a Mexican cookout that is a real advantage: fry tortilla chips or keep a pot of beans or consomé going on the side while the steak and onions cook on the flat top. Camp Chef describes the griddle as factory-seasoned with a non-stick finish ready to cook out of the box, and the hinged lid protects it from wind while cooking and from weather when it is closed.
Camp Chef publishes fewer numbers for this model than we would like. Neither its product page nor the listing gives the main griddle’s cooking area, burner count or BTU, so we list those as not stated. What both confirm is flamethrower-style ignition, a heavy-duty bottom shelf and propane fuel. Camp Chef’s page also says the Gridiron Pro is sold through its dealers, so check the Amazon listing’s seller before you order.
Why we like it
- Included Sidekick side burner, 30,000 BTU (Camp Chef)
- Factory-seasoned griddle, ready to cook
- Hinged lid for wind and weather
- Takes Camp Chef’s 14-inch accessories on the side burner
Key specifications
| Model | FTG36CG42 (Camp Chef lists SKU FTG36CK42) |
|---|---|
| Cooking area | 36-inch griddle; square inches not stated |
| Burners | Main burners not stated; plus one Sidekick side burner |
| BTU | Side burner 30,000; main griddle not stated |
| Plate material | Factory-seasoned griddle (steel type not stated) |
| Grease management | Not stated |
| Lid | Hinged lid |
| Fuel | Propane |
Why we recommend it
It is the only griddle here with a full side burner included, which turns the flat top into an outdoor kitchen: beans, rice, frying oil or a pot of water for corn alongside everything on the plancha, all from one cart and one propane hookup.
Skip it if you want the specs spelled out before you buy. Camp Chef does not publish the griddle’s cooking area or main BTU for this model, and the side burner adds width to an already large cart.
Pros and cons
Pros
- 30,000 BTU side burner included
- Preseasoned top
- Hinged lid
Cons
- Main BTU and cooking area not published
- Grease system not described
- Sold mainly through dealers
5. Royal Gourmet 44-inch 6-Burner Gas Griddle – Room for a Whole Party
When the guest list runs into double figures, the bottleneck is surface area. Royal Gourmet’s GB6000 is the largest griddle here: the listing gives 994 square inches of cooking surface on a 44-inch flat top, six independently controlled burners and 78,000 BTU in total, and says it holds up to 50 burgers at once.
Six burners let you split the top into as many zones as a busy restaurant line: steak, chicken, a slow zone for onions and peppers, a warm zone for tortillas and one for resting meat. The listing describes a ceramic-coated griddle top that resists rust and scratches, which means less seasoning work than bare steel, though a coated surface will not build the same dark patina.
The cart is built for long cooks. Two folding side tables carry a towel rack, knife holder and tool hooks, and the base has double-layer shelves and a front spice rack. It is big: plan your patio around it, and expect to refill a standard propane tank more often than you would with a two-burner model.
Why we like it
- 994 sq in of cooking surface (listing)
- Six independently controlled burners, 78,000 BTU
- Ceramic-coated top resists rust, per the listing
- Folding side tables with knife holder and hooks
Key specifications
| Model | GB6000 |
|---|---|
| Cooking area | 994 sq in (listing) |
| Burners | 6, independently controlled |
| BTU | 78,000 total |
| Plate material | Ceramic-coated griddle top |
| Grease management | Not stated in the listing |
| Lid | None |
| Fuel | Propane |
Why we recommend it
Choose it if you host large family gatherings, church fundraisers or game days and want to cook everything at once instead of in rounds. Nothing else on this list comes close to its stated surface or burner count.
Skip it if you cook for four most nights. Heating six burners for a small meal wastes fuel and patio space, there is no lid, and a ceramic coating needs gentler tools than bare steel.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Largest surface here
- Six heat zones
- Coated top needs less seasoning
Cons
- No lid
- Large footprint
- Coating will not build a patina
6. Razor 37-inch 4-Burner Griddle – Shelves That Fold Into a Lid
Razor’s 37-inch griddle has a clever trick: the two side shelves fold over the cooktop and double as a protective lid when it sits outside. The listing describes four burners, including a searing burner meant to brown and caramelize quickly, and says the top fits 57 burgers, 46 pancakes or 27 steaks.
The grease system sits at the front, with a concealed cup, so you can check and empty it without reaching behind a hot plate. Push-and-turn ignition and wheels round it out. It is a straightforward, wide flat top for big weekend cooks.
The listing does not give the cooking area in square inches or a BTU figure, and the retailer listings we found disagree on both, so we leave them as not stated. If those numbers matter to you, ask the seller before ordering.
Why we like it
- Four burners, one described as a searing burner
- Folding shelves double as a lid
- Front-access grease cup
- Wide 37-inch top on wheels
Key specifications
| Model | GGC1643M |
|---|---|
| Cooking area | 37-inch top; square inches not stated in the listing |
| Burners | 4, including a searing burner |
| BTU | Not stated in the listing |
| Plate material | Not stated |
| Grease management | Front access, concealed cup |
| Lid | Folding shelves double as a lid |
| Fuel | Propane |
Why we recommend it
Choose it if you want a big four-burner top and prefer emptying grease from the front. The fold-over shelves save buying a separate hood.
Skip it if you want verified numbers. Cooking area, BTU and plate material are all missing from the listing.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Large 37-inch top
- Front grease access
- Shelves cover the plate
Cons
- BTU and cooking area not stated
- Plate material not stated
- Shelves cannot be used as a lid while cooking
7. Nexgrill Daytona 2-Burner Griddle – Compact Freestanding Cart
The Daytona is the smallest freestanding griddle here, built for a narrow patio. The listing gives 530 square inches of cooking space on a hot-rolled steel surface, two burners, push ignition, a folding side table, a storage rack and a removable grease cup. Nexgrill names tacos and pupusas among the things it is meant for.
Hot-rolled steel is bare steel, so it needs seasoning: Nexgrill says proper seasoning creates a non-stick layer that makes cleanup easier. Do that before the first cook, and oil it lightly after each one.
One number does not add up. The listing title says 34,000 BTU, while a feature line says 45,000 total BTUs. We list both; ask the seller if output matters to you. Nexgrill lists a five-year warranty on the main burners.
Why we like it
- 530 sq in on a compact cart
- Hot-rolled steel top that takes seasoning
- Removable grease cup
- Five-year warranty on main burners (listing)
Key specifications
| Model | 720-1150 |
|---|---|
| Cooking area | 530 sq in |
| Burners | 2 |
| BTU | Listing gives both 34,000 and 45,000 |
| Plate material | Hot-rolled steel |
| Grease management | Removable grease cup |
| Lid | None stated |
| Fuel | Propane |
Why we recommend it
It suits small households and apartment patios where a 36-inch cart will not fit, and cooks who like the idea of building their own seasoning on bare steel.
Skip it if you want a lid or clear specs: there is no lid listed, and the BTU figures conflict within the same listing.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Small footprint
- Bare steel builds seasoning
- Long burner warranty
Cons
- No lid
- Conflicting BTU figures
- Must be seasoned before use
8. Royal Gourmet 4-Burner Grill and Griddle Combo – Grates and a Flat Top
Not everyone wants to give up grill marks. Royal Gourmet’s GD401C splits four burners between a flat top and a grill: the listing gives 296 square inches of griddle and 314 square inches of grill, 48,000 BTU in total, with a heavy-duty cover included.
That split works well for a Mexican cookout. Char whole jalapeños, cebollitas and corn on the grates while the flat side sears thin steak or warms tortillas. The griddle is 3 mm ceramic-coated steel, which Royal Gourmet says resists oxidation and needs less maintenance than bare steel. A large grease tray and cup collect drippings from both sides.
Folding legs and two fixed side tables make it easier to move than a full cart, though each cooking zone is small compared with a dedicated 36-inch griddle.
Why we like it
- Grill and griddle zones side by side
- 48,000 BTU across four burners
- 3 mm ceramic-coated steel griddle
- Cover included
Key specifications
| Model | GD401C |
|---|---|
| Cooking area | 296 sq in griddle + 314 sq in grill |
| Burners | 4 |
| BTU | 48,000 total |
| Plate material | 3 mm ceramic-coated steel |
| Grease management | Grease tray and removable cup |
| Lid | No lid; fabric cover included |
| Fuel | Propane |
Why we recommend it
Choose it if you want one appliance that grills and griddles, or if you are replacing an old gas grill and do not want to give up grates. It is the most flexible option here for charring chiles and vegetables.
Skip it if the flat top is what you really want. At 296 square inches, the griddle side is about the size of a tabletop griddle.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Grill and griddle in one
- Coated griddle needs less care
- Folding legs
Cons
- Small griddle side
- No lid, only a cover
How to choose an outdoor griddle
Brand matters less than you might think. These six things decide whether a griddle suits the way you cook.
1. Cooking area and burners
Think in zones, not inches. A restaurant plancha works because different parts of it run at different heats, and each burner on a propane griddle gives you one more zone. Two burners (about 500 square inches) cover a family of four: one hot side, one cooler side. Four burners on a 36-inch top (roughly 700 to 770 square inches) let you sear, sauté, warm tortillas and rest meat at the same time, which is why that size is the most popular. Six burners are for parties.
2. BTU, with a grain of salt
BTU tells you how much gas the burners can burn, not how well the plate holds heat. A thick steel plate with wind guards may cook better at a lower rating than a thin plate with a higher one. Use BTU to compare griddles of the same size, and be wary when a listing gives two different numbers, as some here do.
3. Plate material
Most flat tops use bare rolled or hot-rolled steel. It needs seasoning, like a carbon steel pan, and rusts if left wet, but it builds a dark, slick surface over time and takes a hard sear. Ceramic-coated tops, such as Royal Gourmet’s, need less maintenance and resist rust, but they will not develop that patina and need gentler tools. If you want a stainless plate that skips seasoning altogether, that is mostly a tabletop option, and our guide to the best stainless steel griddle pan covers stovetop versions.
4. Grease management
A flat top makes a lot of grease, especially with chorizo, bacon or fatty arrachera. Rear systems, like Blackstone’s, let you scrape away from yourself into a cup at the back. Front systems put the cup where you can see it. Either works; what matters is a removable cup big enough that you are not emptying it mid-cook. The NFPA advises keeping a grill clean by removing grease or fat buildup from the grills and the trays below, and the same habit applies to a griddle’s cup.
5. Lid or hood
A hood protects the seasoned plate from rain, dew and pollen, which is the main cause of rust on outdoor griddles. A hinged lid that can close while cooking, like Camp Chef’s, also helps melt cheese and finish thicker cuts. If your griddle has neither, budget for a fitted cover.
6. Space and fuel
Full-size griddles weigh 100 pounds or more and run on a standard refillable propane tank hung under the cart. Measure the spot, leave room for the side shelves, and keep it well clear of the house (see the safety section below). If you need to travel with it, a tabletop model on a 1 lb propane cylinder is the better tool.
How we picked these eight griddles
We started from what a restaurant kitchen asks of a flat top: enough surface for a full meal, separate heat zones, a plate that holds heat, and a grease system that keeps the cook’s side clean. We then narrowed the field to freestanding propane griddles sold on Amazon in the United States and in stock when we checked, and confirmed each specification on the maker’s own page or the brand’s Amazon listing. Where the two disagreed, as with Blackstone’s 36-inch station, or a listing contradicted itself, as with Nexgrill’s BTU, we say so in the review. We left out models that were out of stock or showing very low stock when we checked, including Weber’s Slate griddles, Traeger’s Flatrock, Pit Boss’s four-burner griddles and Cuisinart’s 36-inch griddle, and we left out unbranded sellers. We have not cooked on these griddles for this guide; we have not consulted outside equipment reviews for it either, so everything here comes from the makers, the listings and our own kitchen’s view of what a flat top needs to do.
Propane safety before the first cook
Follow the manual that comes with your griddle first. On top of that, the National Fire Protection Association’s grilling safety tip sheet gives these rules for propane grills, and they apply just as well to a propane griddle:
- Use propane grills only outdoors, placed well away from the home, deck railings, eaves and overhanging branches.
- Keep children and pets at least three feet away from the cooking area, and never leave it unattended.
- Check the gas tank hose for leaks before the first use each year by brushing on a light soap and water solution: a leak will release bubbles.
- If you find a leak and there is no flame, turn off the tank and the grill. If the leak stops, have it serviced before using it again; if it does not, call the fire department.
- If you smell gas while cooking, get away from the grill immediately and call the fire department. Do not move it.
- If the flame goes out, turn the gas off and wait at least 15 minutes before relighting.
- Keep grease and fat from building up in the trays below.
Cooking Mexican food on a flat top
A griddle does some things a grill cannot. Here is how a kitchen would use one.
- Carne asada: heat one zone as hot as it will go, oil it lightly and sear thin skirt or flap steak for a few minutes a side. Rest it on the cool zone before slicing across the grain.
- Fajitas: sear the meat on the hot side, then pile sliced peppers and onions on medium heat and let them char at the edges before mixing. If you want the sizzling platter at the table, our best fajita skillet guide covers the cast iron servers, and how to eat fajitas explains the build.
- Smash tacos: press a ball of seasoned ground beef thin onto a corn tortilla, place it meat-side down on the hot steel, and flip once the edges crisp. The flat surface is what makes this work.
- Tortillas: keep the lowest zone at medium-low and warm them dry, like on a comal. Indoors, our guide to the best comal for tortillas does the same job.
- Breakfast: eggs, potatoes and chorizo all fit at once, which is why breakfast tacos are a griddle favorite.
Outdoor griddle questions, answered
What is the best outdoor griddle for home use?
For most households, a 36-inch, four-zone propane griddle with a hood, such as the Blackstone 36-inch Original with Hood. It is big enough for family meals with separate heat zones, and the hood protects the plate. Choose a 28-inch model if space is tight.
What is the best outdoor griddle for an outdoor kitchen?
If you want a side burner as well, the Camp Chef Gridiron Pro 36 includes one rated at 30,000 BTU, which handles pots and frying alongside the flat top. For a built-in island, look at drop-in griddles made for that purpose rather than a cart.
Which outdoor griddle brands are worth looking at?
Blackstone has the widest range of sizes and accessories. Camp Chef, Royal Gourmet, Coleman, Razor and Nexgrill all sell propane flat tops, and Weber, Traeger and Pit Boss make griddles too, though they were out of stock or scarce on Amazon when we checked.
Is an outdoor griddle better than a grill?
For fajitas, smash tacos, onions, eggs and anything small or juicy, yes: nothing falls through, and the fat stays on the steel to help browning. For smoky char and grill marks, a grill wins. The Royal Gourmet combo gives you both.
Do you have to season an outdoor griddle?
Bare steel griddles need seasoning before the first cook and a thin coat of oil after every cook, as Blackstone and Nexgrill both say. Ceramic-coated tops need less, but still benefit from a light oiling.
Can you use an outdoor griddle in a garage?
No. NFPA says propane grills should be used only outdoors, away from the house and anything that can burn. Treat a propane griddle the same way.
Our final pick for the backyard
Buy the Blackstone 36-inch Original Griddle with Hood if you want one griddle that handles family cookouts with four separate heat zones, a hood and rear grease management. Choose the 28-inch Blackstone for a smaller patio, the Camp Chef Gridiron Pro 36 if you want a side burner, the six-burner Royal Gourmet for big parties, and the Royal Gourmet combo if you still want grates. Whatever you pick, season the plate, keep it covered and follow the propane rules above.
For a smaller setup you can carry, see the best portable outdoor griddle; for spatulas, scrapers and covers, see our best outdoor griddle accessories.
On a budget? See our guide to the best value outdoor griddles.
For indoor cooking, our guides to the best cast iron skillet and the best electric skillet cover the stovetop and plug-in options, and Mexican food for a group has ideas for what to cook when everyone comes over. Or let us do the cooking: see the menu or call to order.