Best Outdoor Griddles (2026): 6 Flat-Top Grills from Blackstone, Weber and Traeger
Six outdoor flat-top griddles compared on size, burners and rust protection, plus seasoning tips and easy meal ideas.
Best overall: Blackstone 36″. Best rust-resistant: Weber Slate 30″. Best even heat: Traeger Flatrock. Best portable: Royal Gourmet Tabletop.
An outdoor flat top cooks a whole breakfast, a stack of smash burgers or a hibachi dinner at once. The right one depends on how many people you feed and how much rust care you want to do.
For most backyards, the Blackstone 36-inch: four burners and a huge steel top that feeds big families. The Weber Slate resists rust, the Traeger Flatrock heats most evenly and the Royal Gourmet tabletop is the pick for camping and small patios.
New to flat tops? Start with what a griddle is and how it differs from a grill.
Quick Picks: The Best Outdoor Griddles
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Blackstone 36-Inch 4-Burner Griddle Cooking Station
The griddle that started the backyard flat-top craze: four burners and a huge cooking surface.
Check Blackstone 36″ Price →Weber Slate 30-Inch Rust-Resistant Griddle
Weber’s griddle with a pre-seasoned, rust-resistant carbon steel top.
Check Weber Slate 30″ Price →Traeger Flatrock 3-Zone Flat Top Griddle
A three-zone flat top designed to keep heat even across the whole surface.
Check Traeger Flatrock Price →Royal Gourmet PD1301S Portable 3-Burner Tabletop Griddle
A tabletop three-burner griddle for camping, tailgates and small patios.
Check Royal Gourmet Tabletop Price →Outdoor Griddle Comparison Chart
All six side by side. Tap any name to see today’s price on Amazon.
| Outdoor griddle | Size | Burners / zones | Fuel | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blackstone 36-Inch 4-Burner Griddle Cooking Station | 36 in | 4 burners | Propane | $$$ |
| Weber Slate 30-Inch Rust-Resistant Griddle | 30 in | 3 burners | Propane | $$$ |
| Traeger Flatrock 3-Zone Flat Top Griddle | 594 sq in | 3 zones | Propane | $$$ |
| Camp Chef Gridiron Pro 36 Flat-Top Grill with Side Burner | 36 in | Side burner | Propane | $$$ |
| Pit Boss Ultimate 4-Burner Lift-Off Gas Griddle | 4 burners | Lift-off top | Propane | $$$ |
| Royal Gourmet PD1301S Portable 3-Burner Tabletop Griddle | Tabletop | 3 burners | Propane | $$ |
Specs as stated by each brand. Price tiers are a rough guide and change often, especially around Black Friday: $$ under $300 · $$$ $300–800 · $$$$ over $800.
The 6 Best Outdoor Griddles, Reviewed
From a 36-inch cart to a tabletop for camping, each with its size and burner setup.
Blackstone 36-Inch 4-Burner Griddle Cooking Station
The Blackstone 36-inch is the flat top most backyard cooks picture. Four burners let you run a hot zone for smash burgers and a cool zone for buns and eggs at the same time, and the big steel top feeds a whole family reunion. It needs seasoning and a cover to prevent rust.
- Huge cooking surface
- Four heat zones
- Endless accessories
- Steel top must be seasoned
- Needs a cover outdoors
Weber Slate 30-Inch Rust-Resistant Griddle
The Weber Slate tackles the biggest griddle complaint: rust. Its pre-seasoned carbon steel top is made to resist rust, so a missed cleaning is less of a disaster, and a built-in thermometer shows how hot the surface is. It is a strong choice for cooks new to flat tops.
- Resists rust
- Surface thermometer
- Trusted grill brand
- Smaller than 36-inch models
- Higher price
Traeger Flatrock 3-Zone Flat Top Griddle
Traeger’s Flatrock uses a burner design meant to spread heat evenly, so the edges cook nearly as well as the center. Three zones let you sear, cook and hold food at once. It is aimed at cooks who want consistent results more than the biggest possible top.
- Even heat across the top
- Three cooking zones
- Clean, solid build
- Premium price
- Smaller than a 36-inch
Camp Chef Gridiron Pro 36 Flat-Top Grill with Side Burner
Camp Chef’s Gridiron Pro adds a side burner to a full 36-inch flat top, so you can simmer sauce, warm beans or boil corn while burgers cook. It suits cooks who make full meals outdoors rather than just one item at a time.
- Side burner for pots
- Full 36-inch top
- Complete outdoor meals
- Large footprint
- Check the assembly steps
Pit Boss Ultimate 4-Burner Lift-Off Gas Griddle
Pit Boss’s Ultimate griddle lifts its top off, turning the cart into a multi-burner outdoor stove for big pots and pans. With the top on, four burners give plenty of control for breakfast or burgers. That flexibility suits campers and big batch cooks.
- Works as an outdoor stove
- Four burners
- Versatile for big batches
- Heavy top to lift
- Large footprint
Royal Gourmet PD1301S Portable 3-Burner Tabletop Griddle
Royal Gourmet’s tabletop griddle packs three burners into a size that rides in a car trunk. Set it on a table at the campsite or on a small balcony that allows propane, and it handles pancakes, eggs and burgers for a small group at a fraction of the cost of a cart model.
- Portable
- Low price
- Three burners in a small size
- Small cooking area
- Needs a sturdy table
Seasoning and Rust: What to Know
Season first
Wipe on thin coats of oil and heat until they smoke off. Repeat 3 to 4 times before the first cook.
After each cook
Scrape while warm, wipe clean and leave a thin film of oil on the steel.
Cover it
A fitted cover keeps rain and dew off. Rust comes from moisture on bare steel.
Worried about rust? Read will a Blackstone griddle rust. Building a cooking area? See this DIY Blackstone grill station.
What to Cook on an Outdoor Griddle
| Meal | Griddle ideas |
|---|---|
| Breakfast | Pancakes, eggs, hash browns and beef or chicken sausage at the same time |
| Burgers | Smash burgers with caramelized onions and toasted buns |
| Hibachi night | Fried rice, chicken, shrimp and vegetables with garlic butter |
| Tex-Mex | Fajitas, quesadillas and steak tacos with warm tortillas |
| Cheesesteaks | Thin-sliced beef, peppers and onions on toasted rolls |
Run one side hot and one side low to cook and hold food at once.
How to Choose an Outdoor Griddle
Six things to check before you buy.
28 to 36 inches
A 36-inch top feeds 10 or more; 22 to 28 inches suits small families.
More zones, more control
Separate burners let you cook hot and hold food warm at once.
Steel or rust-resistant
Rolled steel needs seasoning; pre-seasoned or coated tops resist rust.
Rear or side trap
A good grease system keeps flare-ups and mess down.
Cart or tabletop
Carts add shelves; tabletops travel to campsites and tailgates.
Budget for one
A fitted cover is the best protection against rust.
Cooking indoors too? See the best electric griddles and electric vs gas griddles. Shopping for a griller? See these gifts for grill-loving dads.
Outdoor Griddle FAQs
What is the best outdoor griddle?▼
The Blackstone 36-inch for most families: four burners and a very large cooking surface.
Is a Blackstone better than a Weber griddle?▼
Blackstone gives more space for the money; the Weber Slate resists rust better and has a surface thermometer.
What size outdoor griddle should I get?▼
36 inches for big families and parties, 28 to 30 inches for most households, and a tabletop for camping.
How do you season an outdoor griddle?▼
Wipe on thin coats of oil and heat each one until it smokes off, three to four times.
How do you keep a griddle from rusting?▼
Scrape it clean, leave a thin coat of oil and keep it covered between cooks.
Can you use an outdoor griddle in winter?▼
Yes. Allow longer preheating and keep it covered and dry between uses.
Is a griddle better than a grill?▼
A griddle is better for eggs, rice, smash burgers and small foods; a grill is better for smoky char.
What oil is best for seasoning a griddle?▼
High smoke point oils like canola, vegetable or a griddle seasoning blend.
How do you clean an outdoor griddle?▼
Scrape food into the grease trap while warm, wipe with paper towels and finish with a thin coat of oil.
Can you use an outdoor griddle on a balcony?▼
Check your building rules first. Many do not allow propane on balconies.
How long does an outdoor griddle take to heat up?▼
About 10 to 15 minutes on high for an even, hot surface.
What can you cook on an outdoor griddle?▼
Pancakes, eggs, smash burgers, fried rice, fajitas and cheesesteaks are favorites.
The Bottom Line
- Best overall: Blackstone 36″.
- Rust-resistant: Weber Slate 30″; even heat: Traeger Flatrock.
- Full meals: Camp Chef Gridiron Pro or Pit Boss Ultimate.
- Portable: Royal Gourmet Tabletop.
Seasoning and a cover matter more than the brand. Keep a thin film of oil on the steel and it will last for years.